it seems as though i've been summoned back to the thread i began. i have lots to say. i'll start here: this thread was not meant to offend anyone and maybe at the same time it was.
it was simply a metaphor for somethings i've been going through and perhaps how i could remember a simpler time. yes i ride a rigid single speed. i ride it because it reminds me of a simpler time. too often things get way over complicated. just like this post did.
now, enough of that crap. on to the offensive part. i ride a single speed because i am better than most of you and i enjoy putting that out there. thats why single speeders ride them. cause i can ride the same trails you do with one gear and no suspension. i ride it all day. race it for a 100 miles or how ever far you're willing to go. now there are lots of guys on this forum who are just as fast or faster and some are better riders. but i enjoy looking at them from my trusty rigid single speed. cause they know that it might kill me, but i'm going to stay with them for as long as i can.
single speeds are masochistic. thats part of the fun. punishment. riding it rigid just adds to it. and it gives you a sense of accomplishment. let me tell you... even single speeders respect guys hammering on rigid's it's tough! some guys on here said they enjoy pushing themselves. and gears, suspension and all that other noisy crap does not allow you to push yourself. i don't know, may be it does.. it didn't for me. it made it easier. i did the same 100 mile race on a geared hard-tail and on a rigid single speed and i was 1 hour 20 minutes faster on a single speed. and i was probably stronger when i rode the geared bike. but i didn't push myself cause i had all those gears to make things easier for me..
now having said that. i ride it because it's pure. if you have never ridden a single speed you'd never know. but as kids we all grew up riding single speeds. some of them were fixe's or with coaster brakes... man those where the good ole' days!
ultimately, i hope this thread makes you mad. i hope it makes you want to ride more. i hope it makes you want to ride faster. and i hope it makes you consider, "can i ride these trails on a bike with one gear"...
and the next time some guy or gal on a single speed comes blasting up behind you on a climb, get out of there way, cause they can't shift and track standing on a climb is fun.. but only for a second..
in conclusion. i love you all.. well, not really, but you all ride so you're all ok in my book. see you on the trails. just watch out for me and Homer.. -bob