a year without a car

cogs in motion

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:34:00 +0000

Well I thought I better write a blog for May as it will soon be over! I rode the dartmoor classic but rode the 100k as the conditions were so bad. I can only take my cycling cap off to those who did the 100 miler. I know I will have another go next year. The scenery was stunning and worth the effort. Even better I rode it on my new bike.

Living without a car is not easy I must admit. If I had never owned a car then fine, but I have and I know how easy it was to get to places. I will continue to the end of the year for sure and take it from there really. I wish people would make short trips by bicycle or foot as I know it would improve the environment we live in.

See you in June folks

Spring is in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:09:00 +0000

All of a sudden its spring. Its light later and everyone is feeling better. Its been a wet winter in Cornwall this year, but my mudgaurds have kept my backside dry. Time for some dry dusty streets!

I'm riding a lot right now. As I have less than a month until the Dartmoor Classic. The best thing is I feel fit and well, the worst thing is the tiredness – when I should be alert at work! I don't think anyone has noticed.

I'm really looking forward to the summer now. Emma (my girlfriend) is now the proud owner of a bike that I got off ebay and she is getting used to riding it slowly. I really can't remember getting used to riding a bike as I have been riding since a wee boy. It must be weird in todays world of fast cars and impatient people to be out there learning to ride a bike. Personally I'm really happy she has got a bike and looking forward to cruising to our nearest beach for a swim after work. Thats one of the great things about living here.

See you all next time

March of time

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:00:00 +0000

Here I am in March the start of spring and it gone cold, but at least the rain has become a little less.

I have recently returned from a short break to Bath. The trouble is I hired a car to get there and back! Why you may ask? Try the trains on a Sunday! 4hours 30mins and 4 changes including a bus journey at over £60 per person.

So the other option was going by coach... 7 hour journey anyone? Thought not. So how can I take my girlfriend away for a nice weekend. CAR! thats how.

Car hire, now that is a good idea! And got me thinking why the government doesn't offer some sort of subsidy [towards hiring for journeys] if you give up car ownership? For me living at the far end of England with little (or slow) public transport it would be great. I'm not sure about figures, but I would like to think this would bring C02 emissions down and stop alot of unnecessary journeys?

The picture at the top was taken by a friend, it was taken in Malta and shows how nice bike racks can look.

Cheers for now

Rain, rain, grumpy brain

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:08:00 +0000

Nearly two months in and its been a wet winter and its getting a little tiresome, which reminds me... I switched tyres recently as the ones I was using seemed to puncture a little too often. My new tyres are Conti's and come with a 12 month guarentee! so I think this could make for some safe riding.

Big news for me is that I have entered a 100mile sportif event on Dartmoor. Check out www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk. To be honest I'm shitting it. I have done a few century rides before but this one looks like a ball buster! So I'm training like a pro (well umm I'm training) before and after work. I'm hoping to get a peak in time for the event in May. I have to be honest I will happy just to finish it. No grand plans! anyway I will keep you posted and tell you more about the day.

I really am missing a car at the moment and I'm finding it a bit hard. I would like to take my girlfriend somewhere other than the local pub. I know it's a lame excuse, but I'm sure the spring and summer will help ease the car less living – I hope!

So far I've been writing a blog twice a month into thin air.... is anybody out there? hehehe!

on the chain gang

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:31:00 +0000

I would say I'm about a month in now and getting to and from work has posed little problems. I have had two punctures, but these have been discovered in the morning and easily fixed.

I have started to wonder about things recently in terms of car use. I can't say I'm bothered about owning one and I think cars are over used. But the options for not owning one are limited - more so here in Cornwall. It does stop my girlfriend and I from visiting places so easily. Its not like we can catch a train to all the nice spots.

I would not be opposed to car ownership being expensive and even exclusive but... The only way this is going to happen is the goverment taking the issues by the horns. It would need a huge investment into public transport. Not like the NHS where cash was thrown at the problem but, a complete redesign of the public transport system. Will that ever happen? There are plenty of good models to follow so I dont see why not. I guess its easy for me to say. The plan would be huge and take years (a bit like trying to get from Falmouth to St. Ives by train).

I will try and write more soon, but im not really sure who im talking to!

Cheers

A little rain and oiling the chain

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:03:00 +0000

So I'm about a week in to the 'living without a car' and I'm loving it. The weather has been mostly rain but I'm kitted out with full mudguards which make riding in wet conditions close to a pleasurable experience! I have had to lag the chain in oil as the road spray has stripped my nice light coating off more than once. I now have oily marks all down my jeans from hauling the bike around the place. Still its worth it – I think.

In the beginning

noreply@blogger.com (steviebike) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:59:00 +0000

Day One – for the first step

My name is Steve and this is going to be an experiment on how living without my own car will impact on my life. Plenty of people live without cars just fine and I want to be one of them. I have never been happy with my dependence on cars and would rather live without one but it does/will pose its problems and I'm going to write about them along with the joys of not having a car.

Yes I'm concerned about the environment but I don't want this blog to be an Eco-rant (but I'm sure I will rant about other things). My main mode of transport will be Bicycles. I happen to be a big cycling fan, which will help the ease of car-less living. Other modes of transport will be available but will be kept to a minimum apart from walking and you can't get any more eco than that when it comes to transport!

One thing I should point out. I don't live in a city I live in Cornwall where the transport system is not that well connected and certainly not integrated. I think this [public transport] may cause me some headaches from time to time – well I guess its no better anywhere else.

So...

Today is my first day without a car.

I could not of asked for a better day! Gale force winds and rain if I can't stand this then I won't last long. Anyway my commute to work is short enough with the wind behind me. Going home should be fun.

Cheers for now