I got Mr Tib a new chain — one long enough to accommodate my 14 teeth Sprinting Gear and my 18 teeth Climbing Gear, a configuration common on Flip-Floppers or wheels with one gear on one side and a different gear on the other side. Grand Tours were initially ridden by dudes with Flip-Flop Fixies.
My top-speed in my Climbing Gear appears to be 15.2 mph —at least that’s how fast I ever got pedaling. But the uphills were nearly effortless and I managed many of them sitting down.
I had grown so accustomed to my 16 teeth General Purpose gear back there that I had forgotten how comforting it is simply to climb leisurely.
I climbed every hill available but 3 and hit 1776 feet of Up over 42 miles. I did not have those 3 final miles in my legs but it’s only July.
I did have an odd encounter with a couple guys in a car. I’m half certain they tried to target me for something but I managed to avoid getting trapped. Something to ponder for a bit.
177 is a good Sprinting number so to find it Uphill is encouraging.
I got stuck on a Shelby Downhill behind this behemoth but that’s the price of Progress. I don’t particularly care for Downhills anyway since I have to pedal all the way down. Fixies can’t Coast.
They are moving quickly in setting-up our car race.
Ecbatan 