I have been using my bike (and my feet!) as my sole means of transport now for five weeks. I can say that it is quite feasible to do so. I can get to everywhere I need to, and in a reasonable amount of time. (Chiang Mai is not a large city, and I rarely have to travel more than ten miles). I actually get to work as quickly on a bike as I did on a motorbike. Although that is only 2.5 miles, so not that far.
On the other hand, it is less convenient going my bicycle. I don't get to the big Tesco Lotus supermarket very often simply because it is farther than I want to go, especially if I am tired, or it is the middle of the day. (The heat here can be brutal, even in the so-called cool season). I also cannot carry as much on a bike as I could on a motorbike. I have a pair of saddlebags, but they have limited capacity. I don't get out as much as I used to, and I always have to worry about where I will chain my bike. Will it be there when I get back? It makes a tempting target!
I also continue to ride recreationally. I did a 36 mile ride last week, and I am slowly working my way up Doi Suthep mountain. Although that is going to take a while yet! I have put over 700 miles on my bike in the two months that I have owned it.
This morning I was going to go go for a long ride, but when I got up, I just couldn't seem to get going. Oh well, two steps forward, one step back!
There are very few downsides to this regimen. I have over 5,000 miles on my trek, but not too many in the past months. We have had a ridiculous amount of snow, and there is no safe place to ride on the edge of the roads.
ReplyDeleteJust left dixie two days ago and miss it like crazy!
I don't envy you all that snow. Hopefully the weather will turn soon, and you can get out.
ReplyDeleteI admire what you are doing! Keep it up. I have decided to move closer into the CBD of New Orleans, hopefully near to the Mississippi River Trail. That will give me an almost straight shot to work and I will have convenient access to the buses and streetcars.
ReplyDelete