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Phillip obviously appreciates that mountain biking provides plenty of opportunity to enjoy the scenery(as well as much more, IMO), but I'm not so sure he appreciates what road bikes have to offer. Unless he's ridden a decent one, I'm not sure he could. I ride in Sydney, and the effortless glide of riding a good racing bike is a high completly removed from mountain biking. The pleasure of rounding La Perouse point at dawn in the crisp clean air, feeling the speed and clarity that riding fast through a beautiful scene with friends provides, leaves me centered for a day of hassle and rubbish at work. Mountain bikes feel sluggish and unresponsive by comaprison, needing to be shoved and pushed. His point about older bikes and gearing is well made, but hasn't been valid for several years. Apart from the ridiculous cost, road riding is a wonderful thing to take up.Martin.