Living Car Free - Car Free in the Boonies?

hi all...

i've been car free and living in the boonies of maryland's eastern shore for a couple of years now.... in a week or two i'm going to add a bike to the equation! my decision is going to be based almost exclusively on what i've read here.

my question is, does anyone here live in the middle of nowhere and rely solely on a bike for everything? i know it's more common in the city, or even the 'burbs... but i'm seriously in the middle of nowhere.

in the past i've gotten rides from relatives or neighbors to do shopping and whatnot... but i'm hoping that the addition of a good bike will eliminate most if not all of that.

for what it's worth, i'm an in-shape weightlifter of average build. nearest convenience store is about 3 miles away and the nearest actual grocery store is about 8 miles away... better supermarkets are about 15-20 miles away.

I was carfree for awhile living in the midatlantic mountains.Services were at a similar distance except the nearby country store was so run down with limited items I only ever used it once in near blizzard conditions.The key for me was I was working from home.When I had to commute from there I never considered being carfree,but if I had it would have probably have been tough choice with the lack of backup transit options etc., as the commute was like 20 miles. each way.

how far away is work?

sorry guys... i should have mentioned that i work from home. my bad.

i'm going to be doing my biking for fun than for errands, quite frankly. but the errands i WILL be running will be a fair distance (at least to a noob like me).



Services were at a similar distance except the nearby country store was so run down with limited items

this is exactly what it's like here... as i've said, if they can't pronounce it, they don't think i'll need it. ;)

yeah. trash the damn car. you'll be alright. 8 miles ain't ****.

you might want to get a lil wagon though.

i've seen pics of various wagons and plan on getting one sooner or later.

i don't know how things will shape up. i'm in good condition but haven't ridden for about 6 years... so we'll see how long it takes me to get to an endurance level that will let me go 20 miles or more a couple times a week. fortunately things are FAIRLY flat around here.

you can do that now. just go slow and spin.

I live in Madison, WI but I live on the far South Side, I know how you feel. I can go out of town in less then 2 miles. The nearest convenience store is 2.5 miles, but its in Monona, WI not Madison. The closest one in Madison is 3.5 miles, wait, I am not sure if thats Madison, or Fitchburg. I live 7 miles from down town, but I have to take a 2 line blacktop to get anywhere. You will do fine!

GEEK

good... i appreciate the encouragment. i bet the locals are gonna stare from their giant-tired pick-em-up trucks. but i'll love it. *crosses fingers that this doesn't infringe on the "no car-bashing" rule*

knowing what my routine's going to be like, do any of you have a suggestion for what kind of bike to get... for a guy on a TIGHT budget. (figured i'd ask while we're all here)

edit to add:
i've done a lot of research... i just want to go to my LBS and get what i'm going to get in one visit... i can't tolerate going back and forth to three or four different places scattered all around the peninsula over the course of a couple weeks. i want to go knowing what i want and get it.

get a mountain bike that will handle a rack and fenders. ask for a tange rigid fork. MTB's will be the cheapest and most versatile bike you can get.

look into tires like these for the winter http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

On the other hand, Merton, he might want a road bike because he has some distances to do, and he will be traveling on the ROAD, after all. I mean, not on city streets.

I agree the 8 miles ain't **** especially on wide open country roads. 8 miles in the city takes twice as long.

Does it snow much in Maryland?

he might want a road bike because he has some distances to do, and he will be traveling on the ROAD, after all. I mean, not on city streets.

i'll be spending 90% of the time (if not more) on actual paved roads. i've looked at some road bikes but they seem to be considerably more than a hybrid... i'd sure like the additional posture options and hand positions but the hybrids tend to be more affordable.



Does it snow much in Maryland?

it varies from season to season but it's very rare that we have any LINGERING, SIGNIFICANT accumulation here on the eastern shore. even in the rare instance we get more than a couple of inches it's often gone fairly quickly (in terms of the time i'd HAVE to be out biking in it).

basically, a road bike would probably be ideal... but considering the budget it looks more like hybrids for me. suggestions/thoughts? and hey... if you can direct me to a road bike that's in the price range of a basic hybrid i'd DEFINITELY consider it.

look into tires like these for the winter http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

these look pretty impressive... though i'm no tire afficianado. could come in handy in ice more so than snow around here i think. we get some wicked ice patches sometimes. would they be good for that ya think?

Your approach to cycling is similar to mine.I consider myself as cycling for transportation ,and taking a bike turns every trip into fun and adventure.Stopping for groceries etc. is just something I do along the way .I also work from home and lift weights so feel your situation is actually pretty ideal for being carfree.

When I did still have a car and lived in the Appalachians(I now live in SoFl),I quite frequently traveled over to Delmarva for weekends to jog along the deserted beaches at Chincoteague or Assateague or bike some of the scenic backroads in the area so know firsthand you will love cycling those roads.And those country stores are heaven compared to the one I'm talking about, lol.Many around where I lived were nice as well but this one was the pits.

As for a bike, if you go new, a hybrid may be the way to go given your budget.Another possibility would be to try to locate a decent mid-late 80's(the so called golden era because so many of good quality were produced) touring/sports touring bike on ebay ,garage sales,classifieds etc.If you could find one they can be had for as cheap as $25 sometimes.I sure people on the forum would help if you id a bike your not sure about.That is what I have and it works great for hauling groceries,long rides into the country side,even dirt roads that aren't too bumpy. I believe the old sports touring bikes evolved into the hybrids of today ,which just have a few more comfort features and a more upright riding position.

I should qualify my answer by saying that I'm not technically car-free, but my use of the car is minimal, and I'm always looking for ways to use it less and less.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by 'boonies,' but my situation isn't entirely different from yours. I'm 8-9 miles from the nearest decent sized town with grocery, hardware, 'mart' stores, etc. There is a convenience store about 5 miles away, but it's in a little village in the opposite direction from town, so I really dont' head that way.

I recently got an Xtracycle and that seems, so far, to be revolutionizing what I can do with my bike. For example, I used to wait and do big grocery trips until I was with my wife in her car, and just do topping-off grocery runs (and only non-refrigerated stuff) on my bike on the way home from work. Now, with the Xtracycle and a couple of little soft-sided coolers, I've been able to do the big grocery runs without waiting for the wife and the Subaru.

I am sometimes tempted to let myself slide into thinking that I can't live in the country and be car-minimal, but then I think about Floyd. Floyd lived in a house up the ridge from me for decades (he passed away about a year ago). He had a Burley Nomad trailer and no car, ever, as far as anyone can remember. Anything he ever needed, including (as far as I know) construction materials, came and went via bicycle. It helps having such a specific and strong example to remind me that it can be done.

Your approach to cycling is similar to mine.I consider myself as cycling for transportation ,and taking a bike turns every trip into fun and adventure.Stopping for groceries etc. is just something I do along the way .I also work from home and lift weights so feel your situation is actually pretty ideal for being carfree.

wow... thanks, RWTD. i'll have to stay in touch with you pretty closely. it seems as though we're a lot alike. thanks for all the great information and insights.

and thanks to you, too, farley... you and floyd are an inspiration to me as well!

I might have missed something. . . didn't you say in the original post that you've already been car-free for two years?

That being the case, I don't think he needs encouragement to dump the car. ;) If he's gotten along for two years on bummed rides and walkies, a bike will be more like a luxury upgrade than anything else!

This strikes me more as a question as to what to look for in a bike and equipment considering that it will be used as primary transportation in the boonies of Maryland.

I don't think he needs encouragement to dump the car. If he's gotten along for two years on bummed rides and walkies, a bike will be more like a luxury upgrade than anything else

indeed!

and yes, it did sort of develop into a product search type o' thing... but my primary concern was to get some reassurance that i wasn't loopy in wanting to do this.

btw... i dumped 150 pounds a few years ago, don... best of luck to you and congrats on your progress (i presume i'm reading your sig line correctly).

DON'T GET THE HYBRID! they're no better than a mtb with slicks and a rigid fork.


schwalbe makes nice slicks. google them.

ok... i'll look at some mtb's then. thanks for sorta bangin' that into my head, merton. ;)

other than the working/hauling abilities of the MTB can someone give me a positive/negative breakdown of the MTB vs. the hybrid?

At that distance, you need to decide whether or not you want to do it. But apart from that it's feasible. With a good coat – about what you would use to walk at freezing temperature – you are OK for cycling at temperatures as low as -10 C. What you need is really good footwear because toes don't move, mitts, and a thin bandana, scarf, etc. to put under your helmet. And lights on the bike too.

As for shopping, your climate is milder and wetter than here. As long as you don't wait until the last minute to shop, you should be OK. Just don't go to the far-away stores when it's too cold, in a blinding snowstorm, etc. Usually waiting 1-2 days is all you need for more pleasant weather.

other than the working/hauling abilities of the MTB can someone give me a positive/negative breakdown of the MTB vs. the hybrid?

I'm not real familiar with the technical aspects of either so maybe someone will correct or add more detail to what I'm saying but overall I think the hybrid has more comfort features designed for relaxed/upright paved riding while a newer mtn. bike will have shocks and other features designed for offroad but other than a upright position less comfort features.As Merton said a mtn. bike can be made suitable for paved riding similar to a hybrid and then you will also have a bike that excells off trail.I think both would have similar working/hauling abilities.

The knock on the hybrids seems to be though they are very versatile they excell at nothing except perhaps a liesurely ride on a bike path.A road bike will go faster and farther on road and tends,in my experience ,to get more respect in traffic,while a mtn. bike will handle offroad bumps etc. much better.

Another consideration alot of carfree people,myself included,prefer older bikes because doing chores you are often leaving the bike vulnerable to thief for significant periods and a new bike scream out "steal me".This may not be as much a problem in the country as the city but something to think about as a used bike of any type will be cheaper than new anyway.Hanging around these forums you will learn enough routine maintenence to keep an older bike going many years.

ok... i'll look at some mtb's then. thanks for sorta bangin' that into my head, merton. ;)

other than the working/hauling abilities of the MTB can someone give me a positive/negative breakdown of the MTB vs. the hybrid?


the hybird will be too wussy to have fun off road and you will be in an MTB seating position anyway which makes no sense. so... now.. with the hybrid you have the lame slow poke upright position and weiner wheels and parts. what's the point it one?

the MTB will support nice wide snow tires.

just try to get a MTB with rack mount. i think the trailers mount to the axel.


also. please buy a nice big lock like the kryptonit fagedaboudit or their NY U-lock. we don't want you on here whining about how your bike got stolen.

devil's advocate:


the hybird will be too wussy to have fun off road

i won't be off-roading... at least not on purpose... can't anticipate what i'll be swerving into against my will. ;) still the MTB?



also. please buy a nice big lock like the kryptonit fagedaboudit or their NY U-lock. we don't want you on here whining about how your bike got stolen.

LMAO!!!
i DO plan on getting a serious, quality lock before anything else... and if i catch any of the locals fidgeting with it they'll have some serious mobility problems of their own to contend with. *flexes & smirks*

Hybrids and MTBs have different gearing. Depending on fitness and how much you want to haul one or the other might work better. I started with a MTB and went to a roadie for my around town bike.

thanks lauren... i think i'd be hauling just me, tools and a backpack once i get up to a regular shopping schedule... once a week-ish.

we thinkin' MTB for that?

My opinion would be either hybrid or mtn.(with added road slicks)would do fine for your weekly grocery run on Delmarva terrain.Perhaps you could just go with whichever you can get the best deal on if you forsee no additional uses for the bike in the future.Since you mention a backpack I will say now that the upright postion of those two would probably be preferable to a less upright road bike position where there is much more potential/tendency to round your back with you know from weight training is a no-no for supporting weight.When I sometimes ride as a fun change of pace with a backpack for groceries etc. I use an old heavy beach cruiser with only one gear but an upright position.In the flat Florida terrain I can ride it 30-40 miles with a lot of standing and muscling the gear particularly over the higher bridges lol.I do tend to ride it more on sidewalks or bikelanes and less on the road itself .

A mtn bike will have lower gearing than a typical roadbike making it better for climbing steep hills/mountains particularly if loaded down with weight.It will also have lower high range gears meaning it may not be as efficient at pedalling fast down steep hills/mtns.This probably doesn't make much difference for your stated objective but if you were to later consider riding offroad in mountainous terrain or loaded touring onroad the mtn bike might be the better choice.And note on that last statement I am assuming the hybrid has gearing similar to a typical roadbike someone please correct me if that it not accurate.

A mtn bike will have lower gearing than a typical roadbike making it better for climbing steep hills/mountains particularly if loaded down with weight.

ahhh... ok... this is definitely attractive. not many hills here, and the inclines that ARE around are fiarly short distances, but dealing with them AND weight is a concern.

i'm also guessing that with my level of experience i wouldn't notice too much difference with pedaling downhill... i don't even know if i'd endeavor to do that. ;)

Yea with the mtn. bike you'll still be able to pedal downhill its just that roadbikes are geared for racers(on ultralight bikes) who want to still be able to pedal competitively fast downhill.And like you say theres always the option of cruising downhill, noone says you have to pedal.And the higher high gears also help racers(again on ultralight bikes) go faster on flats as well.Again with a hybrid and its upright riding position I doubt you would be using the upper end road gears on flats, particularly with a backpack, any time soon.But again keep in mind in all this I am assuming the hybrid is geared similar to a roadbike in actuality I have never checked the gearing of a hybrid.

ok. thanks RWTD. that settles it... i'm gonna get the denali from walmart.

I KID! relax people. ;)

I don't really think it matters if your in the boonies or not ....us urban dwellers often make daily trips ranging from 10-20 miles the only difference between us really would be the scenery....yours would probably be better...I could only suggest a rear rack w/panniers as I have no experience with xtracycles or trailers....as an example of my heaviest load I've carried 4 gal of water plus groceries on my bike. I live in a sub of New Orleans, La. not the most bikefriendly town for the cyclist/motorist conflicts but I do quite well with a little thought/planning. I use an Ironhorse MTB now though I'm considering a 21sp Schwinn Jetstar cruiser I saw at wallyworld for $189 or the Schwinn Jaguar 3 sp for $99

XtraCycle.

Get good lights, front and rear.

Do they have any public buses in your county? If so a folding bike could be your best friend.

i'll be spending 90% of the time (if not more) on actual paved roads. i've looked at some road bikes but they seem to be considerably more than a hybrid... i'd sure like the additional posture options and hand positions but the hybrids tend to be more affordable.




it varies from season to season but it's very rare that we have any LINGERING, SIGNIFICANT accumulation here on the eastern shore. even in the rare instance we get more than a couple of inches it's often gone fairly quickly (in terms of the time i'd HAVE to be out biking in it).

basically, a road bike would probably be ideal... but considering the budget it looks more like hybrids for me. suggestions/thoughts? and hey... if you can direct me to a road bike that's in the price range of a basic hybrid i'd DEFINITELY consider it.

I haven't gone through all the posts yet, so this may be redundant, but here's my advice: if you want a road bike and your budget is limited, buy a used one. You can get a very nice used road bike for roughly the same price as a decent new hybrid.

Personally, I ride a hybrid, complete with fenders and a rack. I don't have a car, and I'm usually not willing to borrow cars or bum rides, which means I have to haul things by bike, which for me means a rack and panniers, and, really, it's a total travesty to put a rack of any kind on a nice road bike. I'm not super slow on my hybrid, I do around 18-25mph on flat ground, but it's not anywhere near the speeds that the lycra crowd can do. But I can do what I need to do, and I can do it in any weather. Bottom line: decide what you're on the bike for, and choose your wheels accordingly.

I used to ride a hybrid and wear a pack; now I ride a touring frame with a pannier. For me, the touring bike is superior in every way. It's way more comfortable, especially for longer rides. They're also designed to haul a load. With your budget constraints, a good used touring frame sounds like the best bet to me.