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12-24-03, 10:33 AM
So it's official now, I ride a fixed. I had played around the house, and in the streets around my house. Then, for about two months the 2 - 3 mile commute from the trolley to work. But these were minor excursions. I got some upgraded pads for the front, and a blinkly light for the rear... And yesterday, I figured I'd ridden enough that it was do or die... I decided to ride downtown SD. I'm a fan of riding in traffic, and a good portion of my old commute was through downtown... but riding fixed is a different story.
A few things made me wonder if it was ok. It was raining. I'm sure rain means nothing to you east coast weanies. But rain is something so cal people are not used to. In fact when it rains in southern california, people (drivers) go nuts. Combined with holiday traffic and mall city us downtown.. There was bound to be some fun.
Off I went. No parachute, no prayers to say. (Okay, what song is that from?). Biggest difference really? I gotta either get shorter cranks or learn about cornering, cause a peddle strike on wet road ain't pretty. "Track stands" must be mastered. Peddling slightly backwards at a light will scare the living @@@@ out of car drivers (makes them think they are moving forward). Taxis, utility trucks are cool when you grab hold at a light. Police cars, and luxo cars are not. Bullhorn bars don't glance off fences like drop bars do. Pressure on the cranks can cause you to skid when things are wet. You can fly off a curb on a fixed and not wreck bike, person or others. Previous roadies who would wave, or be friendly, now look at me as if I'm scourged pond scum fried in pig fat. Riding is much more interactive. Planning is much more zen than before. Once stopped at local high end mall.. .people watching becomes more relaxing.
I like it. I'm not gonna dump my 99 cannondale R600. But, I'm prolly not gonna buy a new road bike next year.
And the dead MTB in the garage is bound to become fodder for single speed ism.
A few things made me wonder if it was ok. It was raining. I'm sure rain means nothing to you east coast weanies. But rain is something so cal people are not used to. In fact when it rains in southern california, people (drivers) go nuts. Combined with holiday traffic and mall city us downtown.. There was bound to be some fun.
Off I went. No parachute, no prayers to say. (Okay, what song is that from?). Biggest difference really? I gotta either get shorter cranks or learn about cornering, cause a peddle strike on wet road ain't pretty. "Track stands" must be mastered. Peddling slightly backwards at a light will scare the living @@@@ out of car drivers (makes them think they are moving forward). Taxis, utility trucks are cool when you grab hold at a light. Police cars, and luxo cars are not. Bullhorn bars don't glance off fences like drop bars do. Pressure on the cranks can cause you to skid when things are wet. You can fly off a curb on a fixed and not wreck bike, person or others. Previous roadies who would wave, or be friendly, now look at me as if I'm scourged pond scum fried in pig fat. Riding is much more interactive. Planning is much more zen than before. Once stopped at local high end mall.. .people watching becomes more relaxing.
I like it. I'm not gonna dump my 99 cannondale R600. But, I'm prolly not gonna buy a new road bike next year.
And the dead MTB in the garage is bound to become fodder for single speed ism.