After work, over a drink, I was talking bikes with non-riding Charlie. He thought city riding was silly, dangerous, and impractical. As we talked I knew I needed a new bike. The opposite of the cruiser. Something simple, light, smooth, elegant and fast. I headed straight to the bike shop and rode out on my first fixed gear.
Perfect.
When I bought the duracycle it was a mystery bike. There was no paint and no clue as to the maker. It had an Eddy Merckx fork and bull horn bars. I rode it everywhere and felt smooth, catlike and fast. I like the control of a fixed. The way each pedal stroke takes the rider the same distance. It makes riding like walking or running. I feel connected to the bike when riding fixed. Like we are one.
