Living Car Free - Value being car free, while you can

I was car free for twenty years, but no longer- due to multiple health issues. Enjoy and value it while you can

What happened? (if you don't mind talking about it)

So far, my own health problems make it harder for me to drive a car than ride a bike. Walking is best for me at the moment, though.

Car free does not mean public transit free or taxi free. Should my health fail me where I can no longer ride a bike, I'll still use public transportation. In fact, I'll be in much better position financially to use costly taxi service as I get older from not owning a car.

I think it's equally common for families to quietly take the car keys away from elders who can no longer drive safely. This can be devastating for an aged person who has no experience with car free living.

For me walking / driving / using transit cause me great physical issues (back problems) while riding is both a way to get around and a good therapy to reduce pain... not being able to do this will be pretty hard on me unless things change for the better.

Try to get some exercise! :)

[QUOTE=Roody;10089261]What happened? (if you don't mind talking about it)


Why? ( I haven't stopped riding entirely, but I do need to use a car quite a bit ) Here goes-

I need new knees ala motorcycle crash, "sand lot" tackle football, rugby, 25 years of very very crazy and fast skiing, riding from here to the top Snoqualmie Pass in winter ( 1 was moving to Seattle) in 6 days with 230 lbs. of gear, probably 2 or 3 hundred thousand hard miles on the bike, getting hit by five cars, and I use a cane when I walk

Also I have/had, badly sprained ankle, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung fibrosis, separated shoulder, collapsed lung, broken ribs, 3 broken collar bones- 2L 1R, 4 bad discs in my back, 1 in my 7 neck-(I was paraplegic for about 3-4 min on that one) , dislocated thumb and connecting bones and torn ligaments and tendons in my left hand- I didn't know it for 30 years and the fix makes it worse, circulatory disease- ( I have sludge for blood), 4 strokes, 3 pulmonary embolisms, a 26 mm titanium screen in my heart to plug a hole in it (since birth), 4 Hernias, at least 3 concussions- I'm sure there's more I've forgotten and some I'll keep to myself

Why? ( I haven't stopped riding entirely, but I do need to use a car quite a bit ) Here goes-

I need new knees ala motorcycle crash, "sand lot" tackle football, rugby, 25 years of very very crazy and fast skiing, riding from here to the top Snoqualmie Pass in winter ( 1 was moving to Seattle) in 6 days with 230 lbs. of gear, probably 2 or 3 hundred thousand hard miles on the bike, getting hit by five cars, and I use a cane when I walk

Also I have/had, badly sprained ankle, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung fibrosis, separated shoulder, collapsed lung, broken ribs, 3 broken collar bones- 2L 1R, 4 bad discs in my back, 1 in my 7 neck-(I was paraplegic for about 3-4 min on that one) , dislocated thumb and connecting bones and torn ligaments and tendons in my left hand- I didn't know it for 30 years and the fix makes it worse, circulatory disease- ( I have sludge for blood), 4 strokes, 3 pulmonary embolisms, a 26 mm titanium screen in my heart to plug a hole in it (since birth), 4 Hernias, at least 3 concussions- I'm sure there's more I've forgotten and some I'll keep to myself
Damn. I feel bad for you. :( I guess the bright spot is that you can do some riding.

Did you find it hard to slow down on the bike? I know a gung-** athlete who can't seem to figure out that he doesn't have to sprint through every yellow light or ride down all the stairs in the park. It even took me as while to realize that slowing down to 10 mph when hurt is still three times faster than walking.

Roody- don't feel bad for me I'LL be OK!! I see a guy fairly regularly who "lives" in a wheelchair- he has legs, but they're vestiges folded up behind his back and I have the love a sweet, sweet woman

Yes, it is kinda hard to take slowing down sometimes especially when I used to sprint at 40 plus and have to work hard to get to10 sometimes and 20 now is rare.. BUT, I have some great memories, some folks around here still talk about and respect me and the things I've done... hope is alive there is a chance I can ride with my friends again without them having to take an "easy" day to ride with me

Yes, it is kinda hard to take slowing down sometimes especially when I used to sprint at 40 plus and have to work hard to get to10 sometimes and 20 now is rare..

Now I feel inadequate. I always thought 10mph was a pretty good speed. :)

Now I feel inadequate. I always thought 10mph was a pretty good speed. :)

ooops!!!!

Now I feel inadequate. I always thought 10mph was a pretty good speed. :)

Wanna race:D

I always use 10mph as my average for longer rides...

Aaron:)

I always use 10mph as my average for longer rides...

That's one of the reasons I can't hack long rides, is 'cause I don't have the discipline to stay slow like that BEFORE i get tired.

[QUOTE=Roody;10089261]What happened? (if you don't mind talking about it)


Why? ( I haven't stopped riding entirely, but I do need to use a car quite a bit ) Here goes-

I need new knees ala motorcycle crash, "sand lot" tackle football, rugby, 25 years of very very crazy and fast skiing, riding from here to the top Snoqualmie Pass in winter ( 1 was moving to Seattle) in 6 days with 230 lbs. of gear, probably 2 or 3 hundred thousand hard miles on the bike, getting hit by five cars, and I use a cane when I walk

Also I have/had, badly sprained ankle, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung fibrosis, separated shoulder, collapsed lung, broken ribs, 3 broken collar bones- 2L 1R, 4 bad discs in my back, 1 in my 7 neck-(I was paraplegic for about 3-4 min on that one) , dislocated thumb and connecting bones and torn ligaments and tendons in my left hand- I didn't know it for 30 years and the fix makes it worse, circulatory disease- ( I have sludge for blood), 4 strokes, 3 pulmonary embolisms, a 26 mm titanium screen in my heart to plug a hole in it (since birth), 4 Hernias, at least 3 concussions- I'm sure there's more I've forgotten and some I'll keep to myself

WOW! Pat, you've had a hard life. Incredible.

I guess you're probably going to need a car in your future. No question about that. I still think you should have taken it a little easy in life. The abuse we do on our body when we're young really comes back at a latter date. Good luck.

Steve, I had to "go hard" to try earn the respect of my family and friends by rising above my disabilities and my parents defeatist attitudes, also I wanted a career in the ski industry so being a "hot" skier was a necessity. Being an adrenaline "junky" probably helped too

Car free does not mean public transit free or taxi free. Should my health fail me where I can no longer ride a bike, I'll still use public transportation. In fact, I'll be in much better position financially to use costly taxi service as I get older from not owning a car.

agreed I am in living in a place which needs a bicycle everday.

When I need to walk or transit somewhere I will move.

Great story! inspiring!

Roody- don't feel bad for me I'LL be OK!! I see a guy fairly regularly who "lives" in a wheelchair- he has legs, but they're vestiges folded up behind his back and I have the love a sweet, sweet woman

Yes, it is kinda hard to take slowing down sometimes especially when I used to sprint at 40 plus and have to work hard to get to10 sometimes and 20 now is rare.. BUT, I have some great memories, some folks around here still talk about and respect me and the things I've done... hope is alive there is a chance I can ride with my friends again without them having to take an "easy" day to ride with me

You should consider getting an electric assist. Check out the electric bike forum. There are some really good alternatives to choose from now with hub motors and lithium ion batteries and designed in such a way that you still get exercise, you just don't have to over do it to go fast or get home when you're tired.

I was reading how transit use broke another record this quarter despite the fact that gas is at a record low. All those millions who are not working are finally realizing the high cost of motoring is unaffordable when you don't have a job. I suspect all those who lost their jobs are now making LESS and have no choice but to use public transit!

Anyway, is there a problem with creating a post? I can't construct a new thread! ;-(

You should consider getting an electric assist. Check out the electric bike forum. There are some really good alternatives to choose from now with hub motors and lithium ion batteries and designed in such a way that you still get exercise, you just don't have to over do it to go fast or get home when you're tired.

Yes, I would *definitely* vouch for electric assists. I had some pain involved with the knees and the steep hills I had around here and the electric basically made that go away. Basically, they flatten hills and make everything a bit easier on the joints. You can get setups where you don't really have to help, but you can help as much as you want.

There's suspensions out there and thud busters far calming the bumps.

Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!


Yes, I would *definitely* vouch for electric assists. I had some pain involved with the knees and the steep hills I had around here and the electric basically made that go away. Basically, they flatten hills and make everything a bit easier on the joints. You can get setups where you don't really have to help, but you can help as much as you want.

There's suspensions out there and thud busters far calming the bumps.

Yes, I would *definitely* vouch for electric assists. I had some pain involved with the knees and the steep hills I had around here and the electric basically made that go away. Basically, they flatten hills and make everything a bit easier on the joints. You can get setups where you don't really have to help, but you can help as much as you want.

There's suspensions out there and thud busters far calming the bumps.

Did you experiment with really low gearing first? Many of the hills I climb seem to be more of a cardio workout as long as I can get into the right gear.

Although I will admit that all this depends on the grade.. If you are climbing > 6%, it will still be tough on the legs... even with the right gears.



Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!

:thumb: I like you attitude! In my case, I'd rather walk up the hill.

Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!

Okay, I thought there was some reason why you chose bicycling over motorcycling to begin with earlier in your life. If it was due to price reasons, then that's understandable assuming you can *now* afford a gasser(I assume you've recently been able to afford a car, then?). If it was the solitude, quietude and/or versatility of cycling (Such as in parks and paths), then electric bicycles would retain those qualities and you could also exercise as much or as little as you want at the same time unlike a motorcycle.

To the above poster, some hills are fairly big and walking just isn't too efficient, time-wise. We're not talking "granny" hills, we're talking hills about a mile long.

Sign on the side of my (power-assist) velomobile: My bike is a Hucking Farley. My wheelchair dismantles perfectly for the former kiddy trailer I use which is one of many reasons for the power-assist

Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!

Hells angels? nah, the Ulysses club (http://www.ulyssesclub.org/) With a motto like 'grow old disgracefully' how could you not? :D ...once I can no longer pedal a bike, I'll probably be on a Norton or Indian.

As for your injury roll call :eek: forget car-free, just be happy you're still alive!

I rode motorcycles for 20 years where I either froze or roasted, and after seeing an elderly gentleman taking the lane on a busy thoroughfare on his electric assist bike, maybe an pedal assist bike is in my future.

Think of all the miles, you've not driven.. Maybe you can still be car lite.. Normally, our car is driven fewer miles than I ride.. Mostly for errands.. That is a sufficient result , I think.. Maybe your riding has delayed the onset of some of your health issues....?. .Good luck . Take care..

Okay, I thought there was some reason why you chose bicycling over motorcycling to begin with earlier in your life. If it was due to price reasons, then that's understandable assuming you can *now* afford a gasser(I assume you've recently been able to afford a car, then?). If it was the solitude, quietude and/or versatility of cycling (Such as in parks and paths), then electric bicycles would retain those qualities and you could also exercise as much or as little as you want at the same time unlike a motorcycle.

To the above poster, some hills are fairly big and walking just isn't too efficient, time-wise. We're not talking "granny" hills, we're talking hills about a mile long.

I Had a motorcycle once, after I'd had some "close calls" I put a "for sale" sign on it and couldn't sell it fast enough. I crashed it and tore up my knee and couldn't run or do karate or ju-jitsu anymore to stay in shape for skiing,( had to quit that eventually). I bought a bike, then a better bike and met a racer who taught me how to ride and I fell in love with cycling! My mind set changed and since then I've always tried to go under my own power and I need to ride under my own power as therapy so I can walk better. I do ride to work occasionally so I get to leave the car parked sometimes

[QUOTE=Roody;10089261]What happened? (if you don't mind talking about it)


Why? ( I haven't stopped riding entirely, but I do need to use a car quite a bit ) Here goes-

I need new knees ala motorcycle crash, "sand lot" tackle football, rugby, 25 years of very very crazy and fast skiing, riding from here to the top Snoqualmie Pass in winter ( 1 was moving to Seattle) in 6 days with 230 lbs. of gear, probably 2 or 3 hundred thousand hard miles on the bike, getting hit by five cars, and I use a cane when I walk

Also I have/had, badly sprained ankle, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung fibrosis, separated shoulder, collapsed lung, broken ribs, 3 broken collar bones- 2L 1R, 4 bad discs in my back, 1 in my 7 neck-(I was paraplegic for about 3-4 min on that one) , dislocated thumb and connecting bones and torn ligaments and tendons in my left hand- I didn't know it for 30 years and the fix makes it worse, circulatory disease- ( I have sludge for blood), 4 strokes, 3 pulmonary embolisms, a 26 mm titanium screen in my heart to plug a hole in it (since birth), 4 Hernias, at least 3 concussions- I'm sure there's more I've forgotten and some I'll keep to myself

Make sure you take your calcium and wear proper shoes. And try shark cartilage for your joints.

How about a handcycle? They look like fun.

My hands and wrists are "messed up" too, calcium and cartilage don't help what's been removed or worn nearly completely away

Titanium knees and hips are already available. I intend to live long enough to get the full terminator skeleton when mine wears out!

Titanium knees and hips are already available. I intend to live long enough to get the full terminator skeleton when mine wears out!

that would make trips to the airport interesting enough..


My hands and wrists are "messed up" too, calcium and cartilage don't help what's been removed or worn nearly completely away

:( I'm at a loss then.