Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - tips for long rides on fixed? (century'ish)

anybody done very long rides on fixed?

i want to participate in shinerbash.com - 90 mile ride

i have no idea on the topography, but since im now very comfortable with my 46x17, i figure i would go 46x16 fixed, and 46x17 freewheel (i have 18t freewheel but it wouldnt fit chain length/dropout)

should i stick with 17t fixed? get larger bailout freewheel gear? whatdoyathink

I think you should spend a little time figuring out the topography.

How far do you usually ride? How does the terrain compare with what you're used to?

If you're not used to riding distance, get out and train. You've only got a couple of weeks, but you could use an agressive version of a century training schedule. Otherwise it looks like there are plenty of sag wagons and rest stops, so you might be able to just go out and ride.

If the terrain is hillier or you feel like you're already pushing your limits gear-wise, you might want to gear down.

Take breaks to stretch your legs out, this has been the biggest help to me. I have been doing some long fixed gear rides (up to 70 miles) and am doing a century on Saturday. I've done centuries plenty of times but I am a little nervous about doing it fixed. But this one is in South Jersey and I rode it last year on my road bike and I know its flat.

You can use Google Maps and look at the satellite view. You could drive the route before hand. Or if you do alot of riding pick up a copy for DeLorme Topo software.

Also you didn't mention which route you are doing. Aren't there three different routes?

If you are trained up, doing a century shouldn't be a problem. I am doing my second fixed century for the year this weekend and then the MS 150 the following weekend.

I think if you ride a lot on consecutive days that is another way to build up your strength to go the distance. I did an 80 mile road race this year (in like 3 hours and twenty minutes) despite only doing one 60+ mile ride in the previous two months. And I was fine, no cramping, no pain. But I was riding 30 mile r/t commutes many days in a row, fixed.

DON"T CHANGE YOUR GEARING!!! 46x17 is big enough and it is what you're used to. I did a metric on my 44x17 and only got dropped a couple times by being undergeared. As it was, my legs were sore for several days.

But yesterday I just took 3rd from ~ 80 riders in a local Category 4 criterium and I had this monster sprint with awesome leg speed. It is all about the fixed gear, which is all I ride, save for racing. It was fast too, half the field was dropped, lapped, and pulled.

Make sure you're fresh on the day of.

ill be doing the austin->spoetzl route. i havent the resource on hand to check the topo, but ill go see if the geo. department will help me out.

i havent got time to do serious century training, but on the hilly rides around town i fare fine. my climbing is fine so im more scared of prolonged downhill spins.

the only problem i have when i do serious hill runs on 30/40 mile'rs is that i get cramping in my calves (which, the doc told me, is not a potassium problem)

id like to hear your opinions on the gearing as your ride spans over longer distances... would you rather have taller gearing to lessen the spin because the ride is so long or would you have it shorter to make climbing easier deep into the ride. if you had freewheel.. did you feel like they helped ? etc etc etc :)

id like to hear your opinions on the gearing as your ride spans over longer distances... would you rather have taller gearing to lessen the spin because the ride is so long or would you have it shorter to make climbing easier deep into the ride. if you had freewheel.. did you feel like they helped ? etc etc etc :)

I think that you get used to the spinning - and you can always unclip, esp. if you have a brake, on a long downhill.

Cardinal rule for events is no big changes prior to, you have to stick with what you're used to.

The Austin to Shiner route is one of the easiest organized rides in the Austin area, as overall it is downhill. The only problem is if we have a headwind from the south, which is quite common at this time of year. Two years ago we actually had a tailwind, and last year it was pretty much crosswinds. The only thing unpleasant about the ride is a section of very rough chipseal around mile 60-70, and the big hill around 75 or 80. I've just started riding fixed so I won't be doing the BASH on it this year, but I've been thinking it would be a great place to try my first longish fixed ride. Good luck!

If I was gonna change gearing, I'd go lower. I don't have a problem coasting downhill but when you start to get deep into the ride, climbing becomes more terrible.

The first real long ride, you may want to go one tooth smaller. I.e. if you are running 46x17 now, go with 46x18. It will make quite a big difference once you are past you comfort level as to the distance. Then, if all goes well and you do it again, go back to your normal gearing.

"A tooth lighter" seems to be general advice, eh? I'll bear that in mind: I've got a 120-miler coming up in July and I'm starting to get scared...

"A tooth lighter" seems to be general advice, eh? I'll bear that in mind: I've got a 120-miler coming up in July and I'm starting to get scared...

you doing dunwich dynamo? me & my girlfriend are planning to do that on fixed as well, she might use the freewheel side, though.

I switched from 47x16 to 47x17 a week ago, and did a century yesterday with no problems. If in doubt, go with the lower gear: you'll be much happier.

Trespasser, yes, that's the ride. I've done it a couple of times on my gearie, and last year I was dared to do it on fixed for '05. If you were there last year, I was the fat bloke in black with the blue Hokey Spokes :)

(PS, are you on www.cyclingplus.co.uk? there's a Dun Run tribe there!)