Mark Stone

So a couple of days ago I gave my car to my adult daughter (because that's what Dads do sometimes), and then went over to a car dealership and bought myself a little 2010 Chevy Cobalt, used, just for basic transportation. It's just a little cheap sub-compact, nothing fancy. I expect that because I love bicycle commuting, I'm actually going to use the new Cobalt only three or four times a week because I carry my guitar and sound equipment to church and to band rehearsals (I play guitar in my church band). However, tomorrow morning (my first workday since car purchase), will I have the commitment to get on the bike and commute early in the morning? Or will the "toyness" of the new car overwhelm me and I'll cheat on my bicycle? Hahahaha!! I won't know til 5am tomorrow morning whether the car will steal me away from bike commuting! I imagine I will drive it a couple of days until the "shine" wears off a bit, then go back to my beloved bike . . . .

sirtirithon

Sounds like a nice little car you've got! It also sounds like you will have ample opportunity to drive it to church and such. Keep those miles down and ride the bike to work!

nashcommguy

Until I got laid off my goal was to ride more than 7500 miles and drive less then 5000 per year. Managed to keep that up for 4 years+. It's not difficult when one has a 40+ rt daily commute.

Anyway, my high for that time period was 8700+ while the low was 7700+. Some weeks I'd do 120 and others 250-300 if I had a long weekend ride. One year I left my truck for so long the battery ran down... That year I put less than 4000 on it. While the numbers look big when it's averaged out even 8700 is only 23+ miles per day.

That's what I did. Set reasonable goals in relation to my commute and tried to limit my truck usage. Stopped keeping track when I lost my truck in the flood of May 1, 2010 here in Mid-TN. But, when I got another job my rt is 40+ again so I know I'm cycling more miles than I'm driving. Feels good.

SSfreak

lol, waiting for results.

Mark Stone

Today: The car won! I'm driving to work. Looks like I'm gonna drive for two or three days and then go back to the bike. I'll probably go ride my bike in the evenings so my legs will stay crisp today and tomorrow. I hate (love) new toys -

modernjess

Did a similar thing with my Daughter but I didn't buy another car. In my world the N+1 rule doesn't apply to automotive ownership. Now I ride my bike or a figure out how to take the bus and so far I've never been on a bus.

ottawa_adam

Congrats on the car purchase. I have a Cobalt as well and would hardly categorize it as a sub-compact. In fact, most rental agencies in this area classify the Cobalt as a mid-sized.

When I think of sub-compact, the Yaris or Aveo come to mind.

Keep up the cycle commuting!

fietsbob

Car-shmar .. I use My Bike Trailer to carry my Amp and electric Mandolin.
both are small, .. no dual 15" speaker cab and Tube amp Head.

My Buddy uses a 'bikes at work' trailer to carry his 88 key stage piano to gigs ..

PaulH

You don't want to abuse your new car by driving it to work. Think of the wear and tear and potential for dents.

Paul