So there I was, on my local bike trail - "engine braking" down a long hill to keep my pedal cadence under control.

Then a smug "On You Left" and zip zip - around me they went.

Two "roadies" passed me, drafting each other on the downhill. Feeling a little ashamed, I spun up as fast as I could, but there's no way a 48/17 is going to keep up with a geared bike on a downhill. I watched as they got smaller, thinking to myself, "why am I riding this stupid thing." They were about a 1/2 mile ahead when they disappeared into some corners and rolling terrain.

So I settled into my pace and rolled into the first uphill section and pushed over thinking "I sure would like to catch those MFers".

A couple hills later, I catch a glimpse of one of those guys, doing the goofy bow legged, spinning real fast on his compact double thing - and his buddy just a 100-yards ahead.

"Bo-yah" - and out of the saddle I went.

Two hills later and I'm approaching the slower of the two - fast. I trail him though a couple tight corners and listen has he fumbles trying to find a lower gear that he doesn't have. On the next straight, I climb out of the saddle, turning about 1/3 the cadence, and smoothly roll on by. 20-seconds later I'm on the lead rider, as he turns around to check on his buddy. Yup it's me "on your left".

Ha - I love my fixed gear.