SIXTY ON A FIXIE - FIRST RIDE ON A FIXED GEAR BIKE disaster? Thanks

I bought myself a Fixie (fixed gear bike). Despite being on the brink of 60 years old, I thought it was time to try something new. And why not try something that has a reputation for being dangerous!!
I have had my fair share of scrapes and serious incidents over the year (Cardiac Cyclist says it all) and so, I have taken as many precautions as I could think of.
Shout out to Amy of / @amerridesbikes
For inspiring this purchase and new pursuit!!

[@rickzalewski2728]

That last shot of your shadow looks like you’re riding a penny farthing. Omg!!! That’s an idea for your next bike. 🤣

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I totally would try a penny farthing. We need to find someone who will lend me one!! Of course, I shall have to buy a top hat to go with it.

[@ryanfox2488]

I think this scares me more than going clipless! Good for you!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It's actually okay if you keep telling yourself not to stop pedaling. Mind you, I managed to crash onto my face on a rail trail as safe as this, on my regular road bike!!!!!

[@chrisconnors7418]

I rode fixies for most of my childhood up until I was 16 or 17. Money was tight so my dad would make my bikes from leftover parts. My favourite was one that had a long banana seat, an upright steel loop at the end of the seat that was as high as my head, and long curved harley davidson handlebars. None of my bikes had brakes. We lived on top of the escarpment so if I wanted to go down the hill and stay in control I'd have to pedal slowly but instead of pushing down I'd resist the pedals upward movements. A few times I just let fly and then I couldn't get my feet back on the pedals. I'd have to position myself to get a foot dragging on the ground to slow myself down enough to get my feet onto the pedals to resist them turning. That harley bike was a great little bike though. Easy to maintain. I think the chain finally snapped one day because I have memories of standing on one pedal, leaning over the bars, and pushing with my other leg like it was a weird skateboard.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Phenomenal memories!

[@abaneyone]

At 66 years old and having ridden bikes all my life, road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX etc., I find riding fixed gear in traffic to be a somewhat neurological experience. I love it!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Good stuff!

[@gringo.worker]

I started when I was 51 years old. It's never too late. Keep riding bro. Fixie is a great fitness.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Absolutely agree!!!

[@gringo.worker]

I also strongly recommend that you find a quiet place where you can practice riding without brakes. If you have brakes within reach, you abuse their presence :) Practice without them - starting, stopping, accelerating, and braking with the pedals, or tell yourself in your mind that an obstacle has suddenly appeared in front of you. Ideally, it should be an empty parking lot or a similar area when no one is around. Or even that path from your video. Good luck!

[@cycleyyz]

Hah, I started off "seriously" riding on a fixed gear over a decade ago in my 20's. Mucho kudos for trying it out now!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you. I like trying new things and surely I can only get better!!!!

[@anitarosbrook8401]

There was a certain lack of grace in the dismount, but top marks for trying. I also wonder why you didn’t buy a frame and build from scratch since you wont have much of the original bike left when you have finished replacing the components listed!xxx😊. How about red paint to match your father’s wheelchair!xxx❤

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I was always very graceful!!!!! xx

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Never heard of a Fixie before, though just the other day I was thinking about the old one-speed bikes with back peddling coaster brakes. I may have to look around marketplace. Thanks, Andrew. 👍🙂

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

My bike has what is called a flip flop hub. If I turn the wheel around the hub is a free hub. I would recommend you look for a bike with a flip flop hub, so you have the option for a safer ride if the fixed hub freaks you out. Enjoy.

[@abaneyone]

I'm 66 and I'm converting my 90s geared mountain bike to a fixed gear. I think it's great exercise!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It really is amazing exercise!!

[@user-rickydickydo]

Great job you got outside your comfort zone . You picked a nice trail to begin. I’m 65 on a fixie and started to ride fixed gear only around your age . It’s fun as hell . I’m running 35 mm gravel kings set up tubeless for all roads and 25 mm high pressure on my street only fixed gear . Great video

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you. Yes it is definitely fun!!

[@flipfonte4069]

I was happy to see this video, it's always good to see someone trying out a fixed-gear bike, and it's inspiring for new users. I ride my fixed-gear bike every day, rain or shine, it's undoubtedly an incredible tool for cardio. The simplicity makes this bike unique, you don't need high-quality parts to make the ride enjoyable... it's just amazing. Ignore the people who say it's a dangerous bike, like any vehicle, it requires responsibility, and a fixed-gear bike is no exception. Looking forward to more videos, happy riding!😁😁😁

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. The following day I took it out for a flat, 22km ride and you are right, it is great cardio and gave my quads a good burn. I am looking forward to a lot more fixie riding.

[@MedricMagann]

Bummer . I saw Sixty On A Fixie and thought you were going to go downhill really fast and I wanted to see how you handled the RPM .

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Hahaha, age not speed!!

[@MedricMagann]

@@cardiaccyclist7477 Yeah , it took me a while to figure that out but I finally got it . I’m just two months short of 69 years and I think it’s great what you’re doing for yourself after your heart thing . I just started running again after a twenty year layoff .

[@stephensaines7100]

Since you're adding brakes, and other features, staying 'fixed' is like wearing a hair shirt for dancing. I didn't get a good look at your hub, but I suspect it might have a ratcheted cog the other side. Why make things more difficult and dangerous when you can have a 'simplistic' experience without mounting a dagger aimed at your chest? Fixies are for the track. And posers off of it. Btw: The 'Oak Ridges Trail' and 'Caledon Trailway' signs together @0:30 / 12:02 and a few times after have me perplexed. I can find no evidence online of them being connected, is this a new development? That spot looks like it's south of Tottenham near Mt Pleasant Rd where there used to be (historically) a junction between the two railways. Oddly, on some maps the section north of Hwy 9 to Tottenham is shown as "The New Tecumseh Trail". The Caledon Trailway remains a gem in being so close to Toronto, and yet feeling completely detached from the madness. If dropped off in Tottenham (or cycling up from Bolton when the GO bus from used to run from Malton) allowed a magnificent get-away with a very pleasant connection through Glen Major at the western end to the Georgetown GO Station. I haven't done it for a few years, time to do it again. Over the years, it's been one of the best maintained trails I'm aware of.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I'm clearly a poser.