Originally Posted by
Flimflam
If you want to coast, you can always just take your feet off the pedals/unclip and rest them on your fork crown or rear axle area... Just use caution when getting back in/on - coasting is quite feasible if you absolutely need the break.
Not that it matters for someone's local century ride, but I was surprised to find that the FC-508 actually has a rule against this. If you ride fixed for that race, you're rule-bound to pedal all 508 miles. For whatever reason, you're also bound to steel frame only, no aerobars, and low-profile high spoke-count wheels while a geared rider can ride carbon everything with aerobars and deep section rims.
E. Fixed Gear Division: Bikes must use the same fixed gearing (ring/cog/wheel) for the entire event. Bike frames shall be steel, traditional double diamond design (forks are unrestricted) and wheels (maximum 25 mm rim depth) with 32 spokes minimum. Aerobar attachments and aero-designed parts are prohibited. Wheel switches are permitted only for wheel failures, and must be identical or essentially identical to the failed wheel. Bike switches are not permitted. Riders may not coast with feet off the pedals. Riders must declare their gear (ring/cog/wheel size) choice at check in, which may not be changed thereafter.