For the benefit of Lakerat: Last week I rode Cycle Oregon (again) fixed. 7 days, 31,000' and roughly 420 miles. Rode the bike I talked about a page back and used cogs 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23 leaving camp in the morning with between 2 and four of them. My chrondomalacia knees came through in great shape. I did however have zero interest in even looking at a bike for six days after. But today I rode an easy 40 miles and 1600' on the bike. (43 x 12, 17 and 22)

The gift of riding a lot of fix gear is the same gift that got me through last week with 0 miles of training. Muscle memory. 40 years of riding fixed does amazing things. No, I could not match the speed of a lot of other riders. But I could climb all day without killing myself. (Not literally. But I did ride from sea level literally, sleeping just off the beach to Bear Camp at 4700'. No stops except the water stop and te climb wasn't hard. This is Cycle Oregon. Socializing is a huge part of it. Rest stops aren't just for rest and replenishment.)

Oh, and while gears allow more speed and pacelines, fix gears on hard rides have a WAY HIGHER stud factor.

Keep it up. You will never regret it.

Ben