I remember being particularly impressed when I participated in the Lake Tahoe Century several years ago with one of the other riders who was riding a fixed gear track bike and seemed to have no trouble whatsoever negotiating some pretty challenging climbs as well as the descents. While I am not necessarily advocating riding fixed gear bikes in heavy city traffic given the prevalence of soccer mom's etc. in their SUV's who are often too busy talking on the cell phone, yelling at their kids, watching DVD's and who knows what else to pay attention to any 2 wheel conveyances that they may be on a collision course with; I do think that the initial feeling akin to a run away train that many people equate to their first attempts with fixed gear bikes is easily overcome and once one acquires some basic skill and appreciation for the experience it's hard to beat. I don't think there is any doubt that there is a great deal of benefit to be had from training on a fixed gear bike and it can be most enjoyable as well.
Edward Robert Brooks Managing Director Edward Roberts International Auctioneers of the Fine and Rare 1262 West Winwood Drive Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 Phone- 847.295.8696 Facsimile- 847.295.8697 Email- ebrooks@eriwine.com Website- http://www.eriwine.com
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Oldtrikerider@aol.com Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 5:10 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Fixed Gear
I just opened my new issue of Ultra Cycling and found an article about 23 yr old Emily Archeoptyerix (O'Brian) ? who rode the Furnace Creek 508 this past fall on a fixed gear bike. Her time for the 508 mile ride (with 35,000' of
elevation gain) was 44:24+. I guess that they are good for more than around town.
Paul Patzkowsky
Longmont, Colorado