utility value ...on bicycles and choices

                                                    In my tenth standard my dad presented me with a BSA SLR bicycle . It was in my favourite colour black , sporty in its looks and very comfortable to ride . But even at that time of limited choices ( this was the prehistoric 20 th century )  there were three main choices . One was the large bicycle hercules  extremely sturdy and strong and could easily carry two people or heavy luggage . Then there was BSA Mach 1 the bicycle with racing handle where you have to be in  racing position to ride it always and with thin racing tyres to give that extra speed . Then there was the BSA SLR which had sporty looks , above average speed (why these guys always are into this speed and acceleration thing :) )  .
Not only because it was a gift by my dad i was also extremely happy with my bicycle . But being human i "occassionally " envied the few classmates who came in a Mach 1 BSA the racing bicycle .

Fast forward many many years . Recently i rode a racing cycle on the road(not my own ) . Actually i went shopping on it . It was not a Mach 1 (i think BSA has stopped Mach 1s long back ) but one with 20 + gears and imported . It was fine as soon as i went in the road people stared at it as it was extremely sporty and the looks itself showed it was built for speed . After checking the acceleration soon it was time to pedal in a relaxed way and do away with the racing position ( not very comfortable for a long ride ) . And then it hit me . The brakes are available only in the racing position else its a juggle each time you have to brake . Then the second thing .. No bell . The third thing .. No sidestand for parking ..List was endless the thin tyres costing almost as  a motorcycle tyre will not tolerate the unexpected gutters .  And the last thing was no mudguard . Imagine in the rain on a muddy road .

To tell the truth the acceleration on the open road was great . But the rest of the journey was quite difficult .
And this racing cycle was a "road variant " of a racing cycle like our good old Mach 1 of yesteryear .

                                                                  For a long time i choose my gadgets looking into their utility value and my personality . Of course they have to be sporty , reasonable value for money , high in specifications which i can fully utilise in my day to day life . Like in everything the middle path of choices may be the best choice .. at least it has been for me ...

PS :  Dont cancel your Rolls Royce or Jaguar order in kerala especially .. I love those cars but look where you are going to drive it too ... Or maybe i am jealous :)