I'm a long-time rider. Bought my first "10 speed" (a Bianchi) fifty-two years ago. I rode with a fellow named Boots Ward who was the go-two mechanic for the small cadre of serious cyclists in the DC area at that time. Boots showed up at a ride with a fixed-gear which intrigued me then. But I got into family, other things, and put the idea aside. At 58, I bought a fixed gear on a whim, figuring I'd have to stick to fairly flat roads. I now love taking the FG on 40-60 mi. hill rides. At 67, I will be doing my second fixed-gear century of the year in early September.