Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Prospect Park Loop?

I took my singlespeed to the loop in prospect park for the first time. I am running a 32:12 and its great on the flats but not for the hill in the park. Do i need to change the gearing or do I need to ride more?

that is around 70 gear inches. sorry, but you need to ride more. in fact, you should be spinning out like crazy going down the hill. i ride over 85 and spin out. at least, *I* feel like i am spinning out. others are better at spinning than i am.

by the way, cool screen name.

jealous.

I have no problem spinning out on the downhill but the problem is going up.

Msngr are you riding a fixed gear or freewheeling?

one might guess...

I have no problem spinning out on the downhill but the problem is going up.

Msngr are you riding a fixed gear or freewheeling?
naturally, i am riding fixed

i don't mean to be harsh, but if you are not feeling the spinout, you may not be riding the right way up the hill. really. that hill is mild, your approach may be at fault. try sliding WAY back on the saddle and putting your hands on the top of the bars. you'll find that the hill melts away. this approach puts your big muscles right over the drivetrain, and the hill should feel better.

try it out, and try it again. that hill only feels like a hill until you figure it out. i hope that makes sense.

oh yeah, stay in the saddle.

naturally, i am riding fixed

i don't mean to be harsh, but if you are not feeling the spinout, you may not be riding the right way up the hill. really. that hill is mild, your approach may be at fault. try sliding WAY back on the saddle and putting your hands on the top of the bars. you'll find that the hill melts away. this approach puts your big muscles right over the drivetrain, and the hill should feel better.

try it out, and try it again. that hill only feels like a hill until you figure it out. i hope that makes sense.

msngr's givin' away the secrets ;)

msngr's givin' away the secrets ;)
actually, i really feel like i AM giving away a secret. so many good riders do not stay down. i always feel like i am cheating when i stay down and up on the bars. it's like riding with decent riders who ride with cages and sneakers.

damn, i'm screwed.

one of the best drills i ever got from my coach was riding uphill with your hands behind your back.
as soon as a you do that you realize why cyclists have big quads and great a$$es.

they're the biggest muscles in your body. use them.

a trainer recently relayed the same info to me as if it was new news. sometimes you know something and dont really know it. know what i mean?

ohh. so many double positives here. ;)

back in the day (...when I was fat and lived in brooklyn) I used to ride that loop everyday after work. I had some routine, I forget what it was exactly, but it was something like ride three laps sitting down the whole time then sprint out of the saddle going up the hill on the fourth lap. then cool down riding back to my apt. and I guess it worked 'cause I ain't fat no 'mo! I was riding 69".

I only have been riding the loop for about a month on my other bike(8 speed mtb with slicks).

thanks for the tips. I try to stay in the saddle as much as possible. I will get out of the saddle and try to sprint up the hill for something different

This is my bike

This is my bike

all your energy is probably going squish squish into your tires. a fixed gear road bike is more efficient than a ss mnt bike. don't feel bad the loop is giving you troubles. take that bad boy off-road and get'er dirty and get yourself a fixie for the loop riding.

I took my fixie to the loop this morning. I started at the entrance by the coney island ave roundabout. I was feeling good until I heard a pop just before you make that right before the hill. At first I thought i busted my chain but the chain popped off?? Good thing I had my pack w/tools with me. I got it back on to make it home but I will have to examime what went wrong.

I took my Fuji to PP this morning as well. Did 15 laps (50 miles) without incident.
The wind was brutal.

Going back tomorrow, a.m. for another 50.

Anyone care to join me? Nothing spectacular, ~ 20 mph pace

i'll probably head out there at some point. i try to do the loop about 4 times a week, but only for about 8 laps or so. 50 miles is quite a bit, way to go!