"Mark A. Perkins" wrote:
>
> On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 11:29:55 -0700 Chuck Schmidt
> <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> writes:
>
> > I know some ride track bikes on the road without a brake as a matter
> > of pride.
> >
> > I say: Pride goeth before the fall ;)
> >
> > Chuck Schmidt
> > L.A.
>
> What fall Chuck? I've been riding my track bike for 30 years now, and as
> long as I am able I will continue for another 30, without the fall. No
> pride about it. Confidence? Yes. Knowledge & experience? Yes.
>
> Like the old saying goes, don't knock it until you've tried it. And in
> this case, I think a simple try is far from enough to have the kind of
> experience-inspired confidence that is necessary. You go ahead and use
> your brakes on a track bike, or your road bike with fixed gear
> conversion. I certainly wouldn't want to be blamed for someone's fall
> just because I said it was OK not to use brakes on a track bike.
Mark,
I ride a 48 x 16 which is pretty much unstoppable with just legs (please don't recommend skidding), and why would I want to ride slower to forgo a brake.
Oh, I've tried it all right, and brakeless is senseless. But then I think track bikes are for the track and fixed-gear road bikes are for the road.
You say another thirty years without a fall? Good luck to you Mark! I've fallen in the past and I sure I'll fall again in the future... goes with riding a bike given the accidental nature of accidents.
Chuck Schmidt L.A.
.