A little bit less car
#26
Sophomoric Member
I'm finding the psychological aspect of going car light is much tougher than actually doing it. What's disturbing to me is due to my situation, read first post, it's a no brainer. This should be such an easy decision. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a few months for us to cut the umbilical cord and sell the second car.
But in the meanwhile, you wouldn't have to pay for insurance, registration, and storage of the car. You also wouldn't have the temptation of driving it when you felt a bit lazy.
Chances are, being carlight will work out for you. Eventually you will want to spend the car sale money. Probably you will buy a great new bike with some of the money!
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#27
Sophomoric Member
You are open to going car light, but your wife is not. Since you no longer are using yours, she now views it as a safety net that offers minimal disruption to her routine. Something happens to her car, all she has to do is grab the keys to yours and go. At least this is my wife's 'logic' of owning two vehicles even though she is the only one who can drive...
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#28
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"I can have a rental car in under an hour"
"I can borrow the shop pickup truck any time I want"
Eventually she'll get a comfort level with this, it's just a big change or so it appears.
#29
In the right lane
Yes! I've been noticing that a lot recently. It's been almost 5 years since I last operated a motor vehicle, and cars seem increasingly alien. I look at them on the street and find myself thinking they don't belong in the scene. Often I find myself baffled, wondering why someone would drive when they don't need to (for example, to get a bag of groceries from a store a few blocks from home). I ride in other people's cars occasionally, mostly to go hiking, and even that feels kind of weird.
#30
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Today's small step. Commuted to work in the pouring rain. Like most things, no big deal with the right equipment.
Actually this feels like a huge step.
Actually this feels like a huge step.
#31
Sophomoric Member
Congratulations! It is a HUGE step. We are brainwashed from birth to believe that weather is a big deal or a deal breaker. It's not. Weather is just a normal fact of life. I try to respect it, but not let it rule my life.
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#32
Senior Member
I agree with Roody, it's a big step. I wish I could change my way of thinking to where I liked rain. I'd be a lot happier, especially considering where I live. The kids around Falls City don't seem to pay any attention to rain, they just wander around or hang out anyway. They don't have rain gear, just sweat shirt/hoody layers.
#33
Sophomoric Member
I agree with Roody, it's a big step. I wish I could change my way of thinking to where I liked rain. I'd be a lot happier, especially considering where I live. The kids around Falls City don't seem to pay any attention to rain, they just wander around or hang out anyway. They don't have rain gear, just sweat shirt/hoody layers.
- To keep my spirits up, I think about how great it will feel when I finally get home to a hot shower and dry clothing.
- I also remind myself that bad weather is just a minor inconvenience. It's offset by the major benefits of being carfree.
- Sometimes I walk or take a bus--I'm still in the rain, but I can use an umbrella to keep my glasses dry.
- Sometimes I even defer non-essential trips when it's raining.
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Last edited by Roody; 05-29-14 at 02:23 PM.
#34
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I appreciate all the encouragement! You might be surprised, or not, how much just expressing my thoughts here has helped me work through this process.
#35
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I agree with Roody, it's a big step. I wish I could change my way of thinking to where I liked rain. I'd be a lot happier, especially considering where I live. The kids around Falls City don't seem to pay any attention to rain, they just wander around or hang out anyway. They don't have rain gear, just sweat shirt/hoody layers.
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#36
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One month in the bag, It's habit now. The only thing I see on the horizon is cold weather and where I live it doesn't get all that cold.
A friend is biking across the US now, I might try to buy his B.O.B. trailer when he gets back. I don't need the trailer as we'll always have one car. However, I like the idea of being able to go grocery shopping if I want to.
A friend is biking across the US now, I might try to buy his B.O.B. trailer when he gets back. I don't need the trailer as we'll always have one car. However, I like the idea of being able to go grocery shopping if I want to.
#37
Sophomoric Member
One month in the bag, It's habit now. The only thing I see on the horizon is cold weather and where I live it doesn't get all that cold.
A friend is biking across the US now, I might try to buy his B.O.B. trailer when he gets back. I don't need the trailer as we'll always have one car. However, I like the idea of being able to go grocery shopping if I want to.
A friend is biking across the US now, I might try to buy his B.O.B. trailer when he gets back. I don't need the trailer as we'll always have one car. However, I like the idea of being able to go grocery shopping if I want to.
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#38
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60 days in and we're doing great sharing one car. We've agreed to wait until next spring to sell my car. She want's to see me make it through a winter. Where I live winter would be a joke to many of you but to her it's a big deal. I don't see any obstacles keeping me from continuing to use my bike for primary transportation.
I'm settling into a rhythm where I'm riding ~60 miles per week for transportation and another 100 for fun.
I'm settling into a rhythm where I'm riding ~60 miles per week for transportation and another 100 for fun.
#39
Sophomoric Member
60 days in and we're doing great sharing one car. We've agreed to wait until next spring to sell my car. She want's to see me make it through a winter. Where I live winter would be a joke to many of you but to her it's a big deal. I don't see any obstacles keeping me from continuing to use my bike for primary transportation.
I'm settling into a rhythm where I'm riding ~60 miles per week for transportation and another 100 for fun.
I'm settling into a rhythm where I'm riding ~60 miles per week for transportation and another 100 for fun.
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