If you’re not into the fixed gear culture, you probably won’t get it. The first “Fixed-push” video is a satire of the subculture of cyclists who ride fixed-gear bicycles.

Technically, I’m a fixed gear cyclist. Except, not really because I don’t own an industrial size messenger bag that could fit beer fridges, I don’t play bike polo, nor have I ever been employed as a bike messenger (or competed in bike messenger competitions.. apparently you don’t have to be a messenger to compete in one :p). Nor did I build my bike from some ultra cool retro frame I pulled out of someone’s old school garage sale and fitted it with stuff that has weird italian and japanese names that I have no clue why it matters. My bike was sold to me “off the peg”… what i see is what i got. Though it doesn’t have a top tube pad, it reviews well, and I kept the brakes on it and even had it equipped with … *gasp drama* … fenders! I do, however, own skinny pants. I don’t think I look so skinny in said pants, but they’re practical for cycling with and they go with everything.

The only thing I’m disappointed in about not belonging to the “fixed gear culture” is that I cannot skid stop for the life of me, and I cannot maintain a trackstand. I wanted to ride fixed for the ability to do trackstands, and so far, I’m not getting it. I guess I’m not so zen with the bike.

Taken today by a co-worker (co-rider?), on our company group ride after work. This shows me in a completely unnatural element… that is, me in natural surroundings. Trees and stuff.

The trees, however, sensed this and had their way with me. They caught themselves on my handle bar during a narrow, descending and winding track, causing the bike to fall and me to be thrown from it. I have a couple of bruises, and my shoulder took the brunt of it. I was fine, the bike too, and was able to finish the ride.

There’s a guy at work who’s pretty experienced at mountain biking and all that fun stuff. Last year, he arranged group rides with co-worker, which was pretty neat, but as I had obligations to main tank Karazhan at the time, I had not been able to take advantage of the group rides. This year, I’m determined to make it out more.

Today was the first time we got to ride. I wasn’t sure that we’d be able to because it was grey and overcast all day. However, the threats of rain were all empty and promptly after work, a group of us went out and took the trails around 12 Mile Creek and up the escarpment around Brock University.

Ok, this is the first time I’ve done any single track riding, and for the first time out those trails were challenging. Climbing up Hydro Hill was brutal but that was all just energy. For me, going downhill with rocks and tree roots, across narrow makeshift bridges was probably the most extreme thing I’ve done in my life. That’s sad, I know, but I’m learning. Of course, a lot of those steeper hills, I walked down, but it didn’t help that I was bonking closer to the end of the ride.

Would I do it again? I’m already signed up for next week, and yes I’d do those same trails again. In time, I’ll have more confidence with the downhills. The big thing for me was trying it out, getting out and catching some pretty scenery, particularly along the escarpment, and even some wildlife, like the doe we saw on the stone dust trail heading home.

My red faithful kept up nicely with the big kids at least. I love my bike.

There’s a big bowl of spaghetti with veggie meatballs waiting for me now. Yum!

So I bought a new bike.

(I’ll have a better photo when I get a chance to ride out to some nicer scenery than my craptastic backyard.)

I went to visit Liberty! Bikes, which is across from work to check out some of the bikes that I was interested in. I inquired about single-speed bikes, to which the sales dude pointed me out to the Kona Paddy Wagon in the window. It’s not in my size, he said, but they brought one in for me.

This little girl is pretty fast, I tell you what. And I didn’t appreciate how light it is compared to my Hahanna until I rode it home in the wind, which according to the Weather Network was up to 47km/h today. And riding in a fixed gear is definitely an interesting experience, something I’m catching onto pretty easily.

As for my budget, I’ll be on track with it later this month, I hope.

This the scene from my front porch about half an hour ago. I’m hoping this is the last snow storm of this season. I really want to be on a bike again. I still would like to get a decent car this year, but there is nothing like getting around on a bike, even when it’s raining, or cold outside. I’m even thinking of getting a new bike that may be a bit easier to get around town with. I probably don’t need one… my Hahanna has worked out well for me last year, though I know there were times I wish it was faster. And it definitely doesn’t work into my financial diet. But I don’t know… the Kona Smoke or the Dew are really cute commuter type relatively inexpensive bikes, and everytime I look, the more I want.

Well, sigh. I suppose it won’t hurt for them to be wishlisted.

Update: The dial is twitching more and more to the “Yes” side, though to balance it out I may give up my gym membership. I think this is a trade I can deal with.

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The Cyclist (myself) turns onto a one way street, the wrong way, staying to the right, like she does every day when she goes to work.

The Hummer is travelling down the street with the rest of traffic. The hummer is in the left lane (the Cyclist’s right).

The Cyclist and the Hummer approach eachother fast.

They will meet where a car is parked on the right side of the road. The Cyclist will have to squeeze between the Hummer and the parked car if the Hummer continues to travel at the same speed. The gap will be very narrow and she will have to compensate for the wind pressure from the Hummer. She could maybe go up the sidewalk, but there are pedestrians. And she could slow down and let the Hummer pass… but probably not.

The Cyclist and the Hummer are aware of eachother. The distance between them is closing fast.

The Hummer slows to a near stop and the Cyclist glides by the parked car, past the Hummer and proceeds the wrong way down the one way road. The Hummer beeps angrily. Cursing is heard by the Cyclist.

I win! wooooooooooooooo!

*note: I as a cyclist do not condone reckless cycling (or driving). Please kids, do not try this at home.