"Slings and Arrows"
The horrible disrespect and antagonism from my fellow cyclists has wounded me deeply. Kris and I rode over to the Sunday ride at the BK. I was going on the Co-Motion, fillet brazed steel, Campy 10, and he shows up on the Redline single speed. (Actually I thought he was fixed but he is a SNEAKY little devil and had a freewheel.) We rode back to my place and I switched to the fixed gear, Bianchi Stelvio, 42/14. I usually ride a 42/17 but my good wheel is in the shop. The taunts in the parking lot were merciless. “Be careful out there on that thing.” It was even worse when we got to the park and all of the Domingoistas were slurping Gatorade and gumming cookies. “You look good on that thing.”
It’s not a thing for chrissake! It’s a bicycle!
This time of year there are countless articles on winter training and some of them even mention the tried and true old school methods. Riding a fixed gear used to be just about the only off season regime. Track or road the fixed gear requires you to pedal all the way around the crank and pedal ALL of the time. Not only does it smooth out your pedal stroke but it keeps you from being lazy. Yes, even if your tongue is hanging out and you coughed up your remaining good lung 5 miles back, you could still work a little harder. A rider on a freewheeled bike will coast 15% to 20% of the time.
There are some things to keep in mind. Stopping should be planned out. Posting over bumps requires pedaling as does bunny hopping. If you think you know how to bunny hop, try it on a fixed. If you forget and try to coast you have a 700 CM flywheel that tries to buck you off the bike. (Ask Mike Padgett about the physics.) Don’t let this scare you off, after all, what’s wrong with having bike handling skills and planning a few moves ahead?
Many people think I am funny looking. I have heard that ever since I passed that “beautiful baby” age. I can suffer your slings and arrows but please, be kind to the ride. Mustache bars and a lack of neon may seem odd to you, but my fixed gear is a bike just like any other. Get one for yourself and I’ll show you just how much fun a noble ride can be.
It’s not a thing for chrissake! It’s a bicycle!
This time of year there are countless articles on winter training and some of them even mention the tried and true old school methods. Riding a fixed gear used to be just about the only off season regime. Track or road the fixed gear requires you to pedal all the way around the crank and pedal ALL of the time. Not only does it smooth out your pedal stroke but it keeps you from being lazy. Yes, even if your tongue is hanging out and you coughed up your remaining good lung 5 miles back, you could still work a little harder. A rider on a freewheeled bike will coast 15% to 20% of the time.
There are some things to keep in mind. Stopping should be planned out. Posting over bumps requires pedaling as does bunny hopping. If you think you know how to bunny hop, try it on a fixed. If you forget and try to coast you have a 700 CM flywheel that tries to buck you off the bike. (Ask Mike Padgett about the physics.) Don’t let this scare you off, after all, what’s wrong with having bike handling skills and planning a few moves ahead?
Many people think I am funny looking. I have heard that ever since I passed that “beautiful baby” age. I can suffer your slings and arrows but please, be kind to the ride. Mustache bars and a lack of neon may seem odd to you, but my fixed gear is a bike just like any other. Get one for yourself and I’ll show you just how much fun a noble ride can be.
posted by Speedo at 1:55 PM
3 Comments:
Curtis, I missed the ride last week so didn't get to see your fixed gear. Brent from the www.triscoop.com website and podcasts swears by the fixed gear. You should post a picture of the bike. --RandyC
I'll try and get a photo up as soon as my "good" wheel gets back from Phil Wood.
NICE JOB CURTIS
YOU KNOW THEY ARE ONLY AFRAID OF WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW
ERNEST
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