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London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
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@Soweto888
Like how did you guys/girls find out about it? It's hard to say, really. I definitely read about it, but I'm not sure where. Probably on the website of a local(-ish) cycling club who use them for bike polo.
Why are you interested in "fixie's"? Well, initially I thought that it would be good to have less moving parts on the neglected commuter bike: far less chance of a major mechanical problem and no jockey wheels to clean (that was a big plus.) I also hoped that riding fixed would make my riding style a bit more smooth and stately, stopping me from racing in traffic and therefore prolonging my life. This has all worked in practice, apart from the idea that the fixed gear bike was going to be a neglected, unloved machine, built from second-hand parts. This notion went out the window when I realised how good they look. Road bikes are more elegant than mountain bikes. Fixed gear bikes are more elegant than anything else on the road.
What trips do you do? A ten-mile commute to work and other jaunts within the city. I never take the fixed gear bike into the green bits. Too many serious hills.
Do you meet other "fixie" peeps? No. Boo-hoo! I know that riding fixed is supposed to be in vogue right now, but Glasgow's not on the cutting edge of style. I rarely see anyone riding singlespeed, let alone fixed. The Spotted thread makes me all teary-eyed.
Have u injured yourself? Not on the fixed gear bike. I've had the usual cuts and bruises from my other bikes. On two occasions, I've come off because of a lack of concentration or, well...misadventure, I suppose. I've been hit by cars twice, too, but I'm yet to break any bones. Long may it continue. You'd better not be a jinx. :-)
And any other exciting pieces of info you have? It took me bloody ages to get a bike to ride as a fixed. For six months, nobody seemed to have a suitable frame, or I would be outbid on eBay by people paying silly money for junk. I wish it was less popular.
Oh and pics if possible? We can't all be photogenic. It'll be a cold day in hell before I post online pics of me in denim shorts.
I hope that helps, and I hope we've all learned an important lesson today about using our real name on the interweb. :-)