Who would have thought three years ago I would have given up my lease to GMAC and handed back their Chevy Venture van ? Three years later I am probably in the greatest physical shape of my life, can handle any hill and have travelled as a far away as the Queen Charlotte's and Japan in search of a good ride.
I have met so many like-minded people who have given up their addiction to the automobile, yet I see so many of us more addicted than ever. My overweight neighbour goes in and out at least a dozen times per day in his Rav 4; these are the people who need to give up their car the most.
Let's face it not everyone is brave enough to give up their car. So many people equate car ownership with prestige and social status. I see so many so tough looking hombres splurging for a $35,000 Harley, if you really want tough go self powered ! I mean all that leather and darkness, surely a self powered vehicle is more prestigious.
I have discovered the joys of the month Critical Mass. This when faithful bike riders that have discovered the bicycle as a political tool take to the streets and generally ride around downtown and from time to time they go naked; which was cold and yet still fun.
Things have not always been rosy. My wife Heather took a tumble from her bike about a year ago and ended up in Royal Columbian for a month. An indirect repercussion of which I lost my job in June. I really could not work with people so shallow and mean spirited. Thankfully, Heather has almost recovered, however our marriage has not and whilst we remain friends our short lived marriage is pretty well toast.
One aspect of bicycle culture I had totally missed out in the past is the notion of a babe on a bike. OMFG ! Has there ever been a better time to be a cyclist ? There are so many beautiful women out there on bikes, it's amazing I keep upright [er so to speak] bicycle wise. I've often been told due to my physical limitations I am an inspirational cyclist, well let me tell ya what inspires me !
Today I spent a fair amount of change on my bike, pretty well replaced the transmission down at Dream Cycle on commercial. Good bunch o' lads down there, good place to swap stories.
With three years under my belt and no serious sign of giving in I'm proud to move in to my fourth year of living with out an automobile. Anyone can do it - really ! And let's not be totally in the dark here, having an automobile allows me to do certain things like move guitar amps and musical equipment, for which I use the Vancouver Auto-Co-Op. I reckoned I spent about $2000 on the co-op last year, still way less than owning.
It can be done, you can do it, I can help.
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