Should I ride my first fixie back from the shop (in London)?

Hi,

I've been MTBing for years but next Tuesday I'm going to get my first fixie from BLB. Now, I don't know London well but I know I need to get the tube to Bank, and then the no. 8 bus to Spitalfields.

Obviously, once I've got the bike I can't get the bus back to Bank, so I'll either have to ride or walk. I know cycling in London can be dangerous, but I'm fairly experience with road riding - just not in London. Also, with having not ridden fixed before I'm not sure how I'll cope.

Plus I don't know my way around London at all. :)

So what's the consensus? Walk or ride?

Follow your heart.

Ride.

Don't be such a vag

Hi
Having lived nearby for many a year I think Bethnal Green Rd - Bishopsgate is fairly easy to navigate. If you're getting a brakeless fixie then maybe walk it but with a brake (or 2) it shouldn't pose any problems. Mostly buses and they are easy to avoid.

If you're not comfortable about riding in London, you can get yourself some cycle training first. Do you live, work, or study in an eligible London borough? You can phone http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/ on 020-7231 6005 to find out. Do it on your MTB if you want.

If you're not comfortable riding fixed yet, you could always go single speed at first, if your bike has a flip-flop hub (with a brake or two, riding fixed is easy, though, and not that different from not riding fixed).

BTW, you won't be able to take your bike on the Tube at Bank--you'll have to either get an overground train or ride a bit further out to put it on a Tube line that permits cycle carriage. And Liverpool Street is a lot closer to BLB than Bank.

Ride, if you have a brake that is. You might feel a bit wobbly, but ultimately it's just bike riding.

Ride.

Don't be such a vag

repped, for vag.

if no brake, don't take it out of the shop
if it has a brake, bloody ride it.

What are you going to do when you get to Bank tube with your bike?

Ride the MTB and sling the SickNewFixie over your shoulder? I dunno.

What are you going to do when you get to Bank tube with your bike?

I was wondering about whether he thought he'd able to take it on the Tube, as well.

Yes I just realised I can't take it on Bank tube so looks like I'll be riding to Waterloo :)

are you mad?! riding from blb to waterloo is a very perilous ride! watch out for zombie flesh eating crack heads, bendy busses and potholes. bring a map (and a chainsaw) one more thing, remember to keep pedalling.

Is this another pisstake thread?? :-$

I've just bought an umbrella incase it starts raining. Thing I'm worried about though, if it does actually start raining will I be OK to use it? I don't really know my way around London and not sure which way to go to keep away from the clouds
Any help or advice would be great....

Thanks

Well sorry London experts, I don't know the area so I'm just asking for advice. For all I know it could be mad traffic and I don't think I'd feel confident riding my first time on a fixie in such busy conditions. Sorry for asking

shakes head

I just got a new girlfriend and I not sure if I should take the dirt path or not. I'm not sure how i should be riding, please help....just ride it and be careful, it's a bike, it's what it's meant for.

At what? Because you obviously think my question was hilarious and I don't find you equally funny?

I don't have any beef with you, I was asking a genuine question considering a. I don't live in London and b. Have never ridden a fixie, and then you just proceed to take the piss out of me. Fair enough it may be funny to you but I was just looking for some helpful answers (which I have got, in fairness).

and everyone's happy, lovely ending

i hope you have a brake. then just try it, if you don't feel comfortable just walk it.... it's totally walkable so just leave yourself the time.

For all I know it could be mad traffic

Ya reckon....?

I don't know - hence why I was asking...

This gets better......

i hope you have a brake.
have a kit-kat

If you don't think you'll be confident in traffic you could try crossing the river over London Bridge (walking to there if you want) and ride (or walk) along the South Bank to Waterloo (past Tate Modern and the Festival Hall etc - wide pedestrian walkways all along there, can avoid all traffic right the way to Waterloo...