You are hereBrand new UT Informal Class for 2010: "Fixed Gear Bicycling"
Brand new UT Informal Class for 2010: "Fixed Gear Bicycling"
The following email was sent to my by a reader who's been riding his fixed gear for longer than some critical mass participants have been around, and just found out about a new informal class being offered at UT called Fixed Gear Bicycling. Check it out:
I've been riding fixed for at least 15 yrs. Back then, no one outside of road riders who trained on fixed in the off-season to improve their pedal stroke and ppl who had access to velodromes knew what fixed-gear bikes were. None of us used the term "fixie", and certainly none of us thought there was any "culture" to it.
Further proof that the fixed-gear fad has jumped the shark.
https://informalclasses.org/index2.html
In the left side pane, click on 'New Classes'.
ACTIVE LIFE
Fixed Gear Bicycling
Fixed gear cycling is a sport and a culture all of its own. Enjoy a morning finding out why this sport is so popular in Austin and around the world. Learn the basics of fixed gear cycling: what it is, how the bikes work, and best of all, how to ride it! Bicycles will be provided for the class. Students are required to bring a properly-fitted bicycle helmet to class, in order to participate.
Please note this class requires all participants to complete and sign a University Release and Indemnification Agreement before being considered enrolled in the class. See "Waivers" on the sidebar of our website, on the left side of the home page.
Rob Lee is an avid bicycle rider, who builds most of his bikes from the frame up. He is an advocate of safe, responsible, and most of all, fun cycling. He has been riding fixed gear bicycles for eight years, and is ready to share his passion and knowledge of these bikes with you.
2685.601 (1 meeting)
Sa Mar. 6 9:30AM–12PM
General: $40 UT: $34
As skeptical as I am about how much TOTALLY AWESOME TARCK BIEK CULTURE!!! they're gonna be able to fit in 2 1/2 hours of informal training, I'm glad to read that as a cyclist Mr. Lee puts fun before safety or responsibility. If it was any other way it'd practically be an ACA class. I may have to sign up for this and get me some fixed gear knowledge. Then my learnings will be strong.
theres no culture to it anymore, its just people utilizing the bicycle and its leaning towards the fixed gear and track style bicycles because the hipsters made it cool and they are easier to fix. not even five years ago the only kids riding fixed gear bicycles were couriers and their friends... i dont care who did what first or whats cool or what jumped shark, im just glad more people are on bikes and not in cars.
Culture means (among other things) "the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group" or "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group" or "These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population".
If people are doing something because it's trendy -- that's culture. If they're doing it because it's practical, or it works or whatever else -- it's still culture. All that really matters is that a group of people are doing it.
As you said, it's people on bikes. If you like people on bikes, it should be a good thing!
Yeah, I'd be skeptical, too, if I didn't know Rob. He's about as far from "fixie culture" as you're likely to find. Good cyclist and a good guy.
Check it out. You might learn something.
that fixie culture is about to officially jump the shark?
"About" to?
Agreed. It's so tired.