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No terrain is impossible for the Urban Cyclist His powerful legs drive the pedals down in alternation, right, left, right, left, calculating the degree of incline by the strength required of his thigh and calf muscles for each complete revolution of the front sprocket The soles of his feet and palms of his hands read each vibration transferred from the tyres to the handlebars and frame, making micro-adjustments to his direction and balance at a speed faster than thought The initial uphill stretch when he first leaves the house is short and serves to lubricate his joints and warm up his muscles He quickly reaches Reservation Street Its sloping cobbled lanes are separated by a grassy central reservation Five blocks to The Strip Knowing every inch of the way like the back of his hand doesn’t make the challenge any less dangerous for the Urban Cyclist From one week to the next, so much can change A resident might decide to have a new driveway put in so they can park their car in the garage more comfortably, and may have to deposit mounds of sand, gravel and cement in the middle of the pavement, an example of the kind of mutant obstacle for which the true Urban Cyclist must be prepared There are dogs that shoot out like rockets from behind walls to try to snaffle a bit of their favourite food, an unwary cyclist’s shin Even trees, an apparently peaceful and inoffensive element of the natural world, from one week to the next push out branches and roots, which can obstruct the Cyclist’s path Weeds sprout from the pavement, concealing pebbles, holes and bricks that can catch one by surprise and cause serious accidents from which only the most skilled, experienced cyclists emerge unscathed   The day is auspicious for a high-risk, high-speed ride It’s chilly out, with a cold wind of medium intensity and a clear sky Although the wind causes certain discomfort, whipping the Cyclist’s face and making breathing difficult, it means he perspires less, thus reducing the need to wipe sweat from his eyes and the