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The Flip the Flop
··· Aug 12 2010 · By ···
When I built my fixed gear bike, I figured that it would be nice to have that connection with the bike that you don’t get by having a freewheel. I really do enjoy that connection, but it does take away from my pleasure of just riding because I have to always pedal. So I picked up a freewheel hub from The Recyclery. I love going there because they offer a large selection of used biking gear, and their store supports a good cause, Trips for Kids.
The fixed cog gearing is 46×16 (2.875), which is a pretty decent gearing for flat with some minor hills, and what my main biking is around San Rafael. I ended up getting a 17 tooth freewheel, mainly because that was all they had. So my 46×17 (2.705) is a bit more toned down, reducing my top speed, but making starts and uphill climbs just that much easier.
I have really been digging it. I can now stand up out of the saddle and just coast if I want. The first leg of most of my rides is a mild downhill run, and it is just that much nicer to use that time to get situated on the bike, instead of having to always pedal.
Andersen Drive Bike Route
··· Jul 20 2010 · By ···
I decided that checking out the Andersen Dr. bike route would be a good excuse for a short ride to test out the new tube I put in the other day. So I pulled down my fixed gear Marubeni Yamaguchi Crystal bike and started pedaling.
I take a meandering route through Gerstle Park Neighborhood and Albert Park to ultimately get to Andersen.
Heading east/southeast on Andersen is pretty easy, as the majority of the road is flat and level. A fairly well marked bike lane and light traffic makes this route seem like a great option for getting to the Larkspur ferry. After you pass Marin Sanitary Servces, the road begins a mild snaking up a small pass on the way to Sir Francis Drake. I made it up the hill with one gear (46×16), but I had to stand and crank to do it. With gears this hill is no problem. You will notice the water reclamation plant on the left as you go up the hill. A quick right onto Sir Francis Drake will get you to the Larkspur Ferry in a few minutes.
Here are some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the ride.
- Light traffic
- Good bike lane
- Fairly flat
- Water Reclamation and Marin Sanitary = kind of smelly
- Not too pretty, kind of industrial
All in all, this 2.5 mile stretch of bike lane is pretty good, and if I have to take the ferry somewhere, I will probably choose this route just for its ease, even though it is about 1.5 mile longer than going up and over Wolfe Grade to Sir Francis Drake. I will test that route another time.