If your intentions were purely platonic and the recipient seems to be blushing rather too much, I would recommend following up with the following:

"It is sadly unfortunate that you have had to use a Shimano derailleur band on a transmission that is otherwise entirely Campag/find yourself burdened with a Goldtech rear hub/could not find a more attractive alloy cog since EAS switched to steel/it is a WSD and only came in pink, but otherwise it is indeed a delightful machine."

That should make the point that you were talking about the velocipede and "bike" was not a euphemism for "bottom". Should the recipient carry on as if "burdened with a Goldtech rear hub" is a euphemism for "amazingly plump breasts" then you should probably run away. Unless, of course, the attraction is mutual.

* * *

Obviously the rule for the perfect number of bikes is n+1, but is there a similar
equation for the number of cycle jerseys one must own?
Marcus

Not one of which I am aware, although I would say that it should be a number not less than 5, as this is the standard number of work days in a week and you will want to wear fresh on each morning's commute. Anyone attempting to collect the entirety of the Foska or Primal catalogue ought to be viewed with suspicion.

* * *

I heard about something called 'counter-steering' from a motorcycling
friend the other day and he said it can apply to cycling as well. What is it???
Colin

A bicycle is an inverted penduluum in which the contact point of the tyres on the ground comprises the fulcrum. It must remain balanced or else it will fall over. Getting around a corner requires that the centre of mass of the bicycle and rider shifts towards the apex of the corner a distance governed by an angle of lean given by the following equation:

where v = forward speed, g = gravity and r = radius of the turn.

.continued