Last Friday afternoon my wife and I got in the car and went to pick up our son who had just returned to town from a week long conference in Dallas. We decided to take him out to dinner and catch up on the weeks activities with him.
I was having a strange feeling as I got into the car. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something felt different. We rode for a few blocks with my wife driving, and me trying to figure out why I was having these strange feelings.
It suddenly dawned on me as we rode, that
I could not remember, with certainty, the last time I had ridden in a car.
I knew I hadn't ridden in a car earlier that day. Nor the day before. I took the scooter to work both days. In fact I took the scooter every day to work last week, so If I had ridden in a car last week, it had to have been at lunchtime or in the evening. I knew we had stayed at home last weekend because we were doing some remodeling on our back porch and we had worked on it for a major portion of the weekend. I did ride the scooter a few times over the weekend, but not the car. I was pretty sure of that.
Finally, after some careful thought, I finally determined that
it was Thursday, at lunchtime, the week before last, when I had last ridden in a car.
Over a week ago!
Not just driven a car, but ridden in a car.
I am not complaining!
But It did seem a little odd to realize that I had not ridden in a car for more than a week.
I think the last time something like this may have happened was when we went to Montreal a few years back for a convention. We spent close to a week there and didn't need a car because of the transit system. We had just taken a cab to and from the airport.
I don't drive a car as much anymore.
Until just now I didn't realize that I didn't even ride in a car as much as I used to.
It is hard for me to explain to people that the purchase of a scooter has been
a life changing experience for me.
I didn't buy a scooter for a toy. I did it to replace a car.
It has done so very effectively.
The car I used to own was fairly efficient in terms of fuel usage.
My scooter gets 3 times the miles per gallon.
I used to enjoy driving my car when I had it.
I enjoy riding the scooter even more.
Does this make me some kind of hardcore scooter fanatic now?
Not that I consider this a problem.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed
Had that same strange feeling this past Saturday. Had to use the truck to take mom on errands. I almost walked out to the truck with helmet and riding jacket in hand.
ReplyDeleteDanny,
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm not the only one.
Thanks for checking in
Jim
What a wonderful problem to have! Almost as disconcerting as sitting in the back seat of your own car while someone else is driving.
ReplyDeleteI realized the other day that we've put around 6000 miles a year on our car since we bought it. We both ride, so the car is reserved for shopping trips and chauffeuring the doggie. Not bad for two people sharing one car!
that's a good "odd feeling" to have.
ReplyDeleteFrom JUL08-DEC08: car: 1176 miles (mostly by my wife)
bikes: 8717 miles.
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It's a bit ironic because just this morning I was looking at a couple of my older posts and saw one of your comments. Good to hear from you again.
At 6,000 miles a year that car ought to last a long time. We put only about 8,000 miles a year on our car, and hope it lasts a long time too.
Take Care,
Jim
Charlie6,
ReplyDeleteI have just shy of 4,000 miles on the scooter now. May get close to 5,000 for the first year. Not a lot less than I did with the car when we had it. But I am getting a little more adventurous with the scooter now, and mileage may actually increase a bit.
Even though I had a pretty efficient car before, I feel even greener with the scooter.
Thanks for stopping by, always good to hear from you. BTW, I have a couple of ideas for some "then and now" photos for a post, like you do on your blog. May be a bit before I finish it, but am getting closer.
Take Care,
Jim
Yes, you're "hardcore." ;-) Not that there's anything wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteI so relate to your entry! I have found that after years of riding the 'cycle, I have little desire to own a car. And, when I get into one, it's an odd feeling. After my 2002 car had, in 2008, only 34,000 miles on it, I decided to sell it. I joined a car sharing program and between that or using my husband's car, I don't miss a car at all. I use the 'cycle for 99% of all my transportation needs.
BTW, I've noticed your clever use of the scoot in each shot--very nice! That's something I have to work on--I don't do it enough. I've taken note of your skills here. Thanks!
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the picture compliments. Not sure I deserve it, but after all, this is a scooter blog and it seems that most pictures need the vehicle in it for some reason.
I accomplished 2 goals with picture taking last Sunday for this post. One, the first picture is one I have sought out for some time with a reflection off of a building of me and the scooter. Don't think it turned out too badly. I kept looking for a building that had those glass sides to it. This one wasn't that way, but in the bright light of the morning and the darkness inside the building, it just seemed to work out.
The second goal accomplished was of the road construction. I had always thought that a picture of the scooter "at the end of the road" would be interesting.
Thanks for the comments,
Take Care
Jim
Are you riding to work on a regular basis? If so, I'd be honored to add a link to your blog from mine. I know the feeling you described. When I'm in a car I feel so cumbersome. Nothing like two wheels!
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteThe honor of a link would be all mine.
And yes I ride to work almost everyday. Since the purchase of my scooter in July last year, I have missed less than 15 days of riding to work. And on those days, the reason was usually ice or snow that I didn't take a chance with.
We are a one car, one scooter family now and the arrangement has worked out very well for us.
Not to mention the fun.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment,
Take Care,
Jim
Dear CPA3584 (Jimbo):
ReplyDeleteAfter my last ride to West Virginia (on my bike), I jumped intio my truck and headed off to the store. I found myself taking a corner a bit too hot -- AND TRIED TO LEAN THE TRUCK INTO A CURVE.
Hardcore is as hardcore does. It's hardcore when a romantic vacation that does not involve the bike becomes a pain in the ass.
Fondest regards,
Jack "r" Toad
Jack,
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one. Leaning is like second nature sometimes.
Thanks for popping by
JimboBob