Post 6 >> Free/Themed Post
Dear students,
It is time to our sixth 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.
Woooow Every day you learn something new, I had no idea this existed.
ReplyDeleteIt looks dangerous sport, the brakes on my bike always give me security.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that I never thought that was a sport.
ReplyDeleteI don't like this at all, safety is the most important thing.
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ReplyDeleteI did not know that this type of race exists in Santiago.
ReplyDeleteIt would be hard for me to walk on that kind of bike haha
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has one of those bikes, once I got on it, I could go forward without problems, but when it came to braking I had many complications haha.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know there was that time for bicycles. It seems to be a very dangerous but fun activity. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that there were so many possibilities for bicycles, I think that in Chile we lack a lot of cycling culture.
ReplyDeleteI’m surprised to hear about this sport. In Chile, nobody respects cyclist. I guess this discipline is even more dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI also like riding my bike, i have a mountain bike
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that exist those races in Santiago, I think It's dangerous if there is no appropriate measures
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to ride a bicycle hahaha, but this topic has been very interesting to read.
ReplyDeletethis idea seems fun, but security measures are very important!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, I love ride a bike
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this existed, very interesting
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