shiftless bikes (this one's for bob)

[pianonut]

shimano, the japanese producer of gearshifts and draillers used by people like lance armstrong, has an idea that might appeal to some people who are confused by gears as they close up on a mountainside.  for them, perhaps the shiftless bike would be a better idea.  especially if "they are scared of lycra." 

this bike, with fully automated system would be around 1000 dollars, a semi automatic version is 350-700.  cycling stores have noticed a loss in sales as people learn to have aversions to sore crotches and sudden surges and wanes of power in windy conditions.

ps the idea is that you have a cell phone you talk into, and you tell the bike's computer to do something you want (seven gears).  of course, if you drop the cell phone you are in trouble.

[Siberian Husky]

do they have motorcycles like that?..

[pianonut]

you'd have to ask torp.  but, i did see an interesting idea the other day.  a pet carrier backpack.  this guy's puppy was riding along on his back.  not sure if the dog was enjoying it.

[Siberian Husky]

airebis gets strapped into my uncle's cab side car sometimes..i even bought him doggles...dog goggles..he looks pretty pimp cruisin at 75 mph...

[pianonut]

how cute!  i like that - 'doggles.'

your dogs must be very attached to you.  my cat follows me around everywhere.  i was very proud of her a couple months back when gardening and my three year old was playing near the trees in backyard.  'tornado' caught a snake nearby that might have bitten her, and shook it all around.  she was willing to risk herself to do this, i know, because she is an older cat (and can take or leave stuff she doesn't want to mess with). 

[Torp]

do they have motorcycles like that?..

you'd have to ask torp.

Never seen one, wouldn't want one.  That would take all the fun out of riding through the twisties. 

[thalbergmad]

my new bike, for anyone that likes a picture of perfection.

[Bob]

Bob speaks, "Ah, yes.... this is a nice thread.  A good thread.... Thank you pianonut."


(Actually, Bob is confused and wonders how this relates to him.  Pianonut is a bit confusing sometimes.  Bob subtly sniffs the air for signs of alcohol around pianonut.)

$1,000 for a bike?  How many CDs would that buy?  How many scores? 

[In the style of Schindler's List] 

"This lugnut.... it could have been one more Horowitz CD!...  These extra gears.... they could have been a complete set of Beethoven sonatas!...  This bike... it could have music!  It could have been music!" (Breaks down in tears)

[pianonut]

dear bob,

your threads always make me laugh.  i wasn't meaning that you had to ride the bike or even like it.  i just saw your 'three days left' thing as your signature and thought you meant you were watching the race.  the last i saw, someone else was in the lead.  forget his name (starts with m). 

no, bob, i don't drink much alcohol.  i drink out of politeness.  the only thing i LIKE to drink is bailey's irish.  it's good in decaffinated coffee (just a little - ok. a lot).  but, in the summer, water is in.  my family thinks i'm nuts because i water down everything.  like i take 1/3 glass milk and fill the rest with water.  or juice the same way.  it's easier to drink.

say, thalbergmad,  there are no pedals on that bike.  what do you rest your feet on?  can you ride it with your feet sort of propped up?  does it turn into an easy chair?  just wondering. 

[thalbergmad]

Road bikes rarely come with pedals as there are so many different types and makes.

You gotta buy them.

[Bob]

I understand pianonut.  "Polite" drunkeness is okay.  I will not ask questions.  Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more...    

(Bob "politely" eats an entire pie while "politely" fending starving children away.  Bob "politely" belches.  And that's... okay.)


I was counting down to the release of the new Harry Potter book.  One day more...

[pianonut]

harry potter and not tour de france.  bob, what's the matter with you?  have you gone mad?  well, rowlins is a good looking lady.  ok. bob, here's what you do.  you go to england and get your book signed before she does herself in by writing another one.  (isn't this #6)  no, bob, not the paperback (worries about bob's budget, the school system - goes and has a drink).

i'm not into witchcraft at all, but i found some music (sousa marches) at a flea market once and it had sousa's signature.  ever since, i've been into signatures.  unfortunately, i wanted to have it appraised and the person that took it to get it appraised never brought it back.  (hold onto your book tightly afterwards, ok. bob).

[Torp]

From shiftless bikes to witchcraft and souza marches....man, you can't miss a day on this forum