Dear Richard: 
 RG> I guess you may be right about Indurain. It is better to quit while 
 RG> he is on top. Still i have a gut feeling that he had lots to give. 
 RG> He's still very strong. Perhaps the bug of competition will haunt 
 RG> him and he may return. It is sad for a person of his caliber to 
 RG> disappear in the lime light.
I will miss him.  He has some options.  For example, he could:
- come back to competition
- start coaching
- start designing/building (the way Greg Lemond did)
- write a book
- do commentary for the media 
In any case, I also hope he doesn't disappear from cycling.  
 
 RG> Do you enjoy the hybrid? 
I live in the middle of rural Japan with some fairly steep hills.  I use 
the middle range of the gears mostly when I'm on the flatter parts but 
have to drop down to the lowest to climb some of the hills around here.  A 
hybrid is the only road-designed bike that has a low gear low enough.  A 
mountain bike would have the same gears but it would not be as 
comfortable.  
On the minus side, upright riding with the straight handlebar limits my 
speed.  Between that and the fact that my highest gear is lower than a 
true road bike means that I can't race.  Bar ends with Lizard Skin 
neoprene grips make a big difference in terms of comfort. 
OTOH, I'm not a racer.  I go out before breakfast and ride for exercise.  
On weekends, if The Girlfriend has to work, I try some longer rides.  I've 
done one of 120 km and was practicing for a century ride last fall but 
took ill and had to stop (then it got too cold and dark in the morning for 
me)
Do I enjoy the hybrid?  Well, around here, it's the only choice that 
allows me to travel long distances.  I keep thinking about getting a bike 
with dropped handlebars but my current bike is in good condition and I 
really can't justify the expense.  I picked up some catalogues last week 
and spent a few hours dreaming but I think I'll hold on to my current 
machine for another year.
Tailwinds to you,
Steve
... Computer Rule #1:  You cannot have too much memory.
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