From a recent exchange on a recumbent bike discussion forum:
"Dan,
maybe it's because my poor english, not your fault. And I do not feel offended at all. I really cannot understand your word "ethic". I understand, you take cycling seriously, as organic part of your life. But I cannot understand why you wouldn't testride an exotic bike, if it was possible. There is only one recumbent bike shop in Hungary, and I have tested a lot of their interesting bikes. I frankly told the owner in advance that I won't buy a new bike in the close future. Why he allowed me to test them? Because I talk to many hungarian guys about recumbents, cyclists, tourists, fitness maniacs, etc. I am not his agent, but I mention his shop, his bikes, etc often. This is the fee.
The same with you. If a shopkeeper offers you a recumbent spaceship for instance to testride, he does it because you are a well known, credible recumbent cyclist. Your testride report worths much more than a rental fee or a paid ad...
Cheers!"
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Thanks for your response. I've valued your posts in the past and worried that I may have injured this.
First, I've ridden the Carbent a year and a half ago in what turned out to be a 100 mile (out of 200 miles) race. Though I enjoyed it I didn't find it any different from my Ti Aero (perhaps it was because the race was on completely flat terrain).
Second, with few exceptions I can estimate what a different recumbent will feel like. Now, if someone gave me a fully zooted-out Zockra to ride I'd do it just for the experience, but not because I would have any intention of spending the money to buy it.
Third, (if not really first), it's the `engine.' Because of my work and the location of my home (Chicago -- `streets' don't help train; open roads do) it is a big investment of time and ... time to intensively train for the kind of speed and endurance I desire. During the cold months I train on indoor trainers that strengthen my `engine,' (watts). When the warm weather returns I then train on endurance over time.
Finally, in fact I `do' consider spending a lot of money on a bicycle to be offensive to my core values. Would I allow myself to be sponsored by a company that spends their money on bicycles? Probably. That would be clumsy and convenient ethical rationalizing ... but I'm weak enough to allow that.
Even more finally ... and you didn't imply or ask this ... my assessment of our species is that `consciousness' is an evolutionary dead end of very short duration and will self-destruct in the not too distant (in geological terms) future. We think too much and accomplish too little. If I had my way I'd have been born a dung beetle, a cockroach or an ant. Actually, some people already think that I AM one or all of these remarkable creatures.
If I were to switch from animal to plant? I'm big on weeds
And even more finally, finally ... I'm looking forward to the Cruzbike road test because the bikes are based on readily available and (relatively) inexpensive components and a decently priced frame --- with the prospect of solid functional performance where and when it counts.
I'm no slave to consistency, predictability or comprehendible monologue. I value my contradictions and feel perfectly at home within my (the clock is ticking!) species. (It takes serious restraint not to exhibit sarcasm as a core coping strategy in an absurd and brutal world).
I don't believe in god. Faith is a delusion. Sentiment does or does not promote procreation. And when Mother Sun becomes a red dwarf it'll all be clear to us then.
