Candy Cranks

As the barometer nudges 30 (C) here in Sydney, and my racing calendar empties out, I realise it’s time to get back on the fixie for some balmy night riding. It’s time to scream down Anzac Parade in shorts and a singlet, with the heat of the day rising up through your tyres and sweat trickling down your brows. It’s time for late night frozen yoghurt, and a post ride dive in the ocean.

Sydney has its flaws; it’s true. But amongst the dodgy ‘bike lanes’ and river rapids of angry, incompetent drivers, is a summer climate and general atmosphere of merriment like no other. I’ll cop a bit of sweat and abuse on the road for a sunset journey down to Bondi, along the sparkling coastline of the eastern suburbs. If, like me, ‘life’ and other distractions have somehow pulled you away from your fixie of late, then take this opportunity to get re-acquainted. Huck yourself over your frame, dig into those straps, and hurl yourself down your favourite route. Catch a glimpse of the evening sunset and inhale a bouquet of jasmine flowers while you’re at it. And if you see me screaming past, grin wider than your Deep V rims, say g’day. If  however, you happen to be thousands of miles from the harbour city, staring down the barrel of a white Christmas, don’t despair; donning a pair of woollen gloves and fluffy hoody, and breaking through the frost with the heat of your breath, is just as good a reason to get out on your bike. Happy riding