Car-free since 11/1/2006!

02-07-2007, 04:14 PM

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.

02-07-2007, 04:54 PM

Yeah, that is real good. 18m in one hour. Any traffic lights?
Do people commute to work in their swimsuits?

02-07-2007, 05:12 PM

"nash" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:0pvyh.903342$1T2.426703@pd7urf2no...
> Yeah, that is real good. 18m in one hour. Any traffic lights?

Not many, no.The hour is not always the case. Some times it's an hour ten,
sometimes it's just under. Depends on traffic and wind, of course. It's a
semi-rural route, and at the time I'm doing it there's not enough traffic
for me to really stop at the stop signs. I can California stop them. :-)
Some uphill and some screaming downhills. Yes, we have hills in this part of
Florida. Some are natural and some are created by developers to give the
area "character". They're not steep but they are plentiful.

> Do people commute to work in their swimsuits?

I see exactly two other bike commuters. One is our local oral surgeon
triathlete on his mega $$$ tri bike, usually kitted out in a skinsuit. He's
FAST. The other is a woman on a Giant hybrid. It's pretty cool to watch her
progression. At one time she was riding in sweats and carrying her stuff in
a backpack. Now she's wearing MTB shorts and has a rack and panniers. She
keeps complimenting my bike, so I'm sure I'll see her on a road bike before
long.

02-07-2007, 07:13 PM

Oh, I forgot to ask what bike do you have. I did not want to start a
competition though for you.

02-07-2007, 11:18 PM

In article <45ca7967$0$28109$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
> I just passed my three month anniversary of going car-free.

Excellent and well done! I hope circumstances allow
you to keep it up for as long as you want.

> 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.

Yeah, cycle commuting has a lot going for it.
I get to hear lots of folks making it a high
falootin' socio/political/environmental thing.
But the personal sense of satisfaction,
accomplishment and empowerment beats any smug
feelings about not buying gasoline or emitting
pollutants or potentially endangering other people's
lives & limbs with 1.5+ tons of rolling mass.
Nevertheless, those are pretty good fringe benefits.

But I'm glad you've established a tactic for
experiencing the plain joy of riding.

Maybe you'll inspire some of your co-workers
to try it.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

02-08-2007, 02:31 AM

"Tom Keats" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:idmeqe.2ar.ln@bud.garden.local...
> In article <45ca7967$0$28109$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
> "Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
>> I just passed my three month anniversary of going car-free.
>
> Excellent and well done! I hope circumstances allow
> you to keep it up for as long as you want.
>
>> 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.
>
> Yeah, cycle commuting has a lot going for it.
> I get to hear lots of folks making it a high
> falootin' socio/political/environmental thing.
> But the personal sense of satisfaction,
> accomplishment and empowerment beats any smug
> feelings about not buying gasoline or emitting
> pollutants or potentially endangering other people's
> lives & limbs with 1.5+ tons of rolling mass.
> Nevertheless, those are pretty good fringe benefits.
>
> But I'm glad you've established a tactic for
> experiencing the plain joy of riding.
>
> Maybe you'll inspire some of your co-workers
> to try it.
>

Thanks, Tom. I have to admit, the money savings of bike commuting aren't
what I expected. I didn't really use much gas before ($20/wk) and I believe
I've spent as much as that equipping myself with bike clothing. Still, it's
fun and enjoyable.

I work at a small office with a handful of people, mostly women. None of
them want to do it because they don't want to mess up their hair. I have no
hair so that's not a prob for me.

The only hassle thus far has been grocery shopping. Between my messenger bag
and my panniers I've been able to do it, but it takes a few trips over a
weekend sometimes. Maybe an Xtracycle? :-)

Mike

02-08-2007, 02:33 AM

"nash" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:Wrxyh.903754$1T2.110536@pd7urf2no...
> Oh, I forgot to ask what bike do you have. I did not want to start a
> competition though for you.

No problem, Nash. I commute on a 2005 Gunnar Sport, but I will get another
bike soon. The weather in Florida is unpredictable, and riding home on
gritty sandy roads isn't good for the paint. Next bike will be powdercoated,
probably the new Surly Pacer.

02-08-2007, 04:39 AM

On Feb 7, 6:14 pm, "Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> 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.

'Really cold days'...what a hoot.

> 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.

Good for you, many of wish the weather was such that we could ride
almost eveyday..but with 60+ inches of snow..tough.

02-08-2007, 08:14 AM

"Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:45ca7967$0$28109$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 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.

November 2005, myself. And I haven't use public transportation either. But
I am in a very unique area.

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02-08-2007, 09:09 AM

"Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:45cb0a8c$0$28146$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> "nash" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:Wrxyh.903754$1T2.110536@pd7urf2no...
>> Oh, I forgot to ask what bike do you have. I did not want to start a
>> competition though for you.
>
> No problem, Nash. I commute on a 2005 Gunnar Sport, but I will get another
> bike soon. The weather in Florida is unpredictable, and riding home on
> gritty sandy roads isn't good for the paint. Next bike will be
> powdercoated, probably the new Surly Pacer.

Then you will have to change your name. Hahaha