Re: Getting old is not for sissies

On 3/1/2025 8:45 AM, zen cycle wrote:

A free-wheel is easy to bunny hop over stuff, a fixed-gear, notsomuch, for the simple reason that as long as the bike is moving your legs have to be moving meaning you have to be able to lift the bike while your legs are moving. Of course it can be done, but it's very challenging and takes a great deal of coordination. I've seen it done, I can't do.

A few years ago I met a young guy riding a fixie when we were visiting DC. I started a conversation with him when I saw him hop the bike and skid to a stop. Yes, it looked like it took great coordination. Of course, he wasn't moving at high speed; probably less than 12 mph.

Spinning your legs at cadences over 130 take a bit of practice.

Indeed! I used to occasionally practice while riding rollers, but I doubt that I ever exceeded 130. As I understand, riding fixed is the quickest way of gaining that skill, because the feedback system is instantaneous.

I've ridden a fixed gear consistently for almost 40 years now as my cycling mentors were old school guys who preached it as an off season training tool. I've done 3- 4 hour sessions on the road, commuted, done a smattering of track racing, and I do the local club TT a couple of times a year on it. A number of years ago a local shop was doing matched spring roller races I competed in every week for a few years(if you couldn't spin 170 you weren't shit).

Impressive!
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- Frank Krygowski