If it ain't fixed, it's broken

It's strange how when I don't post for while it's hard to write a new one. I feel the need to update it with all the various cycling happenings going on for me since the last post. Then I get overwhealmed and put it off, more cycling stuff occurs, repeat...

I decided to try riding fixed gear a few weeks ago and ordered a cog and chainring from MWC to convert my Salsa Casseroll SS. MWC had a Surly Steamroller Complete on the wall in my size (56cm) and the guys were nice enough to let me take it for a spin during one of my visits. I really liked the track like geometry and higher bottom bracket for reducing the risk of pedal strike when going around corners. I also liked how it looked... so yeah, I had them order a Surly Steamroller for me.

Picked it up last Saturday and rode it around the neighborhood a bit. Definitely a new experience and one that is growing on me. I've commuted with it 3 out of 4 days this week with 2 of those days being my 20 mile home->work->downtown->home days. I finally felt comfortable enough this morning to use my SPD shoes/pedals and liked it even more. My major issue when using platforms was my feet would lose their footing on occasion when the cadence would get a bit high and I'd have to slow down before I could successfully resync my feet to the pedals. No such problem today and I reached a cadence of 120+ on a few of the downhills.

The brake will stay, I will continue to wear a helmet, and I will not start wearing super tight jeans (you are welcome), so hopefully no one mistakes me for a hipster. :)