I'm not a philosopher either. I think that I understand what draws me to the bicycles of my youth. I enjoy riding a downtube friction shifting steel bike, with sidepull brakes and an old leather saddle. Why? Because it transports me to a time when I rode for no reason other than I loved the freedom of riding it. I didn't have the responsibilities of adulthood, had no full time job and my life was simpler. I like going back to that place, even if only for a few hours at a time...