Author Topic: Can you ride backwards? (Read 4261 times)

Attitudeless Badger · « **on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:16:03 am »

When I explained to my 7 year old how a fixed gear worked, he said "Does that mean you can ride it backwards?"

Technically, I suppose you can, but mine is still a work in progress so I am not sure if it is feasible. My question to you is can it be done? How far can you go? Is it worth pedalling away backwards at a traffic lights, for example just to bemuse passers by?

chris · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:21:35 am »

My son Lewis (eleven years old today) has an Apollo Fire Chief fixie with 10 inch plastic wheels and solid tyres. He can sit on the handlebars and pedal backwards whilst steering with his back side!

Sorry if I've gone slightly off topic and given the thread a bit of a bum steer

.

Gus · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:22:56 am »

I can't ride backwards.
I've seen messengers riding backwards circles

I try to stay on the bike at traffic lights, but that means moving about 5 cm forwards
or backwards

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:44:42 am »

Backward circles are easier than backwards in a straight line ... but that doesn't mean they are easy. I have done them but some practice would be needed before I could honestly say I can do them.

Deano · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:47:12 am »

I've tried a few times - I can usually complete about a yard backwards, in a very wobbly way. Not with clipless pedals, though. No chance.

Ian H · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 June, 2008, 09:55:27 am »

I can't - never really tried - but I know a man who can.

Martin109 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 June, 2008, 10:10:48 am »

YouTube - reverse

Deano · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 June, 2008, 10:17:18 am »

There's a how-to here - I may start practicing...

http://www.63xc.com/gonterian/reverse.htm

hazeii · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 June, 2008, 05:36:30 pm »

If you can trackstand, it's not too hard to learn to back up half a pedal rev. (if you can trackstand both sides, else full rev. required). Not very graceful though (esp. when I do it).

More graceful is the full-on balanced reversed riding (usually in circles, if more than a few seconds).

If you want to see some serious fixed reversing, check this out (oldskooltrack.com). It's the video referred to in the 63XC article, and the background info is here.

N.B. this is the video I posted over at the old place last time reversing came up, so many will have already seen it.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 June, 2008, 03:41:08 pm »

I have seen a guy on a geared bike sit on the bars facing backwards and pedal "backwards" to move forwards.

But of course that's a regressive move.

Luke · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 June, 2008, 05:35:22 pm »

Quote

Can you ride backwards?

Tried it today.

No. I can't.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 June, 2008, 06:17:09 pm »

I can't even trackstand

Frenchie · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 June, 2008, 08:56:05 am »

No. It doesn't matter. It is going forward that does.

Wendy · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 June, 2008, 09:58:16 am »

I've managed a couple of backwards circles, but only on the odd occasion in many attempts, and only one circle.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 June, 2008, 10:02:55 am »

Hasn't Nutty achieved this at some stage in his remarkable development?

geraldc · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 June, 2008, 10:27:00 am »

When I was pointing out my mates fixed wheel to my dad, he said 'oh like a circus bicycle'.

hubner · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 June, 2008, 02:16:50 pm »

Quote from: Frenchie on 16 June, 2008, 08:56:05 am

No. It doesn't matter. It is going forward that does.

Yeah, leave riding backwards, wheelies, skid-stops and other tricks and stunts to the circus performers, "fixie" hipsters, BMXers, skateboarders etc.

giropaul · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 June, 2008, 04:07:49 pm »

Quote from: Frenchie on 16 June, 2008, 08:56:05 am

No. It doesn't matter. It is going forward that does.

Quite right, in fact going backwards gets you dq'd if you're a sprinter (or at least a re-start).

Valiant · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 June, 2008, 04:04:48 am »

I have been known to do the odd circle. Usually after a few beers so the fear of looking an ass on the floor isn't so bad lol.

tonycollinet · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 June, 2008, 08:55:41 am »

Oooh - an opportunity to post this for anyone who hasn't seen it.

YouTube - Crazy Bike Rider

(on topic - backwards starts at around 2:20)

Backwards on one wheel, anyone? And it is worth watching right through.