Re: [CR]The appeal of fixed gear riding...as much as it can be explained

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:07:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]The appeal of fixed gear riding...as much as it can be explained
To: Tom Sanders <tsan7759142@sbcglobal.net>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <004b01c832ad$f5920e60$e0b62b20$@net>


I've had a similar experience. I seldom ride a fixed gear on the road, but when I used to ride at the Alkek Velodrome in Houston, I found that an hour or less on the track would give me a workout equivalent to three hours on the road on a road bike. I also agree there is something pure and fundamental about a track bike, sort of the essence of the sport.

Regards,

Jerry Moos

Tom Sanders <tsan7759142@sbcglobal.net> wrote: I haven't heard anyone expressing their reasons for riding fixed gear. Let me try to explain how I became drawn to it.

First, I love the look of track and well done fixed gear bikes. They leave off some clutter and present an image of a pure bicycle.sort of an appealing minimalism.like listening to Bach's Suites For Unaccompanied Cello.

Next, I knew it exacted more from me physically. I love to coast.Coasting on a bike is next to flying for me and a really powerful attraction on my longer rides. However, I sometimes just don't have time for a two or three hour ride. I can really get some exercise on a forty five minute ride on a fixed gear bike.

It is a challenge, and some folks shake their heads over the idea of me looking for such a challenge at sixty five years of age.but it is what I want. It makes me a better rider. There are a lot of little sloppy moments easily corrected on a bike that coasts, but on a fixed gear, every little mistake is right in your face. I find I pay a lot more attention to the timing of things, angles, distances, proper fit on the bike and smoothness of access to the pedals, etc. It is very much a learning process.

I would never give up my other bikes.I love them dearly. But riding fixed gear has opened up a whole new area of enjoyment (and sometimes frustration) for me on a bike.

I have to admit I enjoy the idea of yet another cycling group that I can belong to, also.

Hope this sheds a little light for those who can't see what so many of us find appealing in riding a bike that is admittedly less convenient to ride.

Tom Sanders

Lansing, MI USA