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.

[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