Whether it’s to avoid the ERP rates or the thrill of speeding past rush hour traffic jams, the city’s cycling culture is in full bloom. Nowhere is this more evident than among the small but growing band of hobbyists who enjoy fixed gear riding, or “fixie riding,” as it is better known. We spoke to some of the subculture’s leading lights about the differences between this and regular cycling and how the rest of us can get involved.

Get in Gear
A fixed gear bike is one that has no freewheel, which means as long as the bike is moving, the pedals will turn. You can neither coast nor brake on a fixed gear bike, so riding one requires a lot of skill and practice. Originally popular with bicycle messengers, the habit has been picked up by a broader crowd, who enjoy social group riding and stunt-turning on these one-speed bikes. Offbeat shopping strip Haji Lane sees a regular group of riders pulling stunts and showing off their customized bikes. “The scene here is certainly growing,” says Yasin Rahim, a member of local riding club Crank Arm Steady (http://crankarmsteady.wordpress.com). “We see new riders every Friday when we have our regular night riding session here. There are more female fixie riders, which is very good, and more expats are joining too.”

Fix Up, Look Sharp
Fixie rider and visual artist Luthfi Mustafah, aka The Killer Gerbil (http://thekillergerbil.blogspot.com), explains that riding a fixed gear bike involves very little maintenance cost. But he thinks it’s about more than that. “Cyclists also like that they can push their personal physical boundaries with a fixed gear bike. You can’t coast on your pedals like you would on a regular bike. While having to control your own speed will take some getting used to, it does give you immense satisfaction. It also strengthens your leg power,” he says. Mustafah also points out that riding a fixed gear bike helps increase rider mindfulness. “Not being able to coast makes you work extra hard physically and also keeps your mind alert to your surroundings. It is very easy to lose control otherwise,” he warns. Yasin Rahim says that it’s the sheer simplicity of riding without having to shift gears that attracted him to the sport: “I can’t deny the fact that the adrenaline rush from riding fixed and brakeless on a busy street is a big draw.”

Pedaling Forward
The size of the fixie riding community in Singapore continues to expand. Says Rahim, “Besides the rapid growth, the characteristics of riders have also changed. What started out as something done just for fun has turned into quite a serious hobby for many, with some riders even training to build strength, speed and stamina. Even those who are engaged in bike stunts and tricks work hard to push the envelope.” There’s also been an increase in large-scale events with the upcoming Tour of Singapore, organized by Crank Arm Steady, leading the charge. According to Mustafah, “Last year, a total of 53 riders joined the Tour, during which we rode a total of 150km along Singapore’s coastal line. This year’s edition is set to be much bigger. The total number of riders has more than doubled from last year and fixed gear enthusiasts from around the region continue to express interest.” Rahim adds that prior to the Tour, which takes place on Dec 11, Crank Arm Steady will also be giving the scene a further boost with events such as video screenings and collaborative parties.

Worldwide Wheels: Fixed Gear culture elsewhere

Get Your Own Fix: Source and customize your own bike at the local fixie community’s favorite stores

My parents always told me I was the good one, the “quai” one. I never really them gave many problems. I was always obedient and very quiet.

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my domestic helper, or “auntie” as I call her. She used to read us stories and when I didn’t know how to spell certain words, auntie Lucilla was the one who’d always help me because she was always at home.
 

I never actually did well in school, especially during my secondary school years. When I found out that Singapore had a film school, I was excited. I had wanted to be in film since I was 15. It was wonderful because it was the first time I actually did well. It didn’t feel like school. I could tell my former JC classmates that I was going to watch a movie in class. To them, it’s out of this world that I was studying films.

I was too busy for a relationship. I was hanging out a lot with my friends. We were always doing our projects. Hanging out always involved working on our own projects or someone else’s. We were always filming or doing production work. All these brought us to the strangest of places, like the forest and Changi Hospital.
 

I don’t like dealing with cynics, especially people who criticize from the couch and offer nothing constructive. I think cynicism or at least unconstructive cynicism always gets to me. How I deal with that: I just listen to what they have to say and I’ll try to rationalize things with them, but if that doesn’t work I just leave it as it is. There will always be people like that. It’s impossible to get things across when they’re close-minded.
 

I usually try to go away; I think Singapore is just too distracting. Even if I wanted to relax, it’d be impossible. Someone would call me up and I’d be obliged to do something. I’d rather go away and shut myself out. I used to go to New York as often as I could. I love the energy there. I wrote most of Sandcastle in New York. Every time I encounter a block and feel like I’m drying up, there’s always an exhibition, a new gallery or a musical. I can go to New York to just be inspired.
 

I love carrying everything around. I have a laptop so I have to carry my mouse, my adaptors, my files; basically everything lah. I usually get really, really tired because I’m always lugging everything. I don’t have an office as a base so I am mobile.

I like how my life is right now. I wouldn’t change anything. At the moment, I’m seriously very happy. Six months ago I was under a lot of pressure to finish the movie. I kept wishing I had more time, more resources and more money; but right now it’s all done and accomplished.
 

I am looking for someone who can connect with me emotionally and intellectually. It’s important to have that kind of connection. If this person can understand and appreciate what I do, it’s just a bonus.

Ahhhh … the 80s: The era when many of us started schooling and had our first crush. The decade’s greatest hits also provided one helluva soundtrack (who can forget Bananarama, Sinitta, Sonia and Debbie Gibson?). One of the stars whose songs still resonate in our hearts is heartthrob Rick Astley, whose string of hits like “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever” had us singing all the way to the shower.

We can’t imagine teen stars today like Justin Bieber spontaneously dancing the way you did in your “Never Gonna Give You Up” video. What was the culture like for you growing up? Did everyone dance?

Well, not everyone danced, but you had a better chance with the girls if you did dance. I liked to dance.

The song later triggered a massive web trend called “rickrolling,” where users are tricked into clicking on a link to the music video online. How does it feel to have started something so big?

It was really bizarre for me when it happened and is still weird now. But it’s OK because I get a lot of young people coming to my shows because of that—it’s great.

They don’t make dance pop the way you used. What’s different about the music scene now as opposed to the 80s?

Kids now are real lucky. They’ve got computers so they can write and produce great stuff in their bedrooms.

You’ve recently landed a job as a radio DJ. How does this change the way you see music?

I see music the same way but it’s really exciting to be conducting the interview for a change. I’m really enjoying it.

What does your daughter Emilie think of your music?

As it should be, she is both embarrassed and proud of her dad.

Rick Astley performs at the Relive the 80s at Class 95’s Retrolicious concert on Oct 9, 8pm. Fort Canning Park, 51 Canning Rise, 6332-1200. $48-95 from Sistic.

I was in a rather festive mood last week and in a bid to look my extra best (who knew what the long weekend held?), I scheduled a little quality time with my nails at Vedure Medispa (#04-06 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd., 6732-6448), where I had my first Minx™ Nails ($45-85 for a manicure or pedicure) experience. For the uninitiated, the Minx™ nail line is a hot new trend for your digits, previously worn by stars such as Rihanna, Beyonce and Katy Perry. While only professionally trained nail technicians can carry out the procedure, it is relatively straightforward and requires little down time. A solid nail coating (of your choice of color and design) is applied to your natural nails with a shrink wrap technique that uses heat and pressure so you won’t have to wait around for long. Popular designs include the Cheetah, Houndstooth, Silver Lightning and Gold Studs.

My nose has been twitching all month from all the fragrance launches I’ve been attending—some so precious I can’t wait for them to hit the counters, others somewhat questionable. One of the more interesting ones is The Library Collection ($490 per 100ml bottle at Nuance-Watson, (#038-008 Passenger Terminal 2, Singapore Changi Airport, 6501-1455) by luxury fragrance house Amouage from Oman. The collection consists of three fragrances, Opus 1 through 3, which can be mixed to create a unique narrative for the wearer. The scents as a whole exude a remarkable sense of nostalgia and warmth. While I personally love the smell of old books and antique leather armchairs, I’m not sure I want the smell on me, but the collection is certainly a memorable one.

Calling those with brittle and unhealthy hair: Try out the newest anti hair-loss product in the market, the Phytolium Energizing Shampoo ($38 at all Robinsons and John Little departmental stores), which aims to preserve and prolong hair’s life cycles by restoring strength, density and shine even after the very first use. The shampoo contains extracts of the Rooibos plant which is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, minerals, ginseng and sage. All these apparently help to stimulate and revitalize scalp and hair while improving hair’s natural resistance towards external stress. Unlike most shampoo brands, this one comes in a 150ml tube not unlike the ones used for hair conditioner and gives off an intense bucolic scent not for the faint-hearted—hey, there’s a price to pay for everything.