Pointless Prize: Singlespeed

[jlamb]

Riding singlespeed fell out of fashion years ago, but I still enjoy it. Does anyone else? Let’s find out with a singlespeed pointless prize.

Rules:
1. Tag your singlespeed rides with #singlespeed.
2. One mile minimum, one ride per day.
3. Both freewheel and fixed gear count.
4. 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.
5. Most singlespeed rides wins. If number of rides is tied, most miles is the tiebreaker.
6. Post your tales of gear-mashing glory to this thread (optional). Photos encouraged.

Prizes:

1. First place shall be awarded a crisp one dollar bill. You can frame it like a first-dollar-earned memento. Or spend it at the dollar store. Your choice.

2.Second place shall be awarded a custom-made singlespeed necklace, consisting of an old cog and a piece of string.

3. Third place shall be awarded a shiny penny. Or maybe a not-so-shiny one, depending on what I can find around the house.

Leaderboard: https://freezingsaddles.org/pointless/hashtag/singlespeed

Topic

[jlamb]

Haven’t posted in a while, so just checking in with the singlespeeders. It’s a tight race for first place, tied with 36 rides each and only 14 miles separating the two for the tiebreaker (https://freezingsaddles.org/pointless/hashtag/singlespeed). Very impressive stats at the top of the leaderboard. And I’m nowhere near the top, lol. My singlespeed adventures are usually dirt-centric, and the mud takes a while to dry out this time of year.

Keep on riding. I’m impressed that we have 14 participants. Long live singlespeed!

[Meh]

@jlamb 223835 wrote:

My singlespeed adventures are usually dirt-centric, and the mud takes a while to dry out this time of year. !

Frozen is as good as dry 😎

[jlamb]

Good point! This year’s freeze thaw cycle has been frustrating. The trails don’t stay frozen long enough.

[Sunyata]

@Meh 223837 wrote:

Frozen is as good as dry 😎

Things have not even been frozen long enough to get out for a ride. *sigh*

I have been trying to get some quality single speed gravel, though.

[drevil]

@jlamb 223835 wrote:

Haven’t posted in a while, so just checking in with the singlespeeders. It’s a tight race for first place, tied with 36 rides each and only 14 miles separating the two for the tiebreaker (https://freezingsaddles.org/pointless/hashtag/singlespeed). Very impressive stats at the top of the leaderboard. And I’m nowhere near the top, lol. My singlespeed adventures are usually dirt-centric, and the mud takes a while to dry out this time of year.

Keep on riding. I’m impressed that we have 14 participants. Long live singlespeed!

I need to go back and put tags on my rides, including scavhunt and bikebingo

[arlcxrider]

When my SRAM AXS 1x setup croaks in the middle of a ride, does that count as single-speed?

[Sunyata]

@arlcxrider 223884 wrote:

When my SRAM AXS 1x setup croaks in the middle of a ride, does that count as single-speed?

Only the half that you are single speeding it!

This is why I have an extra battery. (But usually just ride my single speed anyway… *shrug*)

[arlcxrider]

@Sunyata 223924 wrote:

Only the half that you are single speeding it!

This is why I have an extra battery. (But usually just ride my single speed anyway… *shrug*)

LOL. Good to know. I usually don’t let it get that low that the idiot light turns red…but I have forgotten to swap it out regularly for the spare. And I showed up once at a group ride (having driven there) with no battery at all. Luckily a friend rode on the big ring all day so I could have his front derailleur battery. A true friend BTW!

[jlamb]

Was feeling lazy today so I rode a bike with 11 extra gears on the Laurel Hill trails. And then I got smoked by someone blowing past me on a singlespeed. Serves me right for riding a bike with extraneous gears.

[pedrocz]

Thanks for sponsoring this competition. Here is the second of my two fixed gear bikes used for FS2023, a 1973 Guerciotti Corsa conversion. After experimenting with different gearing, the 46/18 was the best for my area.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30716[/ATTACH]

[jlamb]

I’m pleased to announce the winners of the singlespeed competition. May the following singlespeeders please step up to the podium:

1. Pete 🦥 Czapiewski (78 rides; 1343.7 miles)
2. glenn ☀️ √glenn (78 rides; 1202.2 miles)
3. Pedja Gudac (44 rides)

It was a tight contest, coming down to the mileage tiebreaker for first place. Congratulations to the winners, and to all the participants. It takes a brave and hearty sole to forgo the derailleur in midwinter, with the just deserts of true cycling enlightenment.

Message me on the forum to arrange for the receipt of your fabulous prizes.

[Author]

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