Thinking

[smurfalicious]

I've been doing some soul searching lately, and I'm giving long hard though to selling my POS car and buying a road bike. Riding my bike makes me almost as happy as riding my beloved horse. I don't live far from work, and as much as I hate my job some days, I have a feeling I'll be staying there, so as it stands, work is only about 5 miles away. My shift starts long after the roads are plowed, and if it's too bad my new roommate works when I do. I could always find someone to carpool with.

I'm just trying really hard to find my center. The man who accidentally got me in to riding broke my heart into about a million pieces. Hey, it's cool, if he wants to sleep with the company skank and lie to me about it, that's cool. It's sad, because I miss his kid, but so much seems wrong with my life despite my new found optimism.

I want to get away from the rat race, away from consumerism and BS. I mean, if I have to spandex up and ride everywhere, it's definately going to put the kabash on "oh, I think I'll go to Wal-Mart and buy crap I don't need."

Work has showers, and I could probably keep a foot locker full of hair dryer, toothpaste, deoderant etc. My horse, well I always have to borrow a truck anyway to get anything done for him. I don't have kids, and they sell dog food in small enough bags they'd fit in panniers. I just don't know how many people want to pick me up for mtn bike rides come summer. At the same time though, what I'd save in gas, (I'd probably just get added on as a third driver on my mom's ins policy to avoid being uninsured and thus paying more later) and the like I could totally save up for a new rig. Heeeelp ladies, I need input! This is always on my mind!!!

love and cookies
-smurf

[Dogmama]

Sounds like you might be rebounding from that jerk. Why don't you table your final decision for a month? If you still feel the same way about giving up your car, fine. But, don't do anything now that you might regret later.

In the meantime, you can ride, write in a journal, rediscover girlfriends (who won't sleep with the company skank) and become stronger from this episode in your life.

I often hate the materialism (especially around the holidays) and have been musing about how much better the world was pre-Christian (the true "old religion") when women ruled and wars were unheard of. But, we life in this world & we have to deal with it. Cars, Walmart and idiots who sleep with the company skank.

((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[jobob]

What Dogmama said.

{{hug}}

- Jo.

[Trek420]

(((((((((((( group hug )))))))))))))) and what dogmama sez

[kpc]

I agree, wait on the big decisions too. I also have been going thru major changes due to a loss. It's hard, I feel for you, especially losing contact with a child.
I have come to a decision that I can't expect the whole world to get better, much as I try and hope. So, I'm going to focus on my piece and try to bring some peace into my part of the world. For me, that means going without meat and the killing of animals for the winter at least. And I'll try to be way more careful about what I say! If you feel that riding more will help you and your peace of mind, that is healthy and smart. It sounds like a great way to make a statement against consumerism and pollution. Why don't you try it for a period of time that seems sensible and then decide about your car? Sorry you are hurting, glad that you are taking the lesson and doing good!

[Trek420]

smurf, count your blessings, at least you have a POS car. ;-)

Where do i begin? My car was diagnosed needing an intake manifold gasket replaced, a one day job yet fairly expensive so I called around to get estimates. I thought about simply carrying around coolant till the days got lighter.

Thanks peddaler on this board who said this is something that I should take care of right away. So I called around for estimates, Gauranteed Auto in Hayward came several hundreds less than others. Dave there was he sure, told him he was less by far than the others. He said yes that was their estimate.

I made an appointment to have the work done.

The day before i was to bring the car in the manager called me, Dave's estimate was a mistake, it was supposed to be closer to the other shops bid. they refused to stick with the original bid but did offer to wave the parts. Still a bit less. Shoulda walked, but they are a CSAA approved shop.

What could go wrong? So I took the day off work and brought the car in.

They said that if I got it in first thing in the morning on Tuesday 12/21 I would have it done at the end of the day. I got in at 8:00 am they confirmed the job would be done by the end of the day.

I called at noon and was told it looked good for the one day work, when I checked again near four they said, no, it would not be finished, several hoses, o rings that needed to be replaced also and they could not get the parts in time, it would take one more day.

I just barely had time to get another day off work (SBC). They offered to take 29.00 off the job to compensate for the cost of a rental car. that would be more than offset by the cost of the additional labor and materials. But it seemed necessary so agreed and burned ANOTHER vacation day.

Now it's Wed. 12/22 again I was promised all would be done by the end of the day I called to double check the ETA and was told by Dave it would be. i explained since I would be riding my bike to the mechanic and then put my bike on the Yakima rack to drive back that I'd set out at 4 for the short ride because it is not safe to be riding at night in the area. He agreed it would be done. He said it would have already been done but they got the replacement parts from the dealer, they were bad, and had to order new ones yet again but says he's sure they can get it done by the evening.

After a nice short urban ride I arrive at the shop a little after 4, they said they were just about ready. I signed a release, signed a check i could see they were still working on the car but they say 20 minutes tops. At 5:30 (closing time) they were still working on the car. It's now pitch dark so I'm stuck, cant bike back I have no lights. It's 6:00, 6:30 finally Dave comes in and says something about stripped bolts they can't complete the job and offers to drive me home, the car will be done Thursday, now a 3 day job.

I'm pretty livid at that point.

First I wait in the truck while he closes up shop, starts an employees truck that needs jumper cables, finally he drives me home. The next day is Thursday, it's too late now to take another day off , too late to get a rental car so i ride my bike to work.

I bike commute regularly but not in winter and not in the dark. Frankly i try to get upkeep on the car done in Spring and Summer because who cares, I can bike to work. My ride to BART was cold yet safe but I'm not equiped with lights. No way do i want to do that on the way back. I ride to a bike shop at lunch and got a cateye light and, reflectors. That was fun.

I'm now out another vacation day, the cost of the lights and I'm still not done on the repair. So after lunch i call Dave to ask him how it's going and he cheerfully informs me that the car is ready and running fine. I explain that i get off work at 5:00 by the time I take BART home it would be past their closing time.

Dave kindly offers to drive the car back to my home and drop the keys (in an envelope) in my patio. He says they'll give me two free oil changes in the future for my trouble. I give him complete detailed directions; the address, distinguishing charchteristics on my patio and building. He's confident that he can do it.

On my next break I double check that the car was returned, Dave says yes, i confirm the address ..... he parked my car at the wrong address...and threw the keys into a neighbors patio! He thinks he can get it back. Sure hope so.

On my (now bike lit) bike ride back home I think "I hope I have a car, I hope i have a car" (see cycling affirmations thread) . I'm pleased to see as I roll up the drive that while the car IS there, it's in the wrong condo parking space but it has not inconvenienced my neighbors and the keys ARE in MY patio at least

I back the car into my space, the car still runs rough, starts rough and the "service engine soon" light is still on, the original symptoms. But I make a note to check that the book that the service engine light maybe just needs to be reset. I check the coolant level, seems fine.

So Friday 12/24 i set out for work, a short drive to BART, less than 2 miles but the car after 3 days of work still starts rough. I make a mental note to call Dave.

On the way back from work, as i drive down West Tennyson suddenly the engine overheat light comes on, the display jumps to "hot' and in an instant my steering froze, I'm on West Tennyson and can't steer! Great. What have they been doing for three days , this is the orriginal symptom?

I stop the car, manage to pull over, allow it to cool down, when i start it again it does steer. It's only 2 blocks so I drive very carefully home and call Dave.

This is Christmas eve, Dave apologizes lamely but does apologize, he makes no offer to cover a rental car, reduce the price. He simply says they will pick up the car at my place on Monday.

Rental car agencies are now closed.

I had planned to go to Sonoma. My mother has recently sold the family farm that she and my late father built and maintained for almost 62 years. She has just at the age of 83 moved to a cute smaller place in Sonoma off the square and I wanted to help her unpack. And my car is not driveable.

I am now 3 days into a 1 day job and looking at at least one more. I have had to equip a bike for night riding (well, that was fun), I've burned a vacation day I had not planned to use for anything other than fun, but worst I'm stuck here when I wanted to help my Mom.

Stay tuned, the saga continues....

[annie]

Trek,

I cannot BELIEVE how calm and collected you sound about the whole car ordeal! I would be livid and raging and furious, etc, etc, etc. Not that it would do me any good. I recently had a similar experience with a car mechanic, was promised things done that were not, was told the car could be repaired at a reasonable cost - wasn't! It was a mess, but yours sounds worse. I actually did rant and rave a bit, just to let off steam. Didn't do much good. Ended up getting rid of the car and getting a new (used) one and am still in fight with mechanic about charges I feel I do not need to pay!! SO ......... I wish you the best of luck! I hope it turns out well for you. I, too, wish I had warm weather all year round and could just bike most places I need to go. But when it's 0 degrees, and below, I am a wimp. I don't ride, I drive. Actually, I drive if it's below 20 degrees. And it has been. :-(

Count your blessing, too, Trek, as you told Smurf........ at least you HAVE a mother to wish you were with. Mine passed away two and a half weeks ago. It has NOT been the best holiday season, to say the least. It has been so difficult. If it were up to me, I'd have bypassed the entire holiday thing this year, but life goes on, family expectations need to met, at least to some degree. Plus I do realize that there are so many people out there in worse states than me. I don't have a mother anymore, but I have a husband, and children and siblings and friends. And I have a bike(s) and ride whenever I can, even if it's only for a short time because it helps. It helps so much.

Okay, now guess I've unloaded. I hope no one minds......... I haven't been very active on the boards lately. Too much going on with Mom. But I'm back now. Been reading the posts, just not posting. Happy Holidays to all. Happy Biking!

annie

[Trek420]

annie complimented "I cannot BELIEVE how calm and collected you sound..."

I don't get mad, I get even ;-) I also am the undisputed queen of escalation, I'll go over anyone's head, anyone.

We'll see what happens but I've reported this to CSAA, State of CA Consumer Affairs, Dept of Corporartions and BBB. Any other ideas?

Then I cc'd the letter to all of them TO the mechanic..called them and said who I've reported it to, what I want and that they have until my first coffee break on Monday to offer a refund or my next call is to my lawyer.

> ..... about the whole car ordeal! I would be livid and raging and furious, etc, etc, etc. Not that it would do me any good. I recently had a similar experience with a car mechanic, was promised things done that were not, was told the car could be repaired at a reasonable cost - wasn't! It was a mess, but yours sounds worse. I actually did rant and rave a bit, just to let off steam. Didn't do much good. Ended up getting rid of the car and getting a new (used) one and am still in fight with mechanic about charges I feel I do not need to pay!! SO ......... I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks, aren't cars a hoot? You never have that kind of trouble with a bike, I'm convinced that cars relate somehow to a lot of the anger/stress around us.

> I hope it turns out well for you. I, too, wish I had warm weather all year round and could just bike most places I need to go. But when it's 0 degrees, and below, I am a wimp. I don't ride, I drive. Actually, I drive if it's below 20 degrees. And it has been. :-(

Well, you probably have less traffic than we do 8-)

> Count your blessing, too, Trek, as you told Smurf........ at least you HAVE a mother to wish you were with. Mine passed away two and a half weeks ago. It has NOT been the best holiday season, to say the least. It has been so difficult. If it were up to me, I'd have bypassed the entire holiday thing this year, but life goes on, family expectations need to met, at least to some degree.

I'm sorry to hear that, I can only imagine, I lost my Dad in April and I was looking to help my Mom this weekend who has just moved from the farm they had for 60 years to a smaller cuuuuute place in Sonoma just off the square.

This is the first holiday season for us without my Dad. Please cut yourself some slack, I'm sure the family will not fault you if this season's a little different, so many memories I'm sure, such a lot to feel.

> Plus I do realize that there are so many people out there in worse states than me. I don't have a mother anymore, but I have a husband, and children and siblings and friends. And I have a bike(s) and ride whenever I can, even if it's only for a short time because it helps. It helps so much.

It really does! So does this board, thanks again everyone for all the support through the years.

> Okay, now guess I've unloaded. I hope no one minds......... I haven't been very active on the boards lately. Too much going on with Mom. But I'm back now. Been reading the posts, just not posting. Happy Holidays to all. Happy Biking!

Happy biking, Annie!

[Dogmama]

I have such admiration for both of you ladies. You are both testaments to the innate strength that women draw upon.

Queen of escalation!! I love it!

"We'll see what happens but I've reported this to CSAA, State of CA Consumer Affairs, Dept of Corporartions and BBB. Any other ideas? "

How about AAA?

"Then I cc'd the letter to all of them TO the mechanic..called them and said who I've reported it to, what I want and that they have until my first coffee break on Monday to offer a refund or my next call is to my lawyer. "

It's amazing what a letter from a lawyer will do. When your steering went out, you placed yourself and others in danger. I'd have them compensate you not only 100% for the car repair, but also for your lost vacation days. It is clear that the shop screwed up. Stripped bolts don't just "happen" - and they can be drilled out fairly easily. Intake manifolds are big jobs, but not complicated.

These days, I just grab my wallet & go to the dealership. They are expensive, but as The Queen of Escalation-Desert Location - I can complain all the way up to Papa Toyota.

My helmet is off to you ladies.

[Irulan]

The state of CA has some of the best consumer protection laws, especailly when it comes to auto repair, in the nation.

That being said, I rarely take a car to place that I do not have a personal referral for. I rarely take them to the dealer either; some of them are almost as bad a some independent repair facilities. We had a Toyata dealer sell us a new truck with a bone dry transmission, and I find the dealer is routinely $2-400 more on anything thing over the mechanic I've been using for 10+ years. And, it does NOT void your warranty to use non dealer service, as long as you save your receipts.

I've been using the same mechanic for 10+ years for, found him as a referral from friend who drove similar ( old but reliable ) cars. In august I took our toyota in, 150+ miles on it, for full gaskets, hoses, belts as it was starting to leak like a sieve. They had it for a while, I said it was OK to keep it as long as they needed, they've bailed me out on numerous "can you fix it today" situations, and after they'd pulled the engine, replaced everything and put the engine back in, one of the guys had an "oops" and dropped a screw down one of the cylinders. If you don't know, this essentially kills the engine for good. Rex had another toyota of the same vintage that had been in a accident, and redid the whole job on his dime, and told us exactly what had happened, and to please let him know if we had any trouble with the replacement.

I had FORD buy back a lemon back in 91, that was a real pain.

uh, just a ramble about cars I guess. WA has lousy consumer laws for auto repair, so count your blessings in that department.

Irulan

[Trek420]

Dogmama sez "Queen of escalation!! I love it!"

It's good to be the queen. We'll see what happens but I've reported this to CSAA...."

"How about AAA?"

Same thing, Califorina State AAA ;-)

"It's amazing what a letter from a lawyer will do. When your steering went out, you placed yourself and others in danger. I'd have them compensate you not only 100% for the car repair, but also for your lost vacation days. It is clear that the shop screwed up. Stripped bolts don't just "happen" - and they can be drilled out fairly easily. Intake manifolds are big jobs, but not complicated. "

We're such a litigious (is that how it's spelled?) society, I'd like to not have to go there. When things like this happen I like to start nice, calm "I'm upset, this is why, you blew it don't you think? This is what would make it right. Don't you think that would be wise and the Christian (their receipts have the lil' fishy thing all over) thing to do? Ask yourselves WWJD if he'd lied to a customer several times, sc**ed her out of Christmas with her family and jeopardized her life to boot with a sloppy repair job? Or do I need to come down to your office with my swords? You know the bike rack? I ride for fun but also because I've been training over 30 years in martial arts and now I'm training for my 3rd degree black belt, I'm just saying why I ride, not threatening you guys or anything, just saying. Whadya think, guys, huh? huh?" and see what happens.

Gives me somewhere to go.

I work in customer service (da phone co.) and am often on the other side of things, sure we make mistakes. When customers come on the line relatively calm I'm fine with admitting the error, apologizing and fixing the situation, heck, sometimes I'll adjust things you might not be entitled to just 'cause you're asking politely and "I have that power". I'll still do my job if you're screaming at me, and am known for being remarkably calm under that stress, I don't take it personally but it's not going to go as well for you.

"These days, I just grab my wallet & go to the dealership. They are expensive, but as The Queen of Escalation-Desert Location - I can complain all the way up to Papa Toyota. "

In the future I'll do that, or go to the perfectly fine mechanic near my work off Webster. He orriginaly diagnosed the trouble, sure his estimate was a bit more but he always keeps me in the loop on repairs and has done a good job. It's like the LBS thing.

"My helmet is off to you ladies."

Don't you mean crown? Tiara at least?

[VickiK]

I agree, wait a month before making a final decision on the car. While biking to work is very cool, there might be an opportunity to get a better job. In any case, it sounds like you're in a transition period in which case you want to keep your options open. Hang in there!

[smurfalicious]

Thanks ladies. Actually, I've been without the jerk for a little while now, but while I tell myself I'm way too good for him (Where else is he gonna find a girl who can take him to a rodeo and an art walk and tell him what's going on?) but sometimes it's hard to believe. It still stings, bad, and I just woke up from yet another dream about him wishing something fierce he was right there beside me. Baaaah! I miss my cuddles!!!

It just kinda sucks, because Pony (that's my bike) lives in my room for the winter and she's a glaring reminder of how my reality came apart. It's not like I bought her because of him entirely, but he definately played a part. I just keep thinking about the day we went out on the old BLM roads, and how I would faithfully follow him anywhere. How my confidence soared when I could follow him knowing he would never take my through anything I couldn't handle. Might have been a little white lie, but it got me to try stuff. Bah.

I do so want that '04 Specialized Allez Comp with the purdy Krysium Elite wheelset. I will name him Vincent, because he kinda seems gay, and Vincent and I will cruise the brand new, freshly paved bike path down the miles of twists and turns on Deschutes Market Road. He will me mine, oh yes, he will be mine. If I can't have my honey back, I will project my love and sexual frustration onto another "man." *sigh* Why couldn't he decide he likes cheap tramps better than kick arse girls who adore him in the summer? So I could take Pony out to Pine Mountain and grind my frustrations out on a huge hill.

love and cookies
-HillBill

[Trek420]

smurf, you're too good for him! ~ d. aka trek

[pedalfaster]

Some thoughts on living car-free...

It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision (although I'm sure some purists would disagree). As the others have pointed out, this might not be the best time to make big, life-altering decisions.

I'm 90% car-free. I still own a car(an ancient Volvo that's paid-for). I'm a single mom and it makes sense to me to have a car for dr. and dentist trips, "big" grocery shopping, and hauling the kiddo back and forth to college.

I live in a small town with minimal public transport and am ~1 hour(by car) from a major city/airport.

You could try parking the car at a friend's or relative's house and making of go of commuting.

Take a large jar or coffee can and tape a picture of the bike you want on the outside. For every day you commute reward youself with the $$$ you saved (gas, parking, wear and tear, gym membership, whatever).

After you have sucessfully commuted for ~1 month, call your insurance agent. You should now qualify for the 10-20% "pleasure class" discount on your auto insurance. Your ins. cards will read something like "for pleasure, not for work or school". My ins. co. just requires that I drive the car <10K miles per year. Take your savings and add them to your jar.

After commuting for 3 months, assess the need for regular "tuneups" and oil-changes. If you've been commuting regularly, you won't be needing these as often, and can bank the savings in your bike-fund.

One caveat: if your car sits parked for long periods your battery may discharge. I bought charger/jumpstarter. One of my xmas gifts this year was a swell solar-powered trickle-charger. I can't wait to try this new toy!

I have to admit I haven't been bike-commuting lately. We are under ~2ft of snow and I've been xc-skiing everywhere instead! Great fun and gets serioulsy odd looks from the neighbors.