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Fixed gear century

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Fixed gear century

Old 08-25-15, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Riding fixed helps keep your muscles "fresh" and limber over longer distances.
I'm still using a FG recovery ride the day after a long difficult FW ride in the hills.
Old school technique that works well to get the legs going 'round and work out the soreness.

-Bandera
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Old 08-25-15, 12:38 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Bandera
I'm still using a FG recovery ride the day after a long difficult FW ride in the hills.
Old school technique that works well to get the legs going 'round and work out the soreness.

-Bandera
That's why I chose mine for today's commute -- my first ride after PBP.
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Old 08-25-15, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
That's why I chose mine for today's commute -- my first ride after PBP.
Chapeau!
Well done.

-Bandera
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Old 08-25-15, 01:05 PM
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I did the 100 miles of Nowhere century a few years back at the Frisco Velodrome.
That's 644 laps.

I rode my track bike with no modifications. If I did it again, I think I'd put on regular handlebars and stem.

I got pretty sore riding in the drops and the tops of the bars were too angled forward to hold comfortable for very long.

We started out pace lining, but as the morning went by, we got strung out more and more. Still managed to do it in about 5 hours.
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Old 08-25-15, 03:07 PM
  #30  
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Makes sense that fixed is good for a recovery ride. The question is whether riding fixed vs. geared on any particular ride is actually easier. Somehow I think we're overlooking the benefit of resting while coasting on a geared bike.
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Old 08-25-15, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Ratzinger
The question is whether riding fixed vs. geared on any particular ride is actually easier. Somehow I think we're overlooking the benefit of resting while coasting on a geared bike.
Oddly enough here's my post from June '15 in the The Age 65+ Singlespeed & Fixed Gear Thread:

FG Simulation

I have a 20mi loop that I've been riding for years FG and I have a log of times.
This AM I shifted the CF Merckx into the 70GI I ride fixed and set off to simulate a FG ride (yes, I get bored).

Despite 33 years of technical progress hindered by derailleur gimcracks hung uselessly for today's simulation my time was exactly in line w/ a 10 ride FG average.
Proving nothing except it's difficult to be 100% concentrated on keeping the cranks going w/ a FW in place and I am easily amused.
-Bandera
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Old 08-25-15, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by thermionicscott
that's why i chose mine for today's commute -- my first ride after pbp.
congrats
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Old 08-25-15, 09:07 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Bandera
Chapeau!
Well done.

-Bandera
Originally Posted by jlafitte
congrats
Thanks! I usually try not to brag, but don't often get the chance to throw something like that out there, either.
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There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
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Old 08-26-15, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Thanks! I usually try not to brag, but don't often get the chance to throw something like that out there, either.
Brag all you can-you're entitled
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Old 08-26-15, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
The effect is real. Riding fixed helps keep your muscles "fresh" and limber over longer distances. It's doubtful that fixed-gear truly makes the ride "easier" but it does have some nice benefits to it.
This has been my experience.
I'm a fixed gear randonneur.
I did a 600k this past weekend to complete a triple SR series for the season.
(I missed out on PBP)
Riding fixed does not make distance harder or easier...just different.
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Old 08-26-15, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
That's why I chose mine for today's commute -- my first ride after PBP.
Congratulations, i would love to hear more about your adventure or at least some pictures.
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Old 08-26-15, 08:32 PM
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As already mentioned, nutrition and hydration are going to be key. I feel that they are the biggest factors for a successful century. Until recently I never really paid much attention to either of those during my daily rides, but I was still able to push through. When I did my first century I made sure to hydrate starting the day before. Then hydrated plenty during the ride and maintained an hourly intake of calories from the snacks provided at the rest stops. I was really surprised at how easy it was to complete 100 miles. I never felt drained or unsure about finishing. Prior to that my longest ride was 50 miles. Find a good, comfortable pace and try and have someone to shoot the **** with and it'll be over before you know it.
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Old 08-28-15, 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by rex615
Congratulations, i would love to hear more about your adventure or at least some pictures.
Thanks! I haven't done a proper writeup yet, but posted a bunch of thoughts and a picture (that my sister took at the finish) here: https://www.bikeforums.net/long-dista...l#post18108298
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There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
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Old 08-28-15, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Thanks! I haven't done a proper writeup yet, but posted a bunch of thoughts and a picture (that my sister took at the finish) here: https://www.bikeforums.net/long-dista...l#post18108298
thanks for the link.
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Old 08-28-15, 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Thanks! I haven't done a proper writeup yet, but posted a bunch of thoughts and a picture (that my sister took at the finish) here: https://www.bikeforums.net/long-dista...l#post18108298
Awesome! Good job getting there and finishing. My fleche experiences feel so small in comparison.
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Old 08-29-15, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

Snip<This being my first PBP, >snip
Congratulations again on a great ride, particularly since it was your first time and thanks for sharing. I particularly enjoyed this bit.

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
It was so cool to shoot through these dinky little farming villages at any time of night and having whole families sitting out and shouting "bon courage" or "bonne route".
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Old 08-29-15, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by hairnet
Awesome! Good job getting there and finishing. My fleche experiences feel so small in comparison.
It was quite the experience! I haven't done a flèche yet but they sound fun, too!

Originally Posted by rex615
Congratulations again on a great ride, particularly since it was your first time and thanks for sharing. I particularly enjoyed this bit.
Yeah! Having hundreds, maybe thousands, of people cheering you on really helps with morale and finishing. Do it if you can!
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Originally Posted by chandltp
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