I rode a Specialized MTB--only on campus--in college. Got it stolen. Had no money to buy a new bike. That was ten years ago. Last year, a friend whose boyfriend is a hardcore world-tourer and city fixed rider explained the fixie concept to me, began pointing them out on the streets. I scoffed in ignorance, then moved to NYC. Suddenly, with my four- and five-storey apts., the concept of no gears became appealing. I bought a beater off of ebay in the winter, and have been hooked ever since my first ride.