Chicagoist: The Tour de Fat Gets A Taker

lamgray

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:01:18 -0600

Peoplingplaces. . .I used to live in the city and work up in Lake Forest, and though the commute was rough, I still managed to do it without a car. At first, I got as far as I could via the Metra, and would give some gas money to people that would pick me at the station to go to the office (it was on their way). . .eventually we got added to the Pace Bus route, so I had 2 trains and a bus commute to work (2 hours each way, but cheaper, and learned to get things done (like paying bills, etc) on the train). It was rough to get used to, but I managed. Have you thought about car pooling? A ton of people in the city car pooled to save in gas $$ too?

lamgray

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:57:12 -0600

Ingrid, you're right its your life and you don't have to defend how you live it. . .Its just when you are putting out a lot of excuses as to why you can't and justifying it, people are going to explain why you can and show how people are working around it. And, personally for me, having a family made getting errands and things done a LOT easier. Instead of having to do all the chores for myself, now I have someone that splits the work up which is nice for everyone b/c my husband and I both work. Make sure everyone chips in on the family errands.

lamgray

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:33:45 -0600

Ingrid, Grocery Deliver service? I have used Peapod a lot. . .sure, you pay for delivery, but I find the prices are better on products than grocery stores in the city, so it evens out. Every couple of months, I place an order for all of the big items I need (laundry detergent, etc). Try it out.

peoplingplaces

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:35:10 -0600

That link didn't pan out. See more at: http://peoplingplaces.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/scene-in-logan-square-tour-de-fat/

peoplingplaces

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:29:16 -0600

I travel 40 miles to work where there is no public transportation, so I can't give up my car either. One day when I work in the city again, I would entertain the idea with the I-Go and Zip options now available. I'm not an avid cyclist, but this Tour de Fat seems like a grand time. Make a day of it and patronize the local businesses while you're out at Palmer Square.See more at Scene in Logan Square: Tour de Fat.

jg

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:59:28 -0600

@ Spook said: "I know several families in Logan Square that have kids and still remain carless, including some of the planners for the Tour de Fat. Bikes have all sorts of carriers for kids, food, etc." Yeah, and 3 people have been killed on bikes in Logan Square this year. I'm not pulling my kids on a trailer in this neighborhood.

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:08:57 -0600

I feel pretty comfortable in what I'm saying even though you're often trying to completely misrepresent it in order to make your ideas seem more sound. Navin, my dear, I can say the same thing about you. Funny: When you are not trying to be a heckler, or superior, you make many, many points I agree with. I have a funny feeling we are in agreement on many issues--including the need to be as green as possible. Glad I could entertain you today. Hope you enjoyed it. I think it's cute you apparently consider me part of the right wing. This whole exercises speaks volumes about assumptions and perceptions and insecurities on both our sides.

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00:50 -0600

Navin, I never said what if someone 'needs' to go to IKEA, I said what if they 'want' to. People should be able to shop at crappy stores if they want to. And as far as single people go, let me tell you that if you're a single guy living in an apt. you have TONS less responsibilities than a guy with a family and a house. I don't remember saying that single people have no responsibilities...if I said that I apologize, I didn't mean to imply that. But, it is a lot easier to not have a car if you are alone and live in an apt. I don't understand what you're not getting about that. Of course single people have responsibilities...you all have jobs, careers, significant others...but that whole lifestyle is eons away from someone with a house and family. If I want to do work in my garden and I need 15 bags of mulch and 10 bags of topsoil...that's not going to go home on the back of my bike. And when some little nuclear unit wants to go visit grammy for Thanksgiving and grammy lives in the awesome state of New York and said nuclear unit is in Illinois, I'm pretty sure they're going to pack up the old station wagon, fill it with suitcases, sleeping bags, the family dog and whatever else they need to make that trip. I don't think they're going to form a family caravan and do a road trip on their bikes, in November...or any other month for that matter. I can't wait for the day when I no longer need or desire a car...just for pure selfish reasons too. No insurance premiums, no maintenance, no worries about accidents and repairs...never having to pay a gazillion dollars to park!! But until that day comes, I use my car when I need to.

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:07:21 -0600

Ingrid, Laughing at your comments doesn't equal belittling you for dwelling in a suburb. "What if you need to go to IKEA? and "single people with no responsibilities" deserved to be made fun of, beeeeeeecause they were funny things to say. I'm sure you're a nice person and that Uncle Joe was a righteous (and smart) dude. Matilda, The backhandedness of your comment was thinly veiled. When somebody says they're going to try and live car free I don't think it's to be interpreted as some kind of strict bet that will be lost if they ever have to get on a CTA bus. They won't have to be surrounded by a circle of pointing and jeering people or anything. 1) Yes, some decent people live in the burbs and--gasp-drive from time to time; Nobody said or even suggested such a thing, it's the disagreeing that seems to be your problem. Maybe you need a thicker skin? Funny considering your comments about cheerleading 2) Bikes, as good as they are, and as much as they help with transit and environmental problems, are the most important transit priority in big cities, nor some holy tool; A misreprentation and exagerration. I find the "my bike is my entire identity" people annoying too. 3) nutty left-wingers [including pure-as-the-driven-snow bikers who think rules of the road are merely suggestions, and all other forms of transit are all but Satanic] are as bad as nutty right-wingers, and that trying to guilt people about having kids hardly ever manages to win support for your cause; lol, Politics determined by Matilda according to adherence to traffic rules. 4) that lobbing personal insults instead of ideas means you have no faith in your ideas. I feel pretty comfortable in what I'm saying even though you're often trying to completely misrepresent it in order to make your ideas seem more sound. What can I say? I'm just a "nutty left-winger". At least you haven't used "Moonbat" yet.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:55:53 -0600

My hopefully last comment on all of this is just to encourage people to do whatever they realistically can to reduce their dependency on cars. I think that is the true point of the Tour de Fat anyway. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition, even though I do admire Joe for going to that length. Just try to start out by promising to bike as much as you can to any location under three miles of your house, or to walk to any location less than a mile from your house. This alone would eliminate a good portion of car use in the city and suburbs. Also, you may enjoy biking so much that you do decide to adapt your lifestyle to bike even more often.

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:42:20 -0600

Thanks Ad, cuz the reason I live in this suburb -and I don't want to say which one, but it is the closest suburb to the city - is because my EX husband dragged us here from across the country. (not that I owe Navin any explanations). I'm actually trying to sell the house now and I'll probably move into the city when I do...but I do have to say that when I'm downtown all day and it's crowded and noisy and I've been dealing with traffic and noise and people all day...the minute I cross that line into the quiet tree lined streets and there is only the noise of a random dog bark and kids laughing in their yards...it is just such a sense of relief I feel.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:29:55 -0600

Navin, my problem with your attitude on this board is presumptuous comments like this: "Srsly you single, no responsibility having sad sacks, Ingrid was like totally sucessfully at landing a man, making some rugrats and getting that house in the burbs, show some respect......or jealously or something." You have absolutely no idea why she moved to the suburbs, or even where she lives. I have friends who moved to Oak park recently after they had a kid. They did it because they could afford a house there, rather than stay in a cramped condo in Chicago. Funny thing is Oak Park is closer to where my friend works in the loop than many of the more reasonably priced Chicago neighborhoods would be. They did what they thought was right for their child, not what they thought would be "cool" for the next few years. Problem is some of our mutual "holier than thou" city dweller friends (who don't yet have children mind you) give them shit for moving out there. Meanwhile, it takes him only 20 to 30 minutes to get into work from the Austin green line stop each day while they still slug it out on the blue line from Logan Square for over 40 minutes. I plan to do everything I can to stay in the city because I think it can be a great experience for a child in the end, but I'm not stupid enough to think that option is palatable or even possible for everyone. Additionally, it was fairly easy to see what Ingrid meant by the "no responsibility" comment for anyone who cared to think about it and not use it as an excuse to jump down her throat and judge her for not living in our GREAT city.

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:26:25 -0600

E, There are a number of reasons why I don't use Peapod exclusively. First of all, I kind of like to see and touch my food before I buy it. Also, it's just way too expensive for what you get. At PeaPod you get a teeny weeny little jar of peanut butter for what you pay for a jar over twice the size anywhere else! And even though paying for free range, organic meats is expensive, PeaPod does not offer the quality of meats I like to purchase. Also, I do a lot of different ethnic cooking and they don't offer the variety of things that I need for this. So I'm a pretty regular shopper of the stores in Chinatown and various Indian markets around town and also the fish market on Elston. I have recently discovered Irv & Shelly's Fresh Picks...they deliver organic meat,local produce, bakery goods etc. year round. But I have not used them as of yet. Go to www.freshpicks.com Like I said, even though I'm really fussy about the groceries I buy, I think I'd trust them over PeaPod...I like what they say on their website, it meshes with my philosophy. All that being said...I really don't owe anyone any explanation for how I live my life. I do my very best, every day to be conscious of what I do, what I use and how I dispose of it. Also, IKEA was just mentioned for the idea of it...I don't shop there, I don't own any IKEA furniture...but if I wanted to go all the way out to Schaumburg to get some cheap crap there, I would probably need a car to do that...and I'm pretty sure they don't deliver everything they sell there, btw. If you want to live your life exclusively on your bike, that's awesome. I applaud you, but you have absolutely no freaking right whatsoever to give me any shit for using a car. And Navin, you have no right to belittle anyone for living in a suburb. My Uncle Joe (rest his soul) used to always say "Different Strokes, babe.....different strokes"...he never even graduated from elementary school and he is smarter and more tolerant than you.

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:13:22 -0600

Yea I use peapod too but mostly in the winter. I like that they also deliver beer by the case! Why not walk? Or take a bus/El and walk? Your groceries, most of which are trucked in from out of state--or shipped from out of the country in many cases--already require the consumption of too much gas? Does the snow bother you? The cold? The ice? The grey skies? The wind? Do you not own a coat, hat and gloves? Why can't the pure become pure-ier? I am disappointed in you, Spook.

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:08:40 -0600

It 'speaks volumes' about you that a guy like joeM500 makes a huge commitment and that you're THE FIRST person to come in and try to belittle it. Insert deflating trombone sound here. Seriously, that bothers you, that someone might have a different view of this, or can offer a different insight/experience? My god, do you really want cheerleaders who offer nothing but a few "well dones"? And in case you failed to noticed, nearly everyone offered JoeM500 good wishes. I did, and Ingrid noted what a good idea this was, if only she/he could do it. Personally I use a combination of bike, CTA and car myself although I haven't driven my car in 2 months. Good for you. Gold star, too. But it seems I have been holier than you when it comes to green transit over the past few months, even without a bike. Gold star for me, too, I guess. Except mine is gold-ier. I'm trying to figure out the irrational anger you display towards people who like to bike (even occasionaly) in *every* bike related thread here. You need better reading skills, I'm afraid. I am frustrated--not irrationally angry--with people who fail to understand that 1) Yes, some decent people live in the burbs and--gasp-drive from time to time; 2) Bikes, as good as they are, and as much as they help with transit and environmental problems, are the most important transit priority in big cities, nor some holy tool; and 3) nutty left-wingers [including pure-as-the-driven-snow bikers who think rules of the road are merely suggestions, and all other forms of transit are all but Satanic] are as bad as nutty right-wingers, and that trying to guilt people about having kids hardly ever manages to win support for your cause; 4) that lobbing personal insults instead of ideas means you have no faith in your ideas. If you could read more better-er, you would see I have offered good wishes and support to responsible bikers, and have supported using more of my tax dollars for bike lanes. I also support heftier fines for reckless drivers [and reckless bikers and pedestrians]. And you will see, if you choose to go with what I have written, that I am pretty militant on more money and better oversight for mass transit. I cannot stand any reckless, self-centered people, whether they are bikers, politicians or blog commentators who can't debate without starting up the insult machine.

Mary_Sunshine

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:08:28 -0600

I use Peapod every once in a while, and yes, Ingrid, they use a lot of bags, but then I use those as trash bags! Tis amazing.

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:04:18 -0600

BY aren't you a kitten? Yea I use peapod too but mostly in the winter. I like that they also deliver beer by the case!

E

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:00:32 -0600

Ingrid, if grocery delivery doesn't work for you, cool, but I think an argument could be made for a truck that goes out and makes ten deliveries in an afternoon is better for the environment then those ten people getting into their cars alone and driving to the grocery store, regardless of the number of plastic bags used. Ikea delivers, too.

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:58:59 -0600

So Navin, after that little diatribe of yours I can safely assume you live completely car free, right?? I mean completely care free, where you don;t use igo, take cabs, or beg your friend to pick you up to drive over to the movies on a rainy sunday. Why would you assume that? I never suggested such a thing, in fact I said that I own a car at exactly the same you typed the above. I also hope after your little BS rant that you also grew up in Chicago or another major metropolitan area. Or are you just another suburban post-grad transplant that likes to be all holier-than-thou now that you live in the city? Why would where anyone grew up matter? Considering that kids have no choice in such things. FWIW while a youngster I lived in just about every environment: urban, rural etc. Holier than thou? I'm considering moving to a much small city myself soon, but not its suburb. I simply ask because I prefer to refrain from making trite assumptions about people's lives based simply on where they choose to live. As shown above it looks like you make them for whatever reason and are quite free with them. If you're referring to Ingrid I was just chuckling at her comments on the burbs, they were funny, as I *already mentioned* I don't begrudge her for not biking but like other people I disagree that she's completely helpless in changing her lifestyle if she chooses. Finally, I probably wouldn't have said something if it wasn't for her patronizing comment on single people with no 'responsibilities', you'll see that I wasn't the first person to notice it.

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:37:32 -0600

So, everyone should move to the city, then? The fucking glorious city where all kids can get a strong education and all adults can get great jobs without going west of Harlem. Yes they should move to cities and towns, whether they be cities of 10 million or towns of 500. Where they should not move, is the unsustainable sprawl of the suburbs. Yes, I talk about leftists, hippies and the like. But who else is trying to sell the crap that bikes are the only way, that anyone in a car should sell that car, that if you drive you are bad, bad, bad, or that if you have kids, you suck just as much? My republican boss who bikes to work everyday wouldn't like you calling him a leftist Matilda and I think like me he'd laugh at you bitterly reducing everyone down to red baiting, bumper sticker slogans. Anyway as usual you're a million miles of the mark with your assumptions, as if bikes are the 'only way'. Personally I use a combination of bike, CTA and car myself although I haven't driven my car in 2 months. Clearly biking is the most healthy and environmentally sound option of the three. I guess this is your beef though. You can't ride a bike at all? Or are too scared? I'm trying to figure out the irrational anger you display towards people who like to bike (even occasionaly) in *every* bike related thread here. Finally: Listen Debbie Downer, It 'speaks volumes' about you that a guy like joeM500 makes a huge commitment and that you're THE FIRST person to come in and try to belittle it. Insert deflating trombone sound here.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:37:16 -0600

So Navin, after that little diatribe of yours I can safely assume you live completely car free, right?? I mean completely care free, where you don;t use igo, take cabs, or beg your friend to pick you up to drive over to the movies on a rainy sunday. I also hope after your little BS rant that you also grew up in Chicago or another major metropolitan area. Or are you just another suburban post-grad transplant that likes to be all holier-than-thou now that you live in the city? I simply ask because I prefer to refrain from making trite assumptions about people's lives based simply on where they choose to live. Spook, why even own a vespa in the city? What does it allow you to do that a bike wouldn't, besides sit on your ass on extra 15 minutes before you head out the door? Ever been to asia and seen first hand what a million of those things on the street can do to the environment? No better than owning a car in my opinion (actuallu probably worse in most ways). Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and make a nice youtube video to go along with Joe's? In all seriousness, wish you the best of luck with going care free Joe. It is an admirable goal and it sounds like you are dedicated enough to pull it off.

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:09:56 -0600

Ingrid its never too late! We can always find a place for you, just don't bring your nieghbors :-)

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:08:40 -0600

A problem easily solved by not moving to the suburbs with your kids and dogs So, everyone should move to the city, then? The fucking glorious city where all kids can get a strong education and all adults can get great jobs without going west of Harlem. Even if that were feasible, what would do about people who just prefer the burbs? Force them? Tax them higher? You are right about this, though: They are paying for their choices. Yeah, Navin, I am scared of the Reds. You got me there, bub. And my comments make me some brain-dead consumerist ala Sex and the City. Do you ever realize that your only ally on this site usually is Spook, the only person with more cheap assumptions and semi-ideas and tired insults than you? That should speak volumes about the stuff you try to sell here. Yes, I talk about leftists, hippies and the like. But who else is trying to sell the crap that bikes are the only way, that anyone in a car should sell that car, that if you drive you are bad, bad, bad, or that if you have kids, you suck just as much? It isn't the centrists among us, nor the midly conversative, or even the moderately liberal. It is the wacky left-wing, which needs to return to its mole hills and fade, just as the wacky right-wing needs to do. They all suck, and do nothing but impede change with their bullshit utopias and failure to compromise. I'll take a realistic and good-hearted Ingrid-like person any day over some attention-starved, martyr-wannabe similar to Spook and its ilk. {By the way, is that the best you can do, Spook, try to joke about my weekends? Yawn. Debate me on the ideas, son, unless you have none.]

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:02:35 -0600

Thank you Matilda. Navin, I don't even know where to begin with your statements. There just isn't enough time. But, seriously...do you really want everyone in every suburb to move into your city-world? Then who would you feel superior to?

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:00:41 -0600

Hey Navin I wrote that broomTilda had a cat before I read your post immediately above about her having a cat! Great minds think a lot and a like! I bet that unless she meets some hen pecked accountant and ends up in the burbs, she's will turn sixty with a house full of cats! And it will STINK!

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:54:31 -0600

Navin F*cking Hellarious,son! HagTilda. Do you have friends? I mean are you generally at home Friday and Saturday night by eight pm? Is that you Hagtilda sitting all by your lonesome( with your standoffish cat) wondering what it would be like to be out having fun, but not quite understanding what fun actually is?

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:52:55 -0600

Oh and most importantly congrats to JoeM500!

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:49:48 -0600

You live in the real world of adults and families, not some utopia dreamt up by hippies, leftists, fake revolutionaries and other children who have few responsibilities greater than snagging cheap beer on Tuesday nights or trying to impress you with how cool they think they are. "leftists" lol, Hey Matilda there's a red under your bed and another next to your cat's litter box. Funny, my city friends with children and jobs and my single city friends all with responsibilities think that they're also living in the real world. Anyway as gas prices, crime and people's weight increase out in the 'burbs I get the feeling it's gonna get real "real" for them soon. Don't worry Carrie......err....I mean Matilda, someday you'll land "Mr. Big" and score a real life in the suburbs.

carlacarcus

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:46:21 -0600

Good for you Joe... I wish I was following in your footsteps but I don't think they want me to donate anything they have to finish paying off :)

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:39:28 -0600

. I want to see you move out the the suburbs with your kids and dogs and use ONLY a bike, 24/7, 365 days a year. A problem easily solved by not moving to the suburbs with your kids and dogs. Are you going to rent a car when your kids have a swim meet in a neighboring town and you have to be there at 7 o'clock on a Saturday morning? Or you want to go to IKEA to get a couple of end tables? Or yes...when you child is sick and needs to go to hospital or the doctor, you going to haul him there on your bike? In the rain or in the middle of winter? For real though, I don't really care if you ride a bike a lot or not but all this suburban dystopia's pretty funny. What if you need to go to IKEA?! Did you ever think about that? hehe..

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:35:59 -0600

Ingrid: Don't worry about some of the holier-than-thou types, the biking cult people and Critical Mass fanatics (that is, the minority who think they are anarchists or something). We all do what we can, and because so much of our society was built over decades to be car-friendly, it can be hard to take a step away from that. As long as you are trying, you have nothing to worry about. You live in the real world of adults and families, not some utopia dreamt up by hippies, leftists, fake revolutionaries and other children who have few responsibilities greater than snagging cheap beer on Tuesday nights or trying to impress you with how cool they think they are. I am lucky to have a situation that allows me to get by, with varying levels of difficulty, without a car. I am grateful for that, but realize the vast majority of Americans, no matter how green they want to be, and for reasons not always their own, don't enjoy that luck. Just do what you can do--make other changes, perhaps, in other areas. You seem like you are doing the right things, and I am sure that you, as most of us, will find ways to do more. And you seem like the type of person who will pass along green thinking to your children. Good luck and don't let the overly pure souls out there get you down.

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:23:06 -0600

E, Peapod? I have used that on occasion, like if I'm sick or in desperate need of groceries. Talk about NOT being green...they will use one bag to put two items in! It's insane. Also, and now that I feel I'm pushed against the wall and I need to disclose: First of all, I have a bike and I love my bike. But I have really, really bad knees. My knees have been bad since I've been in my 20's. I think I can blame that on a past of too much jogging and high impact aerobics. Sometimes, when I'm out on my bike I have to stop and walk the bike home because the motion of turning the pedals makes the pain unbearable. For fuck's sake people...not EVERYONE can chuck the car and use only a bike. I want to see you move out the the suburbs with your kids and dogs and use ONLY a bike, 24/7, 365 days a year. Are you going to rent a car when your kids have a swim meet in a neighboring town and you have to be there at 7 o'clock on a Saturday morning? Or you want to go to IKEA to get a couple of end tables? Or yes...when you child is sick and needs to go to hospital or the doctor, you going to haul him there on your bike? In the rain or in the middle of winter? If you can live totally without a car, I think it's great and people like you are inspirations and you give people like myself inspiration and something to aspire to. But for a lot of us, the most we can do is to try and be as green as possible and make concessions and the most conscientious choices where ever we can.

Navin

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:17:56 -0600

The wife isn't the one who gets to ride the bike..she takes the car because she has several kids to drop off at school, then pick up groceries on the way home and then take the kids to the doctor, after school activities or whatever. Yeah speaking of.......where the fucks my dinner? Srsly you single, no responsibility having sad sacks, Ingrid was like totally sucessfully at landing a man, making some rugrats and getting that house in the burbs, show some respect......or jealously or something.

E

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:00:05 -0600

Ingrid, I'm not judging, and I readily admit that there are places where people need cars to get around, but if you're really worried about hauling the dog food and kitty litter might I recommend Peapod.com or even checking to see if your local gorcery supplier delivers? I can walk to my grrocery store, but often I don't want to have to carry Cat litter, giant packages of toilet paper, and cases of beer home with the rest of my groceries. For the big, unwieldy, obnoixious stuff, I'll let someone else do the heavy listing. And Chuck, you are going to look bad. I used to think that people who used I-go were making a great compromise allowing themselves occasional automotion without owning a car, but thanks to Joe M500's actions I now see that all I-go users are just not trying hard enough to be green. I expected better from you, Sudo.

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:17:52 -0600

Man, I'm digging all these comments! For shizzall my nizzalls, because I'm also trying to figure out how to be more "green" my damnie. Besides for one day possibly adopting a kid when I actually own some "real" land. I think we are all talking about how to be more responsible, Ingrid, Chucky-O Mary, etc,. See the type of progressive "synergy" a Pro Bike Chicagoist topic creates? All this cyber love'n! Mindylou, This Saturday just pick up the phone ask to speak to The Man, cough and sneeze a couple of times and say you're sicker than a cat that got bit by a Chicago alley rat xlprq Go back over said post and then add "semi grammatically correct" ;-)

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:51:34 -0600

Mary, Never said these people have no responsibilities...but when you're single and have nobody to take care of but yourself AND you live in the city where you're close to everything, it is a LOT easier to depend on just your bike for your sole means of transportation. My parents live in a small town in Michigan out in the country. The closest grocery store is probably at least 3 miles from their house, and since they're out in Bumblefuck, Noman'sland, there are no sidewalks which makes walking difficult. You all are acting like I'm driving and promoting Hummer use. Jeez...all I'm saying is that for many people, a bike as a SOLE means of transportation is not possible.

magikist

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:46:05 -0600

Ingrid, I hear you. I can't imagine how my mom in the suburbs would've managed without a car when I was growing up... and she's a huge supporter of walking/biking. It just wasn't feasible where we lived. And Chuck, I use a trailer to take my dog to the beach, because I can't stand driving to the lakefront on weekends. It's kind of awesome, especially the way people in cars laugh as you go by :) Haven't been this year, but I really hope they've installed bike racks nearby?

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:41:36 -0600

Chuck, I would love to go to the beach with my dog..so if I don't have a car how do I do that? I don't have my big dogs anymore (cancer), so I have one teeny dog. I could get a basket for my bike and put her in that and bike to the train station. Am I allowed to take dogs on the train? If I am, I can park my bike and hope that the dog carrier doesn't get stolen (I've had 3 really nice bikes stolen in the last 15 years...one with a nice child carrier on the back and another with a basket on the handle bars, so I'm paranoid about bike theft). So, I get on the train assuming I can take my dog, and then walk to the beach from the train. And then do the return trip home. Of course, that's easier with the small dog...how do I do this with a large dog? Or two large dogs? I could possibly smuggle my small dog inside of a bag or something. It's easy for you all to talk like this when you live so close to things. I mean, seriously...either I ride my bike down 290 or do you realize the neighborhoods I'd have to bike through to get to the beach? And I'm not even going to talk about riding a tricycle loaded with groceries and whatnot through 3 feet of snow. It's not like I live right around the corner from shopping. I do have to say though...the one good bike friendly thing about the midwest is that it's flatter than a pancake that that in and of itself makes biking a LOT easier. But I digress...it is just not feasible for many of us to get rid of our cars. We can do what we can to cut down on driving, we can get hybrids or small cars, but we cannot get rid of them all together.

Mary_Sunshine

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:38:54 -0600

I'm from a small town in Ohio, (no trains, no buses) and I know quite a few people who walk to the grocery, work, etc. Usually it's a financial thing, and the people can't afford a car, but still...I think that proves it can be done. And Ingrid, you're sounding pretty judgmental yourself with this whole "these people have no responsibilities" statement you keep repeating.

xlprq

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:38:47 -0600

Spook, what was that? A grammatically correct, intelligent post? Who wrote that?

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:18:11 -0600

Spook, I'm not advocating for bringing more carbon footprints into the world..I have one kid, me and a few animals...I'm just saying that for those of us who don't live in the city where you are close to everything you need, it's kind of hard to depend on just a bike. Logan Square is a pretty insulate little area ...if you live in an area that has every single thing you need within a reasonable biking/walking distance that's awesome. But I don't...lots of us don't. If I ever move into a big city I would love to give up my status as an automobile owner. When you are single, with no kids (and some with no animals or other responsibilities) it's easier. There are several families in my neighborhood where the husband rides his bike to the train and takes the train into work. The wife isn't the one who gets to ride the bike..she takes the car because she has several kids to drop off at school, then pick up groceries on the way home and then take the kids to the doctor, after school activities or whatever. It's a complete different story when you don't live close to the train, or stores or everything else you need and you have other people in your life that you are responsible for. That's just the way it is...don't judge!

Mary_Sunshine

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:13:58 -0600

Hey Ingrid, I’m not digging your logic. Holy shit I agree with Spook.

mindylou

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:11:48 -0600

yes, the revolution will fail because one girl can't take off of work for one day (despite the fact that i ride to work all year long). my apologies to all of you who have been working so hard at making this revolution succeed.

Chuck Sudo

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:11:33 -0600

Ingrid: It's doable with a family to make the commitment, but it takes some work. Some families I've met use hitch trailers to haul their necessities (groceries, etc.). Bike shops also sell panniers for the back of the bike that carry a sizable amount of product. Other options are buying a large trike, which is effective for carrying those loads. I'm even thinking of getting a trailer to haul my dog to the beach on weekends.

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:04:47 -0600

p.s for the record, I am by no means "pure" either. As a vespa owner I catch grief from my comrades in the bike movement all the time :-)

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:50:39 -0600

Hey Ingrid, I’m not digging your logic. You’re saying that your choice to stress out the environment even further by bring more kids into an over populated world means that you also must stress the environment out even further as a responsible parent by owning a car. I know several families in Logan Square that have kids and still remain carless, including some of the planners for the Tour de Fat. Bikes have all sorts of carriers for kids, food, etc. Personally I think those that do bring kids into this over populated world with so many unwanted kids should have to be more environmentally conscience than those that don’t. And by the way my dog is 135 pounds, and I manage to keep her well feed with out owning a car

Denton

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:50:32 -0600

Well done, sir. Any chance you'll get some La Folie to go with the new wheels? I don't know if I can make it out to show my support, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Either way, enjoy!

Ingrid

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:17:48 -0600

If I lived right in the middle of the city, didn't have animals or kids I think it would be great not to have to own a car. But I don't know how to carry 40 pound bags of dog food, or heavy boxes or bags of cat litter and bags of groceries for a family on a bike. It's great, if you live the kind of lifestyle that affords this. Someone in my neighborhood has one of those Smart Cars...so cute...but sheesh...even with those where do you put your groceries? (With them, I think the car is like a third car that they just use for buzzing around town, so it's not their primary transportation). I'm looking forward to trading my present car in for something small and more ecology friendly soon...as cool as it would be for it to be a bike, there is just no way. That's more of a single man/woman's thing who only has themselves to think about (read:no kids, no pets) and who lives in the city where they are close to everything they need.

Mary_Sunshine

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:16:05 -0600

Awesome Joe! Living car free is actually not hard at all. No iGo, and I can count the number of times I've taken a cab on my hand. It just takes planning.

Marcus Gilmer

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:09:45 -0600

Add me to the list of people offering you kudos, Joe. Good luck. I sold my old Toyota Camry when I moved here two years ago and haven't looked back. Love being car free. Sure, the CTA has its (many and staggering) issues, but readily available public transportation is something that is nonexistent in the South.

PumaConcolor

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:09:12 -0600

What will New Belgium do with the Jeep?

JoeM500

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:03:46 -0600

The bike is an amazing handbuilt commuter by Black Sheep Bikes, also out of Fort Collins, CO. This coincides with our move to the South Loop, which puts me very close to work, the Roosevelt L and plenty of bus stops! The challenge will be fun and New Belgium Brewing/Tour de Fat will be keeping up with me via blog and videos during the year.

Chuck Sudo

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:58:08 -0600

mepps: what you'll be getting is a fat tire fixed gear bike just like the ones New Belgium gives their employees after one year of employment. Employees at New Belgium also get a free trip to Belgium after five years. So if you own a Hummer or range Rover, I'd hold out for that.

Chuck Sudo

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:46:13 -0600

Joe, after re-upping my I-Go membership you're gonna make me look bad if you manage to do this.

mepps

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:45:30 -0600

Anybody know what kind of bike you get? A rusty ol schwinn, or something a little easier to peddle?

matilda

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:43:47 -0600

"I will also be pledging to live vehicle free for 12 months" Good luck, especially if that includes cabs and rental cars/igos. I've been without a car for a few years, and I hope to never go back, though the crumbling CTA makes it harder and harder (sorry, some of us can't get to work with only bikes, especially in winter).

JoeM500

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:40:54 -0600

Thanks, this should be fun. I will also be pledging to live vehicle free for 12 months. Hope to see lots of you out there! Cheers!

Spook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:36:01 -0600

Look that this Joe M500 turnds in his gas guzzling biker terrifying mega ton truck for a bike and Mindylou won't even take the day off work in solidarity. Do you see why revolutions fail? Good for you Joe M500! Bravo!