You are reading a single comment by @zanda and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@zanda
Perhaps I've got it wrong then.
I was under the impression that much of the ride was through fairly sparsely populated, but very beautiful, countryside. Perhaps I was carried away by the romanticism of his report.
I was thinking of a solo london-oxford-london last winter (which is generally well populated) when I tore through a side wall and limped 5 miles before the boot gave out. It was wet but not very cold. I had more than enough clothing to keep me warm on the bike, but not if I wasn't burning energy. I ended up with about an 8 mile walk to the nearest train station, and was chattering teeth by the time I got there.
It wasn't dangerous but it was a pretty grim way to spend an afternoon. I'd not celebrate facing that situation in sub zero temps with a blizzard setting in, on icy roads, in an isolated area.
Bit different if you've got good enough clothing to keep you warm, and if there are doors you can knock on if things get serious. However, the devastating reality is that this cold snap has actually claimed lives.
So fair play, stupid is debatable, but I don't think you can argue it's not ballsy.