| Car-free since 11/1/2006!
I just passed my three month anniversary of going car-free. The clutch on
my car went out on Halloween 2006. I really didn't feel like spending the
money to fix it, so I decided to ride to work instead. I've been an
occasional bike commuter, but my commute is long and I was a gym rat, so I
didn't do it very often. It's difficult to do an hour weight workout from
5:30AM to 6:30AM then get home with enough time to shower and be on the bike
by 7AM for the 18 mile commute. I've quit lifting weights and now I spend
two hours a day on the bike. I feel great.
The first week of commuting was pretty rough. I wasn't used to the
mileage, and I was sore and pretty tired at the end of each ride. Now I feel
energized and alive when I arrive at work or home. I have plenty of
appropriate clothing, but I live in Florida so my cold weather gear consists
of knickers, wool jersey, arm warmers, and a shell on really cold days.
I posted before about Rainlegs. They are a fantastic product for the
commuter. They're worn rolled up like a belt and then unrolled if needed.
Much easier than rain pants. I keep a rain jacket and booties in my pannier,
and that combo has kept me pretty dry in our torrential rain.
Commuting is a great way to get miles in without much trouble. There's
no way I would go for a two hour ride everyday if I drove to work. Getting
home at 6 then riding for two hours is difficult. This way, it's easy.
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