Living Car Free - Car Free Coworker
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I had been seeing a MTB in the rack at work on a very regular basis. When I was leaving work yesterday I discovered it belongs to a coworker. He was just getting ready to take off. We talked a little and it turns out he has been car free for 10 years. His commute is a little shorter than mine, about 5 miles. He works 10 hr. shifts, so he comes in pretty early. It's still chilly at 5 am, so he has to wear a jacket. It's hot by the time he gets off, tho. What surprised me is that he has no rack, and didn't even have a backpack with him, so he had to just tie the jacket around his waste. He said he has a Camelback he could use, but just never thinks about it.
maddyfish
07-09-07, 07:43 AM
Well, I've always thought people make using a bike as a utility a little too complicated. Sounds like he's about as simple as it gets.
I'm a minimalist too. But I do use a backpack on most rides.
I wonder what he does if he flats? He can't have any tools with him. I imagine he would just walk the bike home and fix it there. But if he flatted on his way to work he'd probably be late.
I'm a minimalist too. But I do use a backpack on most rides.
I wonder what he does if he flats? He can't have any tools with him. I imagine he would just walk the bike home and fix it there. But if he flatted on his way to work he'd probably be late.
He does have a saddlebag. It doesn't really look big enough for a pump; maybe a mini. And he is running knobbies, so he probably doesn't get many punctures. I have 1.5 slicks and I have only flatted once. That was on the way back from the store rather than during a commute. It was a slow leak (3 thorn holes) so I was able to just pump it up and ride the rest of the way home for the repair.
He does have a saddlebag. It doesn't really look big enough for a pump; maybe a mini. And he is running knobbies, so he probably doesn't get many punctures. I have 1.5 slicks and I have only flatted once. That was on the way back from the store rather than during a commute. It was a slow leak (3 thorn holes) so I was able to just pump it up and ride the rest of the way home for the repair.
Of course you've totally jinxed yourself now! :p