I rarely drive for any purpose, but it occurred to me that when I do, it's almost always for a frivolous reason. I might not be able to stand the idea of taking the car instead of my bike to work even in the dark and the winter but if I have a hankerin' for some fried chicken or feel like tossing down some good beer getting home from work, I'll drive to get there even though it's only .5 mi from my house.

If this weren't dumb enough, the beer and chicken places are on my way home and the first thing I do when getting home is walking the dog for two miles. The drive happens after the dog walk. Like many cyclists, I think there are too many cars on the road because people drive when they shouldn't. I probably do this once or twice a month. Does anyone else do things like that, or am I a hypocrite, insane, or stupid?

Maybe you have a compulsive eating disorder?

Most of my driving is to bring my bike to a faraway century ride, or to go skiing.

Totally frivolous. But I still have twice the miles on my bike in '05 than my car.

It makes sense. Sometimes after getting home, showered, clean clothes, hunger strikes and the last thing I want to do is get ready again go out in the dark, lock up bike at bar and grille. Worst part is putting on a still sweat soaked helmet on wet hair. (yes I know buy a second helmet)

Al

Worst part is putting on a still sweat soaked helmet on wet hair. (yes I know buy a second helmet)


http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/HS-CAP.gif

All the time spend on the bike is a benefit compared to using the car for everything.
I agree with not wanting to put on your bike clothes again sometimes. I think you're fine. You don't have to be all car free to get the benefits of riding a bike as much as you do. I occasionally have to drive relatives long distances, I use a car for that. Not even every month, but I'm not taking my sickly mother in law 60 miles to the hospital on my bike.
My car sits in the driveway most of the time, but it's there.

I rarely drive for any purpose, but it occurred to me that when I do, it's almost always for a frivolous reason... Does anyone else do things like that, or am I a hypocrite, insane, or stupid?
I assume you have not taken an oath not to drive, so what is there to apologize for or explain? If driving meets your needs for any purpose it is not a frivolous reason, hence no need to rationalize your actions to anybody else or yourself.

yeah, you're all of the above! No...wait, you bike to work every day in all weather and seasons, and you feel bad that once a month you drive a mile? Give yourself a break. Besides, who wants cold takeout chicken (or warm beer), anyway?

I probably do this once or twice a month. Does anyone else do things like that, or am I a hypocrite, insane, or stupid?

Yep. I did it last night. I got home late last night, and realized the cats had no food, and that I had forgotten to pick it up on the way home. As I walked to my car to make the 1/4 mile walk or ride to the grocery store, I passed my bike, considered it, and got in the car anyway. Reason? I wanted to get it done faster. Oh, well: I gave up being perfect a long time ago, but I can't seem to drop the habit of expecting perfection.

Any guilt I might feel would be from the satisfaction of frivilous vices rather than using the car. I know I shouldn't be eating fast food, or snacking on non-nutritious fare, or wasting money on lottery tickets, yet I do all these things at least occasionally. Use of the car instead of the bike isn't even a factor.

My riding is an event in itself. Generally I have no purpose other than to ride. Sometimes I ride to visit folks but will skip the visit and keep riding if I don't feel a need for a break. It may seem odd to some and a rationalization on my part, but I see riding and driving as unrelated. My riding goal is to achieve 5000 miles in 06. I don't intend to do it by logging half-mile rides to the corner for a lottery ticket.

No matter how you slice it, driving is easier, though not always quicker :) You definately are not a hypocrite. Even you need a break now and then.

I know I shouldn't be eating fast food, or snacking on non-nutritious fare, or wasting money on lottery tickets, yet I do all these things at least occasionally.
And why not? Don't let the dang puritan moralists or Do-what's-good-for-ya nannies take control. Enjoy living!

I hear what you're saying, I'm trying to eliminate the short trips by car and switch to the bike when possible also. I had a meeting to go to tomorrow, and just assumed I would drive. When I first considered riding I thought it was too far (then realized it was less than 2 miles by bike), then I thought it would be to cold (it will be cold, but the wife got me both wool and silk base layers for Xmas :p ). So I ended up talking myself into it. Now I'm realizing that I can stop by the grocery store on the way home, as well.

Maybe you need to allow yourself to differentiate between the commute and the beer ride. Take an old junker bike, and don't change the clothes you changed into, take your time so you don't break a sweat. Is it ok to have different types of rides? Maybe think of it as a recreational ride since your going for a beer... uh, just don't weave your way home... :beer:

Just pick up the chicken and beer on the way home from work, toss 'em in your panniers and there ya go. It's only 0.5 mi so the beer'll still be cold and the chicken'll still be hot. The nearest KFC to me is close to 0.5 mi and I walk instead of bike cuz it's TOO close to ride my bike.

Move to a city?

Honestly, I fear leaving the city because I am very forgetful (and thus tend to run out at all hours to the 24 deli/minimart for something I forgot).

Insane... but it's not your fault. They put something in the fried chicken. The government makes them do it.

Dogbait :eek:

Insane... but it's not your fault. They put something in the fried chicken. The government makes them do it.

Dogbait :eek:

It's that Iraqi oil they fry it in. :D :p

I'm guilty of the occasional Wendy's fish sandwich fix. But I bike there, so it's all good. :)

Sometimes after getting home, showered, clean clothes, hunger strikes and the last thing I want to do is get ready again go out in the dark, lock up bike at bar and grille. Worst part is putting on a still sweat soaked helmet on wet hair.
Good point. Once you get home from work, the day is done and there should be time to relax. Putting on anything sweaty or soaked once you've dried off is no fun.


Besides, who wants cold takeout chicken (or warm beer), anyway?
Bingo! When the heart is set on something, it's really nice when everything is as good as imagined.

Mmmmm... Crispy fried chicken and cold beer. I will earn it tonight. Today, my HID flaked out 5 miles into the ride so I rode the rest of the way on LED. I have a 1 hour ride in the rain with 3 measly LED's to light my way this evening to look forward to.

but if I have a hankerin' for some fried chicken or ...If its KFC, then yes, you just might be insane :rolleyes:.

I carry a mylar bag (was a chex mix bag) for carrying warm food. Nestled in the bag, keeps burritos warm or frozen tamales cold for many miles (but not at the same time).

There's always that scooter option too ...

It's okay to drive. Really.

Sometimes I drive _just to drive_ ... usually during a blizzard though ... THAT'S FUN !

:p

jw

I rarely drive for any purpose, but it occurred to me that when I do, it's almost always for a frivolous reason. I might not be able to stand the idea of taking the car instead of my bike to work even in the dark and the winter but if I have a hankerin' for some fried chicken or feel like tossing down some good beer getting home from work, I'll drive to get there even though it's only .5 mi from my house.

If this weren't dumb enough, the beer and chicken places are on my way home and the first thing I do when getting home is walking the dog for two miles. The drive happens after the dog walk. Like many cyclists, I think there are too many cars on the road because people drive when they shouldn't. I probably do this once or twice a month. Does anyone else do things like that, or am I a hypocrite, insane, or stupid?


Ever carry beer on a bike? Chances are that you won't want to open it right away if you do.

Ever carry beer on a bike? Chances are that you won't want to open it right away if you do.

I carried soda on a MTB once and gave it to my friend. He was smart enough not to open it though. :(

Ever carry beer on a bike? Chances are that you won't want to open it right away if you do.

I had my worst crash many years ago. Riding home from work with a six-pack in my backpack. Drinking them up as I went along.

As I went through the parking lot that led to the Clearwater Beach causway bike path, a car drove into my path and I T-boned it. I was probably riding no hands at the time. Needed a few stitches. Of course no helmet in those days. And had never heard of "VC". Was there even the concept of "VC" in the early '70s?

Those were the days. :)

I carried soda on a MTB once and gave it to my friend. He was smart enough not to open it though. :(
I loaded a 20oz of Dew in a bottle cage one hot day last summer. 30 miniutes later and bouncing along a not-so evenly paved service street, POW, and a sudden cool wetness on my legs. Yup, the Dew committed explosive sueside. :o

And why not? Don't let the dang puritan moralists or Do-what's-good-for-ya nannies take control. Enjoy living!

One of them things where you and I are in total agreement. :beer:

One of them things where you and I are in total agreement. :beer:
Yeah, I saw lots of responses demanding that the the original poster be "pure" by riding his bike to pick up the beer and fried chicken. It's too bad we're all a bunch of hyper-critical anti-car-at-all-costs folks. Enjoy your drive to pick up your beer and fried chicken.

I am, however, appauled by your choice of vices. Buffalo wings go much better with beer than fried chicken.

I am, however, appauled by your choice of vices. Buffalo wings go much better with beer than fried chicken.
I agree, but for me buffalo wings are only a snack regardless of how many you eat. Fried chicken is dinner.

Must eat dinner first, then snack later.

Must eat dinner first, then snack later.
Better yet, do both concurrently: Pizza AND Beer. Before, during and after a bicycle ride -Sweet Ambrosia!
Tastes dang good after driving a car too.

You men eat yer dinner, eat your.. pork and beans.
I eat more chicken any man ever seen, yeah!
Back door man.
Men don't know, but the.. little girls.. understand.

The Doors.

I probably do this once or twice a month. Does anyone else do things like that, or am I a hypocrite, insane, or stupid?

No no, your not a hypocrite, insane, or stupid... you're organized! You just like to get all your vices taken care of at once.

From my end, I've been known to order a CD spindle or a DVD on-line, because I was too lazy to go to the mall. Its not the bike ride I mind, that's fun and not far enough to break a sweat. Its the actual mall and shopping bit I want to avoid. I have this collection of boxes shipped to me from Mississauga (the mail-order capital of Ontario) for a product I could literally get next door! In fact I am most likely to get off my butt and pick up the product if getting it home would be a challenge... like strapping 6 foot blinds to my top tube, for example.

You men eat yer dinner, eat your.. pork and beans.
I eat more chicken any man ever seen, yeah!
Back door man.
Men don't know, but the.. little girls.. understand.

The Doors.
Wrong.

Willie Dixon and sung by Howlin' Wolf. Covered by the Doors as well as a zillion other white groups who never did it as well as the original.

Bicycling related: another winning combination like pizza, chicken, buffalo wings, beer (and little girls, too) is listening to Howlin' Wolf mp3, tapes and CDs while cycling. Been doing it for years.

Partial lyrics:
They, take me to the doctor, shot full o' holes
Nurse cried, please save the soul
Killed him for murder, first degree
Judge's wife cried, let the man go free

I am, a back door man
I am, a back door man
Well the, men don't know, but little girls understand

Stand out there, cop's wife cried
Don't take him down, rather be dead
Six feets in the ground
When you come home you can eat, pork and beans
I eats mo' chicken, any man seen

I am, a back door man
I am, a back door man

Try:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3249069

for a start on the real deal.

I loaded a 20oz of Dew in a bottle cage one hot day last summer. 30 miniutes later and bouncing along a not-so evenly paved service street, POW, and a sudden cool wetness on my legs. Yup, the Dew committed explosive sueside. :oThank G-d the seat protected you from the shrapnel!
R

No matter how you slice it, driving is easier, though not always quicker :)

Actually, if you live in the city driving is often not easier, because of traffic and parking. I often find myself wishing I had just gone by bike when I get somewhere and there's no parking.

Oh, and I carry beer and soda on my bike all the time without it exploding. I'm not sure what my secret is.

Thank G-d the seat protected you from the shrapnel!
R
Not much shrapnel, really. The bottle split from one end to the other, and the cap blew off. And both me and the bike needed a hosing off. Sticky Dew goo all over, blech...

Actually, if you live in the city driving is often not easier, because of traffic and parking. I often find myself wishing I had just gone by bike when I get somewhere and there's no parking.

Oh, and I carry beer and soda on my bike all the time without it exploding. I'm not sure what my secret is.

Without it getting shook up?

Do you carry it in a backpack?

Oh, and I carry beer and soda on my bike all the time without it exploding. I'm not sure what my secret is.
My now revealed secret plan for transporting beer/soda ("pop" to the less cultured :)) is to ride bikes with built in comfort rides for cyclist as well as beverage cargo in basket on the rear rack; i.e. 622 x 47mm or 26 x 2.125" tires. Good for transporting beer inside of a cyclist too.