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Main
Date: 07 Feb 2007 20:14:25
From: Gooserider
Subject: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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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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Date: 22 Feb 2007 12:04:13
From:
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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On Feb 15, 1:22 am, tkeats2...@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:
> In article <WKwzh.931039$1T2.94347@pd7urf2no>,
> "nash" <zwepytzkehil...@jetable.net> writes:
>
> >> I'm currently in the throes of designing/building a
> >> cargo trailer out of the discarded skeletal remnants
> >> of a 3-wheeled jogging stroller with 16" pneumatic wheels
> >> (finally getting around to it.) I'm considering integrating
> >> the hitch with my kickstand -- it's the type that clamps onto
> >> both chainstay and seatstay. I've got a coroplast post office
> >> sorting bin that'll serve as the cargo box. I'll derive the
> >> tow arm from the handle of the stroller.
> > Sure beats paying $2-400 for it. They have a few home builts here in
> > Surrey. They look pretty much like strollers.
>
> i tried crimping the end of a cut-off section of
> stroller handle (to fashion a tow arm,) to lie flush
> against the 3rd wheel dropout of the stroller frame.
> I then bored a hole in it, and bolted it all together.
> But it's all too bendy. Crimping the tubing destroyed
> its integrity.
>
> Back to the drawing board.
>
> The trailer-frame and tow-arm will have to
> remain formed as the tubing they already are.
>
> At least that gives me parameters within which
> to work.
>
> All I've got to do, is to bolt a properly bent
> (not crimped) length of tow-arm tubing onto the
> trailer frame tubing.
>
> I hope.
>
> If that doesn't work, then I've gotta look for
> some other material.
>
> 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
I've built a couple of trailers out of conduit, detailing the builds
at my website:
http://drumbent.com/trailer.html
http://drumbent.com/trailer_big.html
And of course my cargo trike for big / multiple items:
http://drumbent.com/trike.html
k (car-free since 1999)
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 22:22:24
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
In article <WKwzh.931039$1T2.94347@pd7urf2no >,
"nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net > writes:
>> I'm currently in the throes of designing/building a
>> cargo trailer out of the discarded skeletal remnants
>> of a 3-wheeled jogging stroller with 16" pneumatic wheels
>> (finally getting around to it.) I'm considering integrating
>> the hitch with my kickstand -- it's the type that clamps onto
>> both chainstay and seatstay. I've got a coroplast post office
>> sorting bin that'll serve as the cargo box. I'll derive the
>> tow arm from the handle of the stroller.
> Sure beats paying $2-400 for it. They have a few home builts here in
> Surrey. They look pretty much like strollers.
i tried crimping the end of a cut-off section of
stroller handle (to fashion a tow arm,) to lie flush
against the 3rd wheel dropout of the stroller frame.
I then bored a hole in it, and bolted it all together.
But it's all too bendy. Crimping the tubing destroyed
its integrity.
Back to the drawing board.
The trailer-frame and tow-arm will have to
remain formed as the tubing they already are.
At least that gives me parameters within which
to work.
All I've got to do, is to bolt a properly bent
(not crimped) length of tow-arm tubing onto the
trailer frame tubing.
I hope.
If that doesn't work, then I've gotta look for
some other material.
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
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Date: 15 Feb 2007 12:17:23
From:
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:22:24 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats)
wrote:
>In article <WKwzh.931039$1T2.94347@pd7urf2no>,
> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> writes:
>
>>> I'm currently in the throes of designing/building a
>>> cargo trailer out of the discarded skeletal remnants
>>> of a 3-wheeled jogging stroller with 16" pneumatic wheels
>>> (finally getting around to it.) I'm considering integrating
>>> the hitch with my kickstand -- it's the type that clamps onto
>>> both chainstay and seatstay. I've got a coroplast post office
>>> sorting bin that'll serve as the cargo box. I'll derive the
>>> tow arm from the handle of the stroller.
>
>> Sure beats paying $2-400 for it. They have a few home builts here in
>> Surrey. They look pretty much like strollers.
>
>i tried crimping the end of a cut-off section of
>stroller handle (to fashion a tow arm,) to lie flush
>against the 3rd wheel dropout of the stroller frame.
>I then bored a hole in it, and bolted it all together.
>But it's all too bendy. Crimping the tubing destroyed
>its integrity.
>
>Back to the drawing board.
>
>The trailer-frame and tow-arm will have to
>remain formed as the tubing they already are.
>
>At least that gives me parameters within which
>to work.
>
>All I've got to do, is to bolt a properly bent
>(not crimped) length of tow-arm tubing onto the
>trailer frame tubing.
>
>I hope.
>
>If that doesn't work, then I've gotta look for
>some other material.
>
>
>cheers,
> Tom
You might find hardwood dowling that just fits inside the tubing.
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 21:41:05
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
In article <p3fca4-c5q.ln1@curare.zuvembi.homelinux.org >,
Dane Buson <dane@unseen.edu > writes:
> Gooserider <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> 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? :-)
>
> I'm rather fond of mine. Last Thursday it even got used to haul a
> stranded cyclist.
That reminds me of my favourite inter-cyclist experience.
I was returning home from New Westminster, passing by
the Patterson SkyTrain station and heading into the
shortcut through Central Park. I heard a ~bang~ behind
me; the sound was familiar enough to be identifiable
as a bike tire blowout from curb-hopping. I stopped in
my tracks, looked back, and sure enough, there was the
despondent, flat-tired victim of his own fate. I doubled
back and offered to help. But he was pretty much
uni-lingually Chinese. Nevertheless we were able to
communicate by gesticulations and body language. I had a
spare tube, and the tools with which to install it. I
showed him that I had all that, and we were off 'n runnin'.
The rekable thing is how well we were able to communicate
without a common verbal language. And that's what makes it
my favourite inter-cyclist experience. Without a common
language, we set to the task of repairing the flat, in such
a co-operative and efficient manner that a pit-stop crew
would have been impressed.
We didn't exchange our names or anything like that.
We did shake grubbied hands after fixing his flat.
He indicated he wanted to pay me for my trouble but
couldn't, by showing me the emptiness of his wallet.
I smiled and tried to convey to him that it's okay,
and I was glad just to be able to help. He insisted
I at least keep his old, punctured tube.
It's still hanging on the wall here in my basement shop.
It's amazing, how easy it is to converse and connect
with people, without being able to yack in a common
verbal language.
The best part was when I met him again in the park.
He was gleefully riding around the park trails, and
he gave me a cheery ding-ding with his bell, and a
smile and a wave.
I gave him a ding-ding with my bell, and a smile and a
wave back, and then returned to the task of riding home.
Verbal language is overrated.
Connecting with people is good. Maybe that's what
we're here to do -- connect with each other, all
around the world. What a wonderful thought!
Maybe I should get one of those XtraCycle thingies too.
But I'm still working on my cargo trailer.
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
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Date: 10 Feb 2007 15:14:02
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
In article <wLnzh.936489$R63.112829@pd7urf1no >,
"nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net > writes:
> If you can get away with it a milk crate fastened on top of a rear rack
> works wonders.
That's what I'm using, and it truly is versatile.
When the inside is full, you can still hang stuff
on its outside, using bungees or caribiners. It's
especially good for tallish, fragile cargo such as
potted plants -- can't really stick those in panniers.
And I think a milk crate on the back makes a bike less
attractive to thieves.
Of course, panniers have their virtues, too. They
carry the cargo weight down lower so as to not affect
bike handling with the top-heaviness sometimes
inflicted by the milk-crate-on-the-rear-rack config,
they provide some protection from the elements, and
they have flaps to keep stuff from falling out.
And they look more "real cyclist". But they're one
more thing to have to remove from the bike when parking
for any length of time. At least they can serve to
contain all the other removables -- lights, quick-release
seatpost & saddle, computer display head etc.
> They also have collapsible metal carriers that flank the
> rear wheel. Could probably carry a heavy load too.
I'm currently in the throes of designing/building a
cargo trailer out of the discarded skeletal remnants
of a 3-wheeled jogging stroller with 16" pneumatic wheels
(finally getting around to it.) I'm considering integrating
the hitch with my kickstand -- it's the type that clamps onto
both chainstay and seatstay. I've got a coroplast post office
sorting bin that'll serve as the cargo box. I'll derive the
tow arm from the handle of the stroller.
> I have never owned a car.
Me neither. Never needed one. Never needed an
elephant either.
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
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Date: 11 Feb 2007 04:14:46
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
"Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:qjjlqe.el11.ln@bud.garden.local...
> In article <wLnzh.936489$R63.112829@pd7urf1no>,
> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> writes:
>> If you can get away with it a milk crate fastened on top of a rear rack
>> works wonders.
>
> That's what I'm using, and it truly is versatile.
> When the inside is full, you can still hang stuff
> on its outside, using bungees or caribiners. It's
> especially good for tallish, fragile cargo such as
> potted plants -- can't really stick those in panniers.
> And I think a milk crate on the back makes a bike less
> attractive to thieves.
>
> Of course, panniers have their virtues, too. They
> carry the cargo weight down lower so as to not affect
> bike handling with the top-heaviness sometimes
> inflicted by the milk-crate-on-the-rear-rack config,
> they provide some protection from the elements, and
> they have flaps to keep stuff from falling out.
> And they look more "real cyclist". But they're one
> more thing to have to remove from the bike when parking
> for any length of time. At least they can serve to
> contain all the other removables -- lights, quick-release
> seatpost & saddle, computer display head etc.
>
>> They also have collapsible metal carriers that flank the
>> rear wheel. Could probably carry a heavy load too.
>
> I'm currently in the throes of designing/building a
> cargo trailer out of the discarded skeletal remnants
> of a 3-wheeled jogging stroller with 16" pneumatic wheels
> (finally getting around to it.) I'm considering integrating
> the hitch with my kickstand -- it's the type that clamps onto
> both chainstay and seatstay. I've got a coroplast post office
> sorting bin that'll serve as the cargo box. I'll derive the
> tow arm from the handle of the stroller.
>
>> I have never owned a car.
>
> Me neither. Never needed one. Never needed an
> elephant either.
>
>
> 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
Sure beats paying $2-400 for it. They have a few home builts here in
Surrey. They look pretty much like strollers.
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Date: 10 Feb 2007 14:15:01
From: Qui si parla Campagnolo
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Feb 10, 10:01 am, "nash" <zwepytzkehil...@jetable.net > wrote:
> If you can get away with it a milk crate fastened on top of a rear rack
> works wonders. They also have collapsible metal carriers that flank the
> rear wheel. Could probably carry a heavy load too.
>
> I have never owned a car. Had a motorcycle for about 2 years till someone
> sabotaged it. Have been cycling 44 years. I am on my 8th and 9th bike. An
> MTB for around town and a road bike for day trips.
>
> Keep up the good work it is very doable.
>
> nash
where are you??
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Date: 11 Feb 2007 04:15:45
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <peter@vecchios.com > wrote in message
news:1171145701.001219.244280@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> On Feb 10, 10:01 am, "nash" <zwepytzkehil...@jetable.net> wrote:
>> If you can get away with it a milk crate fastened on top of a rear rack
>> works wonders. They also have collapsible metal carriers that flank the
>> rear wheel. Could probably carry a heavy load too.
>>
>> I have never owned a car. Had a motorcycle for about 2 years till
>> someone
>> sabotaged it. Have been cycling 44 years. I am on my 8th and 9th bike.
>> An
>> MTB for around town and a road bike for day trips.
>>
>> Keep up the good work it is very doable.
>>
>> nash
>
> where are you??
You mean me or the OP?
I live in Surrey, BC the beautiful
>
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Date: 09 Feb 2007 17:54:28
From: limeylew@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Feb 7, 7:14 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > 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.
> 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.
Congratulations and welcome to the 'Car-Free' world.
I donated my old car to a charity, when I retired and will be
celebrating 3 years car-free in May.
In case it helps, I have found backpacks (as well as panniers) to be
great for groceries.
Good luck to you.
Lewis.
*****
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Date: 10 Feb 2007 18:01:00
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
If you can get away with it a milk crate fastened on top of a rear rack
works wonders. They also have collapsible metal carriers that flank the
rear wheel. Could probably carry a heavy load too.
I have never owned a car. Had a motorcycle for about 2 years till someone
sabotaged it. Have been cycling 44 years. I am on my 8th and 9th bike. An
MTB for around town and a road bike for day trips.
Keep up the good work it is very doable.
nash
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 15:49:12
From:
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Feb 8, 6:39 am, "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <p...@vecchios.com >
wrote:
> Good for you, many of wish the weather was such that we could ride
> almost eveyday..but with 60+ inches of snow..tough.
Although not impossible. The messengers of Denver, who
have received exactly three (3) days off due to weather
in the past 15 years, can attest to that. Two of those
days came this winter, the other was provided by
the Shock and Awe storm of ch '03.
Yesterday felt like summer.
Robert
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 10:14:52
From: Daryl Hunt
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:45ca7967$0$28109$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> 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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| | |
Date: 08 Feb 2007 21:27:40
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
why is it unique Daryl?
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| | | |
Date: 08 Feb 2007 18:05:40
From: Daryl Hunt
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
"nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net > wrote in message
news:gBMyh.908317$1T2.403239@pd7urf2no...
> why is it unique Daryl?
We are completely surrounded my mountains
We get some snow but it's largely gone by 10 am.
The temperature today was 50 degrees
It may snow tonight and drop to single digits
It may rain tonight and hover right at freezing
It my be clear and drop to single digits tonight.
It may be clear and be 40 degrees tonight.
It may do all of the above.
I live in the area on earth that you may need your Air Conditioner and
Heater on the same day.
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Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 10:40:29
From: treynolds@my-deja.com
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Feb 7, 5:14 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> I just passed my three month anniversary of going car-free. The clutch on
> my car went out on Halloween 2006......
Good job. Three months is a significant achievement. Back in college
I went about that long without a car but that was 25 years ago. As
far as grocery shopping, a used baby trailer works great. They can
carry 200 lbs and are a lot cheaper than an Xtracycle. Regarding the
money you save, it becomes more significant when you cancel your car
insurance and eliminate car payments (if any). And regarding the
Surly Pacer, awesome. Surlys are cool bikes. I own a Crosscheck
which I built into a straight bar road bike.
I also commute to work but not everyday. My commute is 25 miles each
way from one corner of San Diego to another. Lots of hills but the
worst thing about it is the traffic. My morning commute is right at
rush hour. Sometimes I take a day off from commuting by bike, not
because I'm tired but to give myself a mental break from the
frustrations of dealing with distracted and aggressive motorists. I
fear that if I didn't then I would stop enjoying the ride.
Anyhow, I'm glad that you have overcome that. Keep it up and please
let us know when you pass another significant milestone.
Tom
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 05:39:56
From: Qui si parla Campagnolo
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
On Feb 7, 6:14 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com > 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.
|
| | |
Date: 08 Feb 2007 19:00:34
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
|
"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <peter@vecchios.com > wrote in message
news:1170941996.163562.256100@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> On Feb 7, 6:14 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com> 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 don't know about you, but 28F is cold to me. Frost = cold. Sure, it's not
Colorado cold, but below freezing is cold no matter where you are. :-)
|
| | | |
Date: 09 Feb 2007 01:00:45
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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Gooserider wrote:
> "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <peter@vecchios.com> wrote in message
> news:1170941996.163562.256100@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>> On Feb 7, 6:14 pm, "Gooserider" <Gooseri...@mouse-potato.com> 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.
Warning! If you stop lifting weights you will get decidedly skinny on
top. This happened to me about 2 summers ago when all I did was ride
every day and the only weight I lifted was my bike to hang up in the
garage. I felt great too, but my wife said I looked like a POW with fat
legs. Keep up the weight training.
>>> 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 don't know about you, but 28F is cold to me. Frost = cold. Sure, it's not
> Colorado cold, but below freezing is cold no matter where you are. :-)
>
>
Try making that a -26F. When I was 14 and lived in the Chicago 'burbs I
got up to go to school and when I stepped outside there was total
silence. Nobody could start their cars and the roads/streets were
totally snowbound. I turned on the radio and found out it was -35F at
the Minneapolis airport and anything even resembling school was canceled
since even the school buses wouldn't start. If anyone could ride a bike
through a foot of snow at that temperature they might have gotten
frostbite on some parts of their body. My nose was exposed and it got
cold first so I canceled any idea of being outside that day.
Bill Baka
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 00:18:58
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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In article <45ca7967$0$28109$4c368faf@roadrunner.com >,
"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > 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
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 06:31:12
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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"Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:idmeqe.2ar.ln@bud.garden.local...
> In article <45ca7967$0$28109$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
> "Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> 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
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 14:29:45
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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Gooserider <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> 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? :-)
I'm rather fond of mine. Last Thursday it even got used to haul a
stranded cyclist. I really need to change out the seat though, it's not
really my favorite for rides longer than ten miles. Ryan would approve
of my sparkly purple buttock destroyer, it's a Selle Italia Nitrox, his
favorite.
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
"It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago..."
-Dan Quayle
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Date: 21 Feb 2007 02:00:41
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:29:45 -0800, Dane Buson <dane@unseen.edu >
wrote:
>Gooserider <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> 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? :-)
>
>I'm rather fond of mine. Last Thursday it even got used to haul a
>stranded cyclist. I really need to change out the seat though, it's not
>really my favorite for rides longer than ten miles. Ryan would approve
>of my sparkly purple buttock destroyer, it's a Selle Italia Nitrox, his
>favorite.
Since putting the bars and saddle from joe-bike onto 'da mule' I've
not been compelled to rebuild 'joe-bike' for my daily mount.
I take the 'station wagon' almost everywhere.
Carried an articulated 12' ladder last night. It was easier to load
and carry than the six-foot wooden step ladder.
As my friend Chris said, "I can't imagine life without my Xtracycle.
. . .well, maybe."
I'm wondering if it's worth cold setting mine to take the 126mm OLD
of the six speed, internal brake hub I'd like to set up on a mixte
frame version of 'da mule'.
The raw plastic ass-hatchet on 'Yorick', my mini-chopper/shopper, is
hot pink to match the grips. It's a road type saddle that came off a
kids bike. It's often been ogled and envied. Weird.
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Date: 21 Feb 2007 19:13:34
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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The raw plastic ass-hatchet on 'Yorick', my mini-chopper/shopper, is
> hot pink to match the grips. It's a road type saddle that came off a
> kids bike. It's often been ogled and envied. Weird.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I know your stuff is off the wall Zoot.
Can we ogle it here with a pic or link?
SN
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 01:54:04
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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Yeah, that is real good. 18m in one hour. Any traffic lights?
Do people commute to work in their swimsuits?
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Date: 07 Feb 2007 21:12:46
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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"nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net > 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.
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 04:13:42
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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Oh, I forgot to ask what bike do you have. I did not want to start a
competition though for you.
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 06:33:42
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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"nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net > 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.
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Date: 08 Feb 2007 18:09:28
From: nash
Subject: Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
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"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:45cb0a8c$0$28146$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> 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
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