My Need to Commute
I grow up where public transportation is such an ease. Walking is the least option to get to your destination. Even going to the nearby market, there’s a choice of riding either a “tricycle” or the “tri-sikad”. For long distance, there’s the public utility jeepney and for longer trips, there are buses which has frequent scheduled trips.
When I went to the Netherlands, public transportation is laid out pretty good that makes it very convenient for a commuter like myself. The trains and the buses are very reliable and their schedules synchronize perfectly. Bicycles are an accepted and integral part of the transportation system. If you don’t have a bike, walking is an option with the short distance to endure which is just right for a daily exercise.
When I arrive here in the US, I was in total culture shock in terms of commuting. Since I got here, I have been dependent with Travis to take me to my destination. Whether I’m going to the grocery or to the post office or to church, I have to ask him to drive me (since I dont’ have my US Driver’s License yet). If in the Philippines walking is not an option because of the abundance of public transportation, here it is also not an option because of the distance. Sometimes, I need to go to places when Travis is at work. Biking would be ideal especially if you want to save gas and to have a good work-out. Travis promised me that he would get me a bike. It doesn’t matter to me whether he’d get me a mountain bike or a beach cruiser bicycle. As long as I have my means to commute.
Beach cruiser bicycles are similar in structure to the typical Dutch bikes. Their wide tires and simple mechanicals (usually single speed with coaster brake) are ideally suited to riding on flat sandy beaches. So if you don’t want complications to your biking this is the right bike for you.
Mountain bikes on the other hand is designed for off-road cycling, including jumps, and traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines, either on dirt trails, logging roads, or other unpaved environments. Bicyles used for mountain biking are different from road bikes and racing bikes, because mountain bikes need to be able to withstand the impacts of off-road use and the frame geometry needs to allows for the surmounting of obstacles such as logs and rocks.
I have not considered of getting myself a car. For one, that is not in our budget list. Besides, i dont’ have a US Driver’s License yet. For now, a bike is my best way to go out and enjoy the outdoors while giving myself a good exercise. This is my need!
maayo nang bike mita kay pang exercise but its not ideal for now kay its getting cold na.lol. wait nlng pud inig summer.i ako pud gani i want a bike so i can go riding around the neighborhood with kayla..i was in culture shock as well mita kay lahi ra kaayo diri sa US of A.pura naa sakyanan hapit ang mga tao diri uy!and lagyo pud kaayo ang mga lugar dli nimu puede ma lakaw
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Jacy Reply:
October 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I agree momi lods. But Autumn here in MN is just wonderful! If TS can buy me one right now, I can still manage it until winter will come.
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Biking is another way of an exercise plus you can get anywhere even to the smallest or narrow roads, bike is very accessible. I have my bike too back in KY but I stopped using it since I experienced my first winter in KY hehehe
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Jacy Reply:
October 13th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
did you not bring your bike, Haze? winter is not ideal to bike. spring, summer and fall should be just fine. right now, i want to bike and feel the cold wind kiss my cheeks. unfortunately, i don’t have a bike yet.
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Hi, sweetie! So, you’ve made a career out of blogging! Cool, ain’t it? No wonder your Multiply had been very quiet for a loooong time. I was just wrecking my brains out trying to figure out what’s your blogspace link when I finally got an alert from you quite recently in my old email address! (Yeah, talk about the perils of having loads of email addys.) Sweet! Well, I’m back home after three trips this year and the most recent one was an unexpected trip in Philippines. I miss our chats, but I reckon you’ve been busy these days. Take care and God bless!
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Hello Nico!
What a pleasant surprise. I’m glad you managed to find my space here. I must admit I have neglected my multiply. My bad… you could’ve just left me a PM on yahoo. or that you have forgotten too? tsk! tsk!
tell me about your trips! i’d love to hear about it. I do miss our chats as well. I don’t run out of things to do around here. So, i’m never bored.
Take care too and God bless!
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leatheredpraline Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
err, Jace! It’s me, Chey! =)
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
ooops! my mistake. but i’m even more glad that it’s you Chey! i just based it on the your email add. my friend also from belgium has the same last name.
I miss you, Chey! And I have not forgotten, I still owe you your personalize theme.
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leatheredpraline Reply:
October 15th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Oh that’s sweet! Thanks so much in advance, sweetie! Guess what, due to convincing friends, I’m braving to post my blogs for “everyone” in Multiply starting this month. HOpe you can take a peep or two. I miss you, Jace!
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Jacy Reply:
October 15th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
you should, Chey! you have been a good writer. and perhaps you might wanna consider having your own blogspace whether wordpress or blogspot.
How I wish if we are just neighbor i can go biking with you but of course i use my scooter. Or let’s go scootering together and have race. I’m scared to go out on big roads on scooter but one day I will try it.
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hello Mama!
You’re the best biker so I wouldn’t challenge you. I might accept the scooter invite though. Now that you have two, that’s really gonna be fun. And maybe Travis can join us but he will have to be in the wheelchair. hahaha! I remember the time when the three of us went to dumpster with the scooter. That was fun!
Madon, don’t go to the big roads oi. I’m scared for you.
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hi jace, mao jud na problema diha sa US noh kinahanglan kamao jud ka mo drive especially nag puyo ka layo sa mga amenities. diri ok rapud ilang public transport although sometimes not on time, hehehe…bitaw oi bike is good dala na exercise ba, hehehe…
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
You’re right Ann. A vehicle is a necessity jud. I can say, nindot jud ang Europe uy!
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ann kerney Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
pamalhin nalang mo diri sa EU jace, hehehe
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
oh how i wish we can afford it, Ann! TS and I would love to live there in Europe uy. For now, it will just be dream.
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ann kerney Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
puhon jace, your dream will come true, hehehe…
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Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
i have an idea Ann! pasagop lang mi ninyo ni Nigel. hehehe!
ann kerney Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
hahahaha…pasagop man jud, unya nalang ug maka daog mi ug lotto, hehehe…
Jacy Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
sige ha… i will definitely remember that. pero unsa-on man pud nimo ug daog sa lotto nga wa man kay pusta-pusta?
ann kerney Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
hahahaha..wala gyud, usahay mopalit kung ganahan, hehehe
I think we brought my bike Jacs. We also brought both our bikes when we went camping last June in Montana but sad to say, Winn’s bike got lost when he was driving too fast somewhere in South Dakota and the road is not smooth paved.
But since I got the job here in ND, I never had the chance to do some biking. Yes you are right, spring-summer-fall is the best time to go biking…
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Jacy Reply:
October 15th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
i bet you can’t wait for spring or summer to bike around to explore the community when you’re not working.
hala oi! W’s bike got stolen jud? that’s ok he can afford a new one anyway. *winks*
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i have an extra bike jacy, the problem is gamay man ni kaayo….kang kendrick ni when he was two…..di man ganahan si Henson ani…..ngali interested ka? hehehe!
bitaw, mao tingali nang dali ra kaayo ma depress mga foreigners diha sa US kay kun wala silay sakyanan istar ra gyud sila sulod sa balay not unless idrive sila sa ilang hubby.
hapi naman sinterklaas guy, pangayo-a na ni sinterklaas basin pa diay naa siyay ipadala nga zwarte piet diha to bring the bike hehehe!
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Jacy Reply:
October 18th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hello Mama!
welcome back from your vacation! ahak sad anang baby bike man diay na imong gi-offer. nako bag imong i-offer ang imoha jud mismo nga bike. coz i definitely without a doubt would take it. ka-ubo jud ka!
you’re right, it could be the reason why people easily get depressed here. but most of those people who are depressed are the ones who have the means to run around the place. i mean they have their own car. or maybe only those that i know.
we don’t have sinterklaas here. so i will definitely call out to the Sinterklaas there who is thin and sexy who just got back from their vacation. she might wanna give me her bike. hahaha! bitaw mama, my prospect Sinterklaas is the one who wants something for his birthday. and it’s not just carrots and laarsen.
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Hi Jacy. Thanks for sharing the info about biking. By the way, I would like to ask if you know of any retailers here that sell Dutch bikes? I’m really a big fan of these and I don’t know exactly where to find one. I hope you can help me out. Thanks and God bless.
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