I Love Riding in the City

NAME: Niki Gudex
LOCATION: Sydney, Australia
OCCUPATION: Professional athlete

What’s your favorite city to ride in, and what makes it special or memorable?
My favorite place to ride is across the Harbour Bridge in Sydney around dusk, the light is falling and the city lights are becoming visible across the water. I love the mix of the ocean right up against the city. The trains fly by on one side and the cars are constantly buzzing past, but on the bridge there is a side dedicated to cyclists. I like seeing the different cyclists on their way across the bridge. Some flashing by while others struggle to hold a steady line. The only stationary limbs are those of the security guards who patrol the edges of the bridge.

Why do you love riding in the city?
When I am on a bike in a city I feel content and happy—I don’t feel tied down or restricted... The rush of the city seems to be calmed by the presence of the cranks... I know that every stroke is my own. When I ride my bike in the city I live in the moment completely. I can see, smell and hear the city. I can feel the cars breathing onto the hot tar. I know I want to stay alive and I have to be alert to do so. This alertness means I also get the chance to see the different lives people have as we cross paths. Some wonder why I am on two wheels in the pouring rain while I wonder why they stand there, under umbrella, crowded, cross and smoking.

Check out www.nikigudex.com