Just great...another cigarette smoking, romance book cover modelling, Passion of the Christ producing male! Don't we already have enough of those? Thank God I'm married! I couldn't deal with all this competition.

I've learned that being a freak has fringe benifits.
That there are many ways to hurt your self on a bike.

That I'm a little nervous that when I actually get to meet lucklust, he may try to show me that he is a better lover. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not my thing.

I have learned:

Fingers and drivetrains are not friendly towards one another.

That we must continually question whether is the means or the end that matters.

That in anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.

I have learned that, after trying to explain why I ride fixed gear, the people who understand are few and far between.

I have learned that clipping out before trying to trackstand us usually a good idea, because I will fall over. When I fall over, it is better not to be clipped in.

I have learned that chicks dig chicks on fixies only when they mistake them for dudes.

What the hell, I'm just buzzed enough to play this game:

I've learned to keep my arms and legs inside the bus at all times. SSenorPedro, it sounds like we should swap stories some time.

I've learned that chain tension is more than a detail.

I've learned that long cranks make for a short ride.

I've learned that fast is a state of mind and a measure of determination.

I've learned that less is more.

While everyone's become a zen buddhist, seems no one's gotten better at riding bikes?

I haven't learned this yet. Damn.

Fail spectacularly at trackstanding through a stoplight?

I've learned that you *can* get a good workout in a 15 mi. commute.

Wouldn't say I've learned any "life-lessons" riding fixed though...

-Trevor

I've learned to to all my repair work, including wheel building.

I've learned that only people on this forum seem to know what fixed gear bikes are. People ask me how many speeds my bike has and they dont understand when i say one.

I have learned that a bike budget is only limited by the size of your bank account, not budgeting.

I have learned that it is best to practice track standing and skids out of public view

I have learned how obsessive and protective you can actually be towards a collection of metal and rubber

I have learned that that I might as well wear a helmet because I look like a loser already

I have learned that one bike is never enough.. neither are two

I have learned a thousand variations of "what do you mean you can't coast????"

I have learned to know better than to open my fool mouth

Your body is your mind is your body.

I've learned not to bother trying to explain fixed-gear to most people.

Recent example of a conversation I had with a guy at school who has done some triathlons and such.
Me: So I heard you are into riding?
Him: Yeah, not as much these days but I used to do triathlons. You?
M: Yeah, I ride a fixed-gear bike
H: Oh, cool. Where is it fixed, in the middle?
M: ....???

I explained to him what I meant, but I still have no idea what he might have been talking about.


I also have learned to practice trackstands unclipped until you really get the hang of them - when I was first learning them I was practicing in the park nearby, and just fell straight over sideways with my feet in the clips. I went to wash off my bloody shins at the water fountain, and a couple old Polish women who saw me fall gave me some disinfectant wipes. Which reminds me of the other thing I've learned - thank goodness for old Polish women.