Cycling...A great leveler.Me?I started audaxing with an ex-con in the summer of 1986Gypsy Bob kept me amused with his complete lack of p.c awareness and yet would scoop a fallen bird out of the road rather than see it...His tales of the road... fist fights, police cells, £500 quid a week in 1984 all on booze and girls, working on dams, roads, Irish life and conversion to non-smoking near tee total audax man ( L.E.L rider 1st edition) My father who was a Naval Officer enjoyed his company too and would join us for summer evening jaunts to the Little Chef for Maple syrup pancakes and coffee (free re-fills)It is 2007 and Bob is crippled by his earlier hard living so no longer rides with us.We know where he is though... in here.I now often ride with a chap who has fat legs which I often remind him of.He is a scientist, vegetarian and a remarkable fellow in his own right.A company director, world traveled and a leader in his field.I reckon he earns squillions yet rides... economically.There is my regular wheelman.A gardener by trade.Often so discreet as to never say more than a few words per 100km ridden.Yet always there... to follow or to lend a hand/tube/energy bar.I am also a gardener and so know the spending limits of one in this trade only too well.There is John.He built and sold a bus company in the north of England. Drives a model 'T' on special days and owns a third share in a private jet.John enjoys Youth hosteling with the C.T.C and local beers.Buys big boxes of broken biscuits from Macro to share amongst the group.Know the value of a dollar, penny, dinari...Rides a cheap and cheerfull Dawes what ain't been cleaned never!I could go on... Yet I just wanted to say that the real revolution happened with the invention of the cycle (not the bicycle!) The great leveler and the creator of a classless society... at least until we peel off for home...