Where is everyone?

Discussion in 'Free Zone' started by SnakeCharmer, Feb 26, 2020.


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  1. mtbMike

    mtbMike iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    PRESCOTT!!!
    Name:
    Mike
    Current Bike:
    Ibis HD5, Ripley & Mojo 4
    My in laws just ordered one. They have a 2014 Sprinter now that's been nothing but problems. They use it to travel around for rock climbing and some mountain biking. If my wife rode and went on my bike trips, I'd go all in and order a $90K van but since she doesn't $90K pays for 25 years of condos and when I rent a condo, she's more likely to join me. :D
     
    Danmtchl, OTHRider, tick and 6 others like this.
  2. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    I'm basically already doing it. I am currently living in an older travel trailer in my grandmas backyard. I have electricity, but I use so little that even just a second battery and firing up the engine to charge would be plenty for me (solar will be down the road). I have water hooked up...but no way to dump so I only use it to brush my teeth, no shower or toilet. No heat/AC. A few times over the past month I woke up to it being in the 40's inside, only to step out and ride my bike to work and it be a few degrees colder. I use the fridge a lot, but I think I have turned the microwave on once since I have been there.

    The van will be a slight upgrade, as I will be mobile. I will park at work, so I can just roll out of bed and walk into work (where I also have access to the gym shower). I wouldn't call it romantic, but I would say it is freeing. Not being tied down is so wonderful. I don't find it nearly as bad as I thought it would be, I really enjoy it. And amazed I can find a pretty girl who is only mildly insane that is totally cool with it.

    I spend so little time "at home". I am always out doing something. Obviously pedaling, a lot. But I recently started climbing and spend hours at the gym several times a week. Also spending time with my girl (distance runner). Or visiting my horse, work, etc. I just want to be able to park my bikes inside, and pass out on my cot.

    Yeah, I am avoiding the Mercedes route :Roflmao

    I can do most of all my own repairs as needed. But the cost of buying Merc parts, on top of the reported reliability issues is a no go. I have a lot of experience driving and working on Ford's. I trust the reliability, and find they are relatively simple to work on. And of course, parts are CHEAP and easy to find anywhere.
     
  3. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    I can tell you know what you're doing. I've just run into too many people who think you can throw a futon in a cargo van, sleep at Walmart,s wifi off Starbucks, and poop at McDonald's, all without paying for anything.
    It's about doing more with less.
    Enjoy the adventure.
     
    Danmtchl, SnakeCharmer, mike and 9 others like this.
  4. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Living in this trailer was a test. If I didn't like it, then I was going to rent an apartment and buy a pickup. If I did like it, then I was going to move into a van. Luckily I have no timeline on when I have to move, so I can sit here and save money all I want. I had to wait at least until after February mid month for our union contract, in case we went on strike (didn't want to get into a loan, then strike). But that is over, so now I just have to save money, and try and convince myself to spend it :confused:
     
    Danmtchl, rossage, Mikie and 6 others like this.
  5. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
    Still riding....

    20200227_110816_copy_723x964.jpg
     
  6. ThomasF

    ThomasF Member

    Location:
    California
    Name:
    Tom
    Current Bike:
    Pivot
    Out in the desert no internet :D

    7EC0510F-8C4C-41A9-B4DD-1C9DB349BF1E.jpeg
     
  7. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Fits the derailment...

    What did you do to get passenger plates?
     
  8. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
    Not sure on the proper terminology but only open bed pickups come under the commercial vehicle rule. Anything enclosed such as SUVs, vans and whatever else are just a normal passenger vehicle. Unless of course you use it commercially such as a limo service.
     
  9. ThomasF

    ThomasF Member

    Location:
    California
    Name:
    Tom
    Current Bike:
    Pivot
    I use AAA making it easy for me. You have to show that you made the conversion. They want to tax an upgrade but I was lucky to just use my last build worth nothing. There are rules, a sink seating....
    not always necessary
     
  10. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    In California, an open-bed pickup truck is assumed to be and classified as a commercial vehicle whether or not it is used as such (and you have no input on that), thereby increasing revenue to the state since it is taxed (or feed, if you wish) at a higher rate. An enclosed vehicle such as a van or SUV (below a certain GVWR) is not automatically considered as such and you can choose (as if any sane entity would) to classify it as commercial or not.
     
  11. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    When you buy a large van, they are usually recognized automatically as a commercial, unless it is an actual passenger van.
     
  12. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    My van identities as commercial
     
  13. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    Option #2, FAM vans FTW. :thumbsup:

    It gets old fast, Josh. I’d suggest not making a big financial commitment to being homeless. Listen to rossage. And anyone else who’s lived in their camper shell or van. Shacking up with your GF part time can make it doable, otherwise, stopgap solution only.

    PS: What’s wrong with the trailer? That’s a far cry from living on your wheels. I’d milk that. Get a cheap used van for camping out. Mix it up at your GF’s. Save your dough.
     
  14. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    Work.
    And spring sports means boys volleyball. So coaching after school to whip em into game shape by next Friday...
     
  15. OTHRider

    OTHRider Well-Known Member

    Name:
    Duke
    Current Bike:
    '18 Salsa Cutthroat
    This X 10.
     
    Mikie, mountaingirl sara and mike like this.
  16. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Parking at work would save time wasted on commuting that I could spend doing other things, like pleasure riding vs commute riding. Plus easier access to the gym at work for showers. And, not living in my grandmas backyard. Though, in reality, that is actually a good thing as I am there if she needs anything (declining health).

    I'll keep thinking about it for a bit. I'm luckily not in a rush :cool:
     
  17. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
  18. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
    Playtime is over. Off to work.
     
  19. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    I'm glad that you are cautiously moving forward. Every aspect of it is a trade-off. Being around for your grandma is a really good thing to consider. :thumbsup:
     
  20. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    Working my life away.:bang:
     
  21. konakc

    konakc iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    kc
    It's an awesome beautiful Saturday...
    And I'm not on my bike.....
     
  22. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
     
    Mikie, Faust29, herzalot and 2 others like this.
  23. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
  24. tick

    tick Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    Tick
    Current Bike:
    Process 111
    Thanks for replenishing the water table on the OC side of the mountain...
     
    Mikie, mike, rossage and 7 others like this.
  25. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I've been laying in bed more often than not today. It's like something sucked the life out of me.
     
  26. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    Can't like. Hope you recover quickly. :thumbsup:
     
    Mikie, mike, tick and 3 others like this.
  27. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I’m sitting in my back yard- still in my riding clothes. Maybe later I’ll be allowed back in my own house... Just me and the dogs.

    #paintingblues

    CF1EE701-2172-4BE2-A925-09A1562419DA.jpeg
     
    Mikie, scan, DangerDirtyD and 7 others like this.
  28. ausace

    ausace Newbie with Hope!

    Location:
    appalachia
    Name:
    mike
    Current Bike:
    anthemn
    I was out doing stuff with friends, mom.
     
  29. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Well get home and get straight into the bath tub.
     
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?