Why I Don't Care About Riding Fast On My Bike

[@pinoygal6232]

I'm secretly in a race with everyone. I hate when people pass me on a bike path. I love when I fly past someone in full cycle gear on a $10K bike, with 23 speeds, while I have 1 gear, my bike weighs 25 pounds, and Im wearing jeans and a flannel.

[@KeedBuu]

Amen

[@endymion2300]

that's the best feeling, lol. if i didn't have any friends available for weekend group rides, i would head up to the expensive part of the bay so i could go chasing roadies.

[@Jaysee2164]

cheers to that, and chunky new balance shoes lol

[@apollochimp]

Also what kind of piece of junk weighs 25 lbs? Are you sure you're riding a fixed gear bike bruh?

[@pinoygal6232]

Steel frame, Paul and Phil components, 32C tires. It's closer to 23, but she's heavy.@@apollochimp

[@endymion2300]

i'm on both sides of this fence. i love cruising long distances at a casual pace, but being able to sprint like a beast for a respectable distance is a fun skill to pull out of your pocket. like, when i'm biking with friends, i just match their pace and don't try showing anyone up. but when i'm biking solo and see a group of roadies, i punch it. being the fat dude in jeans on a fixed gear outpacing a group of dentists in full kit is pretty empowering. that being said, i feel you.

[@brosettastone7520]

A fat dude on a Fixie in jeans is not out pacing a kitted out dentist. I’ll take shit that didn’t happen for 500 Alex

[@jeremyemilio9378]

How do you enjoy your rides if your buddies are slower than even your zone 1 pace

[@william.darrigo]

I recently gotten into bikes and im in love. I started fixing them up for fun. The mental, physical, fun benefits is amazing. Now i want to move somewhere in the States that I can rely less on my car and bike more.

[@iamciril]

Even though a bicycle mechanic I knew said racing takes the fun out of cycling, I tried it when I was in college. I rode with purpose every day. Then I recall reading in Bicycling magazine, to quote, "If you're not riding with purpose, you're just playing on a bike" as if playing on a bike is bad. Ditched racing after one season.

[@billhemingway5558]

I started riding last April on a walmart bargain that truly sucked and i was 70 but i learned i could ride. i've also learned i only get in trouble when i'm in a hurry and forgetting about enjoying the ride. Zach i love your channel even tho fixed gear is not for me.

[@jayziac]

Another reason is physics, it literally takes exponentially more power to push the bike a small increment faster when it's already fast enough (> 20 mph). So if you want fast, get a velomobile, beat everyone with less effort, if that's your thing.

[@geoffgoddard1296]

Hi Zach I appreciate your channel...After many years I am getting back into cycling. At my peak, I was riding 50+ miles every day yet I remember my first ride which was a 25 miler, I'll never forget the agony I felt once I made it to my destination. I'm sure I was sick for at least 8 hours, yet that didn't stop me. Weeks later that particular ride became enjoyable. Over time, my endurance and speed dramatically increased without even trying. So in short, I think your theory is correct. Some days you feel it and some days you don't. The lows are what they are, but the highs, well, it's hard to put into words what that feels like. Confidence building doesn't give it justice. PS. I've got tons of stories about those highs and lows...In short bike clubs didn't like me rolling up on them. Back in the day they weren't that friendly...especially when I attacked the hills and left them in the dust.

[@TroubleshootGamingMeds]

I don't care about setting records or anything, but I like to maintain a decent 16-18 mph over a long ride. Going faster is more fun 😅

[@sid4560]

It really depends on your gearing tbh

[@chrissalgado9306]

That's normal speed if anything sub average

[@jeremyemilio9378]

That's pretty slow tbh. Sweet spot would be 20-22

[@Josepowerzoro]

@@jeremyemilio9378the guy in the video just said being a cyclist doesn’t mean going fast all the time. Doesn’t matter as long as your riding and have a goal.

[@zedddddful]

​@@jeremyemilio9378 getting 22 average where I live either means you are some kind of mutant or you have a motor averages are a stupid metric.

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

VERY VERY VERY well said. I'm new-ish to fun style riding again. And I can really relate to this video

[@cyclingzen824]

I agree. Riding a bike is marketed and considered to be a sport, a form of exercise as an alternative to jogging or attending a gym. People overlook the fact that riding a bike is an alternative means of transport. I ride a single speed everywhere because I want to go somewhere. Simple

[@roydrink]

One thing you mentioned, was taking a course at a velodrome. I’ve be riding fixed gear since Ford was president, but taking a track class really improved my fixed gear riding.

[@NolonCarter]

Other than not having fun anymore, riding for maximum performance without overtraining/physical burnout is a delicate balance. If you keep it fun you greatly reduce that risk! Probs to you for not getting sucked into high performance culture.

[@jepulis6674]

You can have a like one partially hard ride a week unless youre pro level, if you want to do optimal training. Easy rides and one with sprints 2x20 30s etc. Same goes for running.

[@timboha8191]

Most cycling media tries to push you down the route of getting a road bike, follow a training plan, dress up in Lycra and log everything on your cycling computer. If that’s what floats your boat then fine, but to some people that just feels like a bunch of unnecessary kill joy pressure. I went that way, but it just eventually got me to quit cycling. That’s why I love fixed, no pressure, no expectation, just care free fun.

[@mmurmurjohnson2368]

Lycras great man, on road bike, single speed or fixed, even if just the bib pants casual up top 👍

[@LordVarkson]

@@mmurmurjohnson2368it’s great but not all the time. Sometimes I’m in the mood to put my kit on and go hard, other times I just jump on the bike with whatever I’ve got on and have fun. But if you ask the community, it’s not even possible to ride without a chamois.

[@flashy_flashsama5887]

Same here I feel u man. Doing things and on the way to getting better, the fun gets neglected. Applies for me for competitive gaming and sports.

[@cartilagehead]

this reflects my feelings on gravel bikes. Most people in my area buy them because they’re more comfortable and secure on poor and debris-strewn road surfaces and they allow you to do things like pop up on a curb or ride in the gutter more easily when dodging cars. And then there’s the added benefit of being able to hit closed trails, etc. Companies who haven’t fully moved on from the aero bike days are obsessed with trying to sell everybody on gravel racing instead

[@mmurmurjohnson2368]

I ride aero, single speed and gravel rigs, they're all fun and have distinct advantages, ride feels etc. But aero is definitely non fiction, especially if u like to put down big watts on flats.......which I do 🔥

[@cartilagehead]

@@mmurmurjohnson2368 I’m not saying that it’s fiction, I also have and love my roadie bikes, I just think that the elevation and promotion of super racey, super aero, super carbon bikes largely at the expense of other categories hurts takeup and alienates a lot of people who will never ride a crit, etc. Most hybrid and city bikes have the appeal of an orthopedic shoe. And we can see the effect of prioritizing the wants of racers with how the industry resisted things like putting wider 700c tires or 650b wheels on road bikes for so long because of dogma moreso than actual science.

[@LordVarkson]

@@cartilageheadon the wider tire thing, back in the 80s wide tires were actually quite popular on sport bikes with the 27 1/4” and 1/8 wheels. That converts to 32c and 28c. That fell off when 700c became the standard across the entire industry.

[@meatisburger2]

I have fun with a 46-17 ratio. But sometimes I ride 48-16.. The smaller ratio is good for city riding because the quicker acceleration allows me to be a little more “reasonably dangerous”. I ride daily. I’m in Reno so I do have set of Winter Marathons to put on for snow. Tis the season.

[@edwardallan197]

My attitude also, I completely get it. I am putting a CB 27 incher on a very light old steel Bianchi. It will be the lightest single speed I have ever ridden.

[@treyhorn5645]

Dude!!!❤ .. You killed it in this vid.... So freaking true ,I'm absolutely in that same mindset... Everything you said. That's I as well... cool bro ,cya

[@LifeShortWave]

Bro, you made it on r/bicyclecirclejerk

[@jani724]

That used to be the goal but over the last few years it's been more fun to put in headphones and ride whatever bike like a skateboard kinda. Just going out and doing whatever I choose

[@omunorilor9380]

Another perspective here: I go fast because it's fun. I bought my fixed gear bike cause i wanted a commuter to protect my expensive mountainbike. After feeling how fast I can be on a fixed gear, it's hard for me not to push myself tbh. Though i like doing fakies and goofing around. I hate having to be competitive, but i like to push myself and feel the power i am developing. Also, being competitive over things you do for fun is dumb. Expectations usually ruin it.

[@pinoygal6232]

"can't stop, won't stop"

[@zeruiahwild1]

I got my sporty single speed "track" bike and my 18 speed mountain bike, but my single speed was geared down to still be usable daily if I wanted it to be, having fun is what matters🤙

[@event4216]

Speed is relative - sprinting in city between buildings for some blocks feels fast and zippy. On road outside city with heavy headwind it suddenly feels slow and hard, like 11mph and that's with 2.66 ratio and several stops to stretch 'cos it comes hard. Another day with tailwind I do 19mph easily for few hours. Enjoying view always means a lot to me otherwise I could spin on rollers.

[@anielyantra1]

I ride every day for three reasons; 1. to stay healthy 2. as the most economical means of transportation 3. FOR FUN!

[@tenzin4997]

i think faster and fitter is the trajectory if its ur favorite way to get around regardless the body and mind naturally improves. i think u have reached a threshold of the time u spend on it and thats overdue as we age and get wiser about our time invested.

[@scruf153]

I got back into cycling because I did not like how I was living I commute everywhere on a bike with that and eating habits I went from 247 pounds down to 215 pounds it took 3 years but I am happy about it why did I ever stop riding a bicycle

[@letsgetdoing]

BIG facts!!! I can't STAND forums because of spandex wearing weirdo creeps. The funny part is that when you're on the street just cruising there's like many 3 people you'll run into who are really trying to push. Other than that they wear all that "kit" and I almost keep up cruising and looking around at all the scenery. People TRULY think more money = value. STUPIDITY!

[@nyemartin5737]

Not only do I not ride fast but I ride my Genesis Flyer with a freewheel cos I love coasting. 😀

[@Abraham0031]

Well said !

[@jayson1291]

Another great video keep them coming 🙏🏽. I Do have a question that headlight where did u get ??

[@brosettastone7520]

Why we even talking about speed? Any half decent rider on a road bike is likely gonna smoke any Fixie hipster anyway This video was literally “I don’t care about riding fast it’s lame but let me remind you how fast I am btw im the fastest in every group in every country I ride in” Like bro are you complaining or bragging choose one

[@omunorilor9380]

I agree with you slightly. That part with "speed sucks but i am still the fastest out of my friends" felt a bit unnecessary. But he said it to make a point, so yeah. I can confirm that being fast makes you want to maintain a certain speed, and other riders may feel bad by not keeping up. It's annoying on both sides, yet you, as the speedster, can always can adjust your pace so the rest are happy. The part with fixie hipsters may be generally right. For me it isn't the case tho (i think). I have some coworkers that i perceive as good road bikers and i keep up with them just fine if not better in *some* scenarios with my fixed gear. I feel like fixed gears just love to sit at certain speeds so on decent climbs I was actually being faster by needing to keep my momentum.

[@brosettastone7520]

@@omunorilor9380keeping up with them is different than racing them though just saying I don’t doubt that you can keep up but a road bike having multiple gears is most likely going to cap your top speed. I myself am WAY faster on my road bike than I am on my fixed. Rightfully so it has gears and it’s made of carbon. But that’s not the point I was making, it’s just confusing when he’s complaining to us about speed and performance culture but has to remind us that he’s so fast and outpaces every rider he rides with in every country…just seemed weird

[@rockeastwood]

PICK A SIDE!!! :) Yeah, well said. Just ride man. Just ride.

[@Zachsnotboard]

I totally agree and had similar experiences

[@Buddhakingpen]

I dont think about riding fast, i just kinda go with however my legs feel along with the flow of traffic and my tunes. But i do end up going around 20mph which seems to be a little faster than the average rider where i'm from. And because i got so accustomed to passing 90% of riders, i do find myself getting competitive when i see a roadie in their lycra if they pass me up. I dont know why, seeing as i'm a 240 pound man on a fixed gear in street clothes, and the ppl that pass me are obvious road riding enthusiasts that weigh 100 pounds less than i do lol.

[@jepulis6674]

I find it funny when people race roadies commuting in or out of a city going warm up speed.

[@Buddhakingpen]

@@jepulis6674 its probably motivation. if u can keep up with a "'serious rider" perceptively, your doing good (in your head)

[@dc1d234]

That jacket is sick! Where'd you get it?

[@Brian-qv1ir]

I get asked that sometimes. I always answer with, "I'm not trying to win the Commuter 500"

[@dannystarkridesfixed]

I like to ride alone since I can go whatever pace I want to go on any given ride. Since sometimes I wanna go a little slower since I’m a little slower than day but other times I wanna see how fast I can get.

[@neom0nk]

3:50 - True, but also... PICK A SDIE!!!!!! ugh!

[@kimkrimson]

Most bike people I know love to go fast and love to suffer and go to the limit and they are nice people who are nice to other path users. Check out the people that do ultra distance cycling. I never met an unfriendly one

[@Iamwel]

I've been bike commuting for more than a decade. No I don't race, but I love bike touring. I agree that riding as fast as I could ain't that fun. I do love to test my limits in terms of endurance not speed. I'd rather break my own climbing records in Strava than to sprint & speed the whole trip. 😊

[@stevekelly6544]

I’m with you, on team fun, I don’t give about my stats, I do give a shit about having a good time- my mental health is just as important as my physical health….

[@johnnyregs2378]

This went from "I don't do it because it's not fun for me" to "people who do this are doing things wrong". How about we all just ride however the fuck we want.

[@brosettastone7520]

Right it’s like he feels the need to justify why he’s slow Who cares lmao He says it like people who ride fast are ALL snide assholes

[@johnnyregs2378]

@@brosettastone7520 exactly, he's justifying a personal preference by judging others on a generalization. That's hypocritical.

[@byronspencer8101]

I try to keep my heart rate in check on the climbs but I love flying down the hills. I do not care about average speed.

[@xerxes4779]

I would ride my bike fast, i would ride in the scorching hot weather , i would ride the tour de france but you won't ever caught me in a spandex outfit. I just feel so uncomfortable in it. And seeing other cyclists in it just look so goofy especially when they're in a store for a quick snack

[@feralearthworm3044]

The looks are the only reason not to wear it though. I didn't want to look so "try hard", but I ended up trying so hard just to not look like a try hard cyclist and still maintain comfort and efficiency on the bike for longer rides, and it just seemed so silly to me I gave in and now Lycra up for dedicated rides.

[@billhemingway5558]

i remind myself everyday to "ride my ride"

[@notl33t]

my not so secret passion since about 2020 and the black lives matters group rides in boston is volunteering to bike marshal a social bike roll or be a person on a bike helping with crowd control. my knowledge about traffic and safety from biking all the time comes in handy and helps keep people safe. these rides are like . . . 8mph maximum and if they are super big its like 1mph. it also gets younger and older folks into riding because it feels safe and fun to ride with other people.

[@simplexicated]

Riding for utility as part of culture like places in the Netherlands is far better to help foster a culture of people who enjoy riding. The can be an unpleasant aspect of some parts of hobby / recreational cycling which makes me sad as it discourages others from taking up the hobby.

[@not-fishing4730]

Except those of us who are slow do ride as fast as we can because otherwise we cannot keep up the rest of the group. While riding alone I only ride as fast as I can somewhat safely which spinning downhill is much slower than those who coast.

[@EnidAgnusDei]

It is odd, on my single speed, my average speed and fastest speeds are faster than on my racers, only thing I slow down on are hills which makes sense.

[@Paopao621]

Glad im not alone😂.

[@ScottHoffman-v4j]

Amen! I can't ride fast. Nor do have fun doing it.

[@irenebloodrose3886]

I ride because I don't have a license *and* because I firmly believe two wheels are better than four anyway.

[@Torsan1977]

Bros before pros... It's good to bring this subject up. Resist the urge to become competitive in every thing you do if you feel it makes you miserable. I used to be a roadie, but riding single speed in my normal clothes is so much more fun.

[@mikeritter2979]

Agreed

[@bloodonthesnow]

@ZachGallardo at 3:36 you are really reaching for the pedals. your seat is too high. you will have more fun on bike if you lower seat.

[@Xealous]

wait this guys a pro hearthstone player, jesus christ

[@galenkehler]

Fast is fun

[@kimrice394]

Ride path weekly. Avoid collisions every time there’s people. Path is public, like a road, which has rules, to keep people from hurting each other… Pick a side.

[@suhdud4646]

To me, everybody infront of me is a carrot. Getting fitter, faster and stronger in any sport is a chore BUT if you are doing it with like-minded people, its fun. The camaraderie is what makes it worth it but doing it on your ace, is torture.

[@rickthatch3556]

I think it is interesting how you are evolving as a cyclist... Similar to me

[@kipcc3918]

Literally Zac saying he not fast, Bro, 18-20mph is already 30-35kph, That’s fast already. 😅🤣

[@jeremyemilio9378]

Thats average in group rides I do. Fast would be the high 30s to low 40s

[@ezraregan2243]

Vive le tour!!

[@backtoids]

hell yea asthma bröther

[@OliverPickard]

Yup turn Strava off and keep cycling fun

[@mikemann2692]

I just like being comfortable with my cages who cares about going fast lol

[@nolradskid]

legit!

[@rharr8846]

I disagree. Riding fast in a paceline group is so much fun. Riding in the slipstream on a fast ride is exhilarating. I have a fixed gear bike that I like a lot, but I would never ride it in a paceline. I have a geared bike for that. Anyway, I think we should retire the "unracer", "party pace" attitude so promoted by Rivendell, Zack and others. All it does is divide us. To each his own. As cyclists we should be united in our love for the sport, not throwing shots at riders who like to ride faster.

[@TheFriendofnight]

Pke is the best group ride.

[@GabrielLopez-nd5fc]

💜💜

[@i3zd]

Taking it easy is so much better. Nothing more embarrassing than a track bike guy getting all upset over pedestrians because he decided to go out riding with no brakes. People need to relax, bikes are toys. We are grown adults who are obsessed with toys.

[@quartzteeth8429]

Bad take.

[@nxelmusic]

😭

[@jasonparrish5204]

That’s what slow cyclists say.

[@tomcruz3774]

Dude lets play mtg

[@TL243]

😎❤️🇹🇼🚴🏽‼️

[@Steo240sx]

Why I don’t care about this video because your not fast haha

[@johnsmithers284]

That's okay I never expect fixies to go fast anyway

[@0SW13]

if you don't ride fixed why watch this video/channel? strange use of your time

[@johnsmithers284]

@@0SW13 Damn bro you got me! Good job bro!

[@johnsmithers284]

@@0SW13 i have a track bike but it's pretty much useless for doing anything but riding on a flat road with no wind

[@0SW13]

@@johnsmithers284 so if you think it's useless why watch/leave comments on this video/channel? You still didn't answer that. Just a strange way to spend your time is all

[@johnsmithers284]

@@0SW13 believe it or not you can usually tell what a video is about from the thumbnail and title. Didn't watch the video just looked at the comments and left mine. 30 seconds gone oh the horror

[@4specialist]

Literally the most cringe video he's ever posted...😬