Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Living Car Free
Reload this Page >

Value being car free, while you can

Notices
Living Car Free Do you live car free or car light? Do you prefer to use alternative transportation (bicycles, walking, other human-powered or public transportation) for everyday activities whenever possible? Discuss your lifestyle here.

Value being car free, while you can

Old 11-29-09, 10:18 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
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
pat5319 is offline  
Old 11-29-09, 11:03 PM
  #2  
Sophomoric Member
 
Roody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dancing in Lansing
Posts: 24,221
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 711 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
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.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 11-29-09, 11:31 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
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.
Dahon.Steve is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 12:00 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991

Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
Platy is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 12:23 AM
  #5  
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YEG
Posts: 27,272

Bikes: See my sig...

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 95 Posts
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.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 01:27 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
GraysonPeddie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
Posts: 353

Bikes: Trek Pure Trike (recently bought)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Try to get some exercise!
GraysonPeddie is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 02:14 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
[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

Last edited by pat5319; 11-30-09 at 02:35 AM.
pat5319 is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 09:43 AM
  #8  
Sophomoric Member
 
Roody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dancing in Lansing
Posts: 24,221
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 711 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
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.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 01:34 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
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

Last edited by pat5319; 11-30-09 at 10:58 PM.
pat5319 is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 09:29 PM
  #10  
In the right lane
 
gerv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 9,565

Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
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.
gerv is offline  
Old 11-30-09, 10:57 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by gerv
Now I feel inadequate. I always thought 10mph was a pretty good speed.
ooops!!!!
pat5319 is offline  
Old 12-02-09, 05:02 PM
  #12  
Membership Not Required
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855

Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by gerv
Now I feel inadequate. I always thought 10mph was a pretty good speed.
Wanna race

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

Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(

ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.

"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"
_Nicodemus

"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"
_krazygluon
wahoonc is offline  
Old 12-02-09, 07:29 PM
  #13  
put our Heads Together
 
cerewa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155

Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
cerewa is offline  
Old 12-02-09, 10:35 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
[QUOTE=pat5319;10089570]
Originally Posted by Roody
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.
Dahon.Steve is offline  
Old 12-02-09, 11:44 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
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
pat5319 is offline  
Old 12-06-09, 04:11 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
wheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Crystal MN
Posts: 2,147
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
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.
wheel is offline  
Old 12-06-09, 04:15 AM
  #17  
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 618

Bikes: Schwinn, Mercier Kilo TT, Mercier Galaxy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Great story! inspiring!
crazyed27 is offline  
Old 12-07-09, 02:59 AM
  #18  
The Professor
 
akohekohe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Posts: 899

Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
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.
akohekohe is offline  
Old 12-07-09, 12:25 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
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! ;-(
Dahon.Steve is offline  
Old 12-12-09, 02:07 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by akohekohe
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.
swbluto is offline  
Old 12-13-09, 07:01 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
pat5319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by swbluto
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.
pat5319 is offline  
Old 12-13-09, 11:21 AM
  #22  
In the right lane
 
gerv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 9,565

Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by swbluto
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.


Originally Posted by pat5319
Electric Assist ? NO F***ing way. I'd buy a Harley and join the Hells Angles or something first!!!!!!!
I like you attitude! In my case, I'd rather walk up the hill.
gerv is offline  
Old 12-20-09, 12:44 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
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.
swbluto is offline  
Old 12-20-09, 10:39 PM
  #24  
Recumbent Trike
 
countersTrike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Santa Cruz, CA.
Posts: 560

Bikes: WizWheelz TerraTrike with Velo-Kit & 24V motor, completely enclosed (fiberglass/kevlar & Lexan) EZ SX Tad with 36V motor

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
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
countersTrike is offline  
Old 12-20-09, 11:34 PM
  #25  
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
 
Cyclaholic's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: all the way down under
Posts: 4,276

Bikes: several

Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1589 Post(s)
Liked 687 Times in 365 Posts
Originally Posted by pat5319
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 With a motto like 'grow old disgracefully' how could you not? ...once I can no longer pedal a bike, I'll probably be on a Norton or Indian.

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

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.