Well. This is it. No more car.
A few months ago I spoke of the possibility of selling my car and going green by purchasing a bicycle.
The reason behind this was threefold.
1) I hated my car. My main clinic is in the Cotswolds. In Woodstock. You know, Blenheim palace, the Duke of Marlborough, cream teas, antique shops, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover, Alfa Romeo, '11/'12 registration. My V reg Mondeo with paint peeling off the bonnet and a rattling exhaust was quite frankly an embarrassment.
2) I wanted to be green. I really liked the idea of cutting down on my personal consumption of carbon, and even though it may not be much, it's still a start. And I also liked the idea of using my transport as a way of exercising and keeping fit.
3) Cars are so bloody expensive! I totted up my monthly expenditure on my car.
Insurance = £150 (working out of the country for 2 years certainly did not help)
Tax = £30
MOT/Service = £25 (ish)
Petrol = £200
Total = £405 PER MONTH!!!
An inordinate amount of money to be spending on something that was unenvironmentally friendly, and which I hated. Looking into the costs involved in travelling to Woodstock and London on the train from Worcester, and after purchasing a network rail card (£28 for 12 months) which gives a third off rail travel in the south east, I realised I'd be able to reduce my monthly travel costs down to around £200. Saving me £205 a month. A no brainer you might say.
But it hasn't come without its cost.
A) I'm limited to what I can carry. Whatever I can fit into my panniers and rucksack is what I am taking. I have yet to reach the stage where I need to carry more, but there is the possibility of borrowing a car if needed.
B) The rain. The bloody rain. I my head I was thinking, "well, it's the summer. If I'm going to do it at any time, now is the best whilst the weather is fine." Conveniently forgetting that I live in Great Britain. Where it rains all the time. Now some of you may have noticed that the weather has been mildly inclement of late, which has lead to a very soggy Phil. I go nowhere without a change of clothes.
C) Time. It does take a little longer to reach a destination, but actually not a huge amount longer, and I have to be very strict with my time-keeping now. I don't want to miss the train!
Having added up the figures (1+2+3)-(A+B+C)= Yes just do it already. I finally took the plunge and sold the car.
My new mode of transportation/love of my life is Hammond. A blue vintage racing bike from the 60's with a spanking new brown Brooke's leather saddle. I feel like I've always been a cyclist and I'm super proud of him.
So whilst cycling is perhaps not the most perfect way to travel around it certainly does have its benefits.
The money I'm saving every month.
The additional exercise I'm taking which helps keep my belly in check.
The increase in time management, mindfulness and responsibility. You have to be on time for the train, you have to be mindful of what you need and what you can take with you, and you have to be more responsible for your planning and actions.
Overall I would say that this is one of the best things I have done and I feel really positive about taking a step into the unknown and going well out of my comfort zone.
Here's to Hammond. Here's to me. Here's to a better life.
I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike....
