As a Christmas present for myself I ordered a new bike, a Dahon Helios P8 folder with 20" wheels.

For several years I have been gradually increasing my bike use.  I started cycling again for health reasons to combat a progressive neuro-muscular wasting disease.  My first big jump in cycling mileage came when I discovered recumbents and learned that I could comfortably cycle for hours.  Long hours of slow recreational rides rebuilt my strength and stamina to the point where I now also enjoy riding my conventional road and mountain bikes too, at least for short distances.

With several bikes and a trailer I found I was able to meet all of my normal transportation needs without driving and my car started collecting dust between infrequent trips.  Eventually, I let everything expire, plates, insurance, city sticker, license etc. and I haven't driven at all for just over a year.

This Christmas I was planning my annual trip to visit my family in California.  I was considering renewing my license so I could rent a car at the airport like I've always done on trips past.  But due to having seen some nice, practical folding bikes in use here in Chicago by Critical Massers and various others I realized that a folder would likely work out ok for this trip.  It worked out far better than I expected and I wish I had thought to do it years earlier.

I bought the convertible backpack bike bag.  At home I packed my stuff, mostly clothes, into a half dozen plastic grocery bags and dumped them into the backpack.  I took a short ride to the elevated train which took me out to the airport.  At the check-in counter I folded up my bike and stuck it in the bike bag and placed the small plastic bags of clothes around the bike for protection.

Arriving in Oakland I pulled my bag off the luggage conveyor, popped out the bike, strapped on the back pack, walked past the car rental lines and rode right out of the airport into a glorious warm sunny morning. Even better I discovered there was a separated bike path leading away from the airport into town so I didn't have to contend with the congested lanes of cabs, airport shuttles and cars.  Back on the city streets I soon came across a BART station and decided to take the train
to Berkeley.  I discovered that BART is quite nice, much better than our elevated train and a great way to get around the Bay Area.

Boarding the train I met a delightful woman with a folding recumbent made by Bike Friday.  We were instantly talking like old friends.  She told me about traveling solo about Europe with her folding bike and I almost missed my stop engrossed in conversation.  Exiting the train station I climbed on my bike and immediately came across a pack of weekend warriors on road bikes out for a morning club ride.  They were going my way so I tucked in to the back of the pack.  With the draft I
was able to easily sustain the 18 mph or so pace on the little folder even wearing the giant backpack.  One of the guys on a fancy road bike was excited to see the Dahon and surprised that I could so easily hang in their pack.  He thought it was cool that I had just flown in from Chicago.  My turn came up soon which prevented the eventual indignity of getting dropped, but for a few blocks riding fast on the Dahon was great.

And then I was at my brother's house.  Normally I find traveling stressful and tiring.  I don't much like driving in unfamiliar cities
and often get lost.  Getting lost in heavy traffic is particularly bad as it feels like each missed turn is a potentially catastrophic mistake. Instead I arrived full of energy and good cheer and about a half hour earlier than I usually would have.

For the rest of my trip it was delightful to have my folder.  Each morning I got up about 6 AM and rode until 9 or 10 before joining up with family for other activities.  I traveled light without a U-lock but found it easy to simply bring my bike inside with me wherever I went, whether dining or shopping.  Sometimes I'd bag and backpack it but more often I'd simply fold and roll it.  This was a most enjoyable traveling experience and I think I'll almost always take this bike (or another) with whenever I fly somewhere in the future.

It's funny that no one else in my family but my sister bikes.  After a couple days though I managed to get almost everybody on my bike for at least a short ride.  The Dahon is amazing in that in about 5 seconds I can adjust it to fit anyone from about 5' to 6'6".  Even my 3 year old niece had to try it out.  Although she couldn't reach the pedals she loved being walked down the sidewalk on it.  Perhaps she'll be the next cyclist in the family.