Bob Freitas was kind enough to send me a note, in that a guy who he was sitting on stopped pedalling his fixed in a pace line and Bob hit the back wheel. He was behaving in a proper execution of the discipline, but was probably sitting a little close, for the situation at foot and it bit him. Over the bar and flop, plop, bring the mop. Scratched elbows, luckily no serious injury. But now he gets CENSURED! Not for falling, brain fade happens to us all. But he used the term sitting on a "Fixie". UGH!! I was going to bring this up before, but now is an appropo time, before the Cirque so hopefully it can be a topic of discussion and action. I mean proaction, Not reaction!
I submit that if we are going to deal with beautiful timeline bicycles and equipment, it would seem logical that we should use vocabulary, terminology, expressions, and vernacular that befits our era of expertise. "Fixie" is a yuppie out of timeline vulgarism, and should be banned forever from useage under penalty of excommunication.
Bob: You were sitting on a rider with a fixed gear, and you had a freewheel. He back pedalled and another redskin bit the dust to paraphrase Spike Jones.
How about we start to define and begin to formalize terms that are relevant and proper for afficionados of our favorite hobby and pastime.
Things like track "dropouts", fish hook ends, tubs, singles, sew-ups, etc. This way we can all learn the various countries' expressions, terms, and have fun doing it at the same time. Example: The modern term wheelsucking in my opinion sucks. The correct term is sleigh riding, when someone sits on and doesn't pull through to do his share of pulling at the front to keep the pace going. This is the guy that will then try to beat you at the finish line after others did all the work. There has been more than one payback time delivered, trust me. In the drops, hooks, bends is another one that comes to mind.
What do you think? Should we use vintage terms or dilute our passion? You tell me.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates, CA