Zen and the art of riding backwards circles on a fixed gear (32 total)

[mrmihov85]

watch video ``Mihov Bojan-bicykle reverse driving``

[xzerpolix]

I just spent all afternoon trying to ride my motebecane backwards, I forget the detail about going in circles and shit, haha still very fun regardless, I'll get it down now soon though :)

[bobthesalesclerk]

I can only do 10 until I get dizzy. 

[Robeast0]

@bobthesalesclerk That's where the "zen" part comes into play. Fighting the dizziness is the hardest part.

[Akselseifert]

What music is that?

[Robeast0]

@Akselseifert Feux d'artifices royaux-minuet no°2 by Handel

[Akselseifert]

@Robeast0 Thanks :)

[1nekill]

hi, i just bought a monopony fixed gear bike, and im having hardtime to drive backwards, do i have to change parts or modify something?

thank you

[Robeast0]

@1nekill Nope, just practice.

[hobot22]

as a man gets older his labyrinthine fluid gets turgid...its his balance

so some people get nauseated just watching you perform

[hobot22]

do it sitting on the handlebars

[Robeast0]

@hobot22 ok

[dallyghost]

i am at half a backwards circle!

[Robeast0]

Hate to say it, but the second half is harder. Keep it up!

[dallyghost]

why is the world of reverse circles so cruel!!

[Robeast0]

Most useful tips:

1. Don't look at anything, especially the ground;

2. Visualize the world behind you and ride into it, backwards;

3. Be confident in your momentum;

4. Be the circle, don't see the circle (I unfocus my eyes so that I don't get as dizzy);

5. Practice on absolutely flat, predictable ground

[dallyghost]

how fast should i be pedaling? i heard i should pedal fast to get over the dead spot and also keep my balance but it doesnt really work out for me

[Robeast0]

I've never had a problem with gearing. You do have a little bit more control with a smaller gear, but I've never used anything smaller than a 39x16 so I couldn't tell you if it gets easier below that. I wouldn't depend on cadence for balance, steering is more important. Also, the further your weight is back, the harder. Most people naturally lean forward for balance and while you're beginning it's easy to lean too far forward. Drop bars and straight bars are harden than bull horns.

[dallyghost]

dang i have drop bars and i just recently changed to a higher gear ratio i guess ill just keep practicing that controlled complete circle has to come eventually

[willchen11]

so true. i just learned them. it's really difficult to balance through that part with your crank arms vertical.

it's cool though; just ended a particularly productive night-sesh with 3 st33z backward circles. keep it up kiddo

[F20CPWR]

sweet

[stevenwong10]

are those two 650 wheels?

[Robeast0]

Funny you ask! The answer is no. I'm just a giant at 6-foot-5 with a 63cm seat tube and 63cm top tube. It's what I call the "650c illusion," gets people every time!

[JUSfr34k]

this is hilarious because there is classical music

[xX6jdub9XxaaaA]

he didnt mess up, he got bored of backward circles is all.

[Robeast0]

@xX6jdub9XxaaaA I don't know about bored... definitely dizzy!

[brandonyoonfilms]

is that a u-district torker?

[Robeast0]

@brandonyoonfilms I've got no idea what you're talking about.

[oq408]

wtf are ankle straps LAWLS

[Carreon2100]

not sure. i have come to the conclusion that they're just straps that one wears on the ankles and doesnt absolutely nothing. haha

[Robeast0]

@Carreon2100 Visibility to cars when it is dark and protects your pants from getting gnarled by the chainring.

[criticalmassride]

but you didnt pull out!!!

haha kidding nice vid now I gotta go shoot one of me doin 50. its on

[sandiegomitch]

criticalmassride is only at 2 backwards circles at the moment so dont worry

[bensavoca]

Thanks for choosing music as elegant as your riding. Somehow I get a little tired of the urban electronica that seems to have pervaded fixie culture.

Oh, and lest I forget - frickin crazy skills!

[PY1ER]

how, ok, how?

trackstands, check.

skids, check.

180 skids, check.

backward circles.. i want a check.

[GrRDonkey]

Haha, Wtf!? xD

[brianpfeifer]

haha excelent

[nagare67]

Funny video, music fits very well!

[Robeast0]

More to come, stay posted.