episodic

I was coming down a hill on the main drag in town. A car approached an intersection. They were looking right at me - we made eye contact, so I kept going. Then as I got within 40 feet of them - they pulled out in front of me. My cadence was already over 100 I'm sure. I hit my front brake - but my mind had me stop pedaling. I narrowly missed a pedal strike - but then got all wobbly and almost hit the embankment. My pedals were going to fast to get back on, so I eventually slowed down alot and regained control (I was doing the splits at this point) - as I was audibly wishing the car driver would have stuck around grrrrrr.

Other than that, I'm having a blast!

xavier853

word of advice. don't mash down hills until you are comfortable and sure of yourself

episodic

I wasn't mashing at all - just trying to keep up with the pedals (downhill) - I'm riding the brake down for now till I get better control

Deshi

You took your feet off the pedals? Do you not have foot retention?

tgscordv6

wtf?!

diff

Yeah, you need foot retention.

There are a few hills out here that I don't think I could handle. So I go into them resisting and then start going about halfway down.

avner

you must have some form of foot retention on a fixed. I'd suggest clipless if not a double strap. I'm posting from my phone right now otherwise I'd link to an awesome thread on clips. But take it slow and ride the brake dude! I've been fixed for many months now and I'm just getting the hang of speed checks goin down hills..but I still ride my brake a lot and rarely ''max'' out in terms of speed.

dsh

wow!!

bumblebeetuna

This is what I was thinking when I read the OP. Taking a big hill in traffic is not something I would recommend within hours of getting your first fixed gear.

NateRod

Don't assume someone's going to let you go through just cause they made eye contact with you. For all you know, they could be thinking "**** that cyclefag. Roads are made for cars, so I ain't stopping for him."

Assume everyone else on the road (including drivers and other cyclists) is an idiot. Ride defensively. Stay alive.

Oh and yes, get yourself some foot retention to avoid spinning out of control. Don't get clipless pedals. Sounds like you're not confident enough on your bike to use them yet. Get some clips and straps at first. Easier, less intimidating transition from no foot retention.

avner

daven1986

I disagree, straps are harder to get out of than clipless pedals - or at least I find that they are.

NateRod

Well it can be subjective. I'll give you that point.

diff

It depends.

If you crank on your straps really tight they could be harder to get out than clipless. Since you will have to reach down and loosen the strap, or wiggle your foot out which could take a second or two.

But you can make them just tight enough, but slipping your foot out in a pinch is easy, and getting your foot back in is easy too. That is usually how I ride when in traffic and have to constantly stop. And then crank on them when in a situation where I won't have to stop. That is why clips + straps are so great I think, you can make them according to the situation.

NateRod

^ very similar to my logic behind clips and straps being easier.

I actually went back to clips and straps after a few months of clipless. For city riding, at least IMO, it makes more sense.

avner

I kind of want to do the same. Considering picking up a pair of Toshi's and some Double cages off CL. After this thread.
Very good thread here with a lot of valuable information regarding Clips/Straps. awesome dope thread on clips

Squirrelli

Same thing happened to me when I bombed down a hill when I was riding the fixed gear side for the first couple of days. That hill is my usual commute and I ride it everyday now, I can spin it down all the way at a really high cadence if traffic permits.

You'll get used to it.

rumrunn6

another near death episode following "eye contact" once again proving that eye contact is no guarantee because both parties might think: "hey that other person sees me so they know I have the right of way" I think in some cases it is best to just check to see where the car driver is looking but not to make eye contact with them so they think maybe we don't see them.

peach-picker

yea you should get some clip and straps, i could not imagine riding fixed without them! my suggestion is to buy some slip on vans, being that they dont have padding you can really tighten the straps down and get of them easy, its the only way i will roll!

Scrodzilla

Even when I make eye contact, I also always point or make some motion with my hand to let the driver know I plan on going.

cc700

i think waving is better than pointing. whenever i point cars don't get it.


also, pedal strike is when the pedal hits the pavement through a turn. do you mean hitting the pedal with your foot because you don't have foot retention?

ianjk

Waving generally means "I see you, go ahead" from my experience.

Not what you want when you have the right of way.

Anyways...

Ride like you are invisible.

&

Everyone is out to kill you

JesusBananas

They're just jealous that you have invisibility powers.

crackrocksteady

but

hey man at least you didn't hit the *******! That **** sucks.

LupinIII

fail