I have crossed over...

[Pedro]

I have finally fully crossed over to the wheeled way of life.

Just this weekend my car kicked the bucket, and it kicked it hard. The fully computer-operated automatic excuse for a transmission imploded and vaporized my ability to use the car for anything but a climate control box. I was sad, mad, and unhappy due to the proposed cost of $2700 for a new tranny, and then installation.

I said screw it. I am getting what I can for the rotting hulk of what is left of that thing and resorting to the bike as my sole means of transportation. I don't know if it is as pure as choosing to be car-less, but nonetheless I am, and I am enjoying it.

So my brothers, take me under your wings, and welcome me to the car-less world.

[jonassterling]

Right on. I have been in similar situations many times. My procession of $500 cars are not really long term investments. I hope for a year and usually get it. Coming up on 3 in my current ride, but I spent the big bucks for this one:$750. But in the end I always buy another car after a period of months, sometimes over a year going carless. I love to travel long distances, and while I would rather do it by bike, time, job, and life get in the way. So I drive. As little as possible but still too much.

I think I may be hurrying my current car along to it's demise. 10,000 miles between oil changes can't be good for a car with 205,000 miles on it. Can't kill the damn boobaru. Oh well, I'll need it to move in a few months.

Good luck in your new found freedom from the pump, just in time if the dookie hits the fan in the Mid-East.

[hairygrump]

Welcome and congratulations.

I think you'll find all the changes you make are for the better.

[bicycle_boy]

Congratulations! Where i'm at now i don't really have a car, and therefore am free from the pump! it's great! and my messenger bag has carried everything i need from the store, so things do work out quite well without a car...except for the 60-70 mi. to my house, which is sadly enough made in a car. but i've been wondering about the trains, the way i see it i might be able to just hop on one of the one's passing my dorm and it'll take me to a train yard that'll take me home, but being as that i've never train hopped, there is a certain fear involved...

[LoneBiker]

Rock on Pedro! youre doing a good thing for yourself. Watch and be amazed when you end up having extra money every week, every day, all the time to do what you want with! One word of advice: fenders! i taste road salt every day;)

as for you bicycle boy, it would kick ass if you could find out if a train passing through ends up in lafffy or flora. Mabye we will have to try it this summer vacation?....

[Pedro]

That is yet another aspect which I have not peroused, the fact that I am no longer going to be supporting a petroleum war, and thus will be saving untold amounts of cash as the cost of petrol rises. Ahhh, the bliss of a humming drivetrain and skinnies on the pavement

[kennbenny667]

Welcome to the car-free world. I spent the 1200 bucks I could have used to pay for insurance on a trip to nyc last year. It rocked!

[Spamula]

Congratulations Pedro!

I wish I was as adventurous as you but I have a planned move on the way so I need the damned auto.

For help on the switch to no-car try reading, "Divorce your Car!" by Katie Alvord. She is from my area here in Michigan and has made a science out of living without a car. Plus she has lots of good advice, good references, and a section on guilt...reasons why using a car is bad.


Here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0865714088/qid%3D1046877180/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-8052169-9394449

Good luck. Stay tough. Check your library!

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by Pedro
That is yet another aspect which I have not peroused, the fact that I am no longer going to be supporting a petroleum war, and thus will be saving untold amounts of cash as the cost of petrol rises. Ahhh, the bliss of a humming drivetrain and skinnies on the pavement

Actually, if you're anything like me, you'll be spending that money at your bike shop without even realizing it. This time last year I had one bike... now I have four. Also, I'm a lousy mechanic (though I'm getting better), so I require assistance to keep my machines rolling.

But let's not be confused... this is definitely preferable to the alternative.

[mbikenut]

Being able to forgo a car is a great experience goodluck

[i8urbrain]

The state helped my make that choice for me. Although I already owned a bike, I had to sell it to pay for a lawyer, and I did time anyway, what a rip off. My wife of 3 weeks has a car and I still do not drive. I use the metro, or I ride. I ride all the time, and I love not using a car. I thought it would kill me, now I have a commuter bike that puts most peoples race rides to shame, and it still cost me less then a cheap car. When I rode this morning in the snow to work and some of the other guys walked, drove, or hopped a train, I just felt better. I know you will need to adjust to it, especially if you live where the summers are hot like D.C., but it could be worse I could live where it is really freaking hot, or work where there is no shower.
Reed.

[Divscotty]

Originally posted by bicycle_boy
i've been wondering about the trains, the way i see it i might be able to just hop on one of the one's passing my dorm and it'll take me to a train yard that'll take me home, but being as that i've never train hopped, there is a certain fear involved...

You have a right to be a little afraid of something you don't have the skills for. If you decide to hop a railcar. Go find someone and learn how. And for crimeny sakes don't hop the rear of a car if it's not the last car in the line. If you do and miss you will be tossed under the wheels of the next car and then you won't ride a bike any more and that would be bad. If you miss and you are hoping the front of a car you will probably bounce off the body of the car and land in the rocks.

Just something to think about - no advise given. Rail yards are a good place to stay away from.

Divscotty

[i8urbrain]

Soundwords from someone who seems to know. I used to work with a tough chick who hopped trains to travel. You should have heard her stories. She was prob. the only chick I would not want to meet in a dark alley. Although she did have some pretty great scars from hopping over barbed wire. I agree with Div, buy a ticket and hop a seat on a passenger train, hell they will let you take your bike. Hopping a freight car might mean that someone snags your ride, and you get messed up.

Reed.

[Biggles]

I had a friend that used to hop trains he said he would always try for the farthest forward car he could get....that way if he fell he coudl possibly catcha later car on the same train.....sometimes i wonder if the beer bottle i saw get smashed over his head did serious damage sadly i think he was always a nutter. scary