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Christmas -- Why so many drivers?

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Christmas -- Why so many drivers?

Old 12-25-08, 03:51 PM
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Christmas -- Why so many drivers?

I went for a quick spin on Christmas afternoon, and was amazed at how much traffic was on the roads. I had thought it would be a great time to ride with no traffic, but no way. Cars everywhere. Where are all of these people driving on Christmas day? Most of the stores are closed and few people have to work. I don't get it. Sometimes I think people are so addicted to cars that they drive just for the sake of it -- sort of like my cycling!
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Old 12-25-08, 04:26 PM
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people visiting friends and family.

i have a christmas tradition where i wake up at 5am and get a long ride in. at that hour on a holiday, even in NYC, i have virtually all roads to myself.
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Old 12-25-08, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by timmhaan
people visiting friends and family.
+1. I thought it would be obvious.

I didn't drive mainly because I didn't want to leave my car at the airport for two and a half weeks while in Germany. Otherwise, if I were going back home, I'd put about 2500 miles on it during Christmas break.
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Old 12-25-08, 06:45 PM
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Uh, visiting friends and family.
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Old 12-25-08, 07:59 PM
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Well, -i'm- going to be driving in a little bit.. almost did earlier. Running between houses of extended family giving bulky presents in the company of the fiancee ad the daughter, neither of which have bikes yet. (financial reasons, but the fiancee has been pondering what kind she wants, and the daughter was cooing over a cyclocross bike we saw a month or so ago while stopping in to my friendly LBS)
Mostly running between xmas dinners and such.
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Old 12-25-08, 11:20 PM
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I don't have an explanation, but I too saw a great increase in automobiles on the road this week.

If, indeed, people are not out shopping like the reports tell, the only other explanations are that people are visiting friends, going out for pizza, or driving about to see the Christmas lights.

Who knows. One thing is for sure - people have been driving a lot this week.
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Old 12-25-08, 11:26 PM
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My Brother is a State Trooper, and he and his partner where expecting to ride up and down the interstate a couple of times and call it a day, but they were working accidents their entire shift. Seemed like there was a little more activity than normal
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Old 12-26-08, 12:16 AM
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I saw very few cars and very many bikes in NW metro atl. around 1-3 pm.
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Old 12-26-08, 01:35 AM
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Totally empty here on Christmas.
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Old 12-26-08, 01:58 PM
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I stayed home and didn't get bothered by anything.
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Old 12-27-08, 01:21 PM
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I did notice leading up to Christmas day, the roads were very congested, but the stores were not that busy.

Wish I had a front loader or an Xtracycle set up to carry more gifts!

Cheers!
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Old 12-27-08, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by mike
I don't have an explanation, but I too saw a great increase in automobiles on the road this week.

If, indeed, people are not out shopping like the reports tell, the only other explanations are that people are visiting friends, going out for pizza, or driving about to see the Christmas lights.

Who knows. One thing is for sure - people have been driving a lot this week.
Cheap gas... that old bug a boo is coming back... how soon the consumer mind forgets $5.00 a gallon gas...

Well no doubt the economy, coupled with the recent OPEC reduction in delivery, will remind drivers that gas at sub $2.00 prices is a luxury, not a right.
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