Too true. It is a magical device that makes effort -- and, let's face it, 160 km at 30 km/h takes some effort -- seem effortless. Every time I ride my road bike, I marvel at the perfection that is a bicycle; and what's really amazing is that the bicycle attained that perfection even before the days of Bartali and Coppi -- everything else has been refinement.

Go out and buy that bike. You'll never be able to enjoy your Crossroads the same way ever again. You will always be comparing it. Keep the crossroads -- everyone needs a station wagon -- but buy the road bike. That's what credit cards are for, son...