Haven't read the entire thread, so maybe this has already been posted.

There are five stages of becoming a bender: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

When I decided to get bent it was humiliating. I traded a very nice full carbon bike with Ultegra for a bike with crappy twist shifters and mountain bike wheels.

I entered into a zen-like state of detachment and self denial. I became one with the world as I flew by tandems downhill and learned that you can climb OK if you free yourself from the worries of the world.

And for some reason, chicks dig recumbents. Go figure.