> it's amazing how many cyclists choose to ride on the pavement along
> the quietest roads imaginable.

The roads with the rim-chewing potholes? I used to have decently wide rims and well-inflated fat tyres in self-defence; even so, when I had to replace one wheel, then happened to cycle on a bit of flat pavement, I was surprised how un-lumpy the ride was, thence how bad my rims had got without me noticing.

The youngsters these days have racing rims with next to no metal in them, then wonder why half a hiccup in the road surface totals the wheels.