i'm calling for backup

i just read a thread on the fixed gear gallery's forum about riding brakeless. some logical arguments i guess.

the one thing i am concerned with is how much time people spend debating on the "do's" and "don't's" and whatnot. the source of angry protests i guess. why can't some folks just ride what is comfortable for them and leave what is comfortable for the rest of us alone?

for the longest time i rode with a front brake on my fixed wheel bike, and if i ride another century fixed i will definately do it again with a brake. but as i got more and more comfortable and more skilled with using my legs to stop the less i used my brake until finally it came off. when i ride my track bike i don't typically ride for speed, i commute and when i am on my way to work i'm not in a big hurry generally. i reserve riding for speed for my road bike. i'm not confused to the purposes of the bikes i own, but sometimes i might use them beyond their intended purpose, hence riding a track bike to commute.

the basic miscalculation is made by unexperienced riders. people who know their limits know what they should do in a typical situation. however, those who are new to the "scene" if you will see experienced riders riding a certain way and try to imitate it.

like when a little grom skater kid sees some older or otherwise more experienced kid doing some kick ass tricks. the little grom goes home or to his local skatepark and tries that trick. that is the experience of being new to something. isn't it? isn't that how things are learned?

all these folks who are experienced enough to know what they are doing are being immitated, and on some occasions i'm sure people who don't know what they are doing are being immitated. but it should be left to each person to determine their own personal limitations, right?

so my request to all who might read this who ride bikes of any fashion is to give the new person a little bit of good advice instead of being retardedly critical of what the other person is doing. it's dumb and it's very devisive. if you're going to be that critical about people riding bikes you need to be driving an s.u.v. because you're an ass.