One gear - many speeds

Riding brakeless is controversial. "Why would you do it?" Usually people with different backgrounds first look at me from top to toe when I'm standing in the lights only to ask "Did you lose your brakes on the way? Where are they?" The response they usually get "In my head" doesn't shut down their interest, rather the opposite. By explaining that it's a "fixed gear, letting the bike go forward and backward and only has one gear" does make sense to the majority, but there's only the little part that understands that using your eyes, ears, experience, mind and body makes it all into a totally safe thing.

You're constantly aware of everything that happens around you during exactly that second. You're even looking into the future riding among cars and seeing where to fit in, in order to get faster to wherever you're going. But why do you do this without brakes? Personally, I've been riding brakeless ever since my only one broke in a lively intersection. The adrenaline rush and the small fear that converted quickly into determination and want of control made me realize that although a brake is a good life insurance, life is more interesting without one. Furthermore, I don't even have holes in my frame for brakes.

Finally. A news flash for you all! Fixed gears actually has brakes in them: The all-in-one solution for brakes are your legs, the maneuverability of the bike and your personal ability to read the traffic.

In life they say you should use brakes every once in a while and that you have to gear down from time to time. Nonsense. Life in my opinion could be very much like riding fixed. It's tricky to master it, but finally when you do, it's all about going full speed, braking only when you actually have to, controlling and being aware of your surroundings and enjoying it to the fullest with adrenaline pumping through your veins. Right?