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Rob

Does anyone here live car free? I'm really close to selling my truck and I'm thinking about not buying another one.

When I was working in Orange I was living in Riverside and I'd ride to the train station at La Sierra then take the train to Orange and ride from there. It was fun and a LOT less stressful than driving in 91 freeway traffic.

The only thing I'm worried about is getting to trailheads that are not within riding distance. Does anyone know of trailheads that are close to any Metrolink/Amtrak train stations?

Anyone else interested in living car free or Car-lite?

There's a lot of good info on the subject here.
http://bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=226

I'm also interested to here about where you work that is ok with you not having a car, or recommendations on a job that does not require a car.

bighit8

I wish I could, but I am all over the place, its just not feasible time wise.

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DBD

I did for years when I lived in Studio City. I had a commute to Glendale/Eagle Rock which I did twice a day (68mi total). I found that after about a month or so, any trail head that was with in 40miles WAS close. Needless to say I was in better the excellent shape.

Just be sure to get a nice size pack to carry stuff from the store home like milk, eggs, beer, etc. etc. etc. The corner of a milk carton jabbing you in the back on a climb does not feel all that great.

RidetheRAAM4

Right now it isn't possible for me to be car free because i live in rialto/anaheim hills and go to work in ontario and school in fullerton so I am doing like 70-100 miles a day depending on where i am going. I have an interview on tuesday for a job in cerritos which is about 10 miles or so from fullerton. If they offer me enough that I can get an appartment out in fullerton I will go car free, but until then I am at the mercy of the oil gods

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Race Progression

dstepper

Fullerton Loop...Mt. Elden, Flagstaff.

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DBD

Oh yeah, forgot about that question, The Simi station is at the bass of Santa Susana Pass which is 1mi from the base of Hummingbird, 4 or so miles from the Rocky Peak trail head. then there is Chumash, Las Lajas, Albertsons etc. Then drop down into the SF Valley and there are a bunch more trails there AND the Chatsworth station.

PacMan

I'd LOVE to be able to, but it is not even close to feasible.

If I was single with no kids again, absolutely!!

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bjammin

I'm right there with you Rob. Living car-light is the main reason I live where I now live. I have Mtn. trails out my front door and work is only a 23 mile road ride without that many hills. Yesterday was the first time i filled up my tank ($65) in two weeks. Not too shabby.

Von-Skipp

I don't have much advice for ya Rob. But if you do make the choice to live without a car, I have soo much damn respect for that!!

Are you thinking about getting a road or cross bike if you sell the truck?

bjammin

I highly recommend a 'cross bike. They handle nicer when you are loaded down with commuting apparel, and you can hit any single track or migrant trail that you come across. It's also a blast to draft roadies and pass them while you say hi

OffRoadie

I made the decision awhile ago that I'm not planning to purchase another car if I can help it. I'm VERY slowly moving to car-lite.

Schecky

I did it for about a year.
It was pretty great except for rainy days. As long as you can bum a ride or lean on a sympathetic girlfriend you won't have too many rain rides.
A good lock, flat kit and keeping your drivetrain lubed help.

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un-kola

Not able to for me,I live 40 miles from work and work rotating 12hr.shifts.There are no Metro-link or Amtrak stations near where I work either.There are several Metro-link stations running along the San Gabs where you can get off and ride to the trail head,like Claremont or Pamona(Fairplex)stations to Claremont Wilderness Park and Marshall Cyn.,or Bonelli Reg.Park,and Covina station to Glendora Mountain Road,etc.I would think you should be able to get a rail map and match it up with a mtb trail map or book.My .02 cents worth and good luck,I admire you for trying this.-Lloyd

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dutch

I use my car pretty rarely (once or twice a week).

I live between work and school and its about 4 relatively flat miles each way.

I drive sometimes to mountain bike, although I'll typically ride santiago oaks from my apartment, which is a ten mile road ride there, a loop or two, and then a 14 mile ride back through peter's canyon and bike paths. I also drive to band practice once a week or every other week, and I'll drive to visit friends in LA and Long Beach.

I just put twenty bucks in my car today (saab 9-3), and probably won't re-up my gas for another week and a half or so.

uno-speedo

I lived car free for 9 months. I commuted about 20 miles a day on a fixed gear to the train station or I'd make it a 40 miler day. When I needed to do a large grocery shop or do other things I'd rent a car. What sucked is I didn't live in a very dense area so my social life suffered some what. And getting to the trails was tough. Friends are good...or a very supporting err understanding girlfriend with a car is a huge bonus!

I must say living without a car, I became very organized in my way of thinking. Especially when running errands!

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kanga

Living car free and commuting on the bus was what got me into cycling 25 years ago.... I cut a 45 minute bus ride down to 30 minutes on a bike, and within a few months had that down to 18 minutes.

That said, the metro gold line, Lake Ave station in Pasadena will put you within 4 miles of lower sam merrill (but it's a climb up Lake), 5 miles of JPL (Brown/Burton/El Prieto/Gabrielino). There are buses from the station that will get you closer, but they're on the Pasadena ARTS system and would require a different fare.

Those trails are 10 and 9 miles respectively from my home, and I usually ride to the trailhead (as I did yesterday for a 42 mile total day).

It can be done... just think ahead and allow the extra time things take. That extra time isn't a penalty, it's bonus training, bonus freedom and bonus fun!

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Rivet

Car free is fine as long as you don't become "that" guy. You know the one, he brags about being car free then leaches rides to all the far away riding events. I used to dread getting phone calls from "that" guy, it'd generally be him hemming and hawing on the phone until I "offered" to drive him. I finally quit offering and made him ask outright just to force the issue, he eventually got a car again. Bragging about being "car free" and bumming rides is like bragging about being vegetarian but eating fish and chicken.

dutch

amen to that, and because i do commit long trips every now and then, I keep a car handy.

I use my bike to cut costs on gas and keep fit, I don't deny the automobile's validity.

chongoblanco

wooby you should by one of these!
http://www.surlybikes.com/bigdummy.html

or cruise around on a tandom that way you can still pick up on chicks

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KeepsWhatHappens

With two kids it's pretty much impossible! But kudos for you for reducing your carbon footprint dramatically!!

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