Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - The "I'm SUPAHMAN!!!!11!1one!"-feeling.

Did you have this experience: winter is over(ish), the snow is gone from most paths and roads, and you just swapped out your studded tires for the summer slicks. It's the first official (for you) spring work commute, the weather is nice, sunny, not a soul around. And as you start riding, you notice that your muscles have survived the winter (with lesser cycling) surprisingly well, and you're generating power! And flying - faster than any creature around you in that very moment.

Everything is Good with the universe, and you're enjoying. Up until that moment, that is, when you hear something behind you, approaching ominously. Before you have the time to accept the new reality, a ****head takes you over. Mortification. Bonus points if it's a fred with full panniers just minding his own damn business.

But... how is this possible? You rode your winter steed (almost) regularly, and did the occasional commute (when it wasn't snowing, wasn't too cold and you didn't feel too tired or too indisposed - a couple of times a month, perhaps). Could it be that there were people, riding these crappy bikes the whole winter, hauling groceries, Encyclopedia Britannicas and gardening tools on their racks and in their panniers, while you were slacking?


As the blow sinks in, you make a solemn wow: next winter... yes, next winter I will be diligent, I will ride to work every day (except if it snows too much, or the paths&roads are full of snow, and of course, if I'm late or have a meeting first thing in the morning, or....

It doesnt snow in California. D: Never rode in the snow. But i do have oily rodes. Thats how you test how good your tires are.

Oily Rodes is totally my favourite pornstar as well.

+1 for Ca

we rock shaved legs year around and never get slow, it's freaking awesome!

I didn't do any road bike riding over the winter, but I definitely have a full-fendered commuter. It does get below freezing here some nights, so my commute gets frosty. Does that count?

As for that super-human feeling I strained my knee about 2 weeks ago on the road bike because I was trying to do too much to soon. Now I can't ride anything for a little while.

Sell your car, then you'll never have to feel like a ***** again.

here it's the opposite. right now i'm in tip-top shape, but come September I'll probably be a bit slower. 110 degree days with the sun beating down on you are enough for me to call it quits. This summer, though, I'm thinking about getting some BRIGHT lights and just going out on real training rides in the middle of the night on my road bike.

here it's the opposite. right now i'm in tip-top shape, but come September I'll probably be a bit slower. 110 degree days with the sun beating down on you are enough for me to call it quits.

Oh, c'mon man, y'all know that it's more like mid-90's here in summer, and not only do we ride, we race in these conditions. Now, if LoRoK made that statement, I'd be inclined to believe him.

Oh, c'mon man, y'all know that it's more like mid-90's here in summer, and not only do we ride, we race in these conditions.

I can't wait for my first summer race. It sucks just commuting when it's in the 90s, I can't imagine having to really haul ass.

I can't wait for my first summer race. It sucks just commuting when it's in the 90s, I can't imagine having to really haul ass.

The trick is to drink a bunch of water with some electrolytes before you race, particularly for crits. Once you start feeling thirsty it's too late. Also I don't like taking a hand off the bars for even one moment during a crit to reach for a drink. Needless to say, drinking (hydrating) during a track race is not an option.

Oh, c'mon man, y'all know that it's more like mid-90's here in summer, and not only do we ride, we race in these conditions. Now, if LoRoK made that statement, I'd be inclined to believe him.

I actually prefer the weather in ATX than here in the summer. The sun here, and lack of humidity, really just turn you into human jerky, which is bad because the coyotes try to eat you. It's very uncomfortable. At least there you don't feel so dried out. Hot is hot, and I can deal with that, but this intense sun is something else; it's like being under a magnifying glass.

This summer, though, I'm thinking about getting some BRIGHT lights and just going out on real training rides in the middle of the night on my road bike.

Night riding with bright lights is awesome..!! You will have fun....

Say what you want, guys, but slick tires instead of studded (and knobbed), light summer clothes instead of heavy winter ones, and light shoes instead of winter shoes or boots - makes a hella difference. And you don't want that special feeling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoNjn1QdSh0) to be shattered.

I live in Michigan. First winter ride I went out in the blizzard. I was having a lot of fun skidding around falling on my butt. I had places to be, people to meet, and I put on layers of clothes, extra gloves, and extra socks. I rode almost everyday for miles during the winter. Why not? people in other countries do. It kinda paid off. I still have my ripped legs from the fall fixed gear smashing. and spring is here and i can go on long rides and not get tired at all. - lol (brand new chain no duh) and a slightly noisy crank(think i've taken care of it). Oh + and a SS cog. The only time I regret was going out in -5 degree weather and beasting. My throat took one for the team for about 2 days.