Thanks!

[Robert_in_ca]

This forum has really inspired me in the last few years. I used to be a "car enthusiast", spending all my extra money on modifications and sound systems, all the while slowly gaining weight and body fat. At one point I was at 260 lbs. What a joke!

In the last two years since joining this forum and getting into mountain bikes and road/touring bikes I have driven my truck about 4,000 miles, 1,500 miles of those were road trips to vegas/nor cal. I've lost 35 lbs and Ive started eating better, riding my bike to work every day, using the bike to get to the store/beach/whatever, and I've been doing longer rides(40+ miles) a few times a week. I've been less stressed out from not having to drive every day in stop and go freeway traffic, instead I ride my bike or take my bike on the train if I want to go somewhere really far.

I'm in the process of looking for a new job and it's not even a big deal to me that I might be commuting by bike 24 miles each way. I have two interviews coming up this week at local bike shops. One is in Huntington Beach and my commute would have me going along PCH through Laguna(kinda fun but scary) and the other is in Mission Viejo(about 15-17 miles each way) which would be bike paths and bike lanes the whole way, very relaxed with minimal danger from cars.

My truck is up for sale and I'll be the happiest person in the world when it sells.

[bragi]

This forum has really inspired me in the last few years. I used to be a "car enthusiast", spending all my extra money on modifications and sound systems, all the while slowly gaining weight and body fat. At one point I was at 260 lbs. What a joke!

In the last two years since joining this forum and getting into mountain bikes and road/touring bikes I have driven my truck about 4,000 miles, 1,500 miles of those were road trips to vegas/nor cal. I've lost 35 lbs and Ive started eating better, riding my bike to work every day, using the bike to get to the store/beach/whatever, and I've been doing longer rides(40+ miles) a few times a week. I've been less stressed out from not having to drive every day in stop and go freeway traffic, instead I ride my bike or take my bike on the train if I want to go somewhere really far.

I'm in the process of looking for a new job and it's not even a big deal to me that I might be commuting by bike 24 miles each way. I have two interviews coming up this week at local bike shops. One is in Huntington Beach and my commute would have me going along PCH through Laguna(kinda fun but scary) and the other is in Mission Viejo(about 15-17 miles each way, which would be bike paths and bike lanes the whole way, very relaxed with minimal danger from cars.

My truck is up for sale and I'll be the happiest person in the world when it sells.

You'll be riding at least 30 miles a day to and from your job at a bike shop, riding in balmy SoCal weather? I kind of envy you.

I gave up my car a few years ago. It is a liberating feeling.

[Lamplight]

Congratulations! Is it just me, or are we seeing more and more of these threads here lately? Either more people are changing their lives for the better, or at least more are making threads about it. Either way, it's good!

[politicalgeek]

To the OP, congrats. Sounds wonderful and hope the interviews go well.

Maybe it's that breaking point with gas prices? I know a variety of media sources have done the poll to see when Americans would change their habits.

I hit my breaking point with gas prices a month or so ago. I'm slowly weaning myself off of oil and will be car lite by summer and car free by September. My tax refund should help me get the bike set up the way I want and help me to enjoy riding much more.

[Dr.PooLittle]

Hey, wait, I weigh 260 lbs. . . . then again, I'm 6'3" and have lost 7 lbs. since going car free a month ago. . . congratulations! It's worth it just for the reduction in guilt about the oil war.
EDIT: Good luck on the IWs! I went through 30-40 IWs before getting a job I love. . . it sucks but you get good at it.