h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

FWR:

Certainly had me wondering! (Ask the Ed.)

This not quite black and white shot lends itself perfectly to the chrome work on this lovely little bike. Very retro, nice shot. It is often really difficult to shoot the whole machine at bike shows, timing the crowds movement is key, well done DG!

DG:

I should know better than to post bike shots. But this one had ventured out in the open, away from the herd...of course I had no earthly idea what the thing was called...

Jealousy is a human emotion (I don't have that one)
I've always been a at heart But! Never had the body (shape) to be one
When I see "super bikes" my thoughts go to = I wish!

I would be afraid to get on a two-wheeled bike. I always fell off the things. Tricycles, especially the big ones that can have storage compartments in the back, would be neat.

But, of course, once again I am drifting off-topic.

I can't ride bicycles, either, Paul. I have the dental work to prove it.

I remember one time when I took the afternoon off, went to bicycle paths along the Charles River, and rented a bicycle. I must have spent hours practicing the art of falling off the thing. I don't do that anymore, as my elderly bones are more likely to break if I fall on a hard surface.

My mom said, 'You can do this. Let's rent a tandem in North Park.'

I ran her into a tree.

A few years later. Frau Schleifenbaum of Plittersdorf said, 'Nonsense! Anybody can ride a bicycle! Take my husband's, and we'll go for a ride.' (Only in German.)

The bicycle and I nearly ended up in the Rhine.

More years passed. Elektra said, 'I think your mom didn't know how to ride a tandem. Let's rent one in Arnhem.'

Several dozen Dutchmen laughed as we returned with Elektra riding and me walking.

I have sworn off the infernal contraptions.

And that's why God, in her infinate wisdom, invented motorcycles!

Trikes are strange beasts to ride though. Push-bikes baffle me.

I'm pretty sure my balance problems preclude motorbikes, too - I've looked with envy at those motorised trikes, but the prices are beyond me, I'm afraid.

Balance can be worked around, control is the key...now if only someone did an entry on.....

I did fail once in teaching, they were scared to death and doing it for all the wrong reasons!

I'll pop over and get you on two wheels DG! (Now there's a plan!)

No, thank you. Seriously. I have heard that one time too many.

I'm with you, Dmitri. We all should have the right to decide not to do something and stick with the decision. No one *needs* to ride a bike.

There are solar-powered motorized tricycles that can be ridden for long distances. They are enclosed against the elements. When the sun goes down, you can manually pedal them. They cost more than $5,000, and aren't suitable for going on the roads.

No-one needs to ride a bIke?
Seriously?
Like saying you don't need to breathe! Preposterous idea sir!

"Like saying you don't need to breathe! Preposterous idea sir!" [FWR]

At latest count, 7.53 people are beathing across the world. There are two billion bikes. Using simle subtraction, this means that 5.53 people are breahting but not riding bikes (at least not unless they borrow bikes from those that do have them.)

How do you get seven and a half people, bit messy?

Maybe the ones who aren't breathing are amphibians..or dead?

That's an awful lot of bikes for each person or half person...very big garages obviously!

And simle division says that's 31 thousand bikes an hour ridden constantly for a century...wow, the other 5 odd people are missing out big time!

Obviously, if the seven and a half riders are of a certain age, I haven't factored frequent toilet stops in my simle equation...probably a wee every 100 miles...

Then theses lost keys, finding the right key, being able to physically lift a keychain with millions of keys, fuelling, getting the bloody thing out of a garage the size of Wales....and the hours of agonising about if you'd be seen dead on a Ducati....