The Tale of the Most Reluctant Bike Commuter Evar.

[Greenbelt]

I get agitated when I’m in the car these days. There’s no such thing as a relaxing, or even a calm drive, at least anywhere around here, at least outside the neighborhood. As soon as I get in the car, I’m checking traffic. Always checking traffic. Much more relaxed on my bike, even when the roads aren’t built for us and we have to improvise our way around.

On my bike I’ve found lots of nearby stores, so now I don’t really need to drive places much anymore. If I can’t bike there these days, I pretty much don’t go.

As little as we drive any more, I’m hoping we can keep the old Corolla running forever. Spending less on gas and cars = more money to spend on food and vacations!

[eminva]

Yay, Ann! Welcome aboard!

Re: traffic, when I first got my driver’s license, I lived in Texas and distances were great, so I thought, “wow, freedom!” Years later, when I started bicycle commuting, I thought, “wow, freedom!” Funny how things came full circle.

Liz

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Such a great post, Ann!

I didn’t like riding in the rain until I tried it. Kind of fun, really, as long as you have fenders. I recently picked up one of these so I can blend in more when I ride in the rain.

[acc]

This is me, crying on the inside.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]600[/ATTACH]

“I’m only happy when it rains…” Not exactly.

ann

[dbb]

I see the problem. The absence of rhinestones has eliminated the aura about the rider that deflects the raindrops!

[acc]

Sadly, though most problems in life can be solved by piling on more rhinestones,

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they are reflective in nature but not water repellant.

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ann

[KLizotte]

Welcome to the dark side Ann! Just think, you are setting a great example for your kids.

FYI: Streetview on google maps is a great way to check out potential routes since you can see what the roads and landmarks are like from an “on the saddle” perspective.

[KLizotte]

@acc 13392 wrote:

This is me, crying on the inside.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]600[/ATTACH]

“I’m only happy when it rains…” Not exactly.

You really need to get a rain cap for your helmet. Kinda like a fancy shower cap. Makes a big difference.

On the other hand, you just saved yourself the effort of a shampoo.

[pfunkallstar]

@Greenbelt 13384 wrote:

I get agitated when I’m in the car these days.

Every night when I drive by the mile-long stack of cars on the Parkway, I think to myself “I’m glad I’m covered head to toe in spandex.”

[off2ride]

I too love my car but I also love it when I know I’ve saved some gas by riding to work. Sure it’s cold but that’s only for the first 3 minutes.

[dasgeh]

I don’t love my car, but I do love the butt-warmers. If only they’d come up with butt-warmers for the bike.

MCL1981, PrintError or vvill — could you jerry-rig something and tell us all how you do it? Bonus points if it has an auto-shut-off once you’ve started riding hard.

I am not built for winter.

[americancyclo]

[video=youtube_share;jQIbItOoiAA]http://youtu.be/jQIbItOoiAA[/video]

[acc]

With visions of a smoking hot saddle making me cringe, I bring you:
http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=21532&Click=310393&gclid=CJjdtcv15q0CFWm-tgodFl_TiQ

ann

[Riley Casey]

Whats next on this slippery slope?

http://www.google.com/patents/about/6476365_Toilet_paper_dispenser.html?id=XP8KAAAAEBAJ

[mstone]

@dasgeh 13445 wrote:

I don’t love my car, but I do love the butt-warmers. If only they’d come up with butt-warmers for the bike.

MCL1981, PrintError or vvill — could you jerry-rig something and tell us all how you do it? Bonus points if it has an auto-shut-off once you’ve started riding hard.

I am not built for winter.

[Author]

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