When I was maybe 10 y.o. I would ride my American-style cuiser on the various trails through the woods near home. For a few years, even up through college, I thought a bike would be a great way to do some of the trails I liked to hike. Eventually I realized I'd rather do them on foot so I could see more detail. Also I began to understand that the trail surfaces could take a beating from bike tires. (Admittedly boot soles can be pretty tough on trails too.)

When I bought my first derailleur bike in '72 I came to see it is ideal transportation. Efficient, fast movement from one place to another by human power alone! Back when roads were mostly dirt a good mtb would have been perfect. Like it not though, we live in an age of pavement. A road bike is the thing.

"It's the only thing!" - Toad

Anyone is free to disagree, of course.