Massan is a photographer and member of the Mash SF crew. When he lived in SF, he was known as the fastest dude in the city. He’s known for tackling the gnarliest hills, too. Check out the Mash video for the documentation that backs up his rep.

When did you take the brakes off?
I started in the year 2000. I’ve always loved riding all types of bicycles, but I started riding track bikes because I liked the way the bike looked.

What was the hardest part about adjusting to a fixed gear?
Not being able to coast. I still like to coast once in a while.

What kind of bike are you riding right now with what parts?
White Giant Omnium with a Dura Ace crank, Zen chain ring, black Phils, that sort of stuff.

What is your favorite city to ride your bike in and why?
San Francisco because of the hills and the weather. I’m liking New York now, too. It’s a different style of riding. Instead of hills, there are six-lane one-way streets that’re like 100 blocks long. Catching all green lights is like catching a wave.

Do you or did you ever skateboard? If so, did that affect your biking in any way?
I skate, but these days I ride my bike more. Skating taught me how to slam. Once you learn that, you can push yourself to do more.

When I first got into track bikes, I was really into the tricks. As I got more comfortable on the bike, I learned how to appreciate their functionality on the street and ultimately decided to save the tricks for my skateboard. 

Through it all, the one “track bike trick” that still retains its utility is the trackstand: balancing a stopped bike without taking your feet off the pedals, a simple, elegant, and incredibly useful move that saves time at lights and gives you a head start on traffic. The combination of balance, grace, and technical skill reminds me of a manual on a skateboard. After so many years of continuous practice, I’m able to stay firmly planted in the saddle, find my center of balance and block outside distractions as I patiently wait for the stoplight to let me go and disappear back into the city. —Benny Gold