Fixed-Gear: Two-Wheeled Transportation
One-hundred and ninety years ago this summer, the two-wheeled “Dandy Horse” became popular with several London and Paris townies who were looking for a little freedom from their idea of bipedalism: walking. These riders shuffled their feet along the ground, much like Fred Flintstone, to achieve mobility and forward progress. Unfortunately, the lack of a crank-shaft and custom-sizing prevented the two-wheeler from catching on.
However, in the 1860s, the French vélocipède bicycle was created by attaching rotary cranks and pedals to the front-wheel hub of a “Dandy Horse,” and the bicycle was born.
Nowadays, around the streets of Los Angeles, there’s a dramatic increase in the numbers of bicyclists, and the trend is led by myriad groups of spirited “Fixed-Gear” bicycle riders who like traveling without the luxury of brakes. See the LA Times article here.
Thanks to DoobyBrain.com and their assessment of current “Fixed-Gear” trends in the illustration here to the left. The image reflects the funny, quirky culture of fixed-gear enthusiasts.
The following link has some great Fixed-Gear bike images, because it is a Fixed Gear Bike Gallery.
July 2009 marks the 106th year and 95th racing of the Tour de France.
Get out and ride! Live Strong!
