I am now living car-free.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic' started by Goofus Maximus, Oct 9, 2020.

  1. Goofus Maximus

    Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb!

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    Not because I wanted to, but because my car became an unsafe pile of scrap. The rear brakes needed to be totally redone, due to the return spring on the left rear having broke, the shoes worn down to 2mm, and everything under there being seriously corroded. So I ended up just selling it to the shop for scrap, for $125.

    That means I'm going to have to rely on my bicycle, my feet, and my ride-begging skills from here on out, till the economy picks up, whenever that might be... yay.
  2. hans5849

    hans5849 Serious as a heart attack

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    Good way to get exercise. I ride my bike to the gym, serves as my warmup.
  3. Goofus Maximus

    Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb!

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    I now have "torrent" rated rain gear, which has kept me warm and dry at mid-40s in moderate rain at night, so I guess I can do this, till they start putting salt on the roads and the puddles freeze over. :willynilly:
  4. bbsmitz

    bbsmitz Optimus Prime

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    How you making out in winter without the car Goofus?
  5. mistawiskas

    mistawiskas kik n a and takin names

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    studded tires goofus? ;)
    I lived 2 year without a car in Salem. The rain wasn't bad, but the ice was a killer. Grocery shopping was a downer too.
    The upside was getting around and where I was going faster during rush hour than by car. I even managed to get a speeding ticket.
    The judge threw it out because it was written on a 'uniform motor vehicle citation'.
  6. Goofus Maximus

    Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb!

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    As for how I'm making out riding in Winter, it's really not that bad. When it's below freezing, the main problem is keeping my fingers warm enough to be functional. So far, wearing mittens over ordinary dishwashing gloves works just fine for a half-hour of riding in mid-to upper 20's. The annoying problem of course, is glasses fogging/dewing up from my breath, since I have my neck, face, and scalp covered as much as possible.

    Keeping one's neck warm is just about the single most important part to keeping warm in the cold, followed by keeping one's extremities warm enough, in order of importance, fingers, toes, ears, noses (for those who have more than one). Of course, here is one important tip: if you're bundled up well enough to feel warm standing outside, you will be drenched in sweat and feeling uncomfortably steamy at your ride destination. It is best to dress so that you feel slightly chilly at the start of the ride, since your own heat production will take care of that last little bit of warmth you'll need to be comfortable in the middle of your ride.

    Groceries aren't all that much of a problem for me, since I'm only shopping for one, and not needing to concern myself with burning gasoline means frequent smaller trips make more sense than occasional big-haul trips. I have to admit I'm not looking forward to the ice, nor the salt corroding my bicycle like it did to my car.

    If only studded bicycle tires weren't so freaking hideously expensive, I really would be considering buying a pair, but honestly, when it's that icy out, I don't go out even with a car.

    As an addendum, there is a plus side to all of this, since I've had to ride at night once or twice a week, I've discovered the joys of cruising through neighborhoods at night to look at the various Christmas displays, such as the really good one set up by a local school, as well as various homes. I must say though, I'm not a fan of these new light-blob projectors that make dots of colored lights crawl across the walls of the house (and occasionally also the grass of the lawn) like a swarm of crazy-ants. The falling colors display of those fancy icicle light displays is pretty neat though!

    Edit edit: If I ever managed to get a speeding citation while riding a bicycle, I would frame that sucker, and proudly display it to everyone visiting my home! :sunglasses:
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2020
  7. mistawiskas

    mistawiskas kik n a and takin names

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    Well, keep yourself safe. I saw where it's going to be quite cold there.
    Merry Christmas, stay warm.
  8. Goofus Maximus

    Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb!

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    Thanks. Honestly, I'm thinking of going out for a ride right now, just to get out of the house. It just doesn't feel like Christmas at all to me. Just another day like any other. o_O

    Edit: Just got back from an 11.2 mile ride in 45 minutes. My toes were cold, my fingers just right, and the rest of me was too hot and drenched in sweat!
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2020
  9. Goofus Maximus

    Goofus Maximus Too old to be this dumb!

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    Additional note: The more one rides in the cold, the more acclimated one is to riding in the cold. Go figure! :)
  10. mistawiskas

    mistawiskas kik n a and takin names

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    I never owned a car when I lived in Salem (3 years).
    I know what you mean about getting acclimated to the cold.
    Though, it wasn't as cold there as where you are.
    What it was, was super wet with wind driven rain the norm.
    Even that wasn't too bad until it would turn to freezing rain.