Commuting - Cars, more trouble than they're worth

Bless me cyclo-commuters, for I have sinned:
I try to ride as much as possible, but I had to bring my car into the shop last week for a repair. Since they expected to keep the car overnight, I'd have been happy to get a ride to work or cab fare to the office, but instictively, they had a rental waiting for me when I got there. Ok, whatever.

So I drove the rental the next day, figuring my own car would be ready, and I'd have to return the rental and drive my own car home, but the shop called and said 'one more day'. So I drove the rental home, and I felt a little frustrated that I drove a car on a day that I could have easily (and normally) biked to work.

Then the next day, Wednesday, I had to pick up my car and return the rental. More driving, less riding.

Thursday, and Friday, I had planned to drive anyway, but wasn't too happy about it.

so a whole week went by without riding... UGH! And the most frustrating thing is that a full three days of riding were lost purely due to the care and feeding of a car that I wasn't even driving, and that I maintian pretty much only to get me to work on days that I don't ride, or drive me to trailheads for mountain biking on weekends.

Am I wrong to feel that my car is more trouble than its worth?

Yes! It has feelings. You most coddle it :p

Seriously,
That is one of my reasons we no longer own 2 cars. I can never stay caught up on maintenance and it always seems like one or the other was having problems. At least I can work on a bike.

Ah, don't sweat it. Over the long term a couple of extra car driving days is no big deal, it will all average out. Besides, you'e only committed a venial sin, so just say a couple of Mea Campy's and Hail Marins and your soul will be none the worst for wear.

I had a record mileage month in July, but have had some medical problems in August which as kept me off of the bike about half of the days.

I can't begin to tell you how guilty I've felt for not riding. What bothers me more is that I feel like I've taken a couple steps backwards as far as progress on the bike goes. Driving to work is just plain depressing as far as I'm concerned.

My sin will be premeditated. A buddy wants me to drive my camper van next Tues to pick him up from the Harley dealer and take him back after work to pick up his bike (15000 mile maintenace). Since he's a good friend and occasionally lets me ride it to lunch, I'm going to drive. That and an occasional tank of gas is a pretty good deal, I think, to occasionally ride a Duece, Road King, or Electra Glide Classic to lunch.

Doesn't sound like a big deal, but I've only missed 5 work days since April, so this will spend number 6 when I have no other need for a car.

This may not be an option to you, but whenever I have to take the car to the shop I put the bike on the rack and ride back. Most repair shops and dealerships have early bird drop-offs that will give you time to get to work.

I always bring my bike along when I deliver a car to the shop, either on a bike rack (car) or inside the vehicle (station wagon). Bike racks are also good for taking the bike to\from the LBSwhen it is not ridable. I have a detachable bike rack that requires only a few minutes of cussing to attach.

Paul

Eh, I've had a similar week. And it's pretty much going to stay that way, unfortunately.

Sunday I did all my commuting by bike, Monday (yesterday) I had to run a computer across town to a client, but I *DID* throw my bike in the bed of the truck and still got ~15 miles in on a trail on the other side of town. Tonight I won't get any riding in at all as I need to take a computer to the fiancee woman thing, so I'll be doing a quick 30 minutes on the elliptical at the gym.

Tomorrow I'll be bike commuting to a meeting, thank the lord! Thursday is a very long across-town adventure/pleasure ride. But Friday I need to commute to a preschool picnic right after work (I *COULD* bike but I don't want to show up all sweaty - it's predicted to be in the 90's the rest of the week).

Saturday, however, looks good. I'll be biking across town to the fairgrounds and working (on bike) during the state fair - maybe I can show the state patrol bike officers how it's done ;). Should probably be a half-century day for mileage.

But then I'll be riding with the fiancee out of town for the evening in the car :(.

Oh well, I get what I can in, and as long as I'm not driving everyday I guess I'm doing much better - right? :)

I have found that scheduling issues like this are now the biggest impediment to riding. I can ride in rain, darkness, and cold down to zero degrees, but taking the car for repairs, driving the kids places, etc. just keep "happening" and I can't seem to stop them. Very frustrating.

Ah, don't sweat it. Over the long term a couple of extra car driving days is no big deal, it will all average out. Besides, you'e only committed a venial sin, so just say a couple of Mea Campy's and Hail Marins and your soul will be none the worst for wear.

Hahaha best... response... ever. :D I hope you don't mind if I make it sig material. :D (Edit: particularly amusing given your BF handle "San" Rensho, heh)

Back on topic... agree. OP, we've all been there, wishing we could have ridden more but for real life's interference. It will smooth itself out. A little rest from time to time isn't such a bad thing, after all.

My car smells horrible in the inside so it needs to be freshened it is the sole reason why I don't drive it. Not to sure were it came from I think the last user was messy because there are lots of stains in the carpet or some one died in there and I wasnt told

I always bring my bike along when I deliver a car to the shop, either on a bike rack (car) or inside the vehicle (station wagon). Bike racks are also good for taking the bike to\from the LBSwhen it is not ridable. I have a detachable bike rack that requires only a few minutes of cussing to attach.

Paul

Yup, good idea. I did that when I had to take in my elderly "Red Menace" in for a clutch job. Just before I turned the keys in to the mechanic, I snagged the Mongoose off the car. When the car was ready to be picked up (of course, at the end of their work day) the mechanic stayed an extra few minutes while I zipped across town to pick it up. He was amazed at the speed I was able to get to his shop. Considering the state of car traffic at 'rush' hour around here, a bike is faster in any case.

Hahaha best... response... ever. :D I hope you don't mind if I make it sig material. :D (Edit: particularly amusing given your BF handle "San" Rensho, heh)

Back on topic... agree. OP, we've all been there, wishing we could have ridden more but for real life's interference. It will smooth itself out. A little rest from time to time isn't such a bad thing, after all.

Of course, my son, please take it with my blessing!

My car fix-em-up place is just a block from work, so that's helpful. I don't need a rental because I can walk home in a pinch. Still, I get grumpy when I can't ride my bike to work for one reason or another.