When I was younger, I wanted a fast hybrid. Specifically, I wanted a flat bar bike that was every bit as fast as a road bike. At one point, I went around to a number of shops when I was trying to buy a bike, trying to find this elusive speed machine. Naturally, I thought it was a conspiracy to make us buy two (or more) bikes! And I was sure that if, say, you took a road bike, and replaced the bars, or a hybrid bike and replaced the gearing, fork, wheels and tires, and whatever else, you'd be able to win the Tour de France on it.

Living in a windy place disabused me of this notion.