Going car-free and living rural..It can be done!
05-13-14, 01:53 AM
#26
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Considering the OP went into detail how he tried to fix his car and how much money he spent in post #11 , I don't think it's weird or inappropriate at all.
05-13-14, 02:00 AM
#27
Full Member
I didn't know that post of you was serious
I thought it was a spambot posting car brands, caps words and prices.
My reply was rather ironically by saying: "spot on, that's just what I wanted to say".
05-13-14, 02:32 AM
#28
Sophomoric Member
05-13-14, 02:37 AM
#29
Senior Member
But adversarial is as adversarial does...
As for living without ready access to a motor vehicle when living in a rural location, yep, I did it for around four years (as this forum euphamistically calls it, car free).
There is some creativity and planning required, but that can be half the fun in achievement.
Your shopping lists need to be spot on (but it's remarkable how repetitive shopping list become), and you need to be able to carry home whatever you buy. I've put big cardboard boxes on the back rack of my touring bike after picking them up at nearest town's post office. Two moderately sized panniers will take a single person's entire week's worth of groceries.
If you are a socialiser, then you might be a little more restricted. But riding at night on rural roads has been, in my experience, safer than riding in an urban environment. You do need to keep an eye out for the wildlife.
Anyway, a "force majeure" such as a vehicle breakdown is a great way to transition to car-light or car-free status. A vehicle breakdown was what started me off in 1997, and I went more than 11 years without owning a car after that. The dead car was sold for a small amount of money, and that bought a hybrid.
05-13-14, 02:44 AM
#30
Sophomoric Member
Okay, where do I start? Hmm, last month I found out my car (a '96 Mustang Cobra) has a blown head. I've sheltered it in my garage since, working on it little by little, but just last week decided I wasn't going to finish rebuilding it anytime soon so I took the plates down to DMV and canceled the insurance. Now I should probably point out that I live 15 miles from a small town where there's a small grocery/hardware store. I also work about 20 miles in the opposite direction and am forced to ride my bike on a roller coaster-like road the entire way. There's also absolutely no public transportation available (even a cab ride would be mean taking out a second mortgage). On the other hand, it's a back road so traffic in general isn't a problem.
So since April of last year, I've been car light, only driving when I need to get someplace too far to ride the bike, which wasn't very often. I commuted to work a couple times last summer but couldn't make it a regular thing (too many hills), but now I've got no choice.
Even in the recent northeast cold, I've been commuting daily (leaving at 4am to arrive by 6am - I've learned the freezing temperatures make me work harder to get to my destination faster) and making weekly trips to the grocery store all on the bike. I currently have a milk crate strapped to the rear rack on my hybrid and a XL backpack for smaller items. I plan on borrowing my girlfriend's car (she still drives and has no plans to follow my lead in this car-free lifestyle) when I need to pick up dog food and other bulk items. I bought a chest freezer to stock up on frozen food so I only need to make those trips every 2-3 months.
Granted it's only been a month, I'm thinking about finishing the car (as a hobby) and selling it rather than ever drive it again. So far, this new lifestyle is working for me.
EDIT:
I've still got my old mountain bike, but I'm itching to visit my LBS for a new road bike to speed up my commute.
So since April of last year, I've been car light, only driving when I need to get someplace too far to ride the bike, which wasn't very often. I commuted to work a couple times last summer but couldn't make it a regular thing (too many hills), but now I've got no choice.
Even in the recent northeast cold, I've been commuting daily (leaving at 4am to arrive by 6am - I've learned the freezing temperatures make me work harder to get to my destination faster) and making weekly trips to the grocery store all on the bike. I currently have a milk crate strapped to the rear rack on my hybrid and a XL backpack for smaller items. I plan on borrowing my girlfriend's car (she still drives and has no plans to follow my lead in this car-free lifestyle) when I need to pick up dog food and other bulk items. I bought a chest freezer to stock up on frozen food so I only need to make those trips every 2-3 months.
Granted it's only been a month, I'm thinking about finishing the car (as a hobby) and selling it rather than ever drive it again. So far, this new lifestyle is working for me.
EDIT:
I've still got my old mountain bike, but I'm itching to visit my LBS for a new road bike to speed up my commute.
It's been a few more weeks now...I've been wondering if those hills are getting any smaller?
Another factor is that cold air is denser than warm air, so it takes about 10% more effort to ride in cold weather (IIRC). I've been noticing that I've been having an easier time of it since our temps went above 70F a couple times.
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05-13-14, 07:48 AM
#32
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05-13-14, 08:05 AM
#33
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It's a wonder you haven't turned it around to point out the expense of what should be basic spare parts, and the time and effort required to repair or maintain a vehicle. That bikes really are simple machines, and with a bit of knowledge, someone can maintain their own with the appropriate tools and spare parts. And that for the cost of the Mustang's fuel pump, you can buy another used bike, or a trailer, or a decent waterproof jacket.
But adversarial is as adversarial does...
As for living without ready access to a motor vehicle when living in a rural location, yep, I did it for around four years (as this forum euphamistically calls it, car free).
There is some creativity and planning required, but that can be half the fun in achievement.
Your shopping lists need to be spot on (but it's remarkable how repetitive shopping list become), and you need to be able to carry home whatever you buy. I've put big cardboard boxes on the back rack of my touring bike after picking them up at nearest town's post office. Two moderately sized panniers will take a single person's entire week's worth of groceries.
If you are a socialiser, then you might be a little more restricted. But riding at night on rural roads has been, in my experience, safer than riding in an urban environment. You do need to keep an eye out for the wildlife.
Anyway, a "force majeure" such as a vehicle breakdown is a great way to transition to car-light or car-free status. A vehicle breakdown was what started me off in 1997, and I went more than 11 years without owning a car after that. The dead car was sold for a small amount of money, and that bought a hybrid.
But adversarial is as adversarial does...
As for living without ready access to a motor vehicle when living in a rural location, yep, I did it for around four years (as this forum euphamistically calls it, car free).
There is some creativity and planning required, but that can be half the fun in achievement.
Your shopping lists need to be spot on (but it's remarkable how repetitive shopping list become), and you need to be able to carry home whatever you buy. I've put big cardboard boxes on the back rack of my touring bike after picking them up at nearest town's post office. Two moderately sized panniers will take a single person's entire week's worth of groceries.
If you are a socialiser, then you might be a little more restricted. But riding at night on rural roads has been, in my experience, safer than riding in an urban environment. You do need to keep an eye out for the wildlife.
Anyway, a "force majeure" such as a vehicle breakdown is a great way to transition to car-light or car-free status. A vehicle breakdown was what started me off in 1997, and I went more than 11 years without owning a car after that. The dead car was sold for a small amount of money, and that bought a hybrid.
Right-car light-sure this is a good opportunity for the OP to test the waters
But
1)The car-Cobra Mustang-is an enthusiasts car.No one buys one-new or used-for basic transportation. OP is or was a car fan.
2)More importantly he has already dumped a fair amount of money into repairing it-machining cylinders(boring) bigger pistons I guess-unless he just honed cylinders-in any case he is just a $300 fuel pump+ maybe another $300 in "gotta fix this also" away from having good emergency or bad weather transportation.
PS-Guessing he might actually have machined the heads-warped etc-and didn't actually bore cylinders-
In any case he has spent time and money getting it fixed-and now he has just the fuel pump-$300.
3)20 hilly miles-one way-from work-no public transportation- and he has a pet-and he lived in a cold climate
Completely car free-NOW- 20 hilly miles from work?? that is questionable advice-and he has a pet-always a consideration for pet owners
Does anyone on this forum commute 20 hilly miles-ONE WAY-to work-a daily commute ??
And he can find good info on hypermiling by searching (hint clean and mpg)-his MPG could easily improve by 10-15% with motor on Pulse and GLIDE -hills are a problem for FE-they are also give excellent repair and maintenance advice on that forum-reformed motor heads-polite bunch also-everyone interested in better mpg-all vehicles welcome-progressives conservatives-all welcome-lotta bike riders there
It is a way of going CAR LITE-CO2 LITE while still have motor transportation
The repair advice there-is better than on car enthusiasts forums where the bias is performance-and usually a younger less experienced crowd.
I did mention-POLITE-??
Fix the car-ride when he can,drive when he can't-20 hilly miles rural area!! Call it CAR LITE(but it is still a cool car-running it is worth MUCH more than not running-maybe quite a bit-depending on rust etc)
Yes cars break-yes they are expensive to buy, maintain, repair-but 20 hilly miles from work-and he can mitigate the expense with DIY and hypermiling-and his bike of course.
Last edited by phoebeisis; 05-13-14 at 01:26 PM.
05-13-14, 09:49 AM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So, to get back on (carfree) topic....
It's been a few more weeks now...I've been wondering if those hills are getting any smaller?
Another factor is that cold air is denser than warm air, so it takes about 10% more effort to ride in cold weather (IIRC). I've been noticing that I've been having an easier time of it since our temps went above 70F a couple times.
It's been a few more weeks now...I've been wondering if those hills are getting any smaller?
Another factor is that cold air is denser than warm air, so it takes about 10% more effort to ride in cold weather (IIRC). I've been noticing that I've been having an easier time of it since our temps went above 70F a couple times.
At one point I had thought about selling the car after getting it road ready but I've decided to keep it for times I don't feel like riding. I'd also like to add that I've never been a car enthusiast, I just found a deal that I couldn't pass up at the time of purchase.
05-13-14, 01:51 PM
#35
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Car free car light info is
get bike-ride-fix flats-dress warmly in winter
On the specifics of his ride-depending on just how hilly it is-OP has to eat maybe 1500 extra calories a day-just for the 4 hours of riding
He needs to pack a BIG LUNCH-and in the summer LOTS of fluid(not sure how hot it is where he is)
But four hours of moderate exercise-at least 400cal/hr-plenty of food and water-patch kit-maybe tube protecting inserts or flat resistant tubes
200 miles a week for most folks that would mean 1-2 flats per month with normal tires tubes(depends on the roads of course)
So food water usual tools-good lights during much of the year-
Yeah 40 hilly miles-rough
05-13-14, 02:47 PM
#36
Sophomoric Member
No because this is essentially an advice column-not a cheerleading column.
Car free car light info is
get bike-ride-fix flats-dress warmly in winter
On the specifics of his ride-depending on just how hilly it is-OP has to eat maybe 1500 extra calories a day-just for the 4 hours of riding
He needs to pack a BIG LUNCH-and in the summer LOTS of fluid(not sure how hot it is where he is)
But four hours of moderate exercise-at least 400cal/hr-plenty of food and water-patch kit-maybe tube protecting inserts or flat resistant tubes
200 miles a week for most folks that would mean 1-2 flats per month with normal tires tubes(depends on the roads of course)
So food water usual tools-good lights during much of the year-
Yeah 40 hilly miles-rough
Car free car light info is
get bike-ride-fix flats-dress warmly in winter
On the specifics of his ride-depending on just how hilly it is-OP has to eat maybe 1500 extra calories a day-just for the 4 hours of riding
He needs to pack a BIG LUNCH-and in the summer LOTS of fluid(not sure how hot it is where he is)
But four hours of moderate exercise-at least 400cal/hr-plenty of food and water-patch kit-maybe tube protecting inserts or flat resistant tubes
200 miles a week for most folks that would mean 1-2 flats per month with normal tires tubes(depends on the roads of course)
So food water usual tools-good lights during much of the year-
Yeah 40 hilly miles-rough
But please, if you are giving lengthy technical advice on buying/fixing cars, do it on another venue, such as email, PM, or a car and driving forum. I think if you stop to think about it, you'll see the irony of helping somebody fix a car on a carfree forum. Also, presumably not very many people here have much interest in fixing a car.
Finally, I think this is partially a cheerleading column as well as an advice column. A lot of people comment that they get support and encouragement from LCF, along with information.
BTW, I think this post--the one I'm responding to now--is a fine example of a useful "carfree" post. You clearly identify problems and challenges faced by the OP, with technical advice focused on the bike issues rather than the car issues.
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Last edited by Roody; 05-13-14 at 02:55 PM.
05-13-14, 04:20 PM
#37
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Fair enough
But I see this forum as more "Car Lite" than car free.
And car lite could mean put as little $$ as possible into car -usually means fixing what you have and getting the best possible mpg out of it.
Everyone here rides in cars,so no one is car free-they just bargain for rides in various ways-fill tank or return the favor in some other way-
But calories fluids tools flat mitigation lighting suitable bag -all important
A comfortable riding posture-more upright might make more sense than the bent over aero position many favor- aero considerations not as important when doing all that climbing-and 4 hours a day in the saddle -he might find a more traditional riding position makes more sense
In countries where folks use bikes for transportation-china india etc-no one ride bikes with drops-everyone ride bolt upright so they can see where they are going and it is more comfortable.
Good slug of coffee-maybe in a thermos-for the trip might help too on cold mornings-or hot chocolate-sweet-for those less caffeine addicted
But I see this forum as more "Car Lite" than car free.
And car lite could mean put as little $$ as possible into car -usually means fixing what you have and getting the best possible mpg out of it.
Everyone here rides in cars,so no one is car free-they just bargain for rides in various ways-fill tank or return the favor in some other way-
But calories fluids tools flat mitigation lighting suitable bag -all important
A comfortable riding posture-more upright might make more sense than the bent over aero position many favor- aero considerations not as important when doing all that climbing-and 4 hours a day in the saddle -he might find a more traditional riding position makes more sense
In countries where folks use bikes for transportation-china india etc-no one ride bikes with drops-everyone ride bolt upright so they can see where they are going and it is more comfortable.
Good slug of coffee-maybe in a thermos-for the trip might help too on cold mornings-or hot chocolate-sweet-for those less caffeine addicted
05-13-14, 04:48 PM
#38
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What kind of horsepower is that Cobra putting down at the rear wheel? Did you ever take it to the dragstrip? What kinda quarter mile times are we talking about?
05-13-14, 04:52 PM
#39
Sophomoric Member
Fair enough
But I see this forum as more "Car Lite" than car free.
And car lite could mean put as little $$ as possible into car -usually means fixing what you have and getting the best possible mpg out of it.
Everyone here rides in cars,so no one is car free-they just bargain for rides in various ways-fill tank or return the favor in some other way-
But calories fluids tools flat mitigation lighting suitable bag -all important
A comfortable riding posture-more upright might make more sense than the bent over aero position many favor- aero considerations not as important when doing all that climbing-and 4 hours a day in the saddle -he might find a more traditional riding position makes more sense
In countries where folks use bikes for transportation-china india etc-no one ride bikes with drops-everyone ride bolt upright so they can see where they are going and it is more comfortable.
Good slug of coffee-maybe in a thermos-for the trip might help too on cold mornings-or hot chocolate-sweet-for those less caffeine addicted
But I see this forum as more "Car Lite" than car free.
And car lite could mean put as little $$ as possible into car -usually means fixing what you have and getting the best possible mpg out of it.
Everyone here rides in cars,so no one is car free-they just bargain for rides in various ways-fill tank or return the favor in some other way-
But calories fluids tools flat mitigation lighting suitable bag -all important
A comfortable riding posture-more upright might make more sense than the bent over aero position many favor- aero considerations not as important when doing all that climbing-and 4 hours a day in the saddle -he might find a more traditional riding position makes more sense
In countries where folks use bikes for transportation-china india etc-no one ride bikes with drops-everyone ride bolt upright so they can see where they are going and it is more comfortable.
Good slug of coffee-maybe in a thermos-for the trip might help too on cold mornings-or hot chocolate-sweet-for those less caffeine addicted
In cases like these, being carlight might be the best answer. If the OP really wants to be carfree, he might have to consider changing either his job or his living arrangements. I give him a lot of respect for trying the things he has already tried. I hope he will continue with the goal of becoming carfree eventually, even if he can't quite do it at this time.
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05-14-14, 03:39 PM
#40
Senior Member
