I ventured into the hills for the first time yesterday morning, taking 9 from Big Basin to 35 and back again. I know what my heavy commuter bike is like going uphill, so I thought I'd take my much lighter fixed gear and see what happens. Worst case, I could always turn around. I'm running 42-15 gearing and was pretty much standing the whole time, just slowly turning over and over. It actually felt kind of like hiking rather than biking. About halfway up, another rider caught up to me, and we ended up riding together, talking bikes the rest of the way up. It sure made the time pass by quickly.

Going up wasn't easy, but it was easier than going down! I can spin comfortably up to 28mph or so where there's a gentle grade and I actually have to pedal and crouch down to maintain that speed, but it's completely different spinning fast on a steep grade with zero load on the pedals at all, while continuing to gain speed just from gravity alone! My hands were totally sore, especially my braking hand. Luckily, it doesn't take long to get to the bottom. About the time we reached Pierce Road, I could finally apply some forward pedal pressure again -- what a relief! However, I can definitely see the ride down being a lot of fun with a freewheel. I'm pretty sure the climb would be faster and more fun with derailleurs, too. So, I think I'm officially in the market for a nice geared road bike. It'll be my third bike in about as many months. I'm still figuring out how to rationalize that to myself, and then I have to figure out how to rationalize that to the wife... :D)

I have seen a few fixies on the way up 9 from time to time, and have often wondered what it would be like on the way down so I guess you've solved that mystery :) That descent a blast when you can coast (though I usually end up pedaling most of the way anyway, albeit in my highest gear, 50x11), one of my favorites in the area.

The Hwy 9 descent is fun because it is nicely paved and banked and a good cyclist can easily keep up with 40mph traffic. At much slower speeds and cars constantly crossing over the yellow line trying to pass you, it might not be so fun.

I finally got to ride down 9 a few weeks ago. I know the road really well since I ride it on my motorcycle quite often, I think it was even more fun on a bicycle. I agree with johnny99, I didn't have to worry about traffic behind me and I actually caught up to and passed a car :)

I have seen a few fixies on the way up 9 from time to time, and have often wondered what it would be like on the way down so I guess you've solved that mystery :) That descent a blast when you can coast (though I usually end up pedaling most of the way anyway, albeit in my highest gear, 50x11), one of my favorites in the area.

If my spreadsheet is correct, 50x11 at 100rpm gives you 35.5mph. You could definitely catch some cars at that pace!

If my spreadsheet is correct, 50x11 at 100rpm gives you 35.5mph. You could definitely catch some cars at that pace!

Yeah, that's about right. I can hit 120 and sustain it for short periods and get going even faster, but usually above 35 or so it's easier and faster to just get into an aero tuck and coast.

What is 35 MPH with 42x15...must be near 150 RPM? I can see why you would think it is a tough descent but as mentioned it's much easier with larger gears and a freewheel :)

Yeah, that's about right. I can hit 120 and sustain it for short periods and get going even faster, but usually above 35 or so it's easier and faster to just get into an aero tuck and coast.

What is 35 MPH with 42x15...must be near 150 RPM? I can see why you would think it is a tough descent but as mentioned it's much easier with larger gears and a freewheel :)

35mph with 42x15 is 160rpm, in theory. My max to date is about 140rpm/30mph coming down a short overpass, so I'm pretty sure I won't see anything close to 160rpm. On the other hand, I still have the stock 48 ring, and 48x15 at 140rpm is 35mph. But I still think I want gears and a freewheel the next time I ride 9.