One Less Car
There has been a lot of discussion about the term “One Less Car”, but lately we have been living it. Last week, we gave up the rig and are living car free.
This may not seem like much to some of those hardcore commuters out there, but it is kind of a big deal to us: I work the day job in Beaverton, Natalie works in town; we are running a business, training for a marathon, and trying to carve out some down time for ourselves every once and a while. Sometimes, when it is all said and done, it seems like 9:00 PM has rolled around and we are just getting ready to make some dinner.
A change this big took some planning, but not as much as you might think. I got to gear up a little bit with some new go-to knickers and a Showers Pass Club Jacket (which is just fantastic by the way), and I have become pretty good friends with the Max.
But the big changes really have to do with the way that I think: I don’t have to ask myself if I should drive because it is pouring outside. And I know that if I am late for work, that there is only so much time I can make up by hauling ass. Its my hope that this helps slow things down a bit. And while I still haven’t achieved that Zen-like relationship to time, something makes me think that not driving might help
If you got a pair of the chrome shins you are never gonna want to take them off. I bought a pair a year ago and then found a pair on ebay recently so I would have a backup pair. I have worn them year round and they rock. Also check out icebreaker. Their stuff is super well made and doesn’t absorb body odor. Oregon Mountain Community on Sandy and 30ish sells it. But you can score some great deals online.
Oh and if you don’t fall in love with the Chrome shins there is a pretty good review of cycling knickers here http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/reviews/knickers/
“car-free and care-free is the WAY to be”
Thanks for the tips TR. I am pretty stoked on the Chrome shins, and the Showers Pass has been just awesome. Nice and light.
With Natalie officially retired from the messenger gig and with me commuting to the Tron, the Sweetpea Bicycles Team Kit is looking full on commuter yellow.
i wanna cry
i sometimes feel as though i am the only one out there
well here in amarillo i may be the only commuter
i never drive
ever
i love it
it has gotten under my skin
it has become me as i have become it
thank you so much for sharing this experience
continue on
one bike at a time
that’s all that’s important
if others catch on, so be it
if not
so be it
love it
hate it
but keep it up
i am
peace to you and your low beating heart
peace
vonnie