If one is going to start a fixed wheel ride group then that is what it ought to be......however, no-one should seriously contemplate riding fixed wheel for more than 50 or so miles as a max. The effort required to pedal cntinuously whether uphill or down and on flats is worth a further 20 to 30 miles. Just think how often you freewheel...a luxury unavailable to a fixie.
Gearing is also important. The higher the cadence the better the smoothness of pedalling developed. This has to be balanced by the need to pedal downhill.......68-72 inches is about right for most.
I will be starting to ride fixed on Sundays for 50 miles or so soon...anyone wanting to do this is welcome to tag along. average speed will be about 17mph.
I should be there guy's. Geoff, your sound advice just makes this entire fixie challenge all the more appealing - there is no doubting it is going to be super-duper tough. Nutters and mad-men need only apply!
Oh....and then the next day it's the Col de Weston Woods......
Hi James
I've acquired Robbie's old fixie [his new one makes its debut on Saturday]. You are welcome to borrow it.
It's a 54. The wheels are off at the mo. And I need to stick on a bottle cage. Et voil
Good riding - great weather when nearly November! 6 out; me, Robbie, Phil A, Sam K, Daniel, Jeremy.
Jeremy peeled off early doors - him and Dave are racing for CCA tomorrow. All the best: let us know how you get on.
Good to see Sam King out. Not seen him since he broke his chain leading the Primavera. He gained his Cat 2 this season - they build them rock'ard in Hinxworth y'know.
Robbie's new fixie put to the test big-time on Everton Hill. Might need to tweak those ratios. A smart looking bike - ready for winter.
Yep - my fault for leading down the wrong road to Duxford. No major trauma. Just a longer drag to Elmdon.
Well done to Daniel to opt for the 'getting beaten up' option and sticking on extra miles.
Me and Daniel left Robbie and Phil to it, dueling fixies, at Wicken Bonhunt, getting back 1.15pm, 81 miles @ 17mph. Back in time for an egg butty and coffee from Days. Job done!
See you tomorrow with spent legs [excuse alert!] for the hill climb.
Perfect weather for the most perfect Autumnal ride, and plenty of it too. Yes, cane it tmw Jez (and david) and come back with experience and points! Phil led the way back after we left the boys, with me creaking at the knees tired from pushing a gear just too big for too long, to complete the 100m. Chuckling, we did speak of 'two laps' at slip end and what it would take to do it.
It was the most prefect ride - a stunning day; the next GD100 is on Saturday 27th November. Now looking forward to the dash up Weston Woods Hill tomorrow.
Geoff, Riding the GD100 on the fixed turned out to be okay; it really wasn't as gruelling as I'd expected; mentally, I was prepared for the worst!
Martin, thanks for dragging my sorry carcass back to Ashwell; I was spent. I went onto develop a horrid cold by the evening, so that must have been brewing en-route. What a fine route it is, I know almost nothing about Geoff Denny, but nevertheless it was delightful to be riding a route to honour a fellow cyclist.
I discussed wheel wenches (if only) with the non ratchet riders and promised to give details of the Campagnolo peanut spanner. It even has a Wikipedia entry; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campagnolo_crank_spanner.jpg They weigh 100g (two energy bars) and can be purchased from your favourite bike stores (not cheap though).
I was cleaning my bike today and noticed the rear tyre had a hernia. Clearly a cut to the side wall was allowing the inner tube to painfully bulge out. This was a new one to me.
Looking forward to November 27
Sorry Geoff - my bad writing. Me and Daniel doing the 81 miles with gears. Robbie and Phil - 'aving it for the full tonne o' miles on fixed.
I can't make the next winter GD100 on 27th Nov. Am up north for a few days - and indeed going to catch Carmelo gigging in Bury. Carmelo - if you have your bike with you - let me know if you fancy joining me on a hilly 40-50 miler that weekend around Bury/West Pennines, including the Ramsbottom Rake 25%!
Comments
Daniel
Daniel
Gearing is also important. The higher the cadence the better the smoothness of pedalling developed. This has to be balanced by the need to pedal downhill.......68-72 inches is about right for most.
I will be starting to ride fixed on Sundays for 50 miles or so soon...anyone wanting to do this is welcome to tag along. average speed will be about 17mph.
Oh....and then the next day it's the Col de Weston Woods......
54-56cm seat tube sizing c-c would do.
I've acquired Robbie's old fixie [his new one makes its debut on Saturday]. You are welcome to borrow it.
It's a 54. The wheels are off at the mo. And I need to stick on a bottle cage. Et voil
I will be on a geared bike as 100 miles is tough enough for me with a rack full of gears let alone only one!!!
Have a good ride.
Jeremy peeled off early doors - him and Dave are racing for CCA tomorrow. All the best: let us know how you get on.
Good to see Sam King out. Not seen him since he broke his chain leading the Primavera. He gained his Cat 2 this season - they build them rock'ard in Hinxworth y'know.
Robbie's new fixie put to the test big-time on Everton Hill. Might need to tweak those ratios. A smart looking bike - ready for winter.
Yep - my fault for leading down the wrong road to Duxford. No major trauma. Just a longer drag to Elmdon.
Well done to Daniel to opt for the 'getting beaten up' option and sticking on extra miles.
Me and Daniel left Robbie and Phil to it, dueling fixies, at Wicken Bonhunt, getting back 1.15pm, 81 miles @ 17mph. Back in time for an egg butty and coffee from Days. Job done!
See you tomorrow with spent legs [excuse alert!] for the hill climb.
And hopefully the pub on Tuesday.
Geoff, Riding the GD100 on the fixed turned out to be okay; it really wasn't as gruelling as I'd expected; mentally, I was prepared for the worst!
Cheers All.......
I discussed wheel wenches (if only) with the non ratchet riders and promised to give details of the Campagnolo peanut spanner. It even has a Wikipedia entry; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campagnolo_crank_spanner.jpg They weigh 100g (two energy bars) and can be purchased from your favourite bike stores (not cheap though).
I was cleaning my bike today and noticed the rear tyre had a hernia. Clearly a cut to the side wall was allowing the inner tube to painfully bulge out. This was a new one to me.
Looking forward to November 27
Daniel
I can't make the next winter GD100 on 27th Nov. Am up north for a few days - and indeed going to catch Carmelo gigging in Bury. Carmelo - if you have your bike with you - let me know if you fancy joining me on a hilly 40-50 miler that weekend around Bury/West Pennines, including the Ramsbottom Rake 25%!