I agree. I had a pretty opinion changing experience today. One of the links in my chain snapped as I was pedaling
downhill on a
very steep hill. Having no breaks I was literally out of control accelerating downhill. I managed to steer onto grass along the road and eventually up a small hill where I successfully bailed off the bike.
I wasn't injured, but it was a very eye-opening experience. Tomorrow I'm going to buy a new chain (tonight I went nuts online to
trackosaurusrex.com/ and eventually to
biciconcepts.com/custompad.html for a custom pad and some other gear) from the locally owned coop downtown and see about getting a front break and also some new toe clips as I snapped my left one in the accident. Not so bad as I break usually with my right foot anywhoo.
Skidding is pretty fun. You can get really creative and swerve around corners and the like. It's a lot of fun. I like it and definitely practice around Santa Cruz, a very ideal spot scene wise and super bike friendly. It takes a certain degree of control, but I like the challenge of trying to get better at that skill.
In any case, bikes with normal gears and derailleurs and the like feel awkward to me now. I'm used to the motion of constant pedaling. I like being able go fast and I like my fixie. CATCH THE FIXED GEAR FEVER, BROTHER.