Fixed wheel sportive back on!

I had to abandon my one gear all year due to a big crash on the Albannach Classico and needed to keep fit (technically I managed a year including what I did the year before though!). I thought I was going to stick with gears for a while but I decided, fuck it, so I'm doing the RiseAbove 160km route tomorrow on my fixed wheel (probably 74" gear). Fingers crossed it goes well!

1. Turn the pedals
   
2. Realise pain is only temporary
   
3. Remember success is impossible without sacrifice
   
4. Repeat
   

Managed it, having cramps in your quads and your hamstrings at the same time is an interesting experience! As always when doing long distances on fixed, it was the downhills that were the worst part.

Managed to take the finishing sprint of the bunch I came in with too which was great fun. I could tell one of the guys was really wanting to go for it, so I sat on his wheel and used him as a lead out :)

Nice one Gav!

Cheers fella, hoping they caught my sprint on camera! I got announced over the tannoy which was nice. Full Siempre kit out too:

My Dad was riding his first sportive, he did the 80km and finished much quicker than he thought he would. He's now considering the 120km route next year but it involves a lot more climbing on steeper roads so we'll see.

If I'm ever doing a big distance fixed, I just unclip and stick my feet on the down tube to go downhill. It's obviously easier to manage if you have a brake, but a foot in the back wheel at the seat stay bridge will slow you enough to get back on the pedals.

Why not go further?

I run two brakes at all times so it's a skill I really should learn, I'm just worried I'll end up taking lumps out of my shins and then crashing...

@gillies think I'd be banned from club runs for that!

I didn't have to click the link! I don't know where people that do this hide their bits and bobs. I've tried it before but it squished my stones so bad.

Nice specs!

They're awesome, very happy customer!