Kestrachern

On April 12, 2009 (Easter) I became the owner of a new fixed gear bike, a GT Gutterball. 

I had some alterations (look for the blue bits) from the stock design, new handlebars, changed the gearing, longer chain. Right now I’m running 53/16 gearing on both sides of the flip hub. One side is a single speed and the other a fixed gear. I’m right now running in single speed so I can get use to riding the new bike and learn to get my toes into the pedal clips without too many problems.

I’ve been riding about 10-15 miles a day since then and am now ready to switch over to the fixed gear side.  Tomorrow (April 26) I plan on making that change.    I hope that I don’t mess up the bike too much, if I do I can always stop past the shop where it was purchased to have them smooth out the problems.  

So far the bike has been superb.  Much more fun than my mountain bike.  I am enjoying the closer connection to the road/terrain. With the upcoming change to fixed gear configuration I am anticipating developing more control as well.

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4-27-09
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The change is done.
A name is now needed. (for the bike)

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5-1-09
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Still no name…. thbbbt
Finding it very fun to ride in the fixed gear configuration… I’ve always identified with motion and the bike is always in motion. In the next upgrade I think that I may want a lower gear in addition to the 16. Maybe 18 or 19. Stopping without breaks is not so easy yet… nor is the balance.. then again maybe the muscles are building… Every now and again I find myself expecting the pedals to let me coast. Last night while riding to SweetBay I stood up as I went over a bump and was nearly thrown from the bike… oops.