When i was in junior high school (c. 1991), a friend of mine got a new "jak-n-a-sak" jacket, a coat that folded into a small bag. It looked trendy, sporty, when worn, and it could be folded up. Cool.

But i just deleted an e-mail ad for the newest, dumbest innovation in collapsible junk, the backpack bike. Why would anyone want to fold up a mode of transportation and lug it around on a shoulder?

I tried to rationalize it, thinking maybe it would work for hikers who also like mountain biking, but i don't think i'm too far off in assuming that for backpack hiking, packing light is essential, so that such a triviality must be left at home by the hot curlers and electric razor. dinky contraptions have no place in the wilderness.

Not having seen this bike up close, i picture it being about the quality of those little multi-purpose kits sold as desperate, last-minute gift ideas in the McRae's mens' shop. It reminds me of those silly new kids' shoes with the wheels that flip out of the soles for roller-blading. Yeah, that won't break in the first day? Please!

Anyone seen one of these bikes? Am i being too harsh here?

Penny*still overstuffed from Thanksgiving dinners*stamp