Proud of myself

[Wahine]

Hi Ladies. I've been lurking lately and not posting much. But I had to toot my own horn a bit. I have ridden my bike every day except one in the month of July. That's not such a big deal. What is a big deal is that I've only driven my car one day in the month of July.

I've completely given myself over to commuting by bike for pretty much everything including hauling about 30 lbs of groceries in a bob trailer a couple of times per week.:D:D

I'm loving not using my car. One of the interesting side effects has been that I feel more connected to my community. I'm way more likely to just stop by a friend's house to say "Hi" on my bike than I would be if I was driving.

This started out as a way for me to log more training miles and has tuned into so much more.

Happy commuting to everyone!!

[jobob]

That is excellent.

[lph]

One of the interesting side effects has been that I feel more connected to my community. I'm way more likely to just stop by a friend's house to say "Hi" on my bike than I would be if I was driving.

I love this.

*beaming*

[Gypsy]

That's so great.:D

[Tri Girl]

I feel more connected to my community.

LOVE this and +1
I feel like I know houses and neighborhoods so much better. Like I would know if something was out of the ordinary at someone's house when I rode by (just call me the Neighborhood Watch biking lady).

Yay for you, Wahine!! For me, it was initially difficult to think of the bike first, but it's become so much more second-nature. Excpet in this horrid summer heat I just have to drive more than I would like.

Good for you!!! You never know who you might inspire... ;)

[spokewench]

Good for you Wahine! :D

[mandiam]

keep it up lady, that is awesome!

[Melalvai]

It's so much fun! I'm so glad you too have found out how much fun it is.

[chatnoire]

Yay, excellent!

[emily_in_nc]

Good for you! You should be very proud indeed!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! That's terrific. :D

[Sky King]

Hi Ladies. I've been lurking lately and not posting much. But I had to toot my own horn a bit. I have ridden my bike every day except one in the month of July. That's not such a big deal. What is a big deal is that I've only driven my car one day in the month of July.

I've completely given myself over to commuting by bike for pretty much everything including hauling about 30 lbs of groceries in a bob trailer a couple of times per week.:D:D

I'm loving not using my car. One of the interesting side effects has been that I feel more connected to my community. I'm way more likely to just stop by a friend's house to say "Hi" on my bike than I would be if I was driving.

This started out as a way for me to log more training miles and has tuned into so much more.

Happy commuting to everyone!!

Great post. Yesterday as we were riding to and from the grocery store here are the things that would have not occurred if we had been driving.

1. gave money to an obviously mentally ill homeless person as we were locking up the bikes
2. Stopped at one of our favorite pubs for a beer :)
3. Rode along the river and enjoyed the scenery instead of fighting six lanes of traffic
4. Almost got taken out by an inattentive driver (ok that was the negative)
5. Got an extra 12 miles of riding in

You have inspired me to ride even more

[SueMargaret]

Inspiring! My only worry is leaving the bike anywhere anytime not in my sight even locked and locked again. At work I get to park it in the hallway right outside my bosses office. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow morning and if my bike was locked up outside I think my blood pressure might be up in ranges never before recorded--ordinarily I have the enviable blood pressure of a bicycle commuter.
Ladies...how do you deal with the anxiety?:confused:

[Wahine]

Inspiring! My only worry is leaving the bike anywhere anytime not in my sight even locked and locked again. At work I get to park it in the hallway right outside my bosses office. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow morning and if my bike was locked up outside I think my blood pressure might be up in ranges never before recorded--ordinarily I have the enviable blood pressure of a bicycle commuter.
Ladies...how do you deal with the anxiety?:confused:

I understand your anxiety and luckily, I don't have to deal with it. I live in a small town and as long as I make a reasonable effort to lock my bike, it's not going anywhere. The only thefts we get are organized break ins where they want a bunch of bikes, like the bike shops, or drunks looking for an easier way home. So the bike racks are pretty safe and if you even just use a cable lock you're good.

In the end, I rode 28 out of 31 days in the month of July. I only drove my car 3 times. I loved it.

[Melalvai]

If you're concerned, get a beater bike for errands and use a U-lock. It will be unattractive to thieves, and if it is stolen, you're not out much, though you might need to find a ride home! Keep your nice bike for long, fun rides.

[Grog]

Great job Wahine!

[SueMargaret]

If you're concerned, get a beater bike for errands and use a U-lock. It will be unattractive to thieves, and if it is stolen, you're not out much, though you might need to find a ride home! Keep your nice bike for long, fun rides.

Yes, of course you are right. But that would mean a third! bike. And I get so attached. My Madone is my speedster but I adore my Jamis (commuter bike) so much. She is irreplaceable.
My cousin who lives in London and does not drive at all makes a habit of purchasing old bikes out of the attics of his friends' parents and riding them until they are stolen and then starting over. An object lesson in non-attachment. :rolleyes:

[Melalvai]

There was a movie about a guy in New York who bicycled all over taking pictures. He'd owned 29 bikes over the years, and has had 28 bikes stolen. He basically just expects his bike to get stolen. I believe mainly someone gives him a bike when he needs it anymore.