GOING from 4 wheels to only 2: my new personal journey

Terry

Every year when it comes time to get my car inspected I start sweating it out.

My car is a 98 Honda Accord. It runs well--maybe better than well.

But, like me--the car is getting older and the miles are racking up.

Every year I spend about a thousand dollars getting it to pass inspection.

In the last three years that amount has gone up and Up and UP.

THIS YEAR was a bust. The Honda specialst told me:

"Look, I'd love to have your money--but--honestly do you want to spend $3,000 for repairs that aren't going to guarantee you won't be

on foot in a year's time?"

So--I made the hard choice.

I'm riding my bicycle from now on!

Yeah, you heard me. I think I can do this.

I'm in pretty good shape. It is springtime. I'm healthy.

I THINK I CAN LIVE WITHOUT AN AUTOMOBILE.

Look at all those Asian countries where people ride bikes everywhere--why can't I get along too?

I just have to figure out how to handle bad weather and I'll be okay.

Anybody out there ever try this successfully?

rip van winkle

I've never tried it. Wish that I could. Certainly will save you an awful lot of money on gas and maintenance!! Good for planet and your health.

Or maybe speak to another mechanic!! Winter WILL come.

For rain: NUBRELLA!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001Q8RX0K?pc_redir=1398925839&robot_redir=1

do the bike thing as much as you can...........and save up for a good previously owned prius. you'll save $$$$ in gas and maintenance plus be shrinking your carbon footprint. or if you have the means, spring for a 2015..........you can't go wrong.

i know several people who have that 98 accord still going strong - honda made one helluva car that year!!

stillin

Wow, though. Tires, windshield wipers, maybe brake pads or even rotors. If you trust your mechanic, so be it, but wow. We don't have inspections in this state because it took time out of a busy mechanic's day to make fifty cents for putting a sticker on your windshield after taking 20 minutes to find nothing wrong with your car.

You must be in California. Lol! This area is too rural to even consider bicycling, other than recreationally. Good for you, Terry. Legs like tree trunks!

Band on the Run

I believe a lot depends on whether your cocmmunity is bike friendly. Manhattan is bike friendly. Well, the bicyclists are always fighting for me. The city is loaning bikes to people. People seem to be enjoying it. The bike lane did not work. I know some men who use their bikes. We are all worried b/c they have children and it only takes one car to hit you. NY is not as bike friendly as Europe.

When I walk past the bikes for loan, all the bikes are out. You are allowed only so many minutes to check into the next place. In NJ, there doesn't seem to be anyplace as bike friendly as Manhattan. I can't ride b/c of an ankle injury. It looks like great fun.

Oh, Manhattan is so dense. It is not that large. You may have larger distances to cover.

designs

Bicycles are great, just wear a bright vest.

LoisLane looking for Superman

Terry.

Wow... Impressive!

Texas heat from April to October is... HOT!

The countryside is so beautiful.

I have been there when the Texas bluebonnets are open.

I have enjoyed the Azalea Trail.

I have seen the Tyler rose fields in full bloom.

And have felt the high winds, shake the hotel while staying at the Flagship,

Built over the water, in Galveston.

I saw and felt the oppressive flooding rain come down in buckets in Houston.

I had welts from the bite of the mosquitos and the fire ants.

I have seen Texas rattler's and giant, daddy long leg spiders,

But oh!, you do live in a beauteous State!

LoisLane

Giordano

I don't know Terry old bones don't knit too well. Not the time in your life to get hit by a car.

http://www.salvageautosauction.com/ check this place out and the state you live in for drivable cars. See if anything pops up.

GIO

Finkelstein

Anybody out there ever try this successfully?

Not year round because I live in Canada but during a couple of stints for

6 months (spring to fall) that was my only mode of transportation.

I think its important to take precaution for whatever weather you might come

into and to rig your bike for any night time excursions, such as lights front and back,

bright colored clothing etc.

Yeah its a lot cheaper than riding on 4 wheels and the exercise will do you some good as well.

prologos

how about an electric bike? a motorcycle? a used 500 cc?

just learn to survive a fall, a crash, because

we do not want to miss out on your insights.