I finally did it!

[Elkhound]

I got rid of my car Saturday.

I have three bikes:

1. A Trek hybrid (more on the mountain-y side) that is my primary bike.
2. A Monterrey hybrid with an Xtracycle free radical for when I need to haul large amounts.
3. A Montague folder for travelling.

Fortunately, Charleston is a fairly compact city. The only daunting part is when I need to get out of the flats; West Virginia is not called 'the Mountain State' for no good reason.

[fat_bike_nut]

Good for you :)

Dang, sounds like you're prepared when it comes to bikes.

[Artkansas]

Congratulations. Your Trek ought to serve you well in getting out of the city. I understand your situation. The west half of Little Rock is in the Ouachita mountains so there are no flat spots in my commute. Well done!

I don't know if you have equipped it with street slicks, they will help. Also I just rediscovered the joys of toe clips for a little extra power.

[Elkhound]

Congratulations. Your Trek ought to serve you well in getting out of the city. I understand your situation. The west half of Little Rock is in the Ouachita mountains so there are no flat spots in my commute. Well done!

I don't know if you have equipped it with street slicks, they will help. Also I just rediscovered the joys of toe clips for a little extra power.

All three bikes have 'campus' pedals--cleats for clipless shoes on one side and platforms on the other. (I think they're called 'campus' pedals because college students are always borrowing one another's bikes.) All three have semi-slicks as I don't do serious 'mountain biking'. The Trek has voluminous front and rear panniers, and the Xtracycle has (in addition to the freeloaders, and wideloaders when necessary) large front panniers and a large handlebar bag.)

The Montegue has front & rear racks, but no panniers mounted on them yet. I have a garment bag that will go on the rear rack, and have a carry bag for the whole bike. When I go to visit relatives/friends out of town I can ride to the Greyhound or Amtrack station, fold up my bike into its own bag, and check it as luggage.

[adgrant]

Congrats, got rid of mine a couple of days before you.

[Sianelle]

Well done :) Sounds like you've got a really good useful selection of bicycles to cover all transport options. I like the sound of your Montegue folding bike and the way it zips up into its own carry bag. Very handy :D

[Chuckie J.]

Congratulations! The first year, I think, will be the hardest but it seems like you did your homework. It took me years to figure out how useful an xtracycle can be.

Good luck and welcome to the world of car-free living.

[gosmsgo]

All three bikes have 'campus' pedals--cleats for clipless shoes on one side and platforms on the other. (I think they're called 'campus' pedals because college students are always borrowing one another's bikes.)

Not trying to hijack this thread but I HATE those types of pedals. They try to be both a clipless and platform pedals but you end up with a pedal that sucks as both. No matter how I try to ride the damn pedal is always flipping to the other side.

ERRRRR.....I would rather just change pedals occasionally.

Sorry, now resume patting this guy on the back.

[Roody]

OK Elkhound, consider your back patted again, and adgrant too. I bet you'll love it!

(edit: I mean you'll love being carfree, not the back pats. :))

[bmclaughlin807]

Not trying to hijack this thread but I HATE those types of pedals. They try to be both a clipless and platform pedals but you end up with a pedal that sucks as both. No matter how I try to ride the damn pedal is always flipping to the other side.

ERRRRR.....I would rather just change pedals occasionally.

Sorry, now resume patting this guy on the back.

I like my campus pedals. ;) To each his own. I guess that's why there are so many different types of pedals out there.

[Abneycat]

I like the theory of campus pedals, but it can be pretty dangerous to put your foot down on your pedal while wearing normal shoes without thinking, and have your foot quickly slide off the SPD and cut your ankle up instead.

[Newspaperguy]

Congratulations, Elkhound.

The first year is going to be a nice learning curve with a lot of cool new experiences. Enjoy each one and come back here often to share your progress and challenges with us.

You're going car-free now as the days are getting short and the temperatures are getting cool. Will you have to deal with snow, ice, sleet or freezing rain this winter and if so, are you prepared? If you have those conditions in hilly country, well, let's just say you won't be bored.

[MyBikeGotStolen]

I have the campus pedals and I agree it is such a chore to have to life your foot for a fraction of a second to let the pedal flip :rolleyes:

I have noticed that if you put your normal shoes on the spd side, you just feel a slight lump, then you just lift your foot again and the pedal flips itself. No slipping involved.

I have them on my commuter bike and I love them. I just got an older road bike with toe clips last week and for the one trip I have used them, I am thinking they might be the way to go.

BTW, good luck Elkhound, you sound very well prepared in the bike department!

[Elkhound]

Thanks. Over the last couple of years, I have used the car only when necessary, and I set a high bar for myself as to when it was 'necessary.'

I'm sorry to say that one of the things that moved me to go carfree was my Father's death, but one of the things I used the car for was to take him on various errands. (Father never learned to ride a bike, and even if he had, over the last couple of years he would have been incapable of doing so.)

[Roody]

Thanks. Over the last couple of years, I have used the car only when necessary, and I set a high bar for myself as to when it was 'necessary.'

I'm sorry to say that one of the things that moved me to go carfree was my Father's death, but one of the things I used the car for was to take him on various errands. (Father never learned to ride a bike, and even if he had, over the last couple of years he would have been incapable of doing so.)

Interesting. I'm sure that caring for elderly parents is a reason that many people can't be totally carfree.

The only driving I do (10 or so miles every few weeks) is to drive my dad on his errands. I drive his car, since I don't own one. Today I took him to the barber shop and to a department store, and he took me out to lunch. (Good deal for me, I'd say ;)) My dad sure can't walk or ride a bike. I don't think he could even use public transit for the handicapped.

If we ever have a carfree utopia, how will the elderly and disabled people get around?

[MyBikeGotStolen]

If we ever have a carfree utopia, how will the elderly and disabled people get around?

I have seen a number of HoverRounds on the MUP. :)

Alot of times I see this older guy (60+), I think he lives pretty close to me, on an electric bicycle as far as 7 miles from my home. Its pretty neat I think to see him as far away as he goes on a bicycle even though it is electric. After seeing him I have even given some thought to electric bikes for my own self. For times that I need to be somewere in the summer when "covered in sweat" is not an option. Also one might come in handy as I start to prepare for this 30 mile RT to school next semester! :eek:

[gwd]

If we ever have a carfree utopia, how will the elderly and disabled people get around?

Roody, a month or so ago I posted a cool wheelchair bike picture. I saw it at a local bike shop.

[Elkhound]

Roody, a month or so ago I posted a cool wheelchair bike picture. I saw it at a local bike shop.


Like this? (http://www.frankmobility.com/duet_standard.htm)

I remember suggesting this to father, and he said that if I got one he'd refuse to get on it.

[gwd]

Like this? (http://www.frankmobility.com/duet_standard.htm)

I remember suggesting this to father, and he said that if I got one he'd refuse to get on it.
Yes very similar, detachable wheelchair. I think the model I saw had electric assist too.

[gwd]

Here it is.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=5305631#post5305631