Yes Chazzy, they were just an enforced means to an end and not my choice for a bike. My interest in bikes has always been the fettling and the challenge of camping adventures, (even one-armed) in France, Spain and Italy on 40's and 50's plonkers. I've never been interested in acceleration or speed.
With the modern bikes there was no fettling or satisfaction (pride?) from wandering o'er hill 'n dale on an old bike or overcoming any 'failures to proceed' when far from home.
With the 'Grudge Special' and the 'Mutchless' it was just a matter of how long my bum and patience would hold out and tolerating the incessant gear changing and eyeball fizzing revs.
Plus at 79 and down to my last arm and living on my own the pleasure has to be greater than the risks.