Hi, I am beard. I haven't posted anything yet because most things seem to have already been said...oh well.... I thought I'd start a thread anyway to say 'hi' and get to know y'all.
I am from Glasgow where I seem to be about the only non-courier riding a fix. I'm so lonely it hurts! My friends think I'm a sadist as they ride around on their mountain bikes making loud noises and grinding gears. Does anybody else experience this? Better still, any fixed riders from Glasgow?

Glasgow seems to be dominated by people riding mountain bikes on the road. For some reason road bikes aren't deemed macho enough. I hardly even see people riding geared road bikes.... I don't understand it. Fair enough, the weather here is 90% of the time pretty bad but they just take so much longer to get you where you're going! I pass them and they seem like they're not even moving.
And don't get me started on cars. I think the bad weather has turned everyone into lazy slobs. EVERYBODY drives. And usually not even very far. God people suck.

Sorry, hope I haven't painted myself in a bad light. Check out my band's website!

yeah, i hate god people too.

welcome. herzlich.

I agree with you on the people and cars. It seems that no one spends more than 10-20 minutes out of doors anymore. And, if they do, it has to be an ordeal with all of the latest and greatest wireless GPS and tech fabrics to help them survive their day hikes.

Would love to see Glasgow, as I have ancestry from there. I would also love to see that bike of yours, since I have a 1990 Trek 400 as my main fixed ride.

Welcome to the board,

Slan go foill.

-Pete

There is such a thing as too easy. Pretty soon u get people who lay in bed, get up walk to their cars, drive to work, sit all day at work, drive home, sit in front of their TV, lay down to bed again.

Then around age 50 they drop dead from one too many big macs.

I was on my way to that myself. High cholesterol, high stress. I changed jobs from sitting, to standing and walking. I got rid of my car. Now i ride 24/7. I'm still lazy, still play with my puter too much, but yeah.

You are in the right place here, beard.

Mmmm... A Big Mac sounds tasty about right now...

Ya thats how it is in Dallas, but lately I've seen more people riding bikes (mostly mexicans).
As far as being lazy...no one is ever outside in my neighborhood.
I quit tv about a year ago, and now I've pledged to only spend a hr on the computer a day.

Well, fixie riding is by nature an independent experience, in body and soul. But also, it has an independent streak in it like no other. I think that's part of the reason it's so popular here in the States. It's got a certain punk, indie credibility and attitude that seems to be on par with skateboarders but more mature in some way as it allows you to keep it up until you are old an gray. May this aid you in your on going inquiry.

Why don't you post a link to your band's site?

Ugh. I honestly can't imagine riding a bike in Dallas. Go Lance, I guess. The Mexicans probably are because they can't afford a car. Go to any low-income neighborhood. You'll see lots of adults tooling around on crappy dept store bikes or bike boom "10-speeds". Probably with the saddle too low, the drops flipped, and a rusty drive train.

These people are cyclists though they don't self-identify as such. They would probably ditch the bike in a minute if they could afford a car.

Cheers for the support guys. Good to hear I'm in like-minded company.
My band's website is www.catweb.moonfruit.com when I get round to it I'll post some mp3s on it for everybody to check out.
Waiting to get some cash together for a respray on my ride then I'll post some pics. Its an ongoing project. I'm also building up a singlespeed for my girlfriend for christmas so that's taking up a bit of my time and money but I will get round to it!

Thanks again,
Beard

Man, I wish my girlfriend would like a SS. As it is, she makes fun of my "boys club," riding crew. But the DCC lives on!