Car has not started for five days

[mf70]

Yup. My favorite sight is leaves accumulating behind the wheels. When things are normal, the car only comes out for long trips or big grocery runs.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

... I have a (hybrid) bike too and ride for exercise, but since we live out in the middle of nowhere it's not feasible to bike anywhere for errands.

A great frustration for me about moving to Cali in 2006 for a job was the way the roads and hills and distances to everything made biking a highly impractical chore (pretty dangerous too). More paved bikepaths and lanes have come online. And I gradually realized that I could "build" a hybrid electric bike that would fit these conditions (battery power for range and torque for hills and quick movement through the wide and dangerous intersections).

I don't know your specific geography, but if you an alternate route, even an unpaved one, there might be an ebike solution for it. The direct drive brushless motors are tough as tanks when you buy a good one. Put it on a cheap mountain bike that has suspension and a country road could become a commuter trail.

But only you know what you face. I'm really happy with my current arrangement. Right now, I only drive when my daughter needs me to take her somewhere.

[Sven7]

Good job! I assume you're in SD; I have family there and plan to bring a bike this winter break. There are a surprising number of steep hills there, so coming from the flatlands, it'll be interesting.

What are the riding on the street vs sidewalk laws in California? Do drivers try to kill you?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Good job! I assume you're in SD; I have family there and plan to bring a bike this winter break. There are a surprising number of steep hills there, so coming from the flatlands, it'll be interesting.

What are the riding on the street vs sidewalk laws in California? Do drivers try to kill you?

Every day almost I hear of bikers getting run down, often hit and run, on these roads. I'm up in OC, not SD, but same difference. It is not terribly safe, and I am not a safety-paranoid type. With bike lanes and dedicated paths I can keep my proximity to engines to a minimum. So far, so good.

I'm a fan of EM gatherings for skill shares and car "shows"... so when you're going to be in the region, let's see if we can gather a few socal folks: Riverside, SD, OC, LA, San Bernadino.... whereever. Could gather at a classic or lowrider auto show/meet, or some ebike or regular bike event ... would make for fun conversations.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Every day almost I hear of bikers getting run down, often hit and run, on these roads. I'm up in OC, not SD, but same difference. It is not terribly safe, and I am not a safety-paranoid type. With bike lanes and dedicated paths I can keep my proximity to engines to a minimum. So far, so good.

I'm a fan of EM gatherings for skill shares and car "shows"... so when you're going to be in the region, let's see if we can gather a few socal folks: Riverside, SD, OC, LA, San Bernadino.... whereever. Could gather at a classic or lowrider auto show/meet, or some ebike or regular bike event ... would make for fun conversations.

Oh, alright. I'm planning on hitting a few museums in the LA area for a day or two, as well. Petersen "vault", Getty, Toyota, Honda probably. Mullin was amazing last time, but I want to see new stuff! I'll have to touch base with you later on and maybe set something up.

Shame about the traffic issues. I'm glad to hear you've got a way to protect yourself. Sometimes it feels like the Wild West in the Detroit area; I can't imagine what it's like in LA.

[Frank Lee]

I spent six months in the Santa Cruz area and for much of the time all I had was a bike. I was impressed with the bike lanes (NONE of those back home) and the motorists' respect for them and bicycle traffic in general. No road rage incidents I recall.

This flatlander viewed the hills as challenges. It wasn't long before I had the best quads of my life! Sadly, they're gone again. "Use it or lose it" is real. :/

Speaking of get-togethers, the weekly car "meets" at the local grocery parking lot in Cali BLEW MY MIND. The hardware there is a gearhead's dream. Truly the epicenter of hot rodding and car customizing, and even complete fabrication!

[The Other Andy]

Congrats OP, that must feel pretty good.

Originally Posted by digital rules

I like to ride my bike as much as possible, especially if going to the gym. My roomates think I'm crazy, but I like hot weather.

The funniest part about going to the gym is noticing other members behavior in the parking lot. They will do anything to get the closest parking spot, but then go inside & hop on the treadmill & pump out many miles. Why not park a bit further away & just friggin walk off some of those calories???

These are likely the same people you see needlessly racing up to red lights. I just don't get it???

Some of the buff, go-to-the-gym-every-day guys at work will get in their trucks and drive to the convenience store across the street.

[TheEnemy]

I have been riding to work 3-4 days out of the week, I have been mostly driving the pickup on the weekends to and from the hardware store to haul materials to work on the house. If you discount one out of town trip I have gotten more miles on the bike than the truck in the last 2 months.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by TheEnemy

... If you discount one out of town trip I have gotten more miles on the bike than the truck in the last 2 months.

Cool! Me too. Today marks a month since my last fillup. Normally I refill every two-three weeks or so. Today I also crossed the 300 mile mark on my electric/human parallel hybrid bicycle. If I had not driven the 340 miles I drove on the El Mirage land speed racing event trip, I would be many miles from another fill. In a few days I guess I might need a fill, and it might be the last of the summer! At a rate like this, I'll get my costs for building the bike back in two years or so.

[KingZiptie]

If I go 2 days without driving, I start getting withdrawals

I aim to be efficient, but im a gearhead and need my driving fix