Fifty Plus (50+) - New purchase equals more riding time

Yep, I finally did it. I went out and bought a backpack leaf blower. No more hand raking the 1+ acre of leaves this fall. It's the first time I purchased a machine specifically to give me more riding time on the bike. And, I didn't make excuses to my wife. I was right up front and said, I'm getting it so I can ride more, and she was fine with that. Just curious what time saving devices other 50+ers may have purchased to increase riding time. Maybe, just maybe, I need to do even more shopping. ;)

Having a recent college graduate, still living at home while he works his first year teaching, has enabled me to spend more time riding.:D I've got a "built in" landscaper, dishwasher, and kick *** riding partner. In the summer I also have it good because my wife's a teacher.:love: When I need big blocks of time riding for long weekend rides, I'll organize a ride with both my sons and my wife's brother and brother-in-law. She can't say no to all that "family bonding":thumb:

Don't have an acre of ground to have leaves fall on but 1/4 acre of garden with half of that down to grass. I have a leaf blower but to be honest- I only use it twice a year. Once in November when I try to get the final batch of leaves out of the Flower beds and once in the Spring to scare the Beasties that may be lurking in them before the wife tides up the plants and replants the borders.

Best advice I can offer you is to get the wife really interested in Gardening. Then the only jobs you are allowed to do are the heavy manual ones (you then get the son-in-law to do those) and cut the grass once a week.

Or if you are really sensible- You do as my other son-in-law did and bought a house with the garden covered in 6" of gravel. All he does is run round with the weedkiller twice a year and that is it.

Just don't offer to build something for the wife in "Her" garden. It may take all summer to complete.


Just to verify- I am keen on gardening but have set the garden up to be easy maintenance. And sent the wife to college to learn that I have been doing it wrong for years and she knows better.

Just curious what time saving devices other 50+ers may have purchased to increase riding time.

I haven't purchased any time saving devices. I rent the other half of my double at a discount with the stipulation they do all the yard work and snow removal:thumb: Best deal I ever made.

Yep, I finally did it. I went out and bought a backpack leaf blower. No more hand raking the 1+ acre of leaves this fall. ... I am sure your neighbors will appreciate the noise pollution and exhaust.

Just curious what time saving devices other 50+ers may have purchased to increase riding time. Maybe, just maybe, I need to do even more shopping. ;)

Not a purchase, but I am in the process of moving out of my house and into an apartment. No more yard work, no more cleaning gutters, no more routine maintenance...I gave my leaf blower, rakes and snow shovels to my daughter :love:

Not only will I have more time for riding, but my rent is about half of my mortgage and taxes and includes heat!

I am sure your neighbors will appreciate the noise pollution and exhaust.

John, I'm the only one in the neighborhood without one! AND, I picked a very low noise and lower polluting one (if one can believe the reviews one reads). I can even legally use it in Canada and California. It costs more than some of the others, but in the long term, I suspect it will be worth it. But I suspect concern for my neighbors is not the real reason you made your post.

I didn't need to make a purchase. I just quit worrying about how my yard looks. I still keep it mowed reasonably often, but I don't do stuff like rake leaves, fertilize, water the lawn etc.

I didn't need to make a purchase. I just quit worrying about how my yard looks. I still keep it mowed reasonably often, but I don't do stuff like rake leaves, fertilize, water the lawn etc.

Same with me. I don't own a rake.

I am sure your neighbors will appreciate the noise pollution and exhaust.

I find the noise from those things to be extremely irritating. I can't even go outside when my neighbor is using his. It hurts my ears. Can't have any windows open either. It is so loud and so high-pitched.

I didn't need to make a purchase. I just quit worrying about how my yard looks. I still keep it mowed reasonably often, but I don't do stuff like rake leaves, fertilize, water the lawn etc.

I'm lucky in the raking department. The wind usually blows from the west or southwest. The northeast side of my yard borders on a wooded city park. Nearly all of our leaves blow into those woods. I rarely ever have to rake.

Condo Man. No stinkin leafblower, lawnmower, rake, shovel or any other yard implement. Lawn got mowed today... I watched for a bit before I rode off on the bike. :thumb:

I didn't need to make a purchase. I just quit worrying about how my yard looks. I still keep it mowed reasonably often, but I don't do stuff like rake leaves, fertilize, water the lawn etc.
That's me, too. :thumb:

Hey NOS88, good to see you posting again.

I didn't need to make a purchase. I just quit worrying about how my yard looks. I still keep it mowed reasonably often, but I don't do stuff like rake leaves, fertilize, water the lawn etc.

I use the same method BD does. My standards for a clean house/yard have relaxed a lot. :)