Commuting - Man and Machine

Go ahead. Spend 30K on a motorized wonder. Be one with it. Feel the thrill and exhiliration of it's power.
But in 10 years, you won't want it anymore...it might even be ready for the junk-heap!

Instead, buy a great bicycle and learn to ride. Be one with the machine. Buy several. Begin to feel the exhiliration of your power. In 10 years, you will be stronger. In fact, you might want to spend another 10 or 20 years (or maybe the rest of your life) on a bike, instead of in a car.

(This commercial paid for by the Littlebigman Against the Status Quo Political Committee. :D )

heh. Im glad I bought a new bike instead of a car. I dont plan on ever owning a car unles its solar powered or something. In 10 years when oil is peaking I will be ridding along on my bike snickering at all those people in cars.

If people really need a car, it's better to get one that's much cheaper, then spend part of the difference on two good bikes, and invest the rest for retirement. Keep the car in the driveway as much as possible by using the bikes, and it could last over 30 years easily.

Ralf und Florian applaud you.

http://home.t-online.de/home/520078056126-0001/1gnlprf.jpg

Littlebigman, I'm with you on this. Yesterday I was starting home and started riding with another commuter who was probably 10 years my senior. He left me in his dust! It gave me hope that I can put a few more years on this body and see how long I can ride.

BTW, was there anything that provoked this thread or was it just the usually riding with the SUVs here in HotLanta?

BTW, was there anything that provoked this thread ...?
I love my bike.

:D

I love my bike(s).

:D

My bikes love me.

My bikes love me.
I love your bike.

:eek:

(This is getting weird...)

:D

I love my bike too! Although I am suffering from withdrawel. I cleaned up my bike and chain over the Holiday weekend... I found two broken spokes (dang). Took the rear wheel into REI Bike Shop hopefully it will be repaired over the weekend (still working on learning my own maintenance - tools cost $). Gotta take the car because my wife doesn't want me to ride the bus (feels it is unsafe). Oh well. I am walking at work when I can to keep some form of healthy lifestyle... but boy does it hit you when your bike is down. I plan on getting a beater bike setup so I have a second (backup) bike. Weather got into the 50's today... Wish I road. I have gone through two cars in my life so far. Sold my second car and my wifes car so we could get a nice new Saturn. I always wanted a Saturn and having a newer car would mean we start fresh on maintenance... plus my biking would keep it from being driven as much. Will stay around longer. My wife drives the car most of the time. I am working on her riding her bike but it is hard in the area we live... hopefully when the new North County Bikeway gets done she will ride that sometimes...

<sidenote>
I even tried hitching a ride with someone who was going to REI in my area at work. Didn't work out so I just Drove the car to REI. I saw someone who had just gotten a pizza from a place right near REI... I forgot to ask him. It is hard trying to do your own "rideshare". I wish I could setup some kind of website at work where people could post their errand times and such. But ultimately you would have to trust the driver etc... I wish we had the car sharing system available like some cities do... We are expanding our lightrail system...but is going so slow to actually get to more of the areas that could benefit.
</sidenote)

Peace, Love and Cycling,

kb0tnv

I love your bike.

:eek:

(This is getting weird...)

:D

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors bike. Besides, she's a high maintenance kinda bike. But that Brooks leather she wears, oh man! What a ride! Makes my quads twitch just thinking about it.

Even though it might be difficult as times, I am trying to love all bikes. :love:

I have been volunteering at Decatur Yellow Bikes (http://www.dybikes.org/), a nonprofit organization that reconditions donated adult bikes, paints them yellow, and makes them available (at low cost) to people in Decatur (Georgia). Some of the donated bikes need a lot of love! But it is good to see all sorts of people come in a get a bike.

Unfortunately I can't live without a vehicle on weekends. Try getting 3 kids to hockey, basketball, volleyball, track and field, tutors, etc on a bike!

However, for the last four years I HAVE managed to commute without a car - relying 100% on my bike. I love it and could never go back to driving or bussing to work.

Yeah, isn't it a riot that so many people spend $20,000.00+ for something that is essentially considered disposable to them? I spend a tiny fraction of that for a vehicle that will last me a lifetime. Bicycle- the ultimate amalgam of art, transportation, sport, & fun. :)

We had three kids and two cars.
I bought a bike and proved to myself it could replace a car, and I sold one of the cars.
My wife and oldest son do all the driving and I do all the riding.
Once I tried meeting my wife at church: she drove and I rode.
She didn't like that, so on dates and such, I ride in the car, but no other times.
I truly feel sorry for the folks in cars.
I believe if they tried riding a bike, they'd fall in love with it.
At one time I day-dreamed about Harley-Davidsons, but now they seem so silly, it embarrasses me to even admit I ever entertained the idea.
Now I day-dream about efficient bikes that do the job, and the clothes and equipment that make it fun and comfortable.