If I'd had a lollypop I'd have had a new fixie

I was at that the train station enquiring as to how to arrange a passage for my Lava Dome and I when I saw a dirt clogged dark green thing. I'd normally have ignored it, but then I saw the 501 sticker. My interest grew and so I checked the slots - and they were forwards facing diagonals! The owner - about 20 -appeared and I began to chat to him, he didn't respond, I said something encouraging... He finally opened his mouth.. wider.. wider.. wider... and almost poured a torrent of drool over his front, but just managed to slosh it back in.

"Well," I said, backing a hygenic step away, "If you ever want to sell it, put it on ebay and be sure to mention the 501," step, "and diagonal dropouts," step, "you may get more money than you'd expect!"

I reckon that he'd have swapped the bike for a lollypop, but by then it was too late. Plus I didn't really like the geometry - short and too high horizontal top tube, probably one of the less comprehending 80s attempts to make a mountain bike by a manufacturer in Blighty - "Stiffen that tourer's upper lip and shorten the wheelbase a bit more, chaps - tallyho!".

But if that sounds like anyone's dream bike, they should take a supply of lollypops to Weston Super Mare railway station and something to read while they wait for him to turn up...