Living Car Free - It CAN Be Done!

In 2006, at 36, I found myself in horrible physical condition with HBP and a torn up left knee. I was needing to use a cane to get around! The car finally kicked the bucket and I was faced with the choice of either bankrupting myself further trying to get a new car or doing something radical. I shopped around for bikes only to be spurned by most of the LBS's. The clerks were young guys who took one look at me and figured it was impossible. Thankfully I found one place that didn't shoo me away, but got me rolling again on an Electra cruiser. I rode more and more in 2007, replacing the Electra with a "comfort" cruiser. By 2008 I had a customized Kona and was heading back to fitness. Average mileage per week during the summer last year was about 50-70, and about 20 to 40 in the winter.

This summer after all these years of struggle I'm finally back in the game. I've been logging in fifty or more on the weekends alone, plus the usual commute. I'm even doing mass cargo runs to Costco--something I would have assumed was simply impossible a few years ago. I've adapted my life to a frugal, car-free existence and I'm never going back.

This weekend I pushed harder and did a half century run to the Chugach and back with some hiking in the mix. That's another thing I would have assumed was simply impossible. But as TE Lawrence said: "Akaba is over there. It's only a matter of going."

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/Framtrail1.jpg

That's truly a success story, Cosmoline. From the photo I'd guess you were on a hunting trip of some kind?

A few years ago had the high blood pressure and some breathing issues. If I relax and get my cycling in everything is fine. I would rather exercise then have to take drugs.

Cosmoline, you're doing great! :thumb:

My own story is similar--325 pounds, heart attack, diabetes, etc. I started with "carfree walking" then graduated to the bicycle. I might put in a few more miles than you do, but it's not a contest with anybody but ourselves. Besides, I live in Michigan where we have a good climate (seriously), while you did all this in Alaska. Your story will be an inspiration to a lot of people!

My big problem now is I've hit a wall with my current ride. The Hoss is great, but it's set up as a winter bike for slower, rougher going. At around fifty miles of road riding the ergonomics really start beating me up with numb hands and sore seat. Plus I'm bucking the wind like crazy due to the upright position and rather compact frame.

I need a summertime road bike for the longer highway runs. I'm shopping around now and really like the Kona Jake.


From the photo I'd guess you were on a hunting trip of some kind?

That's just a bear gun. Also works on SUV engine blocks to put the beasts out of their misery.

Well done indeed! The fact that you can do that in a place where people regularly carry guns to shoot bears, and think that's perfectly normal, is even more impressive.

My big problem now is I've hit a wall with my current ride. The Hoss is great, but it's set up as a winter bike for slower, rougher going. At around fifty miles of road riding the ergonomics really start beating me up with numb hands and sore seat. Plus I'm bucking the wind like crazy due to the upright position and rather compact frame.


Numb hands, sore seat, bucking the wind....those are problems my recumbent solves. For me, around town I use a diamond frame, 10-20 miles, either recumbent or diamond, over 20 miles, I almost always go recumbent.

How is the recumbent on the side of a 55 mph highway? I can see the advantages of it for wind and speed, but it's so low I'd be nervous about visibility.

How is the recumbent on the side of a 55 mph highway? I can see the advantages of it for wind and speed, but it's so low I'd be nervous about visibility.

Speaking as a DF rider and very occasional driver, I'd say recumbents are almost MORE visible. I think they're unusual enough to catch the eye more than a traditional DF does. The cat trikes are super sleek and beautiful, but even lower to the ground than most 2 wheel recumbents. I would think about going with one if I was looking for a non-traditional bike--I mean trike.


http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:lf1yq1cTPamM7M:http://www.hostelshoppe.com/images/products/lb_07cat_road.jpg

The OP's story sounds like mine. Early thirties, broke, unemployed with a money pit car. When car free, found better paying job, never looked back.

In 2006, at 36, I found myself in horrible physical condition with HBP and a torn up left knee. I was needing to use a cane to get around! The car finally kicked the bucket and I was faced with the choice of either bankrupting myself further trying to get a new car or doing something radical. I shopped around for bikes only to be spurned by most of the LBS's. The clerks were young guys who took one look at me and figured it was impossible. Thankfully I found one place that didn't shoo me away, but got me rolling again on an Electra cruiser. I rode more and more in 2007, replacing the Electra with a "comfort" cruiser. By 2008 I had a customized Kona and was heading back to fitness. Average mileage per week during the summer last year was about 50-70, and about 20 to 40 in the winter.

This summer after all these years of struggle I'm finally back in the game. I've been logging in fifty or more on the weekends alone, plus the usual commute. I'm even doing mass cargo runs to Costco--something I would have assumed was simply impossible a few years ago. I've adapted my life to a frugal, car-free existence and I'm never going back.

This weekend I pushed harder and did a half century run to the Chugach and back with some hiking in the mix. That's another thing I would have assumed was simply impossible. But as TE Lawrence said: "Akaba is over there. It's only a matter of going."

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/Framtrail1.jpg

This is a great story! It's inspiring that you stuck with it despite some pretty daunting obstacles.

Before car free I was looking at going on blood pressure meds now it is not even a consideration. This runs in the family and I have appeared to have dodged the bullet at least for now. In all honesty it really wasn't a switch I made for health just tight on cash due to an unexpected job change. Better health just followed. Funny part is there are people who say I am crazy for biking everywhere and a good number of them are in awful health condition. So who is really the crazy one?
BTW I love cross bikes, advantage of road bikes plus the ability to run comfortable touring tires, knobbies or skinny tires.

How is the recumbent on the side of a 55 mph highway? I can see the advantages of it for wind and speed, but it's so low I'd be nervous about visibility.

Depends on the specific model. I am currently working in a college town and see several different types, with exception of the tadpole trikes they are all tall enough that the riders and bike are plenty visible. The tadpoles I have seen are all running bike flags (as well as many of the smaller 50cc scooters). For long haul road riding I am thinking that a recumbent is the way to go, just have to figure out which one I like best.:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

45-70?

To hell with fitness, I love that you're riding fully armed! That's been a fantasy of mine since I started commuting 100%. So do you have a handlebar mount for that thing, or what?

It either goes on the BOB or in the backpack scabbard. It's a unique Winchester big bore 94 in .450 Marlin. Very packable trail gun.

Of course in most parts of the country I wouldn't get away with it. But we have a lot of brown bear running around town and a few cyclists got mauled last summer.