Posted by Poguemahone:

" and this spring I passed a fellow who had converted his bike to SS by the simple expedient of removing the derailleurs and brakes, and setting the chain on one of the middle cogs of the freewheel. He was braking by scuffing his feet along the ground. I kid you not."

I'm 90% sure I know the person you are talking about. He's since developed the techinique of sticking his shoe between the frame and the rear wheel. And I don't think its a matter of converting his bike, more like making a found bike rideable again on a tight budget.