Tour de Fat Bike Winner

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Permalink Reply by Liz on August 9, 2012 at 2:48pm

Looks like the only zipcars in Elmhurst are university affiliated, so if you work or are associated with the university you maybe able to sign up for use of those.  I know they've helped me complete trips that can make being car free frustrating. 

https://www.zipcar.com/registration/?search=true&search_term=el...

Looking back at my life in the suburbs, I would've been able to be car free/car light most of the time.  I rarely travels more than 5 miles from home.  Definitely a doable goal, and inspirational to other suburbanites looking to go car free/car light! Good luck. 

Bill Bushnell said:

No harm done. I've dealt with worse.

Commuting in Elmhurst is going to be tough because we have very little bike infrastructure and most drivers aren't used to dealing with bikers. I've already started talks with one alderman here about improving the infrastructure and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn't the only one he's spoken to about it.

I am trying to take the challenge seriously and live up to the intent of it by being car free. There are some times when I may ride along with someone, but only when they are already headed my way and the trip is not realistic by bike, like going to see family in Elgin or Arkansas. Unless it's an emergency situation, I plan on not driving for the next year.

Being in the suburbs, we have a lot less public transit options as well, unless you want to take Metra to go either straight East or West, and only when the bikes aren't blacked out. It's going to be a challenge, but I think I'm up for it!

That is the proper link for my blog and I will be updating it over the next year. If you want to follow my adventures, I encourage you to follow the Facebook page (facebook.com/ForwardAtSpeed) or subscribe to the email updates.

Wish me luck!

h' said:

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on August 9, 2012 at 5:57pm

Good luck. Hope the winter is as mild as last year(not really I like snow) but I've done a less than pleasant commute along a "no bike lane" in a few parts of town, winding road, uphill 45 mph...

Not fun and be careful.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 9, 2012 at 7:40pm

Congrats, Bill! I have been car-free* for 8 years now (can't believe it!) and love it. I have a dog and for her, bought a Doggyride trailer, but it's also a great hauling trailer for large items or loads. At first I tried a used kiddie trailer but the hard, flat floor and stability of the dog trailer - not to mention that I can put my dog in it - has made it a great purchase.

*I do IGo and Zipcar, though, and rent cars or borrow my boyfriend's as needed.

Anyway, good luck to you and kudos for talking to your alderman about infrastructure already!

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 9, 2012 at 8:14pm

Bill's advice thread, FYI:
http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/advice-for-a-new-biker

Should I close this one and let it sink to de-mess-ify the parallel/duplicate discussion, or leave it open?

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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 9, 2012 at 8:15pm

oops!

h' said:

Bill's advice thread, FYI:
http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/advice-for-a-new-biker

Should I close this one to de-mess-ify the parallel/duplicate discussion, or leave it open?

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 9, 2012 at 8:37pm

Sarah, was not implying in any way that there was anything inappropriate about your posting.

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