Hello from Kansas City
01-07-09, 07:19 PM
#1
Effortless Power ...
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas City Metro
Posts: 109
Bikes: Fixed Gear conversion bike(s), Jamis Quest road; Specialized M2; Puch conversion CX
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Hello from Kansas City
Hello everyone. I am a new fixed gear owner (3 days...). I've been riding since I could walk.
When my 2 year old got a fixie for her birthday, I thought maybe I could help her learn to ride if I knew how to myself ;-) I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But watching her as she went downhill trying to figure out what to do when she sped up & just taking her feet of the pedals, I wondered how to explain to her how to slow down.
Today was the first day I had a chance to really ride what I figured was going to be a toy - just an odd addition to my stable of bikes. Something to keep me distracted when I couldn't ride, but still keep me involved with the bike - a project at best.
Wow, 90 minutes later, I realized my quick jaunt around the block had turned into a love-fest for the joy of cycling once again. I work for the MS Society as the Manager of the local MS 150 (well, Bike MS ride, but everyone knows it as MS 150) - and have been riding since a teenager. Not since I was 14 & bought my first "performance bike" a SWEET Raleigh Technium and experienced a 40 mph speed-wobble downhill do I remember being so excited about learning some new cycling skills.
Please forgive the excitement - and what will surely be some noob questions. I hope to have my fixie chops in shape to not completely make an idiot out of myself at the next critical mass event in town on my new steed.
When I golfed, my buddies always talked about the drive & how it should be "effortless power" ... that is what I felt tonight riding...I was amazed by the ...purity... of the experience...gliding up hills that I'd have been grinding gears on my Jamis, that cost me some 10x more! -> And this fixie is a bone stock (other than tires & wheels - flip-flop fixed/free rear hub) 70s vintage brick of a Schwinn Varsity, not even with toeclips!
I have found a new love! With a few modifications - I need longer & wider bars (these are flopped & chopped, but too narrow and too short for me). some toeclips & whatever other eye-candy I can afford, I fear she will be my daily driver & my once-loved Jamis, with it shiny chrome, triple crank for any hill, and relaxed geometry may be relegated to set on my trainer in the basement!
When my 2 year old got a fixie for her birthday, I thought maybe I could help her learn to ride if I knew how to myself ;-) I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But watching her as she went downhill trying to figure out what to do when she sped up & just taking her feet of the pedals, I wondered how to explain to her how to slow down.
Today was the first day I had a chance to really ride what I figured was going to be a toy - just an odd addition to my stable of bikes. Something to keep me distracted when I couldn't ride, but still keep me involved with the bike - a project at best.
Wow, 90 minutes later, I realized my quick jaunt around the block had turned into a love-fest for the joy of cycling once again. I work for the MS Society as the Manager of the local MS 150 (well, Bike MS ride, but everyone knows it as MS 150) - and have been riding since a teenager. Not since I was 14 & bought my first "performance bike" a SWEET Raleigh Technium and experienced a 40 mph speed-wobble downhill do I remember being so excited about learning some new cycling skills.
Please forgive the excitement - and what will surely be some noob questions. I hope to have my fixie chops in shape to not completely make an idiot out of myself at the next critical mass event in town on my new steed.
When I golfed, my buddies always talked about the drive & how it should be "effortless power" ... that is what I felt tonight riding...I was amazed by the ...purity... of the experience...gliding up hills that I'd have been grinding gears on my Jamis, that cost me some 10x more! -> And this fixie is a bone stock (other than tires & wheels - flip-flop fixed/free rear hub) 70s vintage brick of a Schwinn Varsity, not even with toeclips!
I have found a new love! With a few modifications - I need longer & wider bars (these are flopped & chopped, but too narrow and too short for me). some toeclips & whatever other eye-candy I can afford, I fear she will be my daily driver & my once-loved Jamis, with it shiny chrome, triple crank for any hill, and relaxed geometry may be relegated to set on my trainer in the basement!
01-07-09, 07:29 PM
#2
Lanky Lass
Hi Tbone, it sounds as if you have had quite a thrill riding the new FG! It's nice to have a MS 150 person show up as well. A lot of members sign up to ride in their local ride--check out the Charity Events forum right under the Introductions forum 
.
Welcome to BikeForums, and don't hesitate to send me a PM if you have any questions.
East Hill
Forum Moderator
.Welcome to BikeForums, and don't hesitate to send me a PM if you have any questions.
East Hill
Forum Moderator
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
