The dangers of fixed!!!



G

G.T.

Guest
Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to try
tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In fact, my
new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for short.

Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride backwards
in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first attempt I rode
backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
hematoma sticking out of my shin.

But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success before
heading the rest of the way home.

Greg
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On May 13, 9:24 pm, "G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:
> Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
> drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to try
> tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In fact, my
> new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for short.
>
> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
> riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
> didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
> and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride backwards
> in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first attempt I rode
> backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
> Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
> backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
> ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
> some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
> hematoma sticking out of my shin.
>
> But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success before
> heading the rest of the way home.

If you really rode '30 feet or so' on your first
attempt, that is pretty unusual. Most fixed riders become
fluent in backward circles before they learn to
ride 'straight back,' which is considerably more
difficult.

Btw, you don't need a fixed gear to enjoy riding
backward, but with a freewheel you'll need some
gravity.

Robert
 
[email protected] wrote:
> On May 13, 9:24 pm, "G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
>> drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to try
>> tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In fact, my
>> new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for short.
>>
>> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
>> riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
>> didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
>> and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride backwards
>> in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first attempt I rode
>> backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
>> Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
>> backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
>> ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
>> some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
>> hematoma sticking out of my shin.
>>
>> But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success before
>> heading the rest of the way home.
>
> If you really rode '30 feet or so' on your first
> attempt, that is pretty unusual. Most fixed riders become
> fluent in backward circles before they learn to
> ride 'straight back,' which is considerably more
> difficult.
>

I should say my first attempt of today's session. I've been
half-heartedly doing circles for awhile, today's the first time I hung
out in a parking lot and really practiced.

> Btw, you don't need a fixed gear to enjoy riding
> backward, but with a freewheel you'll need some
> gravity.
>

Yep.

Greg

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In article <[email protected]>,
"G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:

> Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
> drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to
> try tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In
> fact, my new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for
> short.
>
> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
> riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
> didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
> and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride
> backwards in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first
> attempt I rode backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the
> next 15 minutes. Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool,
> I'm riding backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for
> some stupid ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down
> on my ass with some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now
> have a 2 inch hematoma sticking out of my shin.
>
> But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success
> before heading the rest of the way home.

http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/2.mov

http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/8.mov
 
<[email protected]>: (clip) Btw, you don't need a fixed gear to enjoy riding
> backward, but with a freewheel you'll need some
> gravity.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You don't need gravity to propel you, but it helps to have some to hold you
DOWN. I watched a skilled trials rider go backwards by shifting his weight
forward and backward, while synchronizing his brakes to kill the forward
movement.
 
On May 14, 9:58 am, "Leo Lichtman" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> <[email protected]>: (clip) Btw, you don't need a fixed gear to enjoy riding> backward, but with a freewheel you'll need some
> > gravity.
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> You don't need gravity to propel you, but it helps to have some to hold you
> DOWN. I watched a skilled trials rider go backwards by shifting his weight
> forward and backward, while synchronizing his brakes to kill the forward
> movement.


Indeed it can be done. Pretty dang difficult
though. I know a guy who can roll ever so
slowly backward on a flat surface with his
freewheel bike, in a straight line, with very
little rocking or perceptible movement other
than a slow backpedal. It is eerie.

Most attempts to ride straight back devolve
into wacky weaving, curlicues, etc. There are
lots of folks who could ride around indefinitely
like that, given enough space, but it is another
thing altogether to decide on a destination and
get there.

Robert

Robert
 
On May 14, 12:10 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> I know a guy who can roll ever so
> slowly backward on a flat surface with his
> freewheel bike, in a straight line, with very
> little rocking or perceptible movement other
> than a slow backpedal. It is eerie.

I once bought a bike that did that. Body english helped, but the
primary culprit was the chain was too tight. Freewheel failed not too
long after anyway.
 
On May 14, 3:02 pm, Gazza <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tim McNamara wrote:
>
> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/2.mov
>
> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/8.mov
>
> Ha Ha. Cool as.... I love the no hands track stand! Never ridden a fixie
> but I think I may have to build one now ;-)
>
> G

Boring and not that hard on a fixed gear. Try this:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/37388/bikedancer/

I saw some footage of a guy here in PDX riding down 2" diameter hand
rails on a disable ramp and rolling his wheel over a security chain in
an opening at the bottom of the ramp. Unreal. All while doing a
wheelie on a SS freewheel bike. -- Jay Beattie.
 
On May 13, 10:24 pm, "G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:
> Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
> drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to try
> tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In fact, my
> new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for short.
>
> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
> riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
> didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
> and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride backwards
> in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first attempt I rode
> backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
> Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
> backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
> ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
> some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
> hematoma sticking out of my shin.
>
> But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success before
> heading the rest of the way home.

I hope you were responsible and had your SO hold your beer as you
said, "honey, watch this!" *g*

That said, I'm envious of folks that can do fixie tricks like track
stands and riding backwards. I've got a gimpy inner ear which makes
such things nigh impossible. Can't unicycle, juggle, or climb high
ladders as well. Strangely enough, I have no problem cornering on a
bike or on a motorcycle, but I do both deliberately through careful
countersteering, rather than the natural "body english" a lot of folks
use. Probably the same thing, but I gotta think about it.

Speaking of *the dangers of fixed gear* (cue klaxons), I made myself
figuratively **** my britches on a beer run tonight. Sober as a judge,
but I wasn't thinking and jumped on my fixie in flip flops. Yes it has
clips and straps. And I do ride it in unconventional shoes quite
often, like my wooden Swedish clogs...but bare feet and flip flops are
a bad match for fixed. So I'm flying down my first hill at 28mph (yes,
I bothered to look at the computer, as I've been curious to my top
speed fixed) and realize that, "****, I'm on a fixie in flip flops!"
and have all sorts of visions of severed toes flying, grab both my
brakes (soo, uncool, eh?) and slow to walking pace, proceed sloooowly
to the store and ride home.

Sheldon Brown, I damn thee, and your pictures of digital disfigurement
for causing me such a panic. ;-)
 
"Jay Beattie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On May 14, 3:02 pm, Gazza <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Tim McNamara wrote:
>>
>> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/2.mov
>>
>> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/8.mov
>>
>> Ha Ha. Cool as.... I love the no hands track stand! Never ridden a
>> fixie
>> but I think I may have to build one now ;-)
>>
>> G
>
> Boring and not that hard on a fixed gear. Try this:
> http://www.metacafe.com/watch/37388/bikedancer/
>

Wow, I was completely mesmerized. Trials guys are amazing.

Greg
--
Ticketbastard tax tracker:
http://ticketmastersucks.org/tracker.html

Dethink to survive - Mclusky
 
"landotter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On May 13, 10:24 pm, "G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Well, I have to add another danger to Chalo's list of fixed gear
>> drawbacks. That is, they're so damn fun that some are attempted to try
>> tricks they can't easily do on a freewheel equipped bike. In fact, my
>> new slogan is Fixed Gears Add Fun to the Flats, or FAFF for short.
>>
>> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
>> riding backwards. Today after I was mostly done with a ride that I
>> didn't want to end, because fixed gears add so much fun to the flats,
>> and since I had some light left I figured I would try to ride backwards
>> in the parking lot of a local B of A. Well, on my first attempt I rode
>> backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
>> Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
>> backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
>> ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
>> some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
>> hematoma sticking out of my shin.
>>
>> But I did get right back up and try it again with modest success before
>> heading the rest of the way home.
>
> I hope you were responsible and had your SO hold your beer as you
> said, "honey, watch this!" *g*

Hell no. I didn't think I'd crash but I made damn sure there wasn't anyone
around in case I did.

>
> Speaking of *the dangers of fixed gear* (cue klaxons), I made myself
> figuratively **** my britches on a beer run tonight. Sober as a judge,
> but I wasn't thinking and jumped on my fixie in flip flops. Yes it has
> clips and straps. And I do ride it in unconventional shoes quite
> often, like my wooden Swedish clogs...but bare feet and flip flops are
> a bad match for fixed. So I'm flying down my first hill at 28mph (yes,
> I bothered to look at the computer, as I've been curious to my top
> speed fixed) and realize that, "****, I'm on a fixie in flip flops!"
> and have all sorts of visions of severed toes flying, grab both my
> brakes (soo, uncool, eh?) and slow to walking pace, proceed sloooowly
> to the store and ride home.
>

Hahaha, I ride in my flip flops to the store all the time, but it's only 1/4
mile at 10 mph on flat streets.

Greg
 
Jay Beattie wrote:

> On May 14, 3:02 pm, Gazza <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Tim McNamara wrote:
>>
>> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/2.mov
>>
>> >http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/8.mov
>>
>> Ha Ha. Cool as.... I love the no hands track stand! Never ridden a
>> fixie but I think I may have to build one now ;-)
>>
>> G
>
> Boring and not that hard on a fixed gear. Try this:
> http://www.metacafe.com/watch/37388/bikedancer/
>
> I saw some footage of a guy here in PDX riding down 2" diameter hand
> rails on a disable ramp and rolling his wheel over a security chain in
> an opening at the bottom of the ramp. Unreal. All while doing a
> wheelie on a SS freewheel bike. -- Jay Beattie.

Cool clip. I love to watch the trials guys. I got a couple of Ryan Leech
DVDs but if I practiced all day for the next 20 years I don't think I could
do half the stuff he does.

G
 
On 2007-05-15, landotter <[email protected]> wrote:

> On May 13, 10:24 pm, "G.T." <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Anyway, the one and only trick I would like to accomplish so far is
>> riding backwards. [...] Well, on my first attempt I rode
>> backwards for 30 feet or so, then I struggled for the next 15 minutes.
>> Then I relaxed again and went with the flow. Cool, I'm riding
>> backwards. Until I turn the bars left and lean right for some stupid
>> ass awkward reason. I instantly slammed backwards down on my ass with
>> some part of my frame hammering my shin bone. I now have a 2 inch
>> hematoma sticking out of my shin.

> I hope you were responsible and had your SO hold your beer as you
> said, "honey, watch this!" *g*

Keep trying until you can do this:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/may/YorgoTloupas_2.htm

--

John ([email protected])
 
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