Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - city riding

I love riding in Boston. As much as it freezes my bollocks off and as much as the occasional driver can be a pain in the ass, I still really love it. It's even better on a fix, somehow riding in the countryside on a fix just isn't the same. There's something about fighting the traffic and the way everything is so much more interactive. I love it. Oh yes I do. I'd far rather commute on my bike through traffic than do the same boring route empty of traffic.

It's weird cause back in cambridge (UK) although there are so many people that ride (it's something like 27% commute by bike), it's still much worse to cycle around town.

Hehe I just wanted to share that with you, it's good to be back...

Yes, Boston riding is a blast. I like the part where it takes a person on a bike about a quarter of the time getting anywhere in this funny town.

I dunno, I have done both. As a young man, bicycle delivery work in S.F. on track and geared bikes. That was fun then, but since moving to the country, there is a joy about riding alone down long roads without having to address the oddball crazed city maniac driver on a tear. The challenge is in the varied terrain and your ability to surmount those challenges. Almost like the difference of Touring as opposed to Racing. Each has it's pleasures. I ride 60 miles a day at least and most days more over varied terrain and have never been in better shape, even when compared to my racing days. Maybe it is an age thing of been there and done that. I will admit that the city riding scene can be exciting though. Just not as fun for me anymore, everything concidered.

Fixedgearhead

Yes, Boston riding is a blast. I like the part where it takes a person on a bike about a quarter of the time getting anywhere in this funny town.

mmm...i used to LOVE that part. blasting down comm ave. out to allston and beating the "B" line by a half hour was the best.

I'm with you fixedgearhead, I just love riding. My commute on my FG is one of life's little pleasures that I enjoy, it's up there with the day's first cup of Italian Roast, or when I'm feeling pampered Jamacian Blue Mountain.
I'm doing 46-50 a day, over a varied terrain, and love every second. Even the days when I'm faced with a headwind, and I'm riding a 53x16.
Summer is just around the corner here, and the riding is going to get faster and longer, and better, and I can't wait.

I'm with you fixedgearhead, I just love riding. My commute on my FG is one of life's little pleasures that I enjoy, it's up there with the day's first cup of Italian Roast, or when I'm feeling pampered Jamacian Blue Mountain.
I'm doing 46-50 a day, over a varied terrain, and love every second. Even the days when I'm faced with a headwind, and I'm riding a 53x16.
Summer is just around the corner here, and the riding is going to get faster and longer, and better, and I can't wait.
Since moving to a more countryfied(sic) setting after early retirement and concentrating on riding every day I can, I have chosen to ride fixed gear bikes exclusively and it has been the biggest fun quotient experience that I have ever had with a bicycle. I am absolutely stoked every time I ride now. Before when I rode a combo of multi and sometimes fixed I found my mind wandering sometimes and less than complete enjoyment of the multi riding experience. The fixed is a challenge and an integrated with the road feeling that only comes to those that do it. Multi makes you constantly think (am I in the right gear, what is that clicking noise, is it the rear der or is it the front der, should I shift up now or wait till I get on the hill) I think you all know what I mean. With fixed you are constantly aware of your surroundings as they will directly affect your progress. (I better stand up and start peddling now in order to surmount that hill, I think I'll go down this road and go around so as to avoid that damn hill that I can never seem to crest while still riding the bike, got to work on my climbing strengths). You are in touch with the road you ride; not dependent on gear changes to help you out. Just you and your personal abilities. That's what it means to me. I find as the summer season progresses the cog size in the rear gets smaller and the chain ring size in the front gets bigger. That is the only gear changing that I allow myself.

Fixedgearhead

I love my SS. Ive ridden it in the city and in country. Didn't make a bit of difference in my enjoyment. Although, i did ride a SS coaster brake cruiser all through Boston when i visited this summer, and that was a blast. I stayed in Cambridge at the Royale Celeste, and every morning i rode into Boston and around in the neighborhoods along the Charles. Good fun, i would have to say that i just love riding, no matter where, when or how.

I love my SS. Ive ridden it in the city and in country. Didn't make a bit of difference in my enjoyment. Although, i did ride a SS coaster brake cruiser all through Boston when i visited this summer, and that was a blast. I stayed in Cambridge at the Royale Celeste, and every morning i rode into Boston and around in the neighborhoods along the Charles. Good fun, i would have to say that i just love riding, no matter where, when or how.

I really love riding both city and country as well. I also have so much fun riding my coaster braked Steamroller that I'm going to have my 'good' singlespeed respaced so I can mount the 1920's Morrow that I'm currently refurbishing and ride ONLY coaster brake.

Ahh the coaster brake ... the future of cycling ;-)

Jim