Tonight I throw in the towel...

[DanTMWTMP]

wow, your post is very inspirational. Great job.

I have a 12 mile one-way commute, and that's one of the lowest-mileage commutes for anyone in southern california. I've thought about biking, but then looked at any potential routes I'd take. It was way too dangerous. I have a freeway in the way, or two huge main vein-streets w/ too many cars.

Sometimes I dislike living in california just for the living costs. A car is absolutely needed (and all the associated costs that comes with it). Then again, I do enjoy our car culture.

 

[HannibalX]

Great story. Pics look great, you look like a different person. I have two cars. One of them rarely gets driven. I could do without the 2nd car.

 

[gabemcg]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
wow, your post is very inspirational. Great job.

I have a 12 mile one-way commute, and that's one of the lowest-mileage commutes for anyone in southern california. I've thought about biking, but then looked at any potential routes I'd take. It was way too dangerous. I have a freeway in the way, or two huge main vein-streets w/ too many cars.

Sometimes I dislike living in california just for the living costs. A car is absolutely needed (and all the associated costs that comes with it). Then again, I do enjoy our car culture.

I say give it a try.

Confidence riding in traffic comes with experience, and practice. You can build your confidence by riding bike paths for a while, to work on holding a line, and looking behind you without swerving. Without mitigating factors like weather or time of day I'd definitely commute 12 miles. Check with your work about allowing you to arrive/depart out of sych with rush-hour to avoid dealing with a lot of traffic. Also, check with local bike shops that can point you to advocacy groups in the area, or even group riders that could give you tips on the most bike friendly routes.

 

[Bryophyte]

You might be a prime candidate for occasional car rental. If you have a credit card that offers free insurance for rentals, you can rent a car on a weekly basis and you'd probably come out ahead. The nice part of it is that if you have a need for a different vehicle occasionally (need a pickup to haul something or haul your bicycle to go biking away from home) or a van to carry more passengers, you can just rent something different.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I have thought about putting my vehicles in suspense and doing bike only to/from work in the summer. Unfortunately the 8-9 miles each way would mean I would have to leave about 45 min or so before work, and then get there sweaty (which in an office job yuck). Also there is no place to store a bike at work while I am here (they should get a bike rack though). I think I will have to talk to my manager about seeing if we can get a bike rack now after this thread Thanks OP

 

[Modeps]

ZIPCAR!

I'd bike to work, if it didn't take me 40 mins by car.

 

[aplefka]

I always pictured you to look like your avatar. I'm let down by the fact that you don't have sweet dreads.

 

[villageidiot111]

I have the same cell phone as you!

 

[gabemcg]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
I have thought about putting my vehicles in suspense and doing bike only to/from work in the summer. Unfortunately the 8-9 miles each way would mean I would have to leave about 45 min or so before work, and then get there sweaty (which in an office job yuck). Also there is no place to store a bike at work while I am here (they should get a bike rack though). I think I will have to talk to my manager about seeing if we can get a bike rack now after this thread Thanks OP

I'm honored, way to go!

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd love to do this to, except that:

I have an 11 mile commute to and from work, and the only direct route is a major highway.
I live in Connecticut, and it's winter right now!
The nearest decent grocery store is five miles away

Hmm... That's not gonna work. I think that I'll stick with the MINI for now

 

[Rubycon]

Congrats! Looking good there.

 

[gabemcg]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Congrats! Looking good there.

Thanks! You joined on my birthday...

 

[Nitemare]

gratz on the weight loss. kind of rough riding a bike in the winter months

 

[maziwanka]

wow dude. congrats on getting in shape and getting your life together (not that it was out of whack by much)

 

[Nutdotnet]

Wow! Grats dude!

 

[KillerCharlie]

...or you can keep the car and just exercise more to lose 40lbs like I did.

 

[Descartes]

Nice work man, congratulations.

 

[BillGates]

I thought you were going to get a vasectomy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, huge congrats on actually living car free for an entire year. Seriously, I admire that kind of dedication. I can't really make that leap myself...nor do I want to. I commute by bike 2-3 days a week with the most being 4 days a week. My commute is 10 miles one way so 4 times a week is 80 miles just in commuting.

Yeah, I've done a few centuries but no doubles. :beer:

I think you'll find that working a car into your routine will be a nice compromise. I've noticed the same things as you during the past 2+ years of commuting by bicycle, the main thing being it really doesn't take much longer to ride my bike to work as it does to drive. I'm lucky as hell though because I don't have to deal with snow/ice so all my cycling is done on a road bike.

I carry a few things with me in a back pack and I leave the heavy stuff like toiletries, a couple extra pair of shoes and towel at work so I'm actually commuting on a lightweight race bike and I'm wearing lycra for comfort on the bike.

I hear you on the cycling at night thing. I've invested in some decent lighting but it is still like shining a flashlight up into space expecting someone in orbit to see me. Blinkies are your friend. I do find myself commuting less during the shortest days of the year though.

Got any pics of your daily commuters? I'd love to see them.

 

[gabemcg]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Well, huge congrats on actually living car free for an entire year. Seriously, I admire that kind of dedication. I can't really make that leap myself...nor do I want to. I commute by bike 2-3 days a week with the most being 4 days a week. My commute is 10 miles one way so 4 times a week is 80 miles just in commuting.

Yeah, I've done a few centuries but no doubles. :beer:

I think you'll find that working a car into your routine will be a nice compromise. I've noticed the same things as you during the past 2+ years of commuting by bicycle, the main thing being it really doesn't take much longer to ride my bike to work as it does to drive. I'm lucky as hell though because I don't have to deal with snow/ice so all my cycling is done on a road bike.

I carry a few things with me in a back pack and I leave the heavy stuff like toiletries, a couple extra pair of shoes and towel at work so I'm actually commuting on a lightweight race bike and I'm wearing lycra for comfort on the bike.

I hear you on the cycling at night thing. I've invested in some decent lighting but it is still like shining a flashlight up into space expecting someone in orbit to see me. Blinkies are your friend. I do find myself commuting less during the shortest days of the year though.

Got any pics of your daily commuters? I'd love to see them.

I'll spare you the pics of my crappy mountain bike, but these are the two I use in good weather...

the pair
Electra Amsterdam
Univega Gran Spirit

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: gabemcg

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Well, huge congrats on actually living car free for an entire year. Seriously, I admire that kind of dedication. I can't really make that leap myself...nor do I want to. I commute by bike 2-3 days a week with the most being 4 days a week. My commute is 10 miles one way so 4 times a week is 80 miles just in commuting.

Yeah, I've done a few centuries but no doubles. :beer:

I think you'll find that working a car into your routine will be a nice compromise. I've noticed the same things as you during the past 2+ years of commuting by bicycle, the main thing being it really doesn't take much longer to ride my bike to work as it does to drive. I'm lucky as hell though because I don't have to deal with snow/ice so all my cycling is done on a road bike.

I carry a few things with me in a back pack and I leave the heavy stuff like toiletries, a couple extra pair of shoes and towel at work so I'm actually commuting on a lightweight race bike and I'm wearing lycra for comfort on the bike.

I hear you on the cycling at night thing. I've invested in some decent lighting but it is still like shining a flashlight up into space expecting someone in orbit to see me. Blinkies are your friend. I do find myself commuting less during the shortest days of the year though.

Got any pics of your daily commuters? I'd love to see them.

I'll spare you the pics of my crappy mountain bike, but these are the two I use in good weather...

the pair
Electra Amsterdam
Univega Gran Spirit

Is it hilly where you commute? It is here so a 3 spd or a single speed/fixed gear bike is not really useful for me. I like the Univega though. I had one I bought in 1990 but sold a couple years ago. I should have kept it just for the Suntour Superbe Pro components...the frame wasn't half bad either.

Do you post on Bikeforums.net in the commuting forum? I post there from time to time.

 

[AlienCraft]

Congratulations on making it a year. I think you've done a great job and don't think you should consider this a "defeat" by any means. Throwing in the towel signifies giving up, and I think you've simply seen how a car can be an asset in your life, as opposed to a parasite.
| lived car free in The SF bay Area back in the 80s. It can be done, and you save a lot of money.

My job now requires me have a car, so that's my excuse.


But i do get 38 mpg freeway.