View Full Version : Farewell car-free lifestyle.
recursive
05-09-07, 02:05 PM
At 26, I'm buying my first car. I "need" it to get to bike races. For about a year, I've struggled with other methods of getting to them, but there is no other practical way.
Any bumper sticker suggestions?
Cosmoline
05-09-07, 02:20 PM
You can't ride your bike to the bike races?
recursive
05-09-07, 02:47 PM
You can't ride your bike to the bike races?
Not if they're >50 miles away.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-09-07, 02:52 PM
Not if they're >50 miles away.
Others on this list might determine that your need for an automobile is an unnecessary want and you should do without.
recursive
05-09-07, 03:03 PM
Others on this list might determine that your need for an automobile is an unnecessary want and you should do without.
Yeah, it's a want, but I don't see that as a reason not to satisfy it. It's not like I'll driving to work or anything. shudder
makeinu
05-09-07, 03:03 PM
...since you asked how about:
"Bike races are more important to me than the lives of those I might kill with this car."
for a bumper sticker
Others on this list might determine that your need for an automobile is an unnecessary want and you should do without.
And then there are others (ie you) who might determine that the OP's self proclaimed want is a need that cannot be done without.
recursive
05-09-07, 03:09 PM
...since you asked how about:
"Bike races are more important to me than the environment and the lives of those I might kill with this car."
I like the sentiment, but it's really too long for a bumper sticker. They can really only accommodate five words, tops. And that's a stretch.
How about: "Eat CO2, Earth!"
I-Like-To-Bike
05-09-07, 03:18 PM
I like the sentiment, but it's really too long for a bumper sticker. They can really only accommodate five words, tops. And that's a stretch.
How about: "Eat CO2, Earth!"
How about: "Oh, the Humanity!" 3 words and timely too. And Eco-Nanny approved!
How about no bumper sticker? You could be one of those freaks that don't feel the need to project some bit of their identity everywhere they go.
Artkansas
05-09-07, 04:59 PM
At 26, I'm buying my first car. I "need" it to get to bike races. For about a year, I've struggled with other methods of getting to them, but there is no other practical way.
I like the irony.
recursive
05-09-07, 05:21 PM
How about no bumper sticker? You could be one of those freaks that don't feel the need to project some bit of their identity everywhere they go.
Tell us how you feel about vanity plates too.
But for real, I was actually considering not having any bumper stickers, drastic as that sounds. Suggestion duly noted. Maybe I should start a poll featuring the best suggestions.
bill2k1
05-09-07, 09:08 PM
You need a "A Fair Wisconsin Votes No" and a "Green for Governor" the irony would likely end the world.
Have you considered Flexcar or some other car-sharing service? If you just need the car to get to races, it might be a more economical choice than paying for insurance, licensing, maintenance, etc.
In addition, you might find that, since you have the car just sitting there in front of your house anyway, soaking up money whether you use it or not, you'll end up using it more than you originally intended. At first, it'll only be races, and maybe rare, major grocery runs, which seem reasonable, don't they? Then, one day, you'll catch yourself driving your car to a coffee shop a mere 10 blocks from your house, and it's not even raining. After a while, you'll be driving two blocks to 7-11 to buy your twice-daily Big Gulp and bag of Cheetos. Before you know it, you'll be bloated, overweight and wheezing, completely unable to even get on your dusty old bike, much less race it.
recursive
05-09-07, 09:23 PM
Have you considered Flexcar or some other car-sharing service? If you just need the car to get to races, it might be a more economical choice than paying for insurance, licensing, maintenance, etc.
In addition, you might find that, since you have the car just sitting there in front of your house anyway, soaking up money whether you use it or not, you'll end up using it more than you originally intended. At first, it'll only be races, and maybe rare, major grocery runs, which seem reasonable, don't they? Then, one day, you'll catch yourself driving your car to a coffee shop a mere 10 blocks from your house, and it's not even raining. After a while, you'll be driving two blocks to 7-11 to buy your twice-daily Big Gulp and bag of Cheetos. Before you know it, you'll be bloated, overweight and wheezing, completely unable to even get on your dusty old bike, much less race it.
Yes. I have been using Community Car (http://www.communitycar.com) for over a year now as a matter of fact. But their pricing structure really discourages trips over 100 miles, which most races require. I project I will spend at least $400 (from a conventional rental place, CC would cost >$1k probably) on rental alone in July if I do not buy a car, probably more. Minimal insurance will be ~$400/year. I will buy a beater car that runs for ~$3k. I know there will be maintenance costs, but my rental costs should almost pay for a car in two or 3 years.
Owning a car is actually pretty distasteful to me, and I've tried plenty of other options, but I have grudgingly come to the conclusion that it makes sense for me to have one.
bmclaughlin807
05-09-07, 09:26 PM
I know the feeling, recursive... the ONLY reason I would like to have/drive a vehicle is to transport myself to bike rides. *sighs* Ever try to get across a city at 4:00 AM and arrive fresh and ready for a 200 mile bike ride? Not fun at all.
bkrownd
05-09-07, 09:47 PM
I will buy a beater car that runs for ~$3k. I know there will be maintenance costs, but my rental costs should almost pay for a car in two or 3 years.
Beater? You should be able to get a darn nice Toyota for $3000 and it'll probably last 10-15 years or maybe more if you treat it right. ( i.e. let it sleep in the garage on weekdays. ;) )
Any bumper sticker suggestions?
"Avis", "Budget" or something like that. If you need a car for weekends renting should be less expensive.
PS. Expedia.com offers rates ~$20/day for weekends. If you use it for *every* weekend it is still only $2000. Even $3K car will probably cost you more in maitenace and other expenses.
Cyclaholic
05-10-07, 12:02 AM
Not if they're >50 miles away.
Why not?
recursive
05-10-07, 06:13 AM
Why not?
Because:
I would have to wake up as early as 2am in some cases
I wouldn't be fresh and rested for the race after riding 100 miles or more to get there.
It would be prohibitively difficult to carry my spare wheels on my race bike for long distances.
I would need a motel in some cases, as 250 miles in a day including a race, while carrying all my supplies probably would not be able to happen.
But don't think I didn't consider it.
thimblescratch
05-10-07, 06:51 AM
Wow, that would be awefully hardcore to bike to a bike race! :D I think it's impressive though that you've thought about all your options. What a bummer that the community carsharing is not working out. Do you know of someone who will lend you a car, or maybe another cyclist to carpool to races?
Good luck in car shopping, hope you find just what you are looking for. BTW I'm sure you will be fine and not wind up eating Cheetos and wheezing :p
Hm, a bumper sticker. How about "Just resting my legs" or something. Yeah I guess I'm lame, ha.
thimblescratch
05-10-07, 06:55 AM
Actually, the title is 'farewell car-free lifestyle' , but it sounds like you're not giving up that lifestyle at all, only on some weekends. Unless you're planning on increasing the car usage over time. In which case you might want to get some other bumper stickers:D
recursive
05-10-07, 07:07 AM
Wow, that would be awefully hardcore to bike to a bike race! :D I think it's impressive though that you've thought about all your options. What a bummer that the community carsharing is not working out. Do you know of someone who will lend you a car, or maybe another cyclist to carpool to races?
Good luck in car shopping, hope you find just what you are looking for. BTW I'm sure you will be fine and not wind up eating Cheetos and wheezing :p
Hm, a bumper sticker. How about "Just resting my legs" or something. Yeah I guess I'm lame, ha.
I've been borrowing a car from a friend also, but that can get awkward over time. I've also been getting a ride with a team-mate who lives near me, but after he fractured his hip, he hasn't been going to many races.
I suppose you're right that I'm not giving up the lifestyle in general. I hope car ownership doesn't turn out to be a slippery slope.
Resting my legs... that's got potential.
Actually vanity plates are OK. I mean, maybe they're dumb, but it's a little more honest than a bumper sticker. They're called "vanity" plates after all. Bumper stickers are like the "favorite books" section on a myspace page. If I wasn't so disgusted by the ironic perfection of it, I'd have a bumper sticker that says "my self image".
But pure advertisement bumper stickers are OK. So says I.
Howabout:
"Nuke their ass and steal their gas."
put it right above
"Snowy Owls taste like chicken."
How attached are you to racing? Is this something you could do less often? I want to sell my car, maybe you should buy it!
The idea being with me car-free maybe it would balance out.
I vote for a toyota pick-up with this bumper sticker:
1 more car
recursive
05-10-07, 12:15 PM
How attached are you to racing? Is this something you could do less often? I want to sell my car, maybe you should buy it!
The idea being with me car-free maybe it would balance out.
Very attached. Basically, when I'm not racing, I'm counting the days to the next race.
As for your car, I already have a car that I'll likely be buying, and the seller will be going car-free, although not by choice. But sell your car anyway, and increase the car-free balance.
I really like "1 more car".
I hope car ownership won't be a slippery slope for you. It was for me when I had my dad's car for a couple weeks. I only rode about 50 miles in that 2 weeks, down from a typical 200. I used the rain as an excuse, and I suddenly got a lot BUSIER so I "needed" to save time. You know the old saying, "Work expands to fill the time available for it."
Have you thought about a "rent-a-wreck" place? They're a lot cheaper than the the name brand rental places, and they're usually locally owned.
My only other suggestion would be to try to get race organizers to set up car pooling with racers when they pre-register. They really should do that anyway!
Oh if you do get the car--be proactive in getting other racers to ride with you.
The Human Car
05-10-07, 02:16 PM
I can relate I had a hard time getting to races when I was young too. Riding out to the race was a pain to get up so early and getting home was almost a nightmare being totally spent after then race and it seemed I kept getting slower and slower as I crept on back home. I think I was barely doing 4 mph at the last 30 miles and it seemed like I would never get home, really no fun at all. Not to mention coming in second during the race and you are thinking if only I had a little more energy for that last leg.
I think I have seen the vanity plate BTV = Bicycle Transport Vehicle. It seems appropriate and still makes a statement.
I actually have a bumper sticker on my truck that says, "My other car is a Bike" with a pic of a bike on it.
maybe you could get one of those.
Robert C
05-10-07, 05:11 PM
I vote for a toyota pick-up with this bumper sticker:
1 more car
I've seen that sticker; and now, all of the sudden, the lights go on and I understand what it meant.
bkrownd
05-10-07, 09:52 PM
I hope car ownership won't be a slippery slope for you.
Don't worry about that. I got my car 11 years ago, and I STILL bike to work.
It's *children* that will ruin your commitment to a low-impact lifestyle. I've seen that happen so many times...people get children and become major convenience consumers.
I'm guessing that the reason the rental places are so pricy is not the car but the insurance add-on. As a car-free individual, chances are pretty slim that you have auto liability coverage, so the rental place makes you buy their 1 day coverage. Then the CDW (a total rip-off generally) is also a good idea if you are transporting a bike in case you scratch the car or some silliness like that.
I suggest you buy 2 cars. Your primary car being a decent model year 1982 or older, and the second being as cheap as possible (running is unimportant). Then get regular plates & Insurance on car 2, collector plates & collector car insurance on the 82 or older car. As soon as you get the collector plates and the policies are in force, sell/salvage car 1. (You have to have another car to register a collector plate, but once you have it, the plates never expire. Downside is no driving in January, but I doubt there are many races in January around here.
recursive
05-11-07, 07:24 AM
I'm guessing that the reason the rental places are so pricy is not the car but the insurance add-on. As a car-free individual, chances are pretty slim that you have auto liability coverage, so the rental place makes you buy their 1 day coverage. Then the CDW (a total rip-off generally) is also a good idea if you are transporting a bike in case you scratch the car or some silliness like that.
I suggest you buy 2 cars. Your primary car being a decent model year 1982 or older, and the second being as cheap as possible (running is unimportant). Then get regular plates & Insurance on car 2, collector plates & collector car insurance on the 82 or older car. As soon as you get the collector plates and the policies are in force, sell/salvage car 1. (You have to have another car to register a collector plate, but once you have it, the plates never expire. Downside is no driving in January, but I doubt there are many races in January around here.
Possibly the most informative post I've seen on BF. I'll check on this.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-11-07, 07:51 AM
It's *children* that will ruin your commitment to a low-impact lifestyle. I've seen that happen so many times...people get children and become major convenience consumers.
I suspect that is not a problem for a goodly percentage of those who claim the moral high ground of a car free, low-impact lifestyle.
I suspect that is not a problem for a goodly percentage of those who claim the moral high ground of a car free, low-impact lifestyle.
STFU for once...
It must be lonely all alone if you're this judgemental to everyone you meet.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-11-07, 09:32 AM
STFU for once...
How many children in your home? No points for childish responses.
recursive
05-11-07, 09:53 AM
[ collector plate stuff ]
From http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/collecto.htm:
# To qualify for Collector plates, each owner must have at least one other motor vehicle, which is used for regular transportation, and is currently registered in Wisconsin under the same name(s) as the collector vehicle.
My interpretation of this is that the "other" car would actually have to be able to run.
From http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/collecto.htm:
My interpretation of this is that the "other" car would actually have to be able to run.
My take on this was that you need the "other" car to get the collector plates, but if you sell the "other" car, I doubt they would revoke the collector plates on the remaining car. It is getting into the realm of "am I sure this is legal?" but I'm not a lawyer so I can't really say it is or isn't, but I don't see it being a problem.
Essentially though, the law was not conceived to comprehend what you are doing... ie using the car for very limited means. My guess is you would drive the car less than a lot of the MG's I see running around here all summer. Go with your conscious, I just wanted to express the potential.
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