Dilemma of the 'mature" fixed gear rider.

@cliveo Pleased to hear the fixed can keep you mobile through all that agro and yeh, I'm not keen on walking either.

Interesting the subject of brakes hasn't really come up in this thread, as can be seen in the pics of my mum, it was de rigueur for cyclists in the 1940s riding fixed to have two brakes and I was surprised when my dad fitted the Roberts I still have with just a front brake (both levers though). I only have a front brake on my Super Pista. I've never been brave/stupid enough to try no brakes on the road. Does anyone in this country do that? If you look at Youtube/Instagram or films like Premium Rush it seems every fixed rider in the US has no brakes!

Now more thread derailment here as my mum reminded me of the photo she has on her mantlepiece of her father aged in his 80s riding fixed (with two brakes) she says from his house in Sydenham to his holiday home in Herne Bay.
She also added that he would often take his feet off the pedals on downhills and put them on the handlebars (!) I can't imagine how he did this or how he got his feet back on the pedals, but I don't think it is a delusion of her old age as I remember telling me this when I was a kid.

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The original tweed run.

Built up a fixed recently and had first proper fixed ride in about 8 years. Didn't notice it being any harder than before. Went for a nice low gear in the high 60s. Did get some fatigue afterwards, but suspect that's just coming through COVID and not riding for about 3 weeks. I remember sometimes before when I rode fixed finding the nagging continual drivetrain a bit tiring, but I wonder if that was more a bike fit issue, plus a need to work a bit on flexibility/ core strength.

Thanks. I've concluded it's essentially a strength and fitness issue. Just need to try harder or give up!

Turns out it was all about the bike, or at least my position on it. Different bike with flat bars and better position above the cranks and back to my 30 mile commute (round trip) on 44/16 with no issues!