Re: Gas prices knock bicycle sales, repairs into higher gear

In article <CfkWj.298$ll1.218@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
	Stephen Harding <smharding16@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:

> My Dodge pickup has 35 gallon tank and I've had the infamous
> $100 fillup for a time now if I let the tank run dry as I was
> once prone to do.
> 
> Because the pumps around here have limits of $75 for credit
> cards, and only $50 for ATM cards, I now fill up at a bit under
> 1/2 tank.
> 
> But with the help of my bike, that would last me three weeks
> (at 16 mpg).

That's how I figure the rising price of gasoline will
generally affect cycling.  People will still retain
their motor vehicles, but use them more selectively.
They'll want to save their precious gasoline for when
they /really/ need it.

Some folks might wisely opt to take up cycling to
save gas & money.  The trouble is, taking-up cycling
"cold" is, at the outset, difficult for many people.

And it's not just a simple matter of obesity or lack
of coordination or phyique.  A body has to be trained
through practice to ride a bicycle with confidence
and de****tment.

As we all know, certain muscles have to learn how to
work together instead of fighting against each other
in order to make a bicycle go.  Eventually (and
actually fairly quickly) it all comes together.

But I think we regular riders tend to forget how difficult
it can be for the beginner or returner-after-a-long-time,
who could easily be discouraged by a lack of sup****t and
motivation.  And then they'll end up saying: "I can't do it."
That would be a cryin' shame.


cheers,
	Tom

-- 
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca