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I've wanted for more than 20 years to commute by bicycle instead of gasoline vehicle. It takes some of the charm away when I have to do it by circumstance rather than choice, but it's still kind of cool.
I'm much more out-of-shape than usual when taking on a 10-mile ride. Normally, I work up slowly to longer distances, but this year I didn't have time to prepare. I started out immediately by commuting 20 miles each day (10 miles each way). The first day wasn't too bad, but the second day was painful. I had muscle aches and strong headwinds that had me stopping frequently for short breaks. I don't have the stamina (yet) for uphills and headwinds. Today will be my third day, and we'll see how it goes.
So far the only thing I can see preventing me from doing this all summer is my wrists. My carpel tunnel problems do not appreciate this new burden. I went to the bike shop yesterday morning to buy a new handlebar neck that will allow me to tilt the handlebar upward to bring it higher and closer to my body. I'm hoping that change will ease the weight that I have to place on my wrists. I'll install it this weekend.
Some of these people seem even older than I am, so I feel good about continuing my commute while the warm weather remains. It'll certainly be a good way for me to lose about 30 pounds this summer. My appetite hasn't zoomed into high gear yet because of the increased activity, but I know to expect that effect soon.
Meanwhile, I'm considering other options for hauling my carcass from point A to point B. During warm weather, I could try a recumbent fold-up tricycle instead of a longtail bicycle. That would be great for my wrists, and it would easily store during winter weather. I have all summer to continuously check the auto auctions just a few blocks from where I live. If I'm lucky, I can find a good deal for winter weather transportation. I'm also wondering if it's possible to lease a vehicle for just 6 months at a time? That would be the ideal way to commute, I think, because I would only have to pay for gasoline transportation during the months when it's really needed.
I called Dunwoody once, to see if they could use my truck for training students in auto repair, but I didn't reach a live person and I didn't try again. I was also unable to find the junk dealer just a few blocks from where I live. Finally, I just signed up online for somebody to come take my truck. I also suspended my car insurance. They'll keep my account active (but not charging me anything) until I have another vehicle to cover, then they will resume my account while keeping my 10-year no-accident-responsibility discount.
I commute by bike! :)))
I'm much more out-of-shape than usual when taking on a 10-mile ride. Normally, I work up slowly to longer distances, but this year I didn't have time to prepare. I started out immediately by commuting 20 miles each day (10 miles each way). The first day wasn't too bad, but the second day was painful. I had muscle aches and strong headwinds that had me stopping frequently for short breaks. I don't have the stamina (yet) for uphills and headwinds. Today will be my third day, and we'll see how it goes.
So far the only thing I can see preventing me from doing this all summer is my wrists. My carpel tunnel problems do not appreciate this new burden. I went to the bike shop yesterday morning to buy a new handlebar neck that will allow me to tilt the handlebar upward to bring it higher and closer to my body. I'm hoping that change will ease the weight that I have to place on my wrists. I'll install it this weekend.
Some of these people seem even older than I am, so I feel good about continuing my commute while the warm weather remains. It'll certainly be a good way for me to lose about 30 pounds this summer. My appetite hasn't zoomed into high gear yet because of the increased activity, but I know to expect that effect soon.
Meanwhile, I'm considering other options for hauling my carcass from point A to point B. During warm weather, I could try a recumbent fold-up tricycle instead of a longtail bicycle. That would be great for my wrists, and it would easily store during winter weather. I have all summer to continuously check the auto auctions just a few blocks from where I live. If I'm lucky, I can find a good deal for winter weather transportation. I'm also wondering if it's possible to lease a vehicle for just 6 months at a time? That would be the ideal way to commute, I think, because I would only have to pay for gasoline transportation during the months when it's really needed.
I called Dunwoody once, to see if they could use my truck for training students in auto repair, but I didn't reach a live person and I didn't try again. I was also unable to find the junk dealer just a few blocks from where I live. Finally, I just signed up online for somebody to come take my truck. I also suspended my car insurance. They'll keep my account active (but not charging me anything) until I have another vehicle to cover, then they will resume my account while keeping my 10-year no-accident-responsibility discount.
I commute by bike! :)))