have you changed your life for cycling?

[sjf]

I am curious to find out how many here have changed the way they live because of their love of cycling.

I have been doing some serious soul searching lately and have come to the conclusion I want to make some changes so I can spend more time on my bike. It is what I truly love to do and gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction that I can't seem to replicate with anything else.

6 months ago my husband and I fufilled a dream and bought a downtown loft. We're now in the heart of the city, close to restaurants, shops, etc. We love the urban lifestyle.

BUT, in spite of all the good things about it, we have come to realize it sucks for cycling. To go for any decent rides we have to put our bikes on the back of the car and drive about 10 miles out of the city. Realistically, this makes it much harder to fit rides in here and there - after work for example. And in spite of all the good things about living here, that one thing is so bad I'm not sure I want to stay here.

We've been eyeing up some suburban areas close to quiet, scenic backroads.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has found themselves in a similiar dilemma and what they did about it.

I know people will think we're nuts if we put our new place up for sale. It's beautiful and and there's so many great things about living right in the city. But cycling is just so important to us, we are doubtful the long list of GOOD things about being here can outweight the one bad thing.

[Crankin]

Do it! About 8-9 years ago, my husband and I decided that we would sell our house in the typical development about 28 miles west of Boston and move to the city or a very close in suburb next to the city when our second son finished high school. Then, my husband started cycling. We still talked about moving, but not as much. We also thought we would buy a place on Cape Cod. Well, guess what? After I started cycling we slowly realized that it would suck to do this, for the very reasons you described. I don't even like driving in those areas. We also love the culture, restaurants, etc. of the city, but I also love coming home. Instead, about a year ago we moved to a suburb about ten miles closer in, that has two small "downtowns." This fullfills our need to have good coffee shops and places to walk around. We go into Boston more because it's closer. But we still live in an area where people from the city drive to, to start their rides, and I am no longer in a "Stepford Wife" neighborhood. We are also still close to our former community, so we didn't have to change much about our life style, like doctors, shopping, and our non-cycling friends. Most people will not understand, but if you can afford it, then do what makes you happy.

[Eden]

You haven't mentioned what city, so this may not be that much of a possiblity for you, but learn to embrace traffic - at least until you can get out of it. Around here in Seattle I guess we get the best of both worlds. I live within walking distance of downtown and even closer to other restaurant/shop areas, but I can still hop on my bike and within 1/2 hour be out of the city on on what are basically country roads. There are plenty of full days rides right out my door. I've also lived in Pittsburgh and a few blocks out of downtown Rochester NY and never ever found a lack of places to go on my bike.

Rather than give up on the city explore it. Even cities have their less traveled routes. Find bike paths, bike lanes and parks. Explore the neighborhoods and find all the quaint little cafes and quirky coffee houses. Go sight seeing in the neighborhoods full of big old houses. Explore! There is plenty to see and do on a bike in the city.

I'm a little biased I grew up in a city and live in one now. I love my walkable, bikeable lifestyle so I would likely never even think about moving country and would be even less likely to move to the burbs, but really I think that both city life and bike can co-exist. It seems like in the end you would end up spending more time in the car for the general doings of everyday life if you didn't live in the city?

[mimitabby]

Man, i'd love to own a downtown Seattle Loft. I wouldn't have any trouble riding from home either!
:)

[Aggie_Ama]

My husband and I just bought our first home and the major reason we picked the town we did was cycling. There was another neighborhood that would be closer to my work, but we could never ride from the house. It would have meant negotiating a new toll road!

That being said, if we could afford a place smack between our works we might have come to a different conclusion. The ability to be home in 10 minutes would be wonderful. Right now we are 6 miles from most things and 15 from the nearest malls and bike shops. It is really making Christmas shopping a PITA.

Can you take your bikes to work (do you drive?) and meet somewhere for a ride? I have throw my running clothes in the car and change in a bathroom at our local trail to enjoy running in the winter. Maybe there are some creative solutions to keeping the loft and riding?

[spokewench]

Well, I didn't change my house entirely because of cycling, but I did change my lifestyle - and part of it was because of cycling.

We used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I can't say that riding was ever a problem there. The road riding is spectacular and the mountain biking is okay.

But, about 10-11 years ago, my husband and I decided to downsize a bit and moved to Flagstaff Arizona. Part of the draw was the great mountain biking; not so great road riding. The other draw was that my parents lived just south of here. So, yeah, we made a big move and part of it was the fact that cycling is part of our lives.

It was the best move yet.

[limewave]

When we were looking for homes, one of our considerations was cycling. We had several towns we could choose from, but picked the one with the best cycling. I have to commute about 15 minutes farther each way to work, but it's been worth it. The other towns were locked in by highways and waterways. We're still very close to the Lake, but have plenty of room to ride North and East.

We have the best lot in a small town. It's about 1/2 mile from the school and a block from the pharmacy, post office, grocery, etc; but were also right on the edge of the town, so great cycling on country roads are just beyond our driveway. The front of our house is in the city, the back in the country . . . if that makes sense.

[RoadRaven]

Great to read these stories
:)
I have changed my lifestyle and priorities, and my partner and I have long-term goals including that in 8 years time I am able to move to part-time work and we spend more time together - including cycling.

The number of times I have looked out my office window and seen cyclists cruuise by and just wanted to draft my resignation there and then...

[TrekJeni]

I discovered riding almost two years ago. Originally, it was just a novelty. My best friend and I were sick of going to the gym, and the weather was starting to get nice. We saw a flyer for the local MS150, bought bikes and were off.

My boyfriend and I had been living together for five years at the time. We started out the relationship with similiar likes. We were both young and going to the bars and clubs was fun. Somewhere over the years, I changed (okay he says I changed - I'd like to say I grew up). My idea of a Satuday and Sunday were not in your smoke infested bar, drinking beer, and watching sports. I wanted to be out enjoying life. It was getting to the point that if I wanted to spend any real time with him, it would have to be at the local watering hole.

I started riding more, a lot more. Okay, a lot LOT more. :D We started to not see each other than at night. We never even went camping this summer. Although my riding friends and I used our RV for getting to organized rides. This summer, he made the comment that I had to "stay home for the weekend". He had something planned with the boys (all you can drink fest)that weekend and I had an out of state ride. He wanted me to stay home "because you always get to do something, it's my weekend to go out". We have no kids and the dogs have a dog door so it's not like someone HAD to be home.

September was the last straw. I crashed my bike and got stitches in my face. My riding buddy called him to say I was going to the hospital to get stitches. He was concerned but chose to stay at the bar with the buddies to watch the football game. Sitting in the waiting room, I knew it had to end. We were living under the same roof but living totally seperate lives.

I moved out. Left seven years, the house, the 50 acres, the camper, one of my dogs, and most of the furniture. I now rent an efficiency apartment, where my two cats and my dog reside. But I'm HAPPY! VERY HAPPY!

We have spoken and visited on several occasions. We both know it was for the best. He's happy and I'm happy.

So, yeah I changed my life for cycling.

Jeni

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Way to go Jeni.

[KnottedYet]

Yay, Jeni!

(and I think you left out one of the best changes you got by starting biking!);)

[jobob]

Well, I *didn't* change my life on account of cycling, does that count?

A few years ago Lee & I thought we'd like to move up to the Northwest, either near Seattle or Portland. No reason in particular besides the fact that we like it up there and thought it would be a nice change.

I started to routinely watch the empoyment ads for work up that way (I'm a patent agent at a biotech company, and there are quite a few biotech companies particularly around Seattle).

Then we started biking. And, we liked it obviously.

One day a year or so ago, I came across a posting for a job up in Seattle that had my name written all over it. I was thrilled to bits to come across it and I started digging up my resume, when it occurred to me "but ... I don't want to leave here!" :(

We moved here well before we started biking, but as it turns out, we happen to live in a wonderful area for cycling. We live very near the Alameda Creek trail and Coyote Hills park, which is about 28 miles round trip and is great for morning rides, and is usually our starting point for longer rides. We can go on very scenic rides directly from our home (Calaveras, Alum Rock Park and Mt. Hamilton to name a few destinations to the south of us, or we can head across the bay over the Dumbarton Bridge into Woodside and other great routes on the SF Peninsula), and other great rides in Marin, the Almaden Valley, Napa and Sonoma are only a short drive away.

I talked to Lee about it, and he admitted that he too wasn't very interested in moving, now that we started biking.

We haven't ruled out moving up to the PNW someday, just not right now, we still enjoy the biking around here too much - not to mention all the great friends in the area we've made through biking and TE ... you know who you are. :)

[DebW]

Guess I can't really say that I've changed my life for cycling, since I've always cycled (seriously for 35 years) and always found places to ride no matter where I lived. But cycling did bring me 2 very good friends (which has now expanded by 2 little people) who would have remained temporary casual acquaintances otherwise. We played on the same softball team on a women's league in town. They talked about going to Alaska to do an AIDS ride and having to ship their bikes out there. I admitted to being a bike mechanic and agreed to teach them how to pack their bikes in boxes for shipment. It was going to cost $100 each if they had a mechanic in Alaska re-assemble the bikes. So I saved them $200 with a 1-hour lesson and a few tool loans (my Campy pedal wrench went to Alaska!). And we really hit it off as friends and have been backpacking, kayaking, winter camping, cycling, and hanging out together for 6 years. And now I'm an "aunt" to two great kids. And I have cycling to thank for it - or maybe I should thank B.L. for hiring me as a bike mechanic in 1973.

[KnottedYet]

Jobob - Niles and Fremont. Man, I sure liked Niles. We walked a little on that trail along the canal (Alameda Creek?). Then went to this really cool coffee shop a block from the mission in Fremont. Looks like a great area for biking. Is that where you are?

Seattle biking is good, too; but I gotta admit I saw more bikes in CA recently than in WA! Kept forgetting it's December. You guys can ride more easily in December than we can.

[jobob]

Yes indeedy, that's my stomping (rolling?) grounds. And you were describing Mission Coffee, which is one of my favorite destinations. Next time you're there try the turkey-pesto pannini or their turkey sandwich with walnuts and cranberries. They also make excellent soups which I've enjoyed on the recent damp & chilly days, and marvellous smoothies (w whipped cream on top, of course) when the weather is warm.

Yep, nothing at all against Seattle, it's just hard for me to consider leaving here :cool:

[Trek420]

Jobob - Niles and Fremont. Man, I sure liked Niles. We walked a little on that trail along the canal (Alameda Creek?). Then went to this really cool coffee shop a block from the mission in Fremont. Looks like a great area for biking. Is that where you are?"

Knott, here's the TE gang on the bay side end of that same trail.

"Seattle biking is good, too; but I gotta admit I saw more bikes in CA recently than in WA! Kept forgetting it's December. You guys can ride more easily in December than we can."

California weather is great, we can ride year round (given enough lights and wool).

Your drivers may be saner.

Back to gift wrapping.

[jobob]

Ah, but in all fairness, when I went out for a ride yesterday morning before sunrise, it was 38 degrees out. :p

[KnottedYet]

Trek, dear, you have GOT to figure out how to use the quote function on that Mac. (remember what I taught you, or do I have to come back there and teach you again?):D

[Trek420]

Trek, dear, you have GOT to figure out how to use the quote function on that Mac. (remember what I taught you, or do I have to come back there and teach you again?):D

mwahhahahaha, yes you do :)

wrapping, wrapping, where's my tape?

[ClockworkOrange]

I am curious to find out how many here have changed the way they live because of their love of cycling.


Well, taking up cycling 6 years ago changed me, by 3 stone.

Last year my BF and I bought a place together but we chose it specifically because of our love of cycling. We are strategically placed between two small nature reserves, also whatever direction we go in, we are off road, which is rather good considering we live in a very busy town.

Went out early yesterday morning and it was 2 degrees and it was lovely, frost all around.

Yes, we are all mad but so much fitter than most, especially us slightly older ladies...................lol

Sally

[hellosunshine]

too much so!i train until 11am means i have to work until 11pm,means ive zilch social life really apart from the bike,which is prob a healthier option!sleep is the new sex and i dont buy "going out clothes"

i also find ive a preoccupation with the weather!and what was a converted garage into a dining room has been gutted and is filled with bike hooks,weights etc etc,so no one can come round for dinner

[Crankin]

Road raven, I understand your feelings exactly (looking out the window and being jealous of the cyclists going by when you are at work). This is why I'm quitting my job at the end of the school year. Yes, it is my 30th year of teaching, but because I moved and took my retirement out of my AZ account, I would be about 67 until my full retirement from MA kicked in. I am lucky that my husband makes plenty of $; I was ALWAYS the one who worked in my social circle... right from the delivery room back to school almost. In fact, I was career addicted and could never picture myself not working. People are constantly asking me what I am going to do. Let's see, Wednesday and Fridays are already taken up with club rides which I started doing this summer. .. Yes, I will look for a flexible part time job, but to start, I will do some tutoring and be able to make some good cash $. Our whole life revolves around cycling (or X country skiing, snow shoeing, hiking) and it might be weird, but I'm happy. We still go out to eat a lot, theatre, etc. I admit, my non cycling friends get on my nerves now, but I know they can't help it! (whining about how fat they are and not doing anything about it). None of them even said congratulations when I did my century!

Sorry for getting off topic here.

Robyn

[TrekJeni]

Yay, Jeni!

(and I think you left out one of the best changes you got by starting biking!);)

I think Knotted Yet is refering to the fact that I now date the greatest guy who's family owns the LBS. He just bought me a mountain bike for Xmas. Rode Sunday and supposed to ride today if the weather holds. A lot of the same interests and we've been riding friends for almost two years.

Little did I know that he had liked me for a long time. Never once hinted, alluded, or tried anything with me while I was still with the ex and we've ridden hundreds of miles together. He's an Eagle Scout (no really) and a gentlemen.

Jeni

[KnottedYet]

Robyn - Congratulations on your Century, by the way!:D

[fretwes]

Thanks everybody, for your replies. I enjoyed reading your stories, even those that were off topic, heh heh.

My partner and I need to sit down and revisit our life goals and decide what we want to do. We're hoping to retire or go to a part time situation very early (we're currently 41 and 36) to give us more time for cycling and other pursuits. And in addition to not having good proximity to cycling in our new place, it costs us a lot to live here. Yes we can 'afford' it and yes, it's a beautiful home but we're coming to the realization that it may set us back in terms of other life goals that are more important.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

[Geonz]

I, too, make decisions with cycling in the process. In Richmond, my house was chosen in part because finally I was close enough to bike to work (though I didn't do it religiously like I do now). I don't want to have to drive.
When I need to travel... how will I work in some cycling? (If necessary, how will I find a different way to exercise?)
When I bought a car: will the bike fit?
Bicycling is a big part of who I am and what I do now.