Fixed gear

During recent weeks, I have become more inclined to look into the possibility of fixed gear cycling. Just to state off the mark, I'm not a self-declared adrenaline junkie looking to flash through every possible red light, flipping of cars and hanging onto trucks just to "get a fix". For those out there who do so, I wouldn't say we share a great deal on the merits of cycling. Much as I love cycling fast and killing it past the river and racing every commuter I have the fortune of coming across, I'm far too accident-prone and indecisive to ensure that every time I get away with my body still in one piece. Nonetheless, the whole business of braking and relying entirely on a couple of small bits of rubber to stop all my momentum has got my thinking, and to be honest quite concerned. Over the summer I decided to finally take a change and have a go at making my own single-speed bike. I have to say, despite my previous assurances of not being a high heartbeat chaser, I am quite enamoured with the whole bike messenger culture. But perhaps not in the way of everyone else. To me, being self-reliant and constantly prepared is something I have always found admirable. Seeing these guys out in all elements with nothing but their shorts, bikes and bags has been something of a revelation to me. That's why, every morning, I make sure to pack my bag with everything I could possibly need for the day ahead. In truth I do have to cut back because the amount of stuff you can find yourself shoving in because you might need it grows exponentially day after day. But that feeling of someone asking you if you've brought any tools that could help them fix up their bike, or just get through a lecture or test, and then pulling an endless stream of handy objects out of your bag to their amazement is something I aspire to. But more on that in another post, I've already started rambling...

I recently read on someone's website about the merits of fixed gear riding. They were talking about the braking aspect of it, and said they would much rather have the option of relying on their own power to stop them rather than cycling under the false-pretences of their brake pads being up the job, no matter the speed they are travelling at. And it's entirely true. I think the vast majority of people don't really think about the amount they rely on their brakes. Stopping an average weight person on a bike travelling at a decent cruising speed is a lot to ask. And fair play to the brakes, they have usually been good, sturdy companions that I can rely on. But then you get the odd days, particularly with a first-project bike, when the brakes turn to mush, and you squeeze the levers to feel absolutely nothing. That's when the panic sets in, and you realise that there is nothing you can do to stop the bike effectively. You relied on something all this time, and this one time it's let you down. That could well be that. In my past experiences of brake failure, they've ranged from bus bouncing to avoiding ladies with prams, neither of which were altogether pleasant experiences. But then, you'll rarely find anyone on the web talking about the merits of fixed gear safety. However they all talk about a totally different "feel of the road". I think this ties in very well with the braking point. When your brakes are spongey, or it's raining and nothing is going right, you have to be self-aware. You are always alert, always spotting when things are going to happen. That's what has changed most about my cycling this year. I'm not going to pretend that I see everything that's happening/going to happen, but certainly I see way more than I ever used to. That's what allows you to take the smart option, and in some cases, to survive. Exposing yourself to that environment allows to take on a totally new view of the road, literally. That's partly why I feel quite comfortable now changing to fixed. Mentally I think I'm prepared for it, just the physical side to go now. I'll update on the transition as I go, and I'll include any gory details for those who love a good saddle-scraper.