Fixed what didn't know was broken

no coasting anymore

I have a good friend that has been riding fixed gear off road for a couple years.  I have been curious and last week decided to give it a go.  It is amazing!  My first ride was last Saturday and it was like riding a new bike.  I am pretty sure I was riding obstacles faster than with my freewheel.  There definitely is something liberating about not thinking about pedaling, knowing that there is no choice.  It doesn't matter where your crank arm is, it is always going to be moving forward.  There is a tiny amount of control, but pretty much if that rock is big enough to hit that arm, it's going to hit it.

We went out this morning and rode a different course that doesn't have as many technical sections and boy did I pay for it.  I knew I was geared too low, but I ran out of time to change things up.  It appears I should change gears depending on what course we ride.  I also switched back to a rigid fork which definitely changes the ride.  Kind of old school in a way and I think I can really dig this reverting back to old school riding.  We have an off road weekend planned in early October and it may be a difficult choice on what type of bike I take.  Maybe I will have to make space to take more than one.