tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9241204.post348496638394158359..comments2024-01-15T14:14:40.035-05:00Comments on Citizen Rider: Why?cafiendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749761363337659545noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9241204.post-22195510652572692422012-02-16T23:00:21.193-05:002012-02-16T23:00:21.193-05:00There's a thriving bike culture and business o...There's a thriving bike culture and business outside the visible retail sector. It might serve to keep the industry honest. Independent mechanics and fabricators will keep making and recommending simple bikes for as long as we can buy or scrounge parts. For now I lazily take advantage of my industry connection while making a nuisance of myself by harping at them about disposable crap that punishes customers for their trust.cafiendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05749761363337659545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9241204.post-9486740516760209192012-02-16T16:28:48.324-05:002012-02-16T16:28:48.324-05:00"I bumbled into the bike industry because . ...."I bumbled into the bike industry because . . ."<br />Yeah, pretty much.<br /><br />"The bike industry in the 1990s proceeded to act pretty shamefully . . ."<br />I saw it coming and bailed, I'm afraid. It didn't help that the only pro shop (Ben Serotta's under new management)in the area decided not to take me on because I was "over qualified."<br /><br />Really.<br /><br />" . . .but they seem to be getting their scruples back now."<br /><br />I've been thinking about getting back in as a simple/city bike specialist now that those are becoming popular again, but then I think some more and think not.<br /><br />" . . .it has attracted more sabotage . . ."<br />Weeeell, less sabotage than "co-opting." Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but you can get all the solar and biofuel you want on the open retail market.<br /><br />My favorite biofuel is called "Gouda."<br /><br />"I will certainly die an agonizing death if I get any kind of serious illness . . ."<br />People ask me what I'll do if I get sick.<br />"Die," is the (obvious) answer. From their reactions you'd think the idea had never occurred to them.<br /><br />But after all, dieing is easy; pleasing customers is hard.kfgnoreply@blogger.com