On Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:10:59 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

You left out the final step: Then they buy a treadmill, or join a health
club where they can "walk" indoors in one place.

Like garage queen bicycles, treadmills tend to collect spider webs and
dust after the initial surge of motivation. I've been looking for a
treadmill from which I can cannibalize the DC motor. The local
recycler has a pile of treadmills. Same with the local used sporting
goodies dealer:
http://www.playitagainsports-soquel.com/equipment/category/6547/treadmills/1
A few of my neighbors have treadmills rusting on their decks.

About 3 years ago, we took up a collection to buy a rather elaborate
treadmill for a rather obese friend. I helped put it together and
program the monster. He used it at least once per day for about a
month, less so after that, and abandoned it after about 4 months. I
get a report via email whenever it's run. Except when the kids or
their friends play with it, it hasn't been seriously used for at least
2 years.

There are also 4 bicycles (one for every member of the family) in the
garage in atrocious condition. However, things may soon change. They
bought a retirement house in the Sierra foothills, where it would be
possible to ride their bicycles on roads with less congestion and
fewer homicidal drivers. There was some talk about fixing or
replacing the bicycles. There is hope.

So, what changed? It's the perception that it's safer to ride the
rural roads than the local commuter speedways. They may or may not be
safer, but it's the perception that they're safer that's important
here. The GUM (great unwashed masses) do not ride bicycles if they
feel that there is some risk.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558