I'm two weeks new to the fixed thing and am coming into it from a lifetime of urban riding and commuting and a half a decade of road cycling, mostly doing ultra-distance (stuff longer than 100 miles -- as long as 750 miles in one shot, under time and without support) riding and racing.

This past weekend, I took a whack at a 2-day, 210-mile ride (TOSRV) on the fixie and it was a total blast. Among the 2,500 riders, I saw one guy on a SS and heard that there was another fixie rider out there, but I never net him/her. I loved the experience, and I loved that I had to turn the pedals over every inch of the route. And people were blown away by the bike and all the comments were super positive and supportive. It's clear most roadies would never think of riding fixed over any distance (if they'd think about it at all). The number of people who do distance fixed is a true handful.

If all goes well as I continue to ride the bike and gain confidence on it, I'm going to attempt a 400K event (256 miles) at the end of the month fixed and then possibly a 1200K this fall.

I've talked the the distance gurus about riding fixed, but I haven't sought the counsel from the Fixie Federation about riding distance. They're pretty disparate cultures, and I'd love to have the perspective and wisdom of both as I set about some new cycling challenges. So, do any of you guys and gals take the bike out for more than a few hours at a time? Any thoughts, advice, comments, or words of wisdom or warning for a newbie fixed rider who wants to see just how far (and fast) he can go on one gear with no coasting?

Oh, almost forgot, the bike is an IRO Jamie Roy with FSA Vigorelli cranks (yes, I know they have issues and will likely need to be replaced soon) and an EAI cog (1/8"). Standard (Easton, aluminium) road bars with f/r Cane Creek caliper brakes. The gearing is 49x18 (73.5"). Phil Woods laced to Deep Vs with Wheelsmith spokes and brass nipples (they're totally sweet). Stock giant carbon seatpost; Origin 8 carbon fork with very little rake; CK headset; Selle Italia Flite saddle and Time Impact pedals.

Mods: Pretty please don't move this thread to the LD forum; would like the perspective of the folks here, many of whom probably don't visit LD. Gracias.