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

How important is bicycling to you?

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.

How important is bicycling to you?

Old 10-02-12, 01:02 AM
  #1  
bragi
bragi
Thread Starter
 
bragi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
How important is bicycling to you?

All of us, presumably, have an opinion about the role of bicycles in our lives. Here's my view:

My attitude towards bicycling has kind of evolved in the last couple of years. I initially bicycled to save money and to save the world (yes, I'm that important). Then it became a lifestyle. Then I did it to stay in shape. Now I do it merely as one way to go places. It does save money, but it's not going to save the world. It's way better exercise than driving, but if you want to be really fit, you're going to have to do other stuff, too. It's a very practical way to travel in the city, especially if parking is scarce, but it's not really a great option if you have to show up someplace formal, wearing a suit when it's warm outside. I love cycling as much as ever, but have come to the understanding that it's a means, not an end. Your destination, and what you do once you arrive, is a lot more important than how you get there. It's just a machine.
bragi is offline  
Likes For bragi:
Old 10-02-12, 01:19 AM
  #2  
Newspaperguy
Senior Member
 
Newspaperguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I ride because I love to ride. The most obvious benefits — saving money, going green, keeping in shape — matter far less than the pleasure I get from a good ride. It's a special experience on a hot summer day, in spring or fall and on a snowy road in winter.

If the love of cycling ever goes away, it's time to put away the bike and find another way of getting around. But I don't see that happening.
Newspaperguy is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 04:46 AM
  #3  
Wolfvegas
Senior Member
 
Wolfvegas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nova Scotia, CANADA
Posts: 237

Bikes: CCM 21 speed big box special.....

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It helps me xlear my mind of the days bull****, keeps me semi fit and GREAT scenery in a college town
Wolfvegas is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 08:02 AM
  #4  
Artkansas 
Pedaled too far.
 
Artkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London

Originally Posted by Bjforrestal
I don't care if you are on a unicycle, as long as you're not using a motor to get places you get props from me. We're here to support each other. Share ideas, and motivate one another to actually keep doing it.
Artkansas is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 08:18 AM
  #5  
1nterceptor
LET'S ROLL
 
1nterceptor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Posts: 4,782

Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 33 Posts
Originally Posted by bragi
[h=2]How important is bicycling to you?[/h]
It gets me to work, keeps me fit, saves me money, go on
organized rides and have fun; so I would say it's very
importatnt to me




1nterceptor is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 09:17 AM
  #6  
Roody
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 bragi
I love cycling as much as ever, but have come to the understanding that it's a means, not an end. Your destination, and what you do once you arrive, is a lot more important than how you get there. It's just a machine.
This is the exact opposite of my philosophy. My maxim is that the journey is greater than the arrival. Every ride is an adventure--even if I'm only going to the drugstore for a bar of soap.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Likes For Roody:
Old 10-02-12, 09:19 AM
  #7  
Roody
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 Artkansas
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
Koan!

__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 02:40 PM
  #8  
davidmcowan
Live Deliberately.
 
davidmcowan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 735

Bikes: CETMA Cargo, Surly Big Dummy, Surly Straggler, Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Roody read my mind. If it were only about the destination I'd drive.

Originally Posted by Roody
This is the exact opposite of my philosophy. My maxim is that the journey is greater than the arrival. Every ride is an adventure--even if I'm only going to the drugstore for a bar of soap.
davidmcowan is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 02:56 PM
  #9  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,527

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5218 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
for a long time, a couple years ago it was all I had keeping me together. unfortunately, it wasn't enough when the bottom really dropped out. then everything fell apart. as I peice things back together, I'm adding more cycling back in.
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 03:39 PM
  #10  
iheartbacon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
There are days when I wish I could drive again. I read a link on this site that said the average car owner shells out $9,900 a year to own a car. If I'm correct I read this in a link in the utility forum. As someone that gets $11,488 a year to live on car ownership is out of my reach. However I hope to pass the medical tests this winter and be cleared to drive again. If that happens I will carefully analyze the cost of a scooter (highway speed) or a motorcycle. For now bicycling is very important to me because it's the only thing that enables me to have independance. Tomorrow I have to go on a 16 mile round trip to run an important errand. It will make me tired but it's necessary. While I'm getting healthier and stronger there are days where I'm just plain whipped. If I didn't have a bicycle I would have to take cabs, bus, or walk.
iheartbacon is offline  
Likes For iheartbacon:
Old 10-02-12, 03:47 PM
  #11  
Roody
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
The aboove two posts show us how important a bike can be for people who have real problems, not just the first world problems that most of us have. My son also used a bike as therapy (physical and mental) as he slowly recovered from severe injuries in a car accident.

rumrunn6 and iheart bacon--congratulations and keep up the good work!

__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Likes For Roody:
Old 10-02-12, 04:03 PM
  #12  
apollored
Senior Member
 
apollored's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 638

Bikes: Apollo Revival Mountain Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
My bike is important to me as it also gives me independence as I dont often have the bus fare or tram fare to get to places.

It also getting me fit (er) and I just enjoy riding it in the fresh air.

It has been really wet today and i was in two minds whethere to get the bus instead.

But I had to go to my partner's workplace to pick up something sent for him and then to a doctor's appointment.

It would have meant waiting for a bus, paying for a day rider ticket, then getting off at the doctor's then waiting for another bus to the workplace and then waiting for another bus home.

But the weather dried up enough so I cycled and only had to stop twice.

Took a quarter of the time and saved me £4:20 which may not seem a lot but its very steep for the distance and its too painful for me to walk that distance so my bike is a lifeline for me now.
apollored is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 04:43 PM
  #13  
iheartbacon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Roody
rumrunn6 and iheart bacon--congratulations and keep up the good work!

Thank you!
iheartbacon is offline  
Likes For iheartbacon:
Old 10-02-12, 05:21 PM
  #14  
gerv 
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 Artkansas
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
Nice post!

I also like Bragi's evolution. It's sort of like the Basho quotation I heard years ago. A young man wants to paint bamboo, so he works hard for many years to learn bamboo painting. Then he becomes a bamboo. Then he forgets about bamboo.

I think that was it anyway.
gerv is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 06:27 PM
  #15  
cycleobsidian
cycleobsidian
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 441
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Roody
This is the exact opposite of my philosophy. My maxim is that the journey is greater than the arrival. Every ride is an adventure--even if I'm only going to the drugstore for a bar of soap.
The way I look at it, our modern world is so safe....if you want to live an honest life that is. There is very little out in the world for a middle aged lady like myself that fills me with joy and giddiness. My work is a challenge at times but that's a mental challenge.

Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.

When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.

Bicycling is very important to me.
cycleobsidian is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 06:50 PM
  #16  
Smallwheels
Senior Member
 
Smallwheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: I'm in Helena Montana again.
Posts: 1,402
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Bicycling is very important to me because it gets me everywhere I need to go. If I had the extra money for a car I would own one or perhaps own a scooter if I lived in a warmer climate. My bicycles are tools. The good thing about them is that when I'm using them I also get to experience my environment in person instead of through a windshield.

I do like cars. I just don't use them anymore. When I did own one it wasn't used very often.
Smallwheels is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 10:09 PM
  #17  
Roody
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 cycleobsidian
The way I look at it, our modern world is so safe....if you want to live an honest life that is. There is very little out in the world for a middle aged lady like myself that fills me with joy and giddiness. My work is a challenge at times but that's a mental challenge.

Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.

When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.

Bicycling is very important to me.
Wow, we have got to get you out on your bike this winter. I can tell that you would really really really like it!
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 10-02-12, 10:22 PM
  #18  
Newspaperguy
Senior Member
 
Newspaperguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by cycleobsidian
Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.

When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
Winter riding is a lot easier than it seems. Riding on fresh snow on a quiet moonlit night is a euphoric experience.
Newspaperguy is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 12:36 AM
  #19  
bragi
bragi
Thread Starter
 
bragi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.



Originally Posted by Roody
Koan!

bragi is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 12:42 AM
  #20  
bragi
bragi
Thread Starter
 
bragi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2,911

Bikes: LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by davidmcowan
Roody read my mind. If it were only about the destination I'd drive.
No you wouldn't. Who wants to get to the destination in a very bad mood?

Last edited by bragi; 10-03-12 at 12:47 AM.
bragi is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 04:37 AM
  #21  
cycleobsidian
cycleobsidian
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 441
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Roody
Wow, we have got to get you out on your bike this winter. I can tell that you would really really really like it!
I could tolerate the cold, I might even get to like the cold and the snow, but I am deathly afraid of wiping out on ice, even with the appropriate tires.

I am a bit of a klutz.
cycleobsidian is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 05:15 AM
  #22  
wahoonc
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 cycleobsidian
I could tolerate the cold, I might even get to like the cold and the snow, but I am deathly afraid of wiping out on ice, even with the appropriate tires.

I am a bit of a klutz.
Best bike I have found for winter riding is a 20" wheel with studded tires. I used to laugh at my buddy with the BMX bike but he can get a foot down a lot quicker than I can. I currently have a Raleigh Twenty, but don't worry about winter riding here in the Deep South. If it snows I stay off the roads and let the gene pool reduce itself.

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 10-03-12, 09:10 AM
  #23  
Roody
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 cycleobsidian
I could tolerate the cold, I might even get to like the cold and the snow, but I am deathly afraid of wiping out on ice, even with the appropriate tires.

I am a bit of a klutz.
Ice is easily avoided. Don't ride after ice storms, or any time when you think it might be too slippery. Or you can stick mostly to riding on the arterial roads and intemediate roads that are scraped and salted, and walk your bike on the little side streets. If you follow this plan, you shouldn't even need special tires and riding will be possible many days of the winter.

However, you might find that riding a bike (with studded tires) is easier than walking when it's slick--especially if you're a klutz.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 09:15 AM
  #24  
Roody
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 wahoonc
Best bike I have found for winter riding is a 20" wheel with studded tires. I used to laugh at my buddy with the BMX bike but he can get a foot down a lot quicker than I can. I currently have a Raleigh Twenty, but don't worry about winter riding here in the Deep South. If it snows I stay off the roads and let the gene pool reduce itself.

Aaron
I never tried a BMX on ice. But my friend Tony used to ride one. Years ago, before I started cycling, I followed Tony in my car while he rode his BMX across Lansing in an ice storm. He was dancing on the ice, literally riding circles around me in my fwd Toyota. I think he was the only one of the few people out that night (mostly tow trucks and ambulances) who was actually enjoying the ice. I know I was sweating it in that car!
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 10-03-12, 09:49 AM
  #25  
bjjoondo 
Senior Member
 
bjjoondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado Springs, CO.
Posts: 2,116

Bikes: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times in 66 Posts
We can't afford a car, it just put's too much stress on our meger budget, I have two very mean forms of arthritis and it makes walking a chore. Although it still hurts to ride a bicycle, I can actually get somewhere at a distance in a decent time frame and I REALLY do not like riding the city bus due to bladder control problems in my being 50+. I totally MISS owing a motorcycle so we could do "longer distance touring" in a much shorter time span than trying to do it via bicycles. Motorcycles are VERY expensive, upkeep wise, tire's are insanely priced for the few miles you get out them, maint. shop time is close to $100 an hour, nowadays and accessiories are even more expensive. The bicycle is the ONLY "moving vechical" that works for us, we can get to work, get food, haul stuff, ride across town in a fairly short time. Without the bicycle I'd have to walk to the store, haul the food in a two wheeled cart, hassle getting that kinda load on a city bus, we'd be STUCK to this area only for recreation, ect. My bicycles are extremly important to ME!
__________________
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition









bjjoondo 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.