Jim Christie
The “I don’t have time” excuse just doesn’t jive when you hear about someone like Jim Christie. Besides working as a processing assistant at the Columbia Public Library, a part time body piercer at Dreamcatcher and even a roller derby referee, Christie still finds time to commute by bike everywhere he goes.
The bike commuting lifestyle was sort of thrust upon Christie when he lost his license five years ago, but since then he has never looked back. He rides every single day. Christie knows that it is good for his health, good for the environment and that it’s cheap, but states that the reason he rides is because he loves it.” I really just enjoy cycling,” said Christie. “I’ve raced mountain bikes competitively and am a licensed USA Cycling official. While I’ve been off the racing circuit for a little over a year now, I am considering moving into road racing next spring or summer. I think it’s a wonderful sport as well as a great mode of transportation.”
Christie’s commute is about three miles to work and another three back, plus whatever other things he might be out doing any given day. Bad weather doesn’t even phase him. “If it’s warm and rainy, I just put on a pair of swimming trunks and an old shirt, pack a change of clothes, and enjoy the rain. If it’s cold and rainy, I have a rain suit that keeps me completely dry excluding my shoes. I always have to pack extra shoes and socks in the rain,” he says. “If it’s cold, I just bundle up. Snow isn’t as bad as you might think. I just ride a little slower. Ice is scary. I’ve taken a couple of good spills. Not much you can do about that though, just hop back on that iron (aluminum) horse.”
Christie enjoys the feeling of self sufficiency he gets from riding his bike. “I like not relying on any serious machinery to get me through life, knowing that even if I didn’t have a bike, I’d still be able to get around just fine,” he said
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