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Gotta have enough TP in case you get diverted on the way home!
Think you can't live in America without a car? Especially in a place where the rich and dot-commed fly their frisbees? Here's a couple who are just like the rest of us, but who relocated to one of the nicest places in America, and are living simple but large, the Bike Friday way ...
Dear Green Gear Cycling,
Last May 2004, my wife and I moved to Carlsbad, CA (30 miles north of San Diego) for my job transfer. We wanted to try coastal living for a couple of years. Although everyone we know told us that the living cost is very expensive, we still went ahead. The rent is very expensive but we could afford it by living simply and within our budget. Also, did I mention that I sold my car and I haven’t replaced it (at least for the rest of the year).
Although I use a company car for work, I’m not allowed to use it for personal use. So it was a great opportunity to use the Pocket Llama and the BikeRev trailer for towing a full load of groceries, kitchen and housing supplies, powerkites and mountain board, etc, the PL and trailer has been very useful! If I can’t fit everything in the bin, I used pannier bags to carry the rest.
In the coastal towns of San Diego, it is normal to see people riding their bikes, walking to the beach, jogging along the Pacific Coast Highway. But East of the I-5, just, less than half-a-mile, where all the bookstores and shopping outlets are located, everybody drives their car to shop and do errands. I found it a strange sight to see, especially in San Diego where the sun shines all year round (very conducive to cycling).
Since we have limited space in the BikeRev trailer, I installed kitchen drawer handles on the side of the ActionPacker bin for bungy cords. By the way, the 12 rolls of toilet paper is for our new apartment, not for the long ride home to Canada!
My wife (Margarita) enjoys the beautiful weather in San Diego. She also enjoys that I have the Bike Rev trailer to tow all of the 'stuff' that she (or we) bought for our new apartment.
Well that’s it for now. Thank you again for making these wonderful products.
Sincerely,
Mark and Margarita Sansait
PS. So what’s coming up next with us --- a Two’s Day Tandem. It will solve our endurance and strength differences. Hopefully the used TT on the preowned bike list will be a good fit for us.
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UPDATE: April 21, 2005
Mark and Margarita have since moved to San Diego and added another Bike Friday to their collection: a Two'sDay.
To give you an update we are really satisfied with the Tandem Two's Day. Although we mainly use it for local riding, we do make the occasional trips to some very scenic areas in California. I've attached three pictures from last year: Irvine and San Francisco. Both the Pocket Llama and the Two's Day attract many curious people -- ("Cool bike!" "I didn't realize bicycle wheels were made that small!" "Can you fold it again?" etc). Last weekend, we joined up with some couples who owned regular tandems for a ride in downtown San Diego and Coronado Island. They were interested with the concept of Bike Fridays. I am running low on referral cards. Can you send more to my home address (in San Diego).
Thanks again,
Mark and Margarita (Red Two's Day Tandem)
What Do YOU Do on a Friday? Send your stories to info@bikefriday.com
For more information, follow this link http://www.bikefriday.com/bf/carfree.