Car Free for 10 Years !!!
#1
GadgetJim57
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Car Free for 10 Years !!!
I got rid of my last car (Dodge Caravan) 10 years ago, in 2008. I got an Electra Townie and rode that for around one year, then got my Surly Long Haul Trucker, which I rode from April, 2009-late 2017. Due to serious health issues …. I am investing in a custom high-tech Yuba Sweet Curry with a 1500W motor, and 80Ahr battery pack (4 batteries), 4 headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals, and many other features …..
I was planning on buying a low-mileage mini-van when I retire in two or three years, but decided not to get another car. I will just keep riding my Yuba Sweet Curry eBike ….. which will be perfect for cycling to work, shopping … and going on tours two or three times every year, and camping at local campgrounds.
I have two tours planned for this year … 1) Napa Valley and surrounding area … 2) Bodega Bay to Brookings … and at least two tours planned for 2019 … 1) San Francisco to Santa Cruz over Spring Vacation 2019 and 2) Point Reyes and the surrounding area during the summer, 2019 …..
I was planning on buying a low-mileage mini-van when I retire in two or three years, but decided not to get another car. I will just keep riding my Yuba Sweet Curry eBike ….. which will be perfect for cycling to work, shopping … and going on tours two or three times every year, and camping at local campgrounds.
I have two tours planned for this year … 1) Napa Valley and surrounding area … 2) Bodega Bay to Brookings … and at least two tours planned for 2019 … 1) San Francisco to Santa Cruz over Spring Vacation 2019 and 2) Point Reyes and the surrounding area during the summer, 2019 …..
#2
Senior Member
Good for you. 10 years is a long time and is impressive in todays car centric life many/most have... Many here are seeming to be "trying" but like me are not even close to living life without a vehicle...
#3
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
Originally, I was going to install a gas-powered motor on my Townie Electra, but after doing much research, I discovered just how versatile bicycles really are. I never knew that so many people carried tons of stuff with their bicycles. Some people, like in Portland, Oregon, actually move all of their stuff from their big house to another house, using ONLY Bicycles … !!! You can watch the videos on YouTube !!! I was absolutely amazed … and began thinking that I could go Car Free. At first I went Car Light, started getting into shape … invested in good quality gear, and quickly realized that I could carry all of my groceries …. cycle to work ….
Just start out slow …. don't over do it … Think positive …
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Sweet! And all that money saved on car insurance/gas/registration/repair, etc., means more goodies for the bike =)
#6
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
When I calculated the costs to purchase a used minivan with low mileage, and total costs for maintenance and repairs for 10 years ... I figure that I would spend around $80,000.00+ US.
Costs for my eBike (including the initial cost to custom build my eBike ... around $10,000.00 US), total cost for the first 10 years might be around $15,000-18,000.00. Quite a big difference !!!
Costs for my eBike (including the initial cost to custom build my eBike ... around $10,000.00 US), total cost for the first 10 years might be around $15,000-18,000.00. Quite a big difference !!!
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When I calculated the costs to purchase a used minivan with low mileage, and total costs for maintenance and repairs for 10 years ... I figure that I would spend around $80,000.00+ US.
Costs for my eBike (including the initial cost to custom build my eBike ... around $10,000.00 US), total cost for the first 10 years might be around $15,000-18,000.00. Quite a big difference !!!
Costs for my eBike (including the initial cost to custom build my eBike ... around $10,000.00 US), total cost for the first 10 years might be around $15,000-18,000.00. Quite a big difference !!!
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I have seen lots of people riding cargo bikes hauling stuff that would never fit in a subcompact or even a compact car! And, of course, a motorcycle can't haul very much at all. The OP's comparison as pretty generous, with a USED vehicle compared to new. A hatchback "might" work (although my friend's Prius couldn't haul as much as she thought). But let's say the OP adds in rental of a minivan a few times a year to his cost of ownership for the e-bike....he is still saving a small fortune compared to the cost of any new car+insurance+gas+maintenance+registration. I'm assuming the e-bike was new so both should be new for comparison). "For vehicles driven 15,000 miles a year, average ownership costs added up to about $8,469 per year in 2017." Nerdwallet
Last edited by linberl; 07-12-18 at 05:36 PM.
#9
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
If you can accomplish all your transportation tasks with a vehicle as limited in cargo and passenger hauling as an e-bike, why would you compare its costs with the costs of a motor vehicle as a large and relatively expensive as a minivan, rather than the smallest available subcompact car or a motorcycle which would be much less expensive to purchase and operate? Unless you wish to convince yourself of your wisdom in vehicle choice?
But that is what "I was planning" …. not somebody else, who does not understand me, my thinking, what I want.
#10
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
I have seen lots of people riding cargo bikes hauling stuff that would never fit in a subcompact or even a compact car! And, of course, a motorcycle can't haul very much at all. The OP's comparison as pretty generous, with a USED vehicle compared to new. A hatchback "might" work (although my friend's Prius couldn't haul as much as she thought). But let's say the OP adds in rental of a minivan a few times a year to his cost of ownership for the e-bike....he is still saving a small fortune compared to the cost of any new car+insurance+gas+maintenance+registration. I'm assuming the e-bike was new so both should be new for comparison). "For vehicles driven 15,000 miles a year, average ownership costs added up to about $8,469 per year in 2017." Nerdwallet
My early retirement refund was not enough to buy a new mini-van anyways. My later retirement refund would be enough to buy a new mini-van, but then there would be the monthly/yearly costs, which anyone who drives a car/van knows what the "Real Expenses" are ….. I have driven many vehicles for many years.
#11
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
And …. as any cyclist knows …. Bicycles/eBikes can go many places that cars >>> CANNOT go … !!! Even though I will be loaded to the gills with gear, I still will be roughing it much of the time … pitching a tent … cooking with a Coleman Stove, or over the fire … enjoying the fresh outdoors …. listening to nature …. watching the stars …. meeting other cyclists …. hikers … campers … walking along the beaches … hopefully siting whales (I have never seen a real live whale …), and leaving a much lighter footprint than cars …..
#12
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
Yes, it was a bit of a shock …. but I did go "Car-Light" for several years. And I have been riding bicycles since I was four years old (I'm 61 years old now). And yes, it is fun, at least for me. I enjoy traveling slower, with the wind in my face …. I can easily slow down, or even stop anywhere, anytime, to chat with people, take pictures, rest ….. We (US) live in such a fast-paced world/society …. missing out on the more important things in life …..
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And …. as any cyclist knows …. Bicycles/eBikes can go many places that cars >>> CANNOT go … !!! Even though I will be loaded to the gills with gear, I still will be roughing it much of the time … pitching a tent … cooking with a Coleman Stove, or over the fire … enjoying the fresh outdoors …. listening to nature …. watching the stars …. meeting other cyclists …. hikers … campers … walking along the beaches … hopefully siting whales (I have never seen a real live whale …), and leaving a much lighter footprint than cars …..
#14
GadgetJim57
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I am still waiting to pick up my eBike … Still lots of customizing to finish … I will post pictures when I have my eBike fully loaded. Should be ready next week.
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Good luck with your e-bike and I hope it works for all your transportation and cargo hauling needs as well as you expect
#16
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[QUOTE=I-Like-To-Bike;20446215]Now I understand. The "perfection" of an e-bike for cycling to work, shopping … and going on tours two or three times every year, loaded to the gills, and camping at local campgrounds will be demonstrated sometime in the future.
Good luck with your e-bike and I hope it works for all your transportation and cargo hauling needs as well as you expect[/QUOTE]
Now, will it be as good as he expects...??? Probably not.. But, will it be as big a fail as you seem to be expecting... Probably not... JMO...E-Bikes have a huge advantage In some ways, when people really want to ditch their cars, and want, to still be riding a "bicycle", instead of driving a car..
Good luck with your e-bike and I hope it works for all your transportation and cargo hauling needs as well as you expect[/QUOTE]
Now, will it be as good as he expects...??? Probably not.. But, will it be as big a fail as you seem to be expecting... Probably not... JMO...E-Bikes have a huge advantage In some ways, when people really want to ditch their cars, and want, to still be riding a "bicycle", instead of driving a car..
Last edited by 350htrr; 07-13-18 at 07:21 PM. Reason: add stuff
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I would have to agree with this. Plus, with power assist e-bikes, a person can still opt to put in effort and work up a sweat just like with a "normal" bike.
#19
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
The eBike will be great transportation for me to get to work, shopping, and also enjoy cycling tours several times a year. I've been riding Uber and Lyft too long, costing me around $300-400 month, and that is usually only one way, taking the city bus home.
#20
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
How do you keep your bike from being stolen, stripped or vandalized? I was car free for a few years in the late 80s to early 90s, but could bring my bike inside at work and walk to stores. How are you able to keep a decent bike rolling reliably thru hostile times and environments?
My new eBike has a motorcycle alarm system, which will sound a loud, ear-piercing alarm, and also notify me on my phone. I can enter a pin, which will alert the police, and using the GPS on the bike, allow the police to find my eBike, and hopefully get it back. Hopefully, that won't happen.
When I cycle to work, I put my bicycle either in the staff room, or the classroom, depending on which school I work at (I have a different job assignment each day). When I lock up at a store, I try to find the most open spot. At Cost Less, my bicycle is always locked up right next to the front door. Wal-Mart is a problem, because their bicycle rack (the only place I can lock up) is around the corner, not visible to anyone in the store. So, I try to make my bicycle shopping at Wal-Mart very quick.
At Starbucks, I can lock up close, and visible through the window where I sit. Same at McDonald's. Library is a serious problem …. So, I will make sure to have the Alarm app always open, and also get up often to check on my eBike, and I will tell all of the three security guards at the Library to keep an eye on my eBike, when they are outside walking around.
At church, another problem ….. So, I will have to sit in the lobby usually (they have big screens to watch and listen to the service, and I can also watch the full service on my phone).
I'm really concerned about bicycle camping/touring …. because I would really like to do some hiking, but I'm too paranoid to hike very far, so probably will not do much hiking. I will most likely pack everything up when I leave the campsite to go exploring, even if I'm coming back to the same campsite that day, just to be safe. There are serious problems with homeless all over the California campsites, which has caused some campsites to actually close down.
Last edited by vja4Him; 07-25-18 at 05:23 PM. Reason: spelling
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Excellent question … I have been using the massive and heavy New York Kryptonite Chain Lock, weight around 9+ pounds. I also have two heavy-duty cables with big padlocks. Also, my panniers are locked with cables and more padlocks. My handlebar bag also locked to the frame. My front and rear racks also locked to the frame. Seat also locked. Everything locked.
[SKIP]
At church, another problem ….. So, I will have to sit in the lobby usually (they have big screens to watch and listen to the service, and I can also watch the full service on my phone).
I'm really concerned about bicycle camping/touring …. because I would really like to do some hiking, but I'm too paranoid to hike very far, so probably will not do much hiking. I will most likely pack everything up when I leave the campsite to go exploring, even if I'm coming back to the same campsite that day, just to be safe. There are serious problems with homeless all over the California campsites, which has caused some campsites to actually close down.
[SKIP]
At church, another problem ….. So, I will have to sit in the lobby usually (they have big screens to watch and listen to the service, and I can also watch the full service on my phone).
I'm really concerned about bicycle camping/touring …. because I would really like to do some hiking, but I'm too paranoid to hike very far, so probably will not do much hiking. I will most likely pack everything up when I leave the campsite to go exploring, even if I'm coming back to the same campsite that day, just to be safe. There are serious problems with homeless all over the California campsites, which has caused some campsites to actually close down.
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Touring doesn't necessarily require loading a bike to the gills, even if camping. Plenty of people go UL. Seen many people with minimal setups doing the GDMBR. Some people choose not to cook, which cuts down on the amount of gear one needs. My sleep system (tent, pad and bag) comes in at about 7 lbs. total. If one tours in areas where the weather is consistently warm, no cold weather gear is needed.
#24
GadgetJim57
Thread Starter
Got everything packed yesterday and took my Yuba for a test ride around town. Handles much better with the batteries lower (in the four ammo boxes). My wood box (which can be locked for security) will be for storing my electronics. Still need to add water and food, most which will be in front.
My Yuba Sweet Curry eBike, fully loaded (no water or food yet), ready for camping.
My Yuba Sweet Curry eBike, fully loaded (no water or food yet), ready for camping.
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Got everything packed yesterday and took my Yuba for a test ride around town. Handles much better with the batteries lower (in the four ammo boxes). My wood box (which can be locked for security) will be for storing my electronics. Still need to add water and food, most which will be in front.
My Yuba Sweet Curry eBike, fully loaded (no water or food yet), ready for camping.
My Yuba Sweet Curry eBike, fully loaded (no water or food yet), ready for camping.