In July I realised that my car Registration was due ($650 +) and was slightly short of cash! So I decided to wait another month before paying registration. So for the entire month of August I took to riding my bicycle everywhere.
I have an awesome Mountain Bike, but the last time I rode it was in the Great Victoria Bike Ride a couple of years ago. I had the worst back pain and had to pull out half way through. As I a result, I came to hate that bike! It's been in storage ever since. Then my brother got hold of a great bike from a work-mate who was going to throw it in the trash! I ended up inheriting this bike by default. I took to riding this bike (a freebie compared to my $1,000 plus bike) everywhere and came to love it!
So, without a car, I rode my bike to the Supermarket (small shops only) to the Post Office, to meet my Personal Trainer and everywhere else. Before I knew it, this bike riding became a habit! So, after realising that I can certainly live without a car, I sold it last month! (There was a tear in my eye when it drove out the garage, I'd had that little bomb of a car for 17 years! It served me well.)
Maybe this month isn't really a challenge, but it does mean more discipline. Keep an eye on the weather, ensure that the shopping list is not too big (or heavy) be sure to carry bike lights, check the tyres, carry a bike lock and more.
This also means no spur of the moment road trips :( and no big grocery shopping trips. No trips to Ikea or Bunnings, well I can still do this but have to think hard about what I do and don't need!
The upside of this is, more cash (insurance plus rego for one year was in excess of $1,000, add car servicing, petrol, Roadside Assist, parking costs etc, hardly worth spending the cash) I am loving getting out in the fresh air (albeit fresh city air) the additional exercise and sunshine!
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