The First Day of the Rest of My Life
 

today will be the first day i messenger without a front brake. i'll let you know how it goes.

good luck and ride safe, man.

Try not to make it the last.

watch out for black ice.

racist

I always thought black ice was only really a problem if you tried to use brakes on it...

'colored' ice + rear wheel skid = front wheel skid = crash?

no, i hate every color of ice equally.

I hate...

wait. We don't get that stuff in San Diego. They don't in Hawaii either.

Well, yeah they do. In cups to keep drinks cold!!

I hate...

wait. We don't get that stuff in San Diego. They don't in Hawaii either.

Well, yeah they do. In cups to keep drinks cold!!

ok, i'm just getting in from work now, so here's the report:

not that bad, really. it got a little hairy when some jackass decided to pull around me to make a turn on Park Ave, and another time when a taxi decided to do one of those instant reactions to a hailer. nothing that would have been any big deal with the front brake on, but a bit scary without. i just had to slow down a bunch and anticipate more. i also had to keep reminding myself that i had no brake (i am a very heavy front brake user, normally).

i was not, mentally, helped out by the fact that i popped out of my pedal twice early on --i rode very defensively after that. i promise to get new cleats tomorrow (i have known that i needed new cleats for a few weeks).

i must say that overall i had a really fun time with it. i can't really explain. . .that whole simplicity thing that is so hyped, maybe. when it comes time to put the brake back on, after Monster Track, i'm sure i'll be a better rider. . .if that is possible ;)

Why did you take it off? just curious.

i am getting ready for Monster Track. no brakes allowed.

well, actually, i had planned to start monday, but God had other ideas. i actually used a full-on mountain bike for a few days due to the snow. what a contrast.

Hater!

Heh, nice. I took my brake off for the Terror Trials the night before - learned how to ride brakeless riding up to the race and while racing, pretty much. Quite an experience running red lights downtown with no front brake all of a sudden.
After that night though, I enjoyed it so much (and obviously didn't need it too badly) I just left it off. What a blast.
I'm sure I looked pretty ridiculous those times that I rolled up to a checkpoint with one or both feet dragging on the groud though, as I had not yet mastered the art of a complete stop. :D

hatist.

i am the opposite, can't wait to get a front brake on. my only experience riding fixed is brakeless. its been a very steep learning curve especially as i quit my job recently and have had a lot of time to go riding. only one 'moment' so far, involved a taxi (dont they all) but i kept my head and sailed through a gap that i would never have thought possible before. i guess riding brakeless you really learn to go with your decisions because there isn't much chance to pull out once you're comitted.
anyway have fun and be safe!

Just relax, look at where you are going, be cocky when you ride( if you give in they will take alot), look ahead so you know where you are going (learn to read traffic), finally be safe and have fun!

Just a little info from a guy who been there and done that!

S/F,
CEYA!

My first exposure to brakeless is when I went to a bike shop to have them build me up a fixie. Now, you would think they would put a brake on a bike for a guy off the street.

Them: "Have you ridden a fixed gear?"
Me: "Yes"
Them: "Here, try out this brakeless Bianchi Pista"
Me: "WTF"

I didn't go as fast as I could have and nearly shat myself when I went down a hill going across an intersection. I did NOT have a fun test ride. And 2-3 days later my legs were still shot from me trying to slow down on that hill.

I'm a sissy - gimme that front brake!!!

Hills are the only thing that scares me on a fixie. I can ride all day here in Sac but if I go to S.F. I put a brake on.

U not a sissy, they are just like the MARINES..it not for everybody.. The few ,the proud ,the BRAKELESS!!

S/F,
CEYA!

i hate brakes. now that i've gone so long without them, they seem sort of silly.

like training wheels.

It takes time for your body to adapt to riding brakeless. When I started I thought I was fine, and then the first time I was really hauling and then had to stop quickly I was surprised that I was having trouble slowing down. Now I can stop as quickly as I need to though, control my speed down hills, etc. Part of it is paying a higher level of attention to your suroundings as well. I am always anticipating what will happen ahead of me and trying to prepare. That is what makes the experience more enjoyable for me.

Are you with Urban Express?

I can't believe you're working in this freaking cold. I can't even stand walking to the train station.