On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 04:22:49PM -0500, frank theriault wrote: > On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 3:52 PM, Malcolm Smith > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Richard Ballantyne (sp?) whose bicycle book I considered essential reading > > in the 70s had a different take on this. His view was that you should spend > > money on a good cycle with quality components, so that you don't get > > discouraged by one that is forever in need of repair or a horror to ride. I > > think his phrase was 'a good cycle ride doesn't allow you to have apple pie > > and ice cream' but regular exercise, especially if you do get into cycling, > > is likely to lead to you watching what you eat etc - and your weight will > > drop. > > > > Bicycling magazine is right that most could do with losing 10 lbs (if only > > in my case!) but the longer view is that an expensive bike may get you > > there > > - both in terms of destination and ideal weight. > > > > I don't disagree with what you (rather, Mr. Ballantyne) say. I > heartily endorse the purchase of good quality bicycles with the best > groupo that one can afford. If one buys a slug of a bike, too much > effort will go into riding it, it won't be fun, and the bike will > languish in a garage or basement rather than fulfilling it's destiny > of being ridden by smiling owners.
Well, I bought close to an entry-level machine (a Raleigh Venture 3.0) - to get much cheaper I'd have had to go to Toys-R-Us, not to a bike shop. It's easy (and fun) to ride; I'm missing my daily ride while my ankle heals. I may treat myself to something nicer in a year or so, but I find the bike to be an enabler, not an obstacle. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
