I hesitate to write this post given so much negative perception around Fixed Gear bike being dangerous. But a bike is just a dumb tool. It is the intent of the user that makes it safe or dangerous. So, I am sharing my experience and my perspective here.

I started riding a Fixed Gear at 48. When I first mounted the bike, I was thrown off before it gets anywhere. That is because there is something I did not understand about myself. From this account, it sound absolutely dangerous ! On the contrary, after I became aware of my own limitation, I got around it and it proves to be the safest bike one can ride. It offers direct and absolute control to the rider. In fact, it was known as a safety bicycle when it was first created. So, if we goes back to first principle and adopts the right intent, the Fixed Gear is still the safest bike as it was first created to be. It is our own foolishness and limitations that will make even walking horrifyingly dangerous.

Riding the Fixed has the greatest impact on my personal development and growth. No guessing, this has become my favourite bike that I have taken on Randonneuring trips from Audax 200, 300, 400 and 1000km bike packing trip. The beauty of the Fixed Gear lies in its simplicity. Simplicity brings Focus, and Focus brings Control.

There is a long history of Fixed Gear Randonneuring in UK. There is even a club and regular randonneuring rides that they organise. Sadly, there isn’t any here in this part of the world. So, I just have to do it on my own.

I wouldn’t advocate anyone to just jump into Fixed Gear riding. You got to know what you are doing and be clear about your intent. Riding Fixed is nothing about being cool, it is about self discipline and the reconnection to the roots of riding the simple bicycle.

A word about safety though. it is all about our own mindset around mindful awareness and skillful Intention.