Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - first metric century fixed

Did my first metric century fixed (well, first ever) yesterday. The description of "gently rolling country hills" was a "tad" misleading; however, I managed to make it up all of them but 1 running around 70 gear inches on my Pista. Things I learned:

1. Nothing beats bullhorns for climbing

2. camelbacks aren't so comfy for 5 hours in 85 degree heat (just bought some profile aero seatpost cages to remedy that)

3. Your body can do a lot more than you think it can--there really is a lot to the "mind over matter" saying. After 15 miles of hills, I truly didn't think I could make it, especially with the problems I've been having with my knee.

4. Peanut butter sandwiches keep you going

5. Huge downhills on a fixed are a lot tougher than the huge uphills

6. Horses don't like bikes

7. A day after recovery ride really helps your muscles recover

8. pushing your body to its limits is a much better way to relieve stress than bar hopping; but beer helps with the muscle soreness afterwards--"the amazing healing power of beer"

9. Nothing else matters when it is just you, the bike, and the road

10. My Pista is the best material possession I have (but I do want a roadbike)

i did a 165k fixed mostly flat in the pouring rain a few weeks back, truly amazing

i did a 165k fixed mostly flat in the pouring rain a few weeks back, truly amazing

don't need to be an a-hole. I had never ridden this far before and was a big deal for me having quit smoking a pack a day three 1/2 months ago

are you gay?

Inspiring. So what did you wear, bike shorts and a cycling jersey or what? Also how'd the track geometry work out for you, and what was the previous longest ride you've done?

are you gay?

are you a f@*!-wadd????

Inspiring. So what did you wear, bike shorts and a cycling jersey or what? Also how'd the track geometry work out for you, and what was the previous longest ride you've done?

Previous longest ride was probably 45-50---but almost all flat. Big difference between 45 flat and 60 "rolling country hills." The geometry seemed to work ok---it was actually great for power transfer to get enough momentum to make it up the hills. The hardest thing was controlling the really steep descents the last 20 miles or so.

Wow, what an inspiration! Do you ride all year?

Wow, what an inspiration! Do you ride all year?

No.., actually, I just ride when I want 12-yr old as$ clowns on the web making snotty remarks.

I apologize. I thought doing 60 miles of really steep fracking hills on 80 degree heat on a fixed while still coughing up tar from smoking was an accomplishment and would make for an interestign story. Apparently I was mistaken. Maybe my story would have been more to your liking if I had aerospoke wheels with a white, star-speckled top tube protector, platform pedals, and jeans so tight I had to scrape them off at the end.

I guess its not acceptable to talk about actual fixed-gear riding on this forum anymore. Henceforth, my posts shall be confined to irrelevant racist discussions about scraper bikes

No.., actually, I just ride when I want 12-yr old as$ clowns on the web making snotty remarks.

I apologize. I thought doing 60 miles of really steep fracking hills on 80 degree heat on a fixed while still coughing up tar from smoking was an accomplishment and would make for an interestign story. Apparently I was mistaken. Maybe my story would have been more to your liking if I had aerospoke wheels with a white, star-speckled top tube protector, platform pedals, and jeans so tight I had to scrape them off at the end.

I guess its not acceptable to talk about actual fixed-gear riding on this forum anymore. Henceforth, my posts shall be confined to irrelevant racist discussions about scraper bikes

Hold up.. I think the only guy being a dink was "dmotoguy", and the other comments you've taken the wrong way. Kol.klink was just saying that he did a long fixed ride too, and the other ppl were saying it was inspiring. Maybe you know something I don't, but I think you should take it at face value....

I've done quite a bit road riding and I've thought about going on some distance rides fixed to see how it feels. I imagine it is brutal :)

luvthemas and I did our first metrics on 4-day-old track bikes, it was so much fun. Congrats, it's a good accomplishment.

It's inspiring to me, don't worry about the hecklers. You set a goal, went for it and reached it. That's something to be proud of whether you're on white aerospokes and wearing pin leg jeans or not. I'm an ex-ultramarathon mountain biker who enjoys the torture of post-wall aerobic activity more than (most) drugs and almost as much as beer, but riding a fixed gear a long ways is, in a way more difficult. Never, ever being able to stretch while on the bike is difficult, as is getting your numb balls back to life whilst maintaining a high cadence.

Good work man.

P.S. Along with peanut butter sammies, Spray can "cheese food" (like cheez whiz in a can) is the ultimate super secret long distance racer food trick. High in sodium, high in calories, no chewing to interfere with your ability to breath.

are you gay?

that's pretty uncalled for...

I think he's used to being abused by the forum bullies. I get a lot of heat from them as well, being a meat eater/PC user/motorcycle racer/car owner and all. I love everybody though.

are you gay?

that's pretty uncalled for...
I think dmotoguy is just looking for some luvin'.

luvthemas and I did our first metrics on 4-day-old track bikes, it was so much fun. Congrats, it's a good accomplishment.

A lot of people gave me crazy looks when they figured out what I was riding.

To me, the best part was making it to the top of each hill. Each time I would crest a hill and see another coming I'd swear under my breath and say out loud, "there's no way I can make this one;" but, everytime (but 1---3 major ascents right in a row) I was able to dig down, attack and get to the top. Although at times I wished I had gears, it was kinda nice blowing past all the guys on 5K carbon bikes who were spinning in places up the hills.

All in all, not a bad way top spend a saturday (although I did sleep for 15 hours afterwards). I plan on doing more of these. I just joined my state's bike federation, so I have a nice booklet with all the organized rides throughout the state listed ( I had no clue there were so many)

i don't think i've ever seen anyone more defensive with less reason to be than the OP.

They were giving you compliments man. Chill.

i don't think i've ever seen anyone more defensive with less reason to be than the OP.

They were giving you compliments man. Chill.

+1!

wow, this thread derailed really fast...and after only one post (which, ironically, i also think, was not intended as a slight...).

I know what it's like to ride with huge hills everywhere. Good job man!

I was going to compliment you on a job well done but I'm afraid that if I did, you would remove my proverbial scrotal sack.

Relax guy, afaik no one is putting you down here. Yes long distance riding rules and LD fixed riding is ****loads of fun intermingled with the pain. A metric is just the beginning, keep pushing yourself and you'll be truly surprised by how much you are capable of. Forum member Vireo recently completed RAAM in the team category on a fixed.

Oh and add banana to your PB sandwiches, the added potassium converts it from a food to a superfood.

omg you started a thread for 100km
?

come back when its 1000

I was going to compliment you on a job well done but I'm afraid that if I did, you would remove my proverbial scrotal sack.

ROFL

Relax guy, afaik no one is putting you down here. Yes long distance riding rules and LD fixed riding is ****loads of fun intermingled with the pain. A metric is just the beginning, keep pushing yourself and you'll be truly surprised by how much you are capable of. Forum member Vireo recently completed RAAM in the team category on a fixed.

Oh and add banana to your PB sandwiches, the added potassium converts it from a food to a superfood.

No he didn't. He brought three bikes. One was fixed. He never rode the fixed. He still completed though, which is difficult enough to do.

John Spurgeon completed on a singlespeed.

i wasn't knocking your ride, i did up 160k in the rain hung over, half way through the ride, i felt like death and 40k out, my legs cramped, i hated the ride for a few days after but now a few weeks later im glad i went

No he didn't. He brought three bikes. One was fixed. He never rode the fixed. He still completed though, which is difficult enough to do.

John Spurgeon completed on a singlespeed.

That's it? Come back when you finish RAAM on a fixed Spurgeon!

Back in June, I rode in the "Heart and Stroke" Ride here in Toronto. I did the 75 km route on my conversion. The dudes who knew what a fixed gear bike is and those that bother to talked to me about it all said I was nuts to ride that ride fixed. No big deal. That had been my longest ride to date and I do like long distance on a fixed.

Good for you, op.

don't need to be an a-hole. I had never ridden this far before and was a big deal for me having quit smoking a pack a day three 1/2 months ago

Lost in all this: giving up smoking 3 1/2 mos ago. As you know, that is tougher than the century. I stopped smoking on Christmas day, 2005.....

To the OP: Great job! My farthest SS ride to date has been 70 miles. It wasn't too bad. I recently converted to fixed gear, and it is (to me) WAY harder work, in part because of the lack of on bike stretching and sore a$s problems.

How did your hands hold out on a track frame? Any numbness issues?

i don't think i've ever seen anyone more defensive with less reason to be than the OP.

They were giving you compliments man. Chill.

sorry--was in a bad mood last night and the "are you gay" comment pissed me off, so I assumed all of the following comments were sarcastic. My apologies.

Lost in all this: giving up smoking 3 1/2 mos ago. As you know, that is tougher than the century. I stopped smoking on Christmas day, 2005.....

I have found the more I bike the less I have the urge to smoke. When I was pounding those hills and my lungs were burning, all I could think of was "thank god I quit smoking." Now, everytime I have a nicotene urge, I think of how my lungs feel when hill climbing and how they used to feel when I was still smoking, and the urge passes.

To the OP: Great job! My farthest SS ride to date has been 70 miles. It wasn't too bad. I recently converted to fixed gear, and it is (to me) WAY harder work, in part because of the lack of on bike stretching and sore a$s problems.

How did your hands hold out on a track frame? Any numbness issues?

My hands did get a little numb towards the end, but not too bad. Lots of positions on my bullhorns. sitting up in the saddle every so often and going no handed on some staright-a-ways helped as well.

BRAVO!!!

What gear did you run??

Lol i ran my fixed gear on the ride for heart, And i passed the Skiis and Biikes team on the last big uphill before the turn around it made my bloody day

(i dislike the S&b dont ask)

5. Huge downhills on a fixed are a lot tougher than the huge uphills

Yeah, I can relate to that. All that downhill spinning can drive you nuts, not to mention hand fatigue from the constant braking. After several long distance hilly rides, I finally came to my senses and installed a freewheel cog on one of my fixies with two brakes. Now, whenever there are very long descents involved, that's the bike I use. Also, this way, I can keep up with most of the roadies I ride with. :D

I cramped up 3 times during my first fixed metric. The worst (most painful and most humiliating) was being completely immobilized about 200 meters from the finish and having the people I triumphantly passed ride by me asking if I was okay.

Going downhill is the best part. Don't use the brake, just resist the pedals. Excellent exercise.

Going downhill is the best part. Don't use the brake, just resist the pedals. Excellent exercise.

Track Coach Tadashi.

STFU, seriously.

Track Coach Tadashi.

STFU, seriously.

And who are YOU to tell ME what to do? I'm giving a piece of advice from my own experience. Don't like it - ignore it and STFU.

I will agree that bullhorns are better for climbing that flat bars, but drops with hoods beat bullhorns any day. I was looking at my road bike this morning and thought that they should make bullhorns shaped more like drops with hoods.

for tadashi and bonechilling
http://www.davezilla.com/images/blingbling.jpg

e-thug 4 lyfe

http://kscakes.com/LolCats/Uploads/Saved/oh-u-r-so-ded-stfu-u-n00b1.jpg

Skanking, tell me about your prep and recovery process. I want to do some longer rides (not until I get some spandex though). There's a trail I ride out here that's about 36 miles round trip to/from my house. I love riding it, and usually have some discomfort that makes me stop before I'm ready to so I'm definately getting spandex ftw.

Senior Member




Join Date: May 2007
Location: Albuquerque Skanking, tell me about your prep and recovery process. I want to do some longer rides (not until I get some spandex though). There's a trail I ride out here that's about 36 miles round trip to/from my house. I love riding it, and usually have some discomfort that makes me stop before I'm ready to so I'm definately getting spandex ftw.

+1

More info please. That's a long ****ing ride - how'd you carry food/water/Bengay/Advil etc?? Were there any bars along the way?

resisting pedals downhill is a great exercise, but not TOO good an idea when you got 80 miles to go and 6 more hills to go up/down @_@


on topic: day after rides are great. i learned about the whole 'day after' business when i started hiking lots. the first handful of hikes i just stayed home and loafed. my muscles tightened up and got super sore. i usually go running or play some full court bball to make up for the hikes the next few days. its niice

resisting pedals downhill is a great exercise, but not TOO good an idea when you got 80k miles to go and 6 more hills to go up/down @_@


on topic: day after rides are great. i learned about the whole 'day after' business when i started hiking lots. the first handful of hikes i just stayed home and loafed. my muscles tightened up and got super sore. i usually go running or play some full court bball to make up for the hikes the next few days. its niice

At the end of one of my rides, I have to go downhill. I decided to just walk it, since there are lights on the way. I prefer to stay alive.

+1

More info please. That's a long ****ing ride - how'd you carry food/water/Bengay/Advil etc?? Were there any bars along the way?


No, no bars on this ride. I used a camelback to carry my water, but, with the heat, it became VERY uncomfortable. That said, I didn't need to waste time and wait in line refilling water bottles at each stop. (I just bought a set of those rear cages that attach to your seat post; I tried them out last night, they work great).

Advil and a few bandages I carried in my jersey's back pockets, as well as power bars, bags of peanuts, cookies, etc. that they handed out at the rest stops.

As to clothing, I never more appreciated a good jersey and shorts than on this ride. Being cool anf comfortable is half the battle. Bike shorts are a must. And not the cheapo ones you can get at Dick's or Dunhams. Bite the bullet and buy a nice pair--they are well worth it.

As far as "training" goes, I didn't really train for this event. I just joined my local bike federation and got their ride booklet on friday. I had no saturday plans and was tired of riding alone; I saw this event, and went for it. To be candid, I originally planned just doing the 30 mile route, but all the people my parents' age doing the 64 made me attempt it if for nothing else other than pride. I also kinda wanted to psuh myself, see what I was capable of and how i stacked up to other riders

I commute to work (all flat) most days. On my evening rides, I always try and get some hills in; sometimes I will make circuits doing hills, flats, hills, flats. This helped a lot insofar as knowing how fast I needed to be when hitting a hill to make it up all the way and being able to "pull" my way up to the top. I found that putting most of my energy into pulling up on the pedals was more efficient and easier on the knees while climbing.
That said, I had never ridden anything as remotely challenging as this before. It really became a battle just to survive it.

No other "prep" other than eating peanut butter and bananas for breakfast, drinking loads of water before-hand (the more you drink before, the less thirtsy you get during the ride), and stretching a lot.

As far as recovery, I always do a finishing stretch after a long ride. When I got home, I felt like i had been run over my a truck. I took some advil, rubbed some icy hot into my legs and passed out for 15 hours. The next morning a got up, stretched again, and did a nice slow sunday ride on my new bike. It is very counterintuitive. Your body doesnt even want to see a bike again after a long hard ride, but riding the day after actually helps work out the soreness. I am still sore today; however, I was noticably less sore after my recovery ride yesterday.

so i was wondering. how many OTHER ppl you see riding fixed while on these kind of rides, i usally dont notice ppl around me. too busy 'mind of matter'ing. shoulders open, concentrate on stroke circles, breathe!

On long distance events I always notice other fixed riders, if any, and usually strike up a converstion with them on the road or at SAG stops.