Charles,
Nice, almost mystical experience. It's like those lifelong-best views and vistas one sees, there's no camera around.
You mention inch-pitch chains. I have a few friends who have ridden them on fixed-gear bikes, and swear they feel different. Not like more grainy or rougher, but a feeling of more direct power being transferred to the pedals. It made them feel like they were riding better, faster. I don't know if there's anything to this, or whether it's idealizing a technology from a golden, bygone era, or what? Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hear there's a place in California that still makes inch-pitch chains. I'd consider setting a bike up that way just for the novelty. Like an old Frejus track.....
--Greg
New York City