Living Car Free - Car light/free blog in local paper

http://noise.typepad.com/boot_bike_bus/

The local newspaper - Lansing State Journal - as a new blog in its online version called Boot 'n Scoot. An assistant managing editor has set the goal of going three months without using her car.

Just thought maybe y'all could check it out and give her some support and/or advice.:)

Whoa....that's my paper. I've been out of town most of the winter and didn't see this. I'll definitely check it out. I hope she doesn't have to deal with the usual idiots who comment on the LSJ blogs.

It's new. I just saw it yesterday. So far the comments aren't too bad, but that might just be because the usual idiots haven't found her yet.

I liked the blog. I could definitely relate to what she's doing, especially since I've been walking and taking the bus the last few months. I e-mailed the writer and told her about my pet peeve of people (especially businesses) not shoveling their sidewalks. I also sent her a link to this thread so she can see what people are saying.

I especially liked this post:



I'm a rusty road warrior
OK. I’m a rusty road warrior.
My back hurts from my sling backpack.
My toes get cold really fast.
Biking on snow and ice do not compare to mudding on an off-road trail in the summer.
And relying on a bus schedule doesn’t always mesh perfectly into my own.

--sigh—


The good stuff? I rode to the City Market Saturday for my groceries by bike. It’s a bike a friend lent to me because my bike was stolen (a story for another day).
I got the job done. The East Lansing Co-Op for some soy milk and Zingerman's bread, Magda’s hummus, some eggs, cheese, etc.
Rode the bus later to Frandor and hit Jo-Ann Fabrics and Kroger.

Now the not-so-good.
Doing my chores took more time to plan and perform than usual.
My human back is not as equipped for carrying nearly the loads I can put down on a list. Mental note: change grocery list to fit what I can carry, not what I can fit in an SUV.


Now. Into the workweek.
Monday I cheated. I cleaned off two weeks of snow and ice from my sickly Isuzu Trooper and put two quarts of oil in it and drove it to work. I had to go to the MLK luncheon later and didn’t want to stand at the bus stop or ride it in my nice clothes. Lazy - yes I know. The oil light came on by the time I parked. But I made it to work and safely back home in its parking space. I feel horribly guilty. Don’t flog me too badly ya’ll.

I’m back on the bus 6:30 most mornings. Wearing not-very-flattering gear.
Pondering whether to put my car out of its misery or revive it.
Praying for spring.
Hunting for good backpack options.
And looking for some good bike choices.
Right now it’s the Giant Cypress or the Jamis Sport Comfort.

http://noise.typepad.com/boot_bike_bus/2009/01/im-a-rusty-road-warrior.html

I admire her for is setting up a goal of going carfree for 3 months in the middle of the winter (in Michigan...) . Although if it were me, I would ease into it by starting in the Spring and hoping that by late Fall I would be irrevocably into the routine.

I like her spunk. I recently returned to commuting by bike in the middle of winter. As a matter of fact it was a snow storm when they delivered my bike(s) I was so happy I set out for work. Of course it took me two hours to get there but I was one happy person. I also recently discovered under armour, someone brought me a set for Christmas.

Gas, .69 cents the cost of a can of beans

I like her spunk. I recently returned to commuting by bike in the middle of winter. As a matter of fact it was a snow storm when they delivered my bike(s) I was so happy I set out for work. Of course it took me two hours to get there but I was one happy person. I also recently discovered under armour, someone brought me a set for Christmas.

Gas, .69 cents the cost of a can of beans

Starting in winter does take guts. I started in August, but almost quit in my first snowstorm. :D

Of course it got to be pretty easy after I gained a little more expeience.