riding a fixie through the clyde tunnel

[Joseph]

I've always wondered what it'd be like to ride a fixie on my commute through the tunnel.. I think this morning I got the closest to it I'm likely to get for a good while... but before starting, I'd like to get my excuses out up front:

1. I was on the booze last night
2. Said boozing was in Edinburgh, so I got home late and was hence pretty tired this morning
3. I'm not use to riding through the tunnel so slow

So, anyway, I ended up following another cyclist then entering the tunnel almost directly behind him - he was riding a fixie. (Oddly I don't think he was using cleats, nor did I notice any toe straps. I guess I must've missed them.)

Downhill was interesting; he went down a lot slower than I normally would, so I was tugging on the brakes most of the time (I think he may have been too).

Uphill, he started slow, and I had no problem keeping up with him to start with, but about halfway through the climb he did start to pull away from me, though he was up out of the saddle and was noticeably puffing away.


I think overall it didn't look like too bad an experience (at least not as bad as I thought it might be), and I think overall he managed it in a comparable time to my usually speed, but I'm not entirely sure I'd try it. Yet.

 

[magnatom]

I must admit I think the tunnel would be hard work on a fixie.

I must admit, as much as I love more cyclists on the roads slow cyclists in the tunnel is a bit of a pain as passing isn't the easiest! It just shouldn't be allowed!

 

[fossyant]

The guy on the fixie was possibly new to it......

Once used to it, you can easily do 30 plus at over 150 rpm.... then go up hill quick('cos you have too....- gearing)

 

[Joseph]

I must admit, as much as I love more cyclists on the roads slow cyclists in the tunnel is a bit of a pain as passing isn't the easiest! It just shouldn't be allowed!

I could've got past him, honest, I was just curious to see how he was going to manage

The guy on the fixie was possibly new to it......

Once used to it, you can easily do 30 plus at over 150 rpm.... then go up hill quick('cos you have too....- gearing)

It's possible; he did strike me as a reasonable cyclist and he got a reasonable speed on the flat after the tunnel - ie. I was keeping pace with him, but no way I could overtake, and that's my favourite patch for overtaking cyclists. I guess it's even possible he worked at the evans cycles at xscape (right kind of time for a commute & he broke off in that direction).

(I'm still puzzling over the apparent lack of cleats / toe clips; that would be unusual on a fixed, right?)

 

[fossyant]

Lack of cleats.....on a fixed.....nope.... V common.......

Most are fashion statements.... students, pull skids, ride like loonies (not actually fast) with one or zero brakes........

 

[CharlesF]

Apologies Magnatom - I might be that slow cyclist.

Sometimes the granny gear just isn't enough and I am gasping and wheezing until you pass me when I hold my breath so you dont hear my pain.

Of course other times I fly up the tunnel

 

[magnatom]

Apologies Magnatom - I might be that slow cyclist.

Sometimes the granny gear just isn't enough and I am gasping and wheezing until you pass me when I hold my breath so you dont hear my pain.

Of course other times I fly up the tunnel

If I pass I will always ask if it is ok to come past, as space is tight. If you see me passing say hi!

 

[Joe24]

Lack of cleats.....on a fixed.....nope.... V common.......

Most are fashion statements.... students, pull skids, ride like loonies (not actually fast) with one or zero brakes........

The ones around here think they are fast, and need that big gear.
If only they knew

 

[goo_mason]

Heh heh - just noticed that Magnatom has now officially reached 'Captain Cameraman' in his posting level, and Joe24 has reached the 'more serious cyclist than Bonj' level.

When did these funnies sneak in ? I'm not very observant...

 

[Renard]

Heh heh - just noticed that Magnatom has now officially reached 'Captain Cameraman' in his posting level, and Joe24 has reached the 'more serious cyclist than Bonj' level.

When did these funnies sneak in ? I'm not very observant...

How do you personalise them too?

 

[Joe24]

PM admin and he does it.

 

[magnatom]

Heh heh - just noticed that Magnatom has now officially reached 'Captain Cameraman' in his posting level, and Joe24 has reached the 'more serious cyclist than Bonj' level.

When did these funnies sneak in ? I'm not very observant...

There is a thread about it (here I think).

You should have, Honorary Water Bottle Holder.

 

[goo_mason]

There is a thread about it (here I think).

You should have, Honorary Water Bottle Holder.

Or 'Official Costume Designer for Captain Cameraman'