A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR.
January 3, 2010

I've always had a love affair with things on four wheels. I've been driving for the past 15 years, owned perhaps far too many vehicles to be considered sane, raced a few, stacked a few, and wrote for the country's biggest automotive magazine.

Auckland, for those who haven't been here, is a rather spread-out city, and with our four-seasons-in-one-day weather having a car is sometimes a real necessity, especially if you need to get around to places not limited to the central city. In my experience, quite similar to cities like Sydney and LA, where not having a car can be quite limiting... but not impossible.

However, it's 2010, and with a new year, comes new challenges.

For the next week, starting on Monday 4th January, I'll be exchanging my car keys for these (sorry artoo, we didn't receive your colour for the region!): Thank you Nike/NSW Pacific.

I've decided to go for an entire week without a car, instead opting to trade it for a couple of trusty 0bhp whips.

I started riding just over a couple of years ago now; I'll be honest, I didn't get into cycling for any kind of statement or purpose, I just thought it was something fun to do and clown around with friends. I don't ride epic distance rides, dream of cycling cross-country, or grow a beard during winter.

That said, with my distrust of this nation's public transport system along with a new year's resolution, I thought I'd give cycle commuting a go. Whether for fitness, or just to take one more car off the road temporarily, I suppose it couldn't hurt. I'd like to point out that yes, I am perfectly aware that hundreds of people commute via cycle daily already. I'm not breaking any new ground here, nor am I pretending to. It's just going to be interesting as a personal challenge to myself, as one of the rarer moments in my life since I'm commuting by choice, not by necessity.

So, rain or shine, here I go. I suppose you could follow my tweets to see how I go.

I'm really going to enjoy pushing my bike up this 100m driveway every morning. (actual gradient pictured) /sarcasm

edit:

DAY #1
Distance travelled: 28km (17.5miles)
Average speed: 31km/h

Lessons learnt:
- Almost got doored. (again)
- Always, always check wind direction before spitting. Never assume.
- Bring deodorant to work.
- Justin Sweeney was correct about what happens when you wear lycra pants at traffic lights. Hi ladies.

DAY #2
Distance travelled: 42km (27miles)
Average speed: 28km/h

Lessons learnt:
- F. T. Wind. Honestly.
- There really isn't an easier way to explain butt cramp to someone else.
- There really isn't an easier way to explain chafing to someone else.
- Always carry cellphone on body whilst riding.

DAY #3
Distance travelled: 40.75km (26miles)
Average speed: 36km/h

Lessons learnt:
- Distance is only relative depending on your destination. Or something like that.
- Paw paw ointment is your friend. Don't ask.

DAY #4
Distance travelled: 42.3km (27miles)
Average speed: 35km/h

Lessons learnt:
- It's really quite hard to look tough when you've got wrestling shorts on.
- Cycling turns you into an incredibly hungus guy ow.
- Fuck buses.

DAY #5
Distance travelled: 31km (19miles)
Average speed: 34km/h

Lessons learnt:
- Making eye contact with a driver waiting to turn into you does not automatically guarantee safe passage.

DAY #6
Distance travelled: 32km (20miles)
Average speed: 33km/h

Lessons learnt:
- Roadie olympics out on the road on Saturday. Beware of old men with $5000 bikes sneering at your bike.
- Evidently there is some rule of passing that I am not aware of. Read above.
- An ipod helps with drunk people yelling at you from cars.