About the envy thing: I just bought a new bike, and it's a lot more bike than I need. Fancy-schmantz carbon fork and rear, Ultegra derailleurs, blah blah blah. I hope to grow into it, but I'm never going to be a racer where I require that level of components. They're nice to have, and my average speed has gone way up, but I don't NEED them to get around town.

I was feeling a little guilty for spending so much (for me), when I watched a stream of luxury SUVs and sports cars pass me on the way home last night. Vehicles that will never see a dirt road or racetrack. Suddenly I stopped freaking out about my $1400 splurge.

If bicycles become more popular for commuting, I guarantee there will be expensive high-end models for those who want to ride to impress. There already are, for roadies and mountain bikers who know their technical stuff, but I'm talking about commuters with leather appointments, heated seats and grips, integrated GPS and other bling.