Conflicting hobbies?

[lightbulb]

Does anyone else enjoy working on cars and living car lite? I wouldn't exactly call myself car lite at this point (it's cold here!), but I bike to work as often as I can, and I'm hoping to get into more of a car lite lifestyle. At the same time, I love sporty cars, and I love working on them.

Neither of my cars are gas-guzzlers, but when I'm out driving, I can't help but feel a little bit conflicted. I think to myself "I could be biking instead, and not using this gas", but I enjoy the drive as well.

Just curious to see if there are others out there like me.

[zowie]

I love classic gas guzzlers! It's especially a conflict because I only take them out on sunny days when I certainly could be riding.

[marengo]

I really like old cars, and I write on occasion for a car magizine. But I do not own one. There is however a 356 engine in the closet, I've got to have something to tinker with you know.

[gerv]

Have you tried working on bikes? I find you need fewer tools and parts cost much less. And there's a real sense of accomplishment when you've finished your first derailleur adjustment. Although I guess it's nothing like rebuilding a transmission... not that I ever got that far! :)

[kf5nd]

Maybe you could direct your talents to this question - how to do conversions of classic (well, maybe not truly classic, but near classic) cars to 100% electric.

[chevy42083]

I am definatly a car enthusiast. Not in favor of gas guzzlers, but i did swap a V8 into my S-10 to race it. I can't help it... I love the speed and power.

With that said... i've always been a recreational rider, and plan to swing more and more towards bike commuting. Hopefully the truck will be weekend only vehicle fairly soon.

I don't feel you have to give a car up completely... but limiting it's use is always positive.

[lightbulb]

Have you tried working on bikes? I find you need fewer tools and parts cost much less. And there's a real sense of accomplishment when you've finished your first derailleur adjustment. Although I guess it's nothing like rebuilding a transmission... not that I ever got that far! :)

I actually do most of the work on my bikes, but I haven't done anything too extensive. I actually just swapped out my stem, and I still have to rewrap the handlebars. Bikes are too simple, there's not enough there to break on a regular basis;)

I generally will take it in to the LBS to get something like the bottom bracket rebuilt, but I have no doubt that I could figure it out myself if I had to. I just have found that cars are much more expensive to get someone else to work on them, so I do the work myself to save money. On a bike, most repairs are under $100 at the shop. Compare that to doing something simple like brakes on my car, where the shop wants to charge me $600 - for the basics. No thanks, I'll do everything myself for $200.

[lightbulb]

Maybe you could direct your talents to this question - how to do conversions of classic (well, maybe not truly classic, but near classic) cars to 100% electric.

I think I'd only want a 100% electric car if I already had a source of renewable energy on my property (like solar, wind, etc). Otherwise, the electric bill could get pretty expensive I would think.

Or maybe you were planning on plugging it in with an extension cord to the neighbor's house:D

[jamesdenver]

I enjoy flying planes. My airport is out in the middle of nowhere, requiring a car. There's nothing environmentally friendly about punching holes in the sky or flying 300 miles by myself to the middle of nowhere for no reason, but it sure is fun.

[bragi]

I've never been a car person, to be honest, and it was actually pretty painless for me to stop driving the infernal machines. With all due respect, I just don't get why a person would want anything to do with them; they're expensive, they're noisy, they break frequently, they're bad for the environment, and the amount of land they need, in the form of parking lots and freeways, is enormous. But that's just me. If some of you want to work on cars and tear up pavement on some Sunday afternoons, help yourself.

(BTW, I'm not being self-righteous; I do own an engine of my own, an outboard on my sailboat, which I work on frequently, damn that piece of s**t, but if I could find a way to propell the boat in tight quarters without one, I'd throw it overboard immediately...)

[wahoonc]

I've never been a car person, to be honest, and it was actually pretty painless for me to stop driving the infernal machines. With all due respect, I just don't get why a person would want anything to do with them; they're expensive, they're noisy, they break frequently, they're bad for the environment, and the amount of land they need, in the form of parking lots and freeways, is enormous. But that's just me. If some of you want to work on cars and tear up pavement on some Sunday afternoons, help yourself.

(BTW, I'm not being self-righteous; I do own an engine of my own, an outboard on my sailboat, which I work on frequently, damn that piece of s**t, but if I could find a way to propell the boat in tight quarters without one, I'd throw it overboard immediately...)

Depending on the boat...an electric trolling motor or a sweep/sculling oar. I had a small (16'-18') sail boat and used a sculling oar on it.

Aaron:)

[funrover]

I bike a lot.... and love cars.. I was a mechanic for years also!! So I hear ya!

[LandLuger]

Like many youths, I was into import moding until it became apparent one needed virtually bottomless pockets to seriously compete. Having gained some wisdom since then I channel my energies into the alternative energy technologies. For example, I recently enjoyed building up another custom electric bike for a family member.

If you just can't shake off the habit then you might want to put your energy into electric powered dragsters like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G32E4li3xHI

Personally--morality aside--I wouldn't waste my sweat, blood, and money on building up anything that runs on gas; the future is just too shaky. Maybe you could invest your energies and burgeoning bicycle mechanic skills on restoring bicycles for friends and neighbors, and probably gain more personal satisfaction at the same time.

[Kimber]

I've never been a car person, to be honest, and it was actually pretty painless for me to stop driving the infernal machines. With all due respect, I just don't get why a person would want anything to do with them; they're expensive, they're noisy, they break frequently, they're bad for the environment, and the amount of land they need, in the form of parking lots and freeways, is enormous. But that's just me. If some of you want to work on cars and tear up pavement on some Sunday afternoons, help yourself.

(BTW, I'm not being self-righteous; I do own an engine of my own, an outboard on my sailboat, which I work on frequently, damn that piece of s**t, but if I could find a way to propell the boat in tight quarters without one, I'd throw it overboard immediately...)

I agree with the sentiment you express. I resent my car in the extreme, I can see a practical way to live without it totally. I live to far from work to reliably comute, you already know all the excuses I'm sure.

[wahoonc]

I am a mechanically freak, period. I love tinkering and taking things apart and finding out how and why they work or don't work. I have restored several cars, trucks and tractors as well as a couple of bicycles. I also have a 1975 Airstream as an ongoing project. I don't know how much longer it will be a viable hobby, but I intend to enjoy it as long as I can. I am getting to where I don't enjoy driving anymore, it has become a real chore. I can also see the writing on the wall as it comes to ICE vehicles. So I have been moving my skills to things less related to the cars. But it is a skill that will serve many of us into the future when the desk jobs go away and you have to make a living fixing something or anything. I suspect there are going to be many things that you are going to have to create because they won't be available anymore.

Aaron:)

[gerv]

I am a mechanically freak, period. I love tinkering and taking things apart and finding out how and why they work or don't work.

I think many here find bicycle repair insufficiently challenging. Has anyone tried wheelbuilding for their bikes? That, in my opinion, is a real art...

[wahoonc]

I think many here find bicycle repair insufficiently challenging. Has anyone tried wheelbuilding for their bikes? That, in my opinion, is a real art...

Been there still do it. All of my wheels so far have just been your basic 3x nothing real fancy. I even reuse hubs, rims and spokes:p (talk about a challenge;) ) I really feel bad for people with no mechanical abilities. I know I would be screwed many times over if I had to pay shop labor rates for all the stuff I do.

Aaron:)

[Artkansas]

I love classic gas guzzlers! It's especially a conflict because I only take them out on sunny days when I certainly could be riding.

Me too. I wanted to be a car designer all the time I was growing up. But the gas crisis in the '70s made me think that the fun had gone out of that career.

My favorite way to indulge that passion has been to be a driver at an exotic car auction. And on occasion I'll rent a car and go blasting.

In the opposite direction, I have a tug because being car-free makes it much harder to make it to social functions where I can make contacts to improve my animation career. I haven't resolved it, but with the buses getting bike racks soon, I can at least ride into town and be cool and presentable and then pedal home.

[donham]

My conflict is that I sell cars. I have been out of the business a number of times, but always seem to return. I commute by bike to work and yes the other salespeople just do not understand why I would ride a bike when I could be driving. Oh well!
I will be collecting Social Security soon and perhaps then I will be out of this business.
Right now I have 1 car in Maine and 1 in Florida. I have tried to convince my wife that we could do ok with just 1. So far no luck.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

In the 80's I did artwork for car magazines.
I like classic cars. Not driving them so much though, just
from a design standpoint. The funny thing was I didnt
even own a car for some of the time I was doing all this
automotive related work !

[biketony]

I sold my Harley last december. I LOVED riding, but got bored with the 'biker' scene. Now, I find myself lusting after something sportier (like a Ducati). Of course, this plays hell with my _professed_ values...I can't pretend that I NEED a motorcycle! In all seriousness, I can carry a LOT more stuff on my bicycle, especially with a trailer.

[!!Comatoa$ted]

I hate cars, but I love watching Saturday morning car shows on Spike, that seem to be infomercials. I guess First think Saturday morning I need something real easy on the brain.

[wahoonc]

I fell of the wagon today...bike wagon:o I have been working on restoring a couple of Honda Trail 70's for someone. Got one done and took it for a run. That thing is a blast...wonder what kind of mileage it gets:rolleyes: :D

Aaron:)

[pj7]

I'm car free, but I do own a vehicle. It's a 1976 Jeep Scrambler, but there is no way I can rive it to work and back, or on any policed street for that matter. ;)
I only drive it at the Jeep Jamboree, which my employer sponsors. And the great part is, they take it there for me!
Other than 4-Wheeling, I don't drive. But I only get out in the mud in my jeep a few times a year, and only in designated places.

[venturi95]

I have a thing for Datsuns, do simple repairs to them. 25 years ago I thought I wanted to be a panel beater at a custom fabrication shop. I was tired of working for this bike frame builder, but one summer working around high dollar automobiles brought me to my senses, plus I kind of sucked at some of it. Funny thing is, I have always hated the way cars have taken over modern life in Amerika.

[Alekhine]

(BTW, I'm not being self-righteous; I do own an engine of my own, an outboard on my sailboat, which I work on frequently, damn that piece of s**t, but if I could find a way to propell the boat in tight quarters without one, I'd throw it overboard immediately...)

Same here. My sloop (technically my dad's, but his preferred boat is way nicer, so he's pretty much gifted this little monster to me) has an inboard motor, and the basin we call home is pretty tight (Beccue Boat Basin in Wilson, NY). My father's a master and can navigate the thing with sails alone if he feels like showing off or the motor has inexplicably died, but I've never tried it myself and don't intend to anytime soon!

What kind of boat do you have, out of curiosity? Ours is a 1978 Ericson 32. I don't have pics of it hosted anywhere, but it's pretty much this exact model:

http://www.sailingtexas.com/sericson32a.html

[Artkansas]

I hate cars, but I love watching Saturday morning car shows on Spike, that seem to be infomercials. I guess First think Saturday morning I need something real easy on the brain.

I like the show like Monster Garage, Overhauled and American Chopper. The appeal to me though is that all on of these shows they are trying to finish art projects. As an animator and artist, the only difference is that they use metal and I use pixels. The silly deadlines seem to be a constant.

[same time]

I love (watching) auto racing. To me, racing around a track really fast on Sunday is a good use for cars, while driving to and from work every day is a bad use for cars.

I love driving go-karts, too, especially after five or six beers. But I would never drink and drive on the road.

[scottyk]

I like watching NASCAR with my family every Sunday. That being said, I would never buy any merchandise or go to a race. This would be supporting an extremely wasteful thing. But by watching on TV, I am not contributing to their profits at all.

[Roody]

I'm car free, but I do own a vehicle. It's a 1976 Jeep Scrambler, but there is no way I can rive it to work and back, or on any policed street for that matter. ;)
I only drive it at the Jeep Jamboree, which my employer sponsors. And the great part is, they take it there for me!
Other than 4-Wheeling, I don't drive. But I only get out in the mud in my jeep a few times a year, and only in designated places.
What about mountain biking? You get the excitement of 4-wheeling--and probably a lot more--but you're closer to nature and friendlier to it too. Of course, from Detroit you might still need to drive to get to good MTB trails.

[BigRedSnackFoam]

I don't know how much longer it will be a viable hobby, but I intend to enjoy it as long as I can. IMHO, cars will still be viable as a hobby long after they are given up for personal transport. When it comes to hobby cars (antique, classic, racing, etc) most of them spend 99% of their time locked up in a garage, not being driven.

[Sammyboy]

I have a monthly feature in Practical Classics, the UK's biggest selling classic car mag, so yeah, I have divided loyalties. I have a gas-guzzling MPV, which was what made me decide to be car-lite - I have to have it to pick up bikes (classic bike dealing is one of my spare time businesses too), but I felt really bad about driving it the rest of the time. So, now I have a tourer with a trailer for grocery hauling, a tandem for running my son about, and doing trips with my girlfriend - anything to avoid driving the big Toyota. The g/f has a Ford Fiesta which I use for business trips (my day job as an account manager/consultant/trainer takes me all over the country), and the Toyota is getting very few miles on it!

In addition, I own the bus below, which I drove to India and back in the late 90's, and which is about to get the TLC it's deserved ever since......

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/BusfromSide.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/BusfromFront.jpg

[pj7]

What about mountain biking? You get the excitement of 4-wheeling--and probably a lot more--but you're closer to nature and friendlier to it too. Of course, from Detroit you might still need to drive to get to good MTB trails.

I mountain bike, as well as all of my other biking (no road racing stuff though). I can take the bus from my house to Stoney Creek in about an hour and do that quite regularly. Plus there are alot of bandit trails in Dodge Park which is only 7 miles or so from my house.
But 4-wheeling has been in my blood since my early days, in fact, my jeep belonged to my dad when I was just a kid. Call me sentimental I guess.
And I can't overlook the fact that my employer pays for the parts and upkeep on the thing, even though their name is plastered across the hood (when you can read it).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not some rebel flag waiving redneck from kentcuky... well, not the rebel flag part anyways, I do enjoy peace and quiet most of the time, especially when out in the woods, but 4-wheeling is the only link to my past that I still have left.