Living Car Free - Anybody bike to church?

Church culture has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. I remember the days when everyone dressed up quite a bit for church with suits for men and dresses for women. You'll still find that in a few churches, but the dress code is a lot more relaxed now. Lycra cycle clothing might be out of place, but wind pants and a T-shirt would be quite acceptable.

http://www.living-room.org/slackers.htm "cycling for slackers"

I ride to church; we had a priest visiting from Guatemala who was moved by the whole notion that somebody would forego using a car, and he blessed my bike :-)

I'm trying to go seriously car-lite these days. Mostly, this is pretty convenient, but I've found one place for which it isn't yet - church. Here's the thing: it's 5 miles to one parish, including two significant hills just before I arrive. It's closer to 8 miles to the other, and once again it's hilly. I don't want to be all disgusting when I get there, and frequently it rains, but for a one-hour Mass it seems sort of overkill to drag along a whole change of clothes, get there early enough to change into it, then change again and go home. On the other hand, it seems highly inappropriate to wear spandex in church! Does anyone else bike to church? How do you make it work?

When I bike to church I wear what's appropriate for the weather. God's in charge there. IMHO(accent on the humble part...we ARE talking about going to church:)) showing up in 'full kit' spandex, etc. IS inappropriate, but wearing rain/cold weather gear and/or padded lycra/short combo is perfectly ok. My wife and I attend a small country church about 6 (rolling hills)miles from our house and bike, frequently. We get teased, good-naturedly, but there's a respect in the teasing. A couple gave us some of those lime-green hi-vis t-shirts to wear. It's a Baptist church and although the perception would be they're very conservative, they've come to accept us and love us as if we were family. We're different in alot of ways, but we come together to worship and praise and that's the only thing God's worried about. So, I'd encourage you to bike to church and attend mass in whatever is appropriate for the weather and put the savings in the collection plate as God asks for 1 in ten and returns it a hundredfold.

BTW, 5 miles isn't that far and just take it easy up the big hills. Take a small terrycloth towell w/you and you'll be fine. Just get there 10-15 mins early to allow some 'cool down' time.

I consider all of Earth to be God's temple. So I never ride outside of Church.

Wife and I are reformed Jews so everyone thinks we are weird anyway. We ride to temple (4 miles)when the weather is agreeable and frequently ride our tandem. We dress LL Bean casual as do some others at our temple, No one has ever said anything, but then again they all know we are an easy touch for their committees and projects.

During ice-free months, my wife and I do 10 km (6 miles) to church, in and out of a couple of small ravines. For her, it's the big ride of the week; for me, it's recovery-ride pace.

Generally we leave the house later than we should and go hard to have time to change when we get there.

Wife and I are reformed Jews so everyone thinks we are weird anyway. We ride to temple (4 miles)when the weather is agreeable and frequently ride our tandem. We dress LL Bean casual as do some others at our temple, No one has ever said anything, but then again they all know we are an easy touch for their committees and projects.

Isn't riding a bicycle on the Sabbath considered "work"?

Isn't riding a bicycle on the Sabbath considered "work"?

The local (I assume reformed?) synagogue nearest me, some of them drive, but at one time most of the members lived within walking distance. I would consider cycling less "work" than walking...but times change:p

Aaron:)

My wife, who is out of town, and I attend a kinda downtownish Baptist Church, that holds about 2500, the parking lot, holds maybe 40 cars, .

2500 parishoners at each mass?! Holy smokes, those are rock-concer proportions! Are your choir boys the Who with Roger Daultry and Pete Townsend or something?

I would like to be on your church’s prayer tree. That is a lot of prayer power!

I don't drive to church, nor do I walk, or ride my bicycle, or skateboard, roller-blade - nope none of those. In fact I don't go to church at all - problem solved.

Church culture has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. I remember the days when everyone dressed up quite a bit for church with suits for men and dresses for women. You'll still find that in a few churches, but the dress code is a lot more relaxed now. Lycra cycle clothing might be out of place, but wind pants and a T-shirt would be quite acceptable.


I stopped driving my van several months ago, and it's a good thing I did!! The motor mounts were broken, and the CV joints were shot. The van is fixed now, but still need to get new tail light covers. I had to reinstate my insurance, or else DMV would suspend my registration .... What a hassle!! Even if you don't drive, you still must have insurance.

Since I've been riding my bike again for transportation, I've been learning how to get around and take care of business, shopping, errands .... I usually ride the bus and take my bike with me. I have a serious problem with my feet and cannot walk very far or stand for long.

I ride the bus to church, but take my bike with me, because the bus stop is too far on Sunday. I've been riding my bike all around town, and this morning rode to downtown in only 17 minutes. I don't have to worry about how I dress when I go to church. Our church is very relaxed .... Some people dress up, many do not.

God is not concerned with our dress. He wants our heart ....

-- vja4Him
+_+_+_+_+_+_+

I ride my bike to church when possible. In the summer I wear shorts and a tee shirt. I change into long pants and a different shirt at church. When I was a kid everyone wore a suit and tie, but things have changed. I hardly every wear a coat and tie anymore. I sing in the choir and with the choir robe on I don't guess you would have to wear anything and nobody would know the difference.

I stopped by the office on my way to church this morning. I wore a pair of dress pants and polo shirt with a sweat shirt over. The temperature is 44 this morning. Pulled my socks over my pant legs to keep them out of the chain.

Isn't riding a bicycle on the Sabbath considered "work"?

Considering all the other differences between Orthodox and reformed Jews, I'd guess that they don't have the same ultra strict Shabbat regulations either...

Anyway, bike to church, definitely and wear whatever you like. God sure won't disapprove, and if anybody in the church is, they need their priorities straightened out in a big way.

I have.

Church culture has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. I remember the days when everyone dressed up quite a bit for church with suits for men and dresses for women. You'll still find that in a few churches, but the dress code is a lot more relaxed now. Lycra cycle clothing might be out of place, but wind pants and a T-shirt would be quite acceptable.

I am a lector and ecumenical minister (give out the eucharist), so I always wear a suit and tie.

I bicycle with the suit and tie - about 10 miles round-trip. I wear gaitor leggings to keep the chaingunk off of my pants.

It probably is an interesting sight in the USA to see a fellow bicycling in a suit, but I think it is kinda cool.

I wrote a letter to the church I visit. It is a unity church, where the dress is very relax. Something about come as you are. Anyway, I requested a bike rack. At the time gasoline was at least four dollars per gallon and many people chose not to drive to church due to the cost of driving. The next week there was a bike rack in the front of the church. There are several people who use that bike rack. I am impressed.

I am a lector and ecumenical minister (give out the eucharist), so I always wear a suit and tie.

So am I, but where I go the lay ministers wear albs or cassock and surplice, so what I wear doesn't matter. (When I'm not lecting, I'm in the choir, so I wear the choir robe; hence, what I wear TO church is not seen IN church.)

Wife and I are reformed Jews so everyone thinks we are weird anyway. We ride to temple (4 miles)when the weather is agreeable and frequently ride our tandem. We dress LL Bean casual as do some others at our temple, No one has ever said anything, but then again they all know we are an easy touch for their committees and projects.

who thinks you're weird? the non-jews in your town or the jews in your town that know you ride to shul?

who thinks you're weird? the non-jews in your town or the jews in your town that know you ride to shul?

Perhaps both? I know that some Reform Jews find themselves like Aesop's Bat--who was not accepted by either the birds or the beasts. The gentiles look at them askance for being Jewish--and the more 'frum' Jews look down on them for 'not being Jewish enough.'

spandex is unacceptable anywhere but a race

I bike to wherever I go and in jeans and a shirt most of the time

One of my pastors has been really supportive in finding funding for a bike rack at our Congregational UCC church.

So far, I've only been night-riding to choir rehearsal and to Deaconate meetings, mainly because I bring my two small sons with me on Sundays. (my wife sings professionally at a church in Westchester co.) It's 7.2 miles with a major hill and one tight shoulderless stretch, and I don't quite feel comfortable taking them in the trailer.

I like the idea of bike-to-church day for Earth Day. I think I could get that happening in my congregation, too.

As a Deacon and a choir member, I wear a tie every day. Not sure what I'd do if we started riding to church. I hope to do it when the boys are older.

As a Deacon and a choir member, I wear a tie every day. Not sure what I'd do if we started riding to church. I hope to do it when the boys are older.

I take it your choir doesn't wear robes? (Because who cares what you're wearing under the robe.)

Tie in pocket. When you get to church, duck into the men's room and put it on.

I take it your choir doesn't wear robes? (Because who cares what you're wearing under the robe.)

Tie in pocket. When you get to church, duck into the men's room and put it on.Well, sometimes if we're not singing during communion, I have to serve the elements, or as with a few Sundays ago, I gave a lay sermon on Laity Sunday.

Tie in pocket makes sense. It's definitely not the clothing that is holding me back from riding there on Sundays in addition to Mon and Wed nights.

The UCC is an open minded denomination in general, and I'd be welcomed wearing pretty much whatever. But it's also a church that was founded on that site in 1639 by some early puritain settlers, so there's definitely a stuffy English sort of tradition going on. As a stuffy english teacher of Englsih descent myself... ;) I'm more than content to sport a tie.

To me, wearing a tie and clip every day (even cufflinks some days!) is sort of my own little punk rock rebellion. I mean who DOES that? :)

Gotta be different....!

Standalone, how old are your boys? You said above that transporting them was (part of) the problem.

One is just turned four, the other nearly two. They do very well in our $10 thrift-shop-find instep trailer. Mty wife and I take them around on the tandem on the boardwalk bike path down the hill.

I'm just a little concerned aboiut going on shoulderless roads with them in tow.

You could Xtracycle one of your bikes, the way this lady has:
http://www.cafemama.com/2008/may/03_adventures_of_mamabikeorama.html

or these:

http://urbanmamas.typepad.com/urbanmamas/the-mamas-behind-the-site.html

Here are some videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxsB9knNYko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfthuB1F3oM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbvu36cZfXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfthuB1F3oM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LJElh_dqqM

Awesome. One video convinced me that it was feasible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfthuB1F3oM&feature=related

convincing my wife to let me do it would be a challenge, though. Even on Sunday mornings, roads are pretty busy here on the I-95 corridor.

The expense would be hard for my family to justify, as Jimmy will outgrow a bike seat in about a year.... we're a tall family.

You can then dispense with the seat and have him sit directly on the Snapdeck, or figure out some way to attach one of those half-bikes.

And an Xtracycle is useful for so many other things besides child transport that it would be a good investment.

It probably is an interesting sight in the USA to see a fellow bicycling in a suit, but I think it is kinda cool.

I do this in Southern California with suit but no tie usually. I think I'm the coolest person ever... oh the vanity.

You can then dispense with the seat and have him sit directly on the Snapdeck, or figure out some way to attach one of those half-bikes.

And an Xtracycle is useful for so many other things besides child transport that it would be a good investment.I hear you. I SO want one. I have a huge garage that I do not use for cars and have all the room in the world for bikes.

My LBS, The Devil's Gear usually has an Xtracycle parked outside.

I bought my Fuji there, but I don't know if I trust the wheels to take extra weight. And compared to my old Atala, which was hands-free stable, my $300 hybrid isn't really rideable hands free-- I would think that the less than ideal stability might be further compromised by an extension like that. Or maybe it would improve.

What's funny is that I use my "Devil's Gear" bike to get to church. My wife went to sing for a funeral in Westchester and took along one of their waterbottles. She had to leave it in the car and buy some poland spring. Good thing she noticed!

But mainly I need a folding bike to start train commuting. Investing in an xtra would be a stretch.

I bought my Fuji there, but I don't know if I trust the wheels to take extra weight. And compared to my old Atala, which was hands-free stable, my $300 hybrid isn't really rideable hands free-- I would think that the less than ideal stability might be further compromised by an extension like that. Or maybe it would improve.


Before I moved to the Big Dummy, my X was based off of a Fuji.

Well, I'm going to let you in on a secret. Jesus probably would have been much more sweaty and stinky coming to the temple or synagogue than you are, and I really doubt that he would take an extra change of clothes with him (heck, he probably didn't even have an extra change of clothes). The whole idea of having to wear your Sunday best and attract the right people to church is waaay over rated. You certainly won't be offending God in the least showing up at church wearing spandex or slightly sweaty clothing. (Heck, at my church, we often have a police officer show up in full uniform, gun and all).

I will raise the one issue I would have with someone wearing spandex in church: If you are a woman (which your user name suggests you may be), wearing spandex will emphasize your curves, and as a man, I can tell you it would likely be difficult for other men not to stare and lust and maintain a sexually pure mind. So in this situation, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring a casual set of clothes that you can slip overtop upon arrival. That is my only issue. Even then, spandex probably won't be any worse than what many women wear to church in this regards.

But yeah, as for being sweaty or any of that, I don't think it matters. Some people might be mildly offended, but if you look in the New Testament, Jesus' seemingly irreverant attitudes and actions towards religious establishments and the like regularly offended the religious folk. So I would try not to worry about it. Bike to church to your hearts content!

seriously? do you really think that men are incapable of looking at a women, in a CHURCH of all places, without thinking about her sexually? I guess this is why I stopped going to church! I'm thankful Jesus loves ALL of his children, because I can't help but to think he must be very disappointed with many of his "followers" today.

Back to the original question. YES. I do, but my wife doesn't like doing it for clothing reasons - but she will if I bug her enough. It's easier to park, plus we're actually faster on our bikes than riding in a car, if not the same speed.

We take the beach cruisers, not the road bikes.

We live in a hoity toity area that cycling = CF frame with sponsor logos on the jerseys. A far cry from my hometwon, Santa Cruz, Ca. where cycling is perceived much differently.

This is the ultimate church/grocery/post office/dog runner machine that I built :)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1094/215/97/1626676832/n1626676832_41394_5274.jpg

This is the ultimate church/grocery/post office/dog runner machine that I built :)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1094/215/97/1626676832/n1626676832_41394_5274.jpg

I take it that where you live is as flat as a pancake, then?

Is the clothing issue not being able to cycle in a skirt?

http://www.urbanmamas.com/urbanmamas/images/2008/09/25/img_0376.jpg

Or:
http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/

or:
http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/index.html

She's a die-hard wear'er (is that a word?) of L.A.M.B. brand clothing that she doesn't like to mess up. She doesn't wear skirts, and she only has either nice or beater clothes, nothing in between. So when we cycle to church, she doesn't really like to be in her beater clothes.

Yes, it's flat from our house to our parish.

L.A.M.B.=Love Angel Music Baby- the names of gwen stefani's harijuku dancers, I wish I didn't know that, darn girlfriend!

L.A.M.B.=Love Angel Music Baby- the names of gwen stefani's harijuku dancers, I wish I didn't know that, darn girlfriend!

Dude... let me school you. :roflmao2:

LAMB was the name of her childhood dog that she loved. From the name, came the acronym... and that's how she named her dancers.

I know, I'm pathetic. Wait, I'm married! :twitchy: :lol:

Yes, it's flat from our house to our parish.

Good; that singlespeed would never make it here; we're called "the Mountain State" for good reason. If you're good enough to mash up some of our hills (33% or more grade), then you're a better man than I.

Dude... let me school you. :roflmao2:

LAMB was the name of her childhood dog that she loved. From the name, came the acronym... and that's how she named her dancers.

I know, I'm pathetic. Wait, I'm married! :twitchy: :lol:

you win!:lol::p

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/jesus.jpg

I firmly believe that a certain Divine Person would have rode a bicycle had they been available at the time. ;)

Up until recently I had to walk with a stick due to illness and it really amazed me that I was the only one arriving at Mass on foot or else by bicycle. And what's more I know very well that more than just a few of the congregation live just 'down the road' from the parish church. Just plain silly I call it, - riding about in motorcars when they'd do a lot better healthwise if they walked. http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/nunroll.gif

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/jesus.jpg



I love that image!

Well as long as she's making sure to fit in and show off her clothes it's ok.