Fixed Up @ The Galeries
Fixed Up @ The Galeries is here!
“You are invited to celebrate the opening of Fixed Up, an exhibition of photography, fixed gear bikes and the stories behind them, with artistic contributions and installations from Mike Giant, Peter Bundy, Ben Barretto & The Sydney Sunday Session Crew.”
Don’t ask me how they did it, but Sydney Sunday Session have managed to get a free fixed gear bike exhibition inside the town’s eminent Galeries building.
Biking enthusiasts, and novices like myself, were treated to an attention grabbing display of artistic contributions at Fixed Up @ The Galeries’ media launch last Thursday. While photography adorned the walls, personally designed bikes by local riders dangled tranquilly from the ceiling.
I was in awe of the passion and support these fixie-lovers emit for the Sydney fixed gear bike scene. I mean, the closest thing I’ve experienced in bike land is a spin class at the gym. So naturally I was curious to unravel the desire behind a fixy’s fascination with these single-speed machines.
“You definitely feel more connected to the bike, says Matt Kirkwood of Sydney Bicycle Film Festival. “What your legs do control everything rather than what your breaks do. It’s kind of like riding a motorbike versus driving a car in the sense that you are completely exposed.
“There’s no coasting. You’re always engaged in the ride; always flowing or pushing. It’s an incredibly active experience that keeps your mind sharp and your body fit.
“I love climbing hills on a fixed gear. I find it much easier and quicker up a hill; the whole bike is driving me forward up the hill, and before I think about having to peddle harder, I’m already out of the saddle keeping the same momentum up the hill. I love when it becomes second nature.”
If you’re feeling game to try a fixed-gear out, you can go head to head every Thursday night in a Gold Sprint race to win one of two prized bikes throughout the six-week exhibit. Beware: it’s all blood, sweat and tears; considering some of the contenders reach speeds of 80km/h and above in these intense minute long battles!
Fixed Up @ The Galeries runs from July 4 to August 15.
