Wendsdee Jooon Twenteee Sixth

Exactly one year ago I posted a picture of the Kenmore Square bus station construction. I got almost the exact same shot today, but I don't think the guy on the bike is the same. If it is the same guy, then he lost some weight. Unless maybe that white t-shirt made him look big. Anyway, kudos to him, although I don't agree with that particular combo of blue shorts and blue t-shirt.

But the real story here isn't this gentleman's weight loss, it's the bus station. An amazing amount of progress in a year, isn't it?

Warming up to the fixed-gear

It's been 2 and half weeks riding in fixed-gear mode. I'm pretty much OK with not coasting. I didn't touch my brake once this morning. I say 'brake' because I removed the rear brake. Sheldon Brown says that "a rear brake is quite unnecessary on a fixed-gear machine."

I'm not sure I agree. In fact, I might say that riding a fixed-gear machine is quite unnecessary. I'm all for going overboard with safety. I usually ride with two rear lights, and for a while rode with two front lights as well. But I went ahead and removed the brake anyway. It definitely gives the bike a more simple appearance, and anyone in-the-know recognizes it as a fixed-gear. And if they have any doubt, they can just ask me as they're helping me up off the pavement.

Fixed-Gear Dismount Lesson

OK, so it has been two weeks riding fixed-gear, so I consider myself somewhat of an authority on the subject. I've read some stuff about proper dismount from bikes and from fixed-gear specifically, but I want to show you a more effective method.

First, if you're like me, you roll your pant leg up on the right. When I roll up my pant leg, I end up creating what is basically a pocket at the end of the leg.

Step 1: I dismount by standing on my left leg and swinging my right leg over the saddle. Midway through this motion I catch my pant leg "pocket" on the horn of the saddle.

Step 2: I stagger and wobble as I attempt to free my pant leg from the saddle.

Step 3: The frantic pulling and jerking motion causes me to collapse on the ground.

Voila! I am now in a position to safely separate myself from the bike.

Stay tuned - more fixed-gear tips and tricks coming up!

Fixed Fear

So I've made the switch to riding fixed-gear.

For those who don't know what that is, here's the definition from Sheldon Brown: "A rear hub in which the sprocket is rigidly connected to the hub, without a freewheel. The pedals of a fixed-gear bicycle revolve whenever the rear wheel turns; coasting is impossible."

I made the switch last Monday, and it has added a whole new level of fear to my daily ride. Like Sheldon said, coasting is impossible. If you forget for even a split second to keep pedaling, the pedals slam your feet off of them. Getting on and off the bike, starting and stopping (especially stopping)are all brand new challenges.

Why do this? A lot of people have great things to say about fixed-gear riding. Sheldon Brown wrote "There is an almost mystical connection between a fixed-gear cyclist and bicycle, it feels like an extension of your body to a greater extent than does a freewheel-equipped machine."

I can't say I agree with that yet, but I definitely agree that coasting is impossible.