For starters, my life isn't entirely car free. I live at home (am just going into grade 12), and do not own a car of my own (I don't have a job, gas and insurance would kill me, etc. etc). In fact, the way gas prices are looking now is giving me more incentive not to get a car. Ironically, it was a movie about cars that got me into cycling in the first place (but thats another story).
So, I have taken to biking more as both a practical means of transport and getting rid of some excess fat. However, I live in a small town with only a few stores. The nearest major economic center is, roughly 30 Kms away. So, I finally decided to give it a go at riding out there and back under my own power. Took me rougly an hour and a half each way. I got home about an hour ago and am beat. Biking that far regularly is not very practical for me, yet. But I still am proud of this little milestone in my life. I'm figuring that if I continue biking regularly 15 - 30 km/day, soon enough it will become more practical.
So I thought that I would share my accomplishment with all you whilst I go about my buisness feel warm and fuzzy (and sore) inside.
AverageCommuter
08-28-05, 07:34 PM
Congratulations.
Since you've got to go 30km to get anything you can't get locally, be sure to stock up when you do make the trip.
Platy
08-28-05, 08:22 PM
Well done! You've obviously overcome the common belief among non-cyclists that anything over say 10 km is too far to go on a bike and requires superhuman abilities.
sydney_b
09-06-05, 12:15 PM
Very cool Sir Lunch-Alot (cute name btw). Congrats.
My son is a sophmore and he's recently discovered that his bike truly is good transportation. This summer when I told him I wouldn't give him rides because I had bought him a nice bike, he whined and whined. A few rides later, he was really happy with his wheels and now uses it to visit his most distant friends. What's really sad tho, is that his high-school is right in our neighborhood and has a teeny little bike rack with only 6-20 bikes on it each day.... The school has nearly 2000 students. So, you can see that in his peer group there's not a lot of support for vehicular bicycling. Fortunately, he's the kind of person who does his own thing. You sound like you are too. Glad you posted and keep on peddlin'.
lilHinault
09-06-05, 02:30 PM
Sir Lunch-a-lot, when you're in the Tour De France be sure to let Phil Liggett know you were known as Sir Lunch-a-lot so we'll know it's you, you're off to a great start!
30km is a lot for a beginner, but overall it sounds like you're doing a good job of working up to it. After a year or two of "seasoning" it will seem like nothing.
Roody
09-06-05, 04:38 PM
You are very much on the right track. Rides that used to seem impossible to me are now routine.
And it's funny how all my riding has eroded away those once uclimbable hills. Now they're just little bumps that I barely gear down for.
af895
10-06-05, 08:46 PM
For starters, my life isn't entirely car free. I live at home (am just going into grade 12), and do not own a car of my own (I don't have a job, gas and insurance would kill me, etc. etc). In fact, the way gas prices are looking now is giving me more incentive not to get a car. Ironically, it was a movie about cars that got me into cycling in the first place (but thats another story).
So, I have taken to biking more as both a practical means of transport and getting rid of some excess fat. However, I live in a small town with only a few stores. The nearest major economic center is, roughly 30 Kms away. So, I finally decided to give it a go at riding out there and back under my own power. Took me rougly an hour and a half each way. I got home about an hour ago and am beat. Biking that far regularly is not very practical for me, yet. But I still am proud of this little milestone in my life. I'm figuring that if I continue biking regularly 15 - 30 km/day, soon enough it will become more practical.
So I thought that I would share my accomplishment with all you whilst I go about my buisness feel warm and fuzzy (and sore) inside.
That's awesome! I did a 57km ride a little while ago (suburb to downtown) - though I can bus it, I just wanted to ride it. :) I was SO DEAD at the end of it! You should be proud. That's a big milestone.
You're going to find, IF you bike regularly, push a bit harder, go a little farther and faster, that 60km round-trip is going to seem TINY in the future. Keep at it! :D
"I don't have a job, gas and insurance would kill me, etc. etc"
Buddy, even if you HAVE a job, gas and insurance will kill you... ;)
becnal
10-06-05, 10:50 PM
Do that ride 3 times a week and you'll find you have no more excess fat left to burn off.
One need not be fit to ride. One need ride to be fit!