Post 5 >> Free/Themed Post
Dear students,
It is time to our fifth blog session, in which we have a free or themed post.
IMPORTANT:
Remember! After your writing activity you must read and leave comments on my blog and on 3 of your classmates' posts.
This is a 160 words post (as a minimum).
Riding a bicycle without brakes sounds like a rash move, but a new wave of cyclists is eschewing traditional bikes for a stripped-down machine known as a fixed-gear. It is one of the most basic machines you can build with two wheels. A fixed-gear bike – or fixie – has no derailleur as it has only one gear, so as long as the wheels turn, so do the pedals. Its rider can’t freewheel and the only way to brake is to stand on the pedals.
The fixed-gear’s renaissance supposedly stems from West Indian immigrants in New York working as cycle couriers in the Eighties. They had used them at home because they were cheap and easy to maintain, and continued using them in the US. Their popularity spread throughout the courier community, crossing to the UK and some Latin American countries.
As the fixie craze has taken off so has the number of new riders who enter ‘alleycats’ – unofficial road races consisting of a series of checkpoints on a set route. Alleycats originated in America and were organised for and by cycle couriers but now inexperienced riders participate.
These races now take place in Santiago and threaten to colour public opinion of the growing urban cyclist subculture.
wow! i didn't know about this, is very interesting how do you explain it. only one chance i ride my bicycle in this mood, and i almost fall, haha. I would like see some this races in person!
ReplyDeleteI did not know this, it looks very interesting but it sounds dangerous, do you practice it?
ReplyDeleteI like ridyng on bicycle to, but I not be good... I should have more practice
ReplyDeleteIsn't this dangerous? I think that in recent times the use of the bicycle has expanded in a good way in our country, but also the bad practices of cyclists.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't expect that but I find it interesting. It must be complex to brake only that way if you go on the street
ReplyDeleteMy brother and him wife are cyclists but in xco or mtb and I thinks what there is a movie about your theme Premier Rush, I remember watched to somes year with my brother
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ReplyDeleteWhat a good topic, the bicycle has a lot to show! I like to ride a bike, mine has the option of putting it in fixed gear, I hope to do it, I only need the straps for the pedals.
ReplyDeletewow, for me that sounds really very dangerous, the truth is that although it sounds very interesting I think I would never practice it.
OMG that sound very fun and dangerous, I liked ride a bike when I was little and now the street scares me a little and some drivers don’t respect cyclists and bike lanes, so using a bike without brakes sound from another world.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful activity, my brother loves to ride a bike, he has all the implementation, but this looks very difficult to do.
ReplyDeleteWOOOOW that sounds very entertaining, I had'nt imagined it, it calls my attention a lot.
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