Due to work commitments and a few fitness niggles, I haven't been on my fixed for 18 months - not even a normal bike!. To be honest, it hasn't been a
fixed gear bike since sometime in 2012, as I fitted a
White Industries Freewheel to give my body a rest on the constant decents around where I live - going up is fine but by the time I'm knackered I didn't have enough strength to prevent my arse acting like a jack hammer on the saddle on anything above 150rpm (while fresh I can exceed 200rpm in short stints).
Recently, I've been able to get out and about on my MTB to practice turning-my-legs-in-circles before the main event - this afternoon I was a step closer as I swapped the SS freewheel for a fixed gear. I must admit, the simple thought of the first ride was somewhat exciting but once I tightened everything up and rotated the cranks while up on the stand, the noise of the gear train gave me smile - very fixed gear sounding and mechanically pleasant, hearing each link mating with the sprocket tooth with no jockey wheel noise to get in the way.
I was just about to take it for a sneaky spin around the block just to remind myself of the feeling but... it was raining - it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Back in doors, I thought about it some more - I could have a £8k road bike loaned to me for a few days sitting in the garage for me to use... but the thought of that is nothing compared to the excitement of my reintroduction with my fixie!
Simple things, I know, but I'm sure there's someone out there that can empathise with me