This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Hardly any other cyclists on the road, lots of lucky green lights and some big tasty gaps to squeeze down made for an excellent ride to W12. Got a couple of fast tows from some beefy roadies too.

9/10

Well done @Rhodrich

Commuted in this morning on the fixed gear bike I've built out of an old Dawes Chevron that my neighbour was chucking away.

Have never ridden fixed before, and didn't die. Felt good.

Bruv! You're not alone! :) -> http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/231778/

Got to work. Realized I forgot something important at home. Got home, and to work again. 10.8 miles instead of 3.6.

Anyway, weather was good, traffic was okay, and in the end I was only 10 minutes late so I don't really mind. Except for not having time for proper breakfast.

First ride in for over a week, thought I might have had fresher legs this was not the case.

Never got a response to my email to TFL about Oval, witnessed again the bus cutting left across the on coming cyclists. E&C still fu*ked I see.

*Does anyone else get slightly nervous when returning to the bike after a little time off?

The trick is not stopping cycling ;)

^this

Breaks are death (for your legs)

Never got a response to my email to TFL about Oval, witnessed again the bus cutting left across the on coming cyclists.

It's absolutely mad. Someone's going to get flattened.

^ The ironic side-effect of the Oval clusterfuck is that taking the lane and going straight on with the cars has actually become safer, making the detour even less attractive.

It is, the only disadvantage is that once there's congestion, it's harder to filter through due to the narrower lane.

^ True. Unless you fancy a cone slalom.

Learn to trackstand and skid. It makes riding fixed even more fun, safer and cool. All very important.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Being cool is obviously the most important thing, and comes way above being safer! Trackstanding and skidding will come in time.

@FatManOnAFixie It's nice to know I'm in good company. Your bike is a bit newer than mine though - mine's got the previous style of headbadge, plus the old school front light mount on the fork for extra dork points.

I've been riding fixed for about 6 months now. I love it (mainly for the great things it's doing to my leg muscles).

I've never managed to skid on purpose, only as a last second emergency with the assistance of my front brake. As for trackstanding, I don't seem to have the balance.

Anyone got any tips?

Practise make perfect.

When attempting, best to turn the front wheel a little to the left, and point your left pedal toward the front wheel (or both on right side if you prefer), like this example;

Keep moving back and forth until you start to get the hang of the balance.

Some people find it easier to practised on an upward slope.

Scatter broken glass on the floor either side of where you are practicing your track stands. Added motivation to not fall off.

Extra jeopardy. I like it. Maybe an upward-pointing spike on the frame too?

Thanks Ed :)

...and skidding, try to shift your weight more onto the front wheel (not too much = death) before locking you legs up. if you want a glorious mental image to aim for, try to have sex with your stem.

Bear in mind a fair number of off the pegs singlespeed/fixed wheel bicycle have too high a gear to begin with, so if you struggle, might be worth putting a bigger cog on the rear (1 or 2t bigger).

And it's easier when the roads are wet (less resistance) and far more enjoyable.

Cycled into a biscuit factory came out a cycling instructor.

Cycled into a biscuit factory came out a cycling instructor.

Crumbs!

Manchester is fun at the moment, heading from media city across to Ardwick had all the lulz. First was the boat coming through the quays so the bridge was shut (only one person appreciated my bell ringing at the waving passengers), when it reopened there was a mad dash to the middle so everyone could walk/cycle into everyone who was waiting the other side. Then I went past old Trafford as the stadium was filling up, many people everywhere, then as you get into town there is traffic everywhere from all the roadworks and the giant sinkhole, buses blocking every junction, angry people everywhere, I had loads of fun.

8/10, would improve disgusting comedown again.

Never looking at my stem the same way now tx :p