Ines Brunn the Fixed Gear trick master is organizing this event in Bejing, China. She now lives there and is trying to promote Fixed Gear riding in China. If you don't know who Ines is check out her video on this blog. If you want to go to China drop me a note and I'll get you more info.

Real Riding

Coconut Grove Bike Day

George Espina the head guy at Sparton Bicycles was in town. He and I go way back when we were starting out as mechanics. We used to have a steady weekend ride, but George moved up to South Carolina, so we haven't ridden together in a couple years. Since I have plenty of bikes I loaned him the yellow KHS Flite and I took the Skull Express. We took off from Coral Gables and rode into Coconut Grove to see the Bike Day promotion. It was nice riders from all levels riding on the streets. The Police had the streets blocked off to normal traffic. There were some display tables and stuff going on in the park there, but we didn't stop. We continued on and went up brickell to Downtown and continued up to Miami Beach. Beautiful day, nice and cool. The wind was killer, but I'll take the wind over a hot humid day anytime! We went up Lincoln Road and then down along Collins to the beach. Then turned around and went back. Early morning Sunday is definitely the best time to ride in Miami. Traffic is light and motorist definitely seemed to be more chilled. All in all it was probably my best ride in a long time. We did about 30 miles which is a nice distance on the fixed gears. I saw a lot more fixed gears on the road then I'd seen in the past which is good. Used to be maybe 5 of us riding track bikes six years ago now there's hundreds!

Sprint League

I was thinking how cool would it be to set up a sprint league. Just like the local soccer leagues. 5 or 6 man teams representing a certain area. Each team has it's own jersey. You draw from a hat who you're going to race. The team with the best results wins. You could have 10 to 20 teams around town racing then after a certain time period the two best would face off for the championship. It be pretty easy to do. Set some ground rules 1) length of track 2) fixed gear only 3) how to set up the draw 4) how to start...I'd say from a track stand to make it more interesting and up the skill level.
Get some guys to be accepted officials to oversee it. Pick some accepted strips for tracks and you're there! Anyone interested in setting something up like this in Miami let me know.

What is it I like in a Fixed Gear?

If you asked me what I liked in a fixed gear I'd tell you the simplicity. My fixed gear is always ready to go. It's quiet and it sticks to the essentials.... simplicity! I still have a road bike but I rarely ride it and when I do it usually needs an adjustment or it's making an irritating noise that I usually have to tweak. Ask me what kind of frame I like...Classic lugged track frame hands down! There is an artistic beauty to a hand lugged frame. The look and ride of steel can't be beat! Now don't get me wrong I like the custom look of the bikes coming out now. I like seeing everyone putting their personal touch to their bikes it's one of the things that keeps the fixed gear scene fresh and exciting. For me personally I just like the look of the lugged frame.

Origin8 UNO

Looking for a great value in a production fixed gear? Check out the Origin8 UNO. Origin8 is a fairly new brand 2 1/2 years old, but they've been really stepping things up in the fixed gear market. They're bringing in deep rim wheels with sealead bearings, colored saddles, colored cranks and handlebars. They make a real cool pedal that will take a traditional toe clip. Rubber track bar grips in colors and a host of other cool stuff, but back to the Bike! The UNO is a Tig-Welded Chromoly frame painted in Charcol Grey. The bike comes with Bull horn handlebars, front and rear brake for those who want to run it as a single speed. Three pice alloy crank 46x18. Alloy wheels with sealed bearing Formula Track Hubs 32 spoke and a nice leather seat. Right now from the production bikes I've seen and ridden out there this bike gives you the most bang for your buck. This bike sells for somewhere between $500 and $600. So if your looking for a first fixie and want something already built the UNO would be a good choice!

Brian Picolo Track

Hey all you fixed gear fanatics who haven't ridden track, your really missing something! We are fortunate here to have a great track in Broward County. Brian Picolo park The address is 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City, Fl. the phone is (954)437-2626. A few things you should know before going. 1) The bike must be fixed and a traditional track frame not a converted road bike because of the clearance of the bottom bracket. 2) No brakes...Don't need them everyone is going the same direction and moving. If someone was to hit brakes it would cause accidents. 3) If you don't have a track bike you can rent one there. 4) If you don't know what you are doing they have a track coach on the premises who is a great guy and always happy to help his name is Carlos an ex-champion from Uruguay. 4) You don't have to race or anything you can just ride laps or watch.
The track is built on an incline like NASCAR which makes for some really cool riding! You can build up some serious speed and have some great fun in a controlled environment. Try it, you may learn something!

Review- Quick Silver

Everyone that rides Fixed Gear should own this DVD. The movie stars Kevin Bacon and you'll see some other actors who latter became famous such as Lawrence Fishburn, Comedian Paul Rodriguez. The music is by Roger Daltry from The Who. So right there it's worth seeing. The story is basically about a guy that leaves his job on Wall Street to become a messenger. So the whole story is built up around riding bikes for a living .There are some cool bike scenes and trick bike riding. Some of the stuff is corny, but over all I think it's definitely the best bike movie out there. Especially if your a Fixie.

The Essence of Fixed Gear

What's so special about riding fixed gear. I thought about this today while I was out pedaling. I have six bikes. Road bikes, Recumbent, Mountain bike and single speed. (I work in a bike shop).
So why is it, my favorite bike is the fixed gear? It's probably the cheapest bike I own. It's definitely the simplest. So what is the magic of this bike that draws me to it? Then it hit me Satori! A Zen like enlightenment! When you ride any other bike it feels like a separate machine. You are operating a machine. If you stop pedaling the machine will continue to run like a car you are basically driving the bike.
Now the difference : With fixed gear you are one with the bike. You are directly connected to the road through that bike! The bike speeds up and slows down according to your pedaling... you flow. You can not stop pedaling unless the bike stops. You have become the bike! That is the difference!
So for all the money you spent on that expensive carbon fiber road bike you can never experience the same relationship that you can on that simple fixed gear.
Now grasshopper you understand the essence of fixed gear