Pointless Prize: Singlespeed

[jlamb]

2023 was the inaugural year of the singlespeed pointless prize. I wasn’t sure whether anyone would be interested, but participation was quite robust. 2024 promises to be bigger than ever. Think of it as training for the Singlespeed World Championships (SSWC). http://singlespeedworldchampionship.com/

Rules:
1. Tag your singlespeed rides with #singlespeed.
2. Both freewheel and fixed gear count.
3. No singlespeed bike? Complete a ride without shifting, and it counts. But be warned–it’s nearly impossible to resist the urge to shift when it’s available.
4. Most singlespeed miles wins.
5. Post your tales of gear-mashing glory to this thread (optional). Photos encouraged.

Note the difference from last year–it’s total miles this time, not number of rides. The leaderboard was tracking mileage, and I was too lazy to figure out how to track number of rides. So let’s just go with miles.

Prize:

Just like the SSWC, the winner will be forced* to accept either a tattoo or branding. Do not win, if you do not want the tattoo or branding.

*No one will actually be forced to do anything. I’d rather not be charged with felony assault and battery. Plus, tattoos are expensive, and I don’t want to pay for one. But feel free to pay for your own tatoo or branding if you win. Or even if you don’t.

Topic

[jlamb]

Pure genius.

[drevil]

Now skid the rear tire 😉

[jlamb]

Looks like we’ve got some substantial singlespeed miles already. Our supreme singlespeeder is currently at 152 miles! I suppose I’m ineligible to win this pointless prize as the sponsor. Not that it matters anyway…no way I’m catching up to the leaders.

Thanks to all for participating. Here’s some inspiration from a few singlespeeders taking it to the next level: https://www.apidura.com/journal/cycling-at-its-most-basic-the-appeal-of-fixed-and-single-speed-riding/

 

[pedrocz]

Got in a quick 19 miler in the light snow this morning. Bike is a 1964 Rickert, with Nokian 700×35 studded tires. 43/17 gear.

[BlackBikeDC]

I was so happy to stumble across this pointless prize. This is my beater. 46/16 and up to a 32c tire depending on planetary alignment. Great to see so many other single speeders and fixed gear riders in the area!

[jlamb]

[bikesnick]

fixed 46/18 with 28c tires (not so good in the snow)

[Sunyata]

Got in a little snowy dirt single speed action yesterday.  It was quite lovely out!

Salsa El Mariachi Ti, 34×18, 2.6″ tires

[jlamb]

Nice to see some dirt singlespeed. Most of my singlespeeding has been singletrack, but I switched the tires and gearing to make my mtb more road friendly for FS. Continental Top Contacts 700×47, and 34×16 gearing. I’m not strong enough for the 42×16 gearing that some of you are rolling…and fixed is also a bit much for me as well. I enjoy coasting downhill, 😆.

[ceustis]

Road & Trail SS’ing today. 39×17 SSCX gearing & tires.

 

[BlackBikeDC]

I may have missed it somewhere, but how can we see the #singlespeed leaderboard?

 

Edit: Found It! And realized I was tagging my rides wrong.

[jlamb]

I’m glad that @blackbikedc figured out how to tag his rides. That’s a lot of miles, wouldn’t want them to go to waste. And mostly fixed gear!

Keep up the good work everyone.

[Steve O]

I would like to draw attention to my teammate’s recent single speed efforts. In particular, watch the video on this ride. Well done!
https://www.strava.com/activities/10596898567

[jlamb]

Yeah, I’m not even going to attempt catching up to your teammate. He’s throwing down some serious derailleur-free miles.

[jlamb]

Congratulations for the big mileage everyone. Hopefully your knees are okay. Maybe I should have included a disclaimer: do not wreck your knees mashing away in pursuit of the singlespeed pointless prize.

[Author]

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