My wife and I have been living car free for the past 30 years. Nice to know we’re not alone. We’re both into our senior years and still biking. We bought bromptons for train commutes. On icy conditions we have studded tires. These days the studded tires are fitted in November and come off in late March. We live in Denmark about 15 k from the center of Aarhus.
Hello ☺. Found your channel recently. I fell off my bike 2 years ago and lost a lot of confidence after many many years of doing what you both do, especially in the Lakes and Dales. Except we had touring bikes and not track or mountain bikes. At 71 I got a Trike but cannot get on with it, mostly due to some mobility problems these days. We usually stayed in youth hostels en route. We once carried our bikes and panniers from Wast Water over Back Sail Pass to the youth hostel there, the walkers we met thoughts were crazy 🤣. We also did l parts of Helvelyn and Rhinos ! ? Fit, young and determined. Sadky though, on 4th of December 2023 I lost my husband Terry, after a short illness. We ere together for 50 plus years and he was my love, my life and my soul mate and my heart is broken 💔. He would have loved your vlog. I will continue to watch for the both of us. I also have two Kits who give me a reason to get up in the mornings, and I wondered who looks after your fur babies when you are away? With blessings, love and light to you both. Take care of each other. Xx
Sounds like you and your husband had some pretty wild an absolutely beautiful memories toegther ❤ I can't even begin to imagine all you must've shared toegtyer over 50 years. So sad that he is no longer with us but it does sound like you both really have lived a full and incredible life together. Well done on the cycle/climb/hike from wastwater to black sail hostel. You definately deserved a good rest after that I bet. Really glad you like the videos 😊 sorry to hear that a trike hasn't been a good fit. Have you considered incumbent bicycles? A friend has one and swares by them, though I've never tried one myself. What's are your two kittens called? We have a very tolerant cat sitter who comes and looks after them whilst we're away 🐾 really glad you found us here 🙂💜 big love, Sarah
@@joshandsarahride Thank so much for your kind words. Yes, we had a wonderful life, he was a very creative, very kind and patient man. Also very fit and healthy until recently 🤔. My kits are Luna and Tally (Talliesin after the welsh druid). Pleased you have someone to look out for your fur babies. Sending love and Full wolf moon blessings for tonight xx
Oh my Veronica, I sure do understand re how you and your husband had that love and partnership, my husband is my best friend and love and we’ve been together 30 years, I also have kits and they are, like you, my absolute babies and my world, we flew one that was injured back from Brunei Darussalam and he’s such a blessing in our lives. Do you have family or friends who can support you in this episode in your life? Hope you don’t think I’m being intrusive xx
@@eilsmile8732Thank you for your kind words. No family, just my fur babies, my 2 great nieces and some good friends. I miss him every day, it's hard right now. Take care of each other. Love & Blessings to you both ☺ xx
Just beautiful. This video puts a big smile on my face! I am kinda „no fenders-guy“, too. But riding so long in really any weather, I for myself would use em I guess.
This kind of "do it yourself with the power of your own human body instead of a machine" mentality is really underrated these days. Doesn't matter if you're pedaling a bike, shoveling your driveway, fixing a trail, foraging, fishing, hunting, or cutting firewood. Your reward is a meaningful connection to nature and yourself.
Couldn't agree more 🙌 I think it gives you a real connection to your surrounding and makes you feel pretty good about what your body can do also 💪 the human powered potential
Absolutely - we've become so disconnected from everything that matters. We work arbitrary, sedentary jobs to buy trinkets and pay others to do work for us. We avoid physical labour. Life becomes stale and attenuated; the individual isolated, empty, unempowered and dependant. Getting back to basics makes the necessities, and life itself more engaging, rewarding and pleasurable. Using the bike for utility makes every journey a little adventure and escape from the grind. Bad rides bring satisfaction from knowing what you've overcome; good rides are life-affirming and beautiful. All bring mental and physical wellbeing. What an ideal for living - I wish more could see the genuine value in questioning society's consumptive norms and stepping out of the hamster wheel. It's a nice sunny morning so I'm off down the farm shop on my bicycle :)
The irony of using a snow blower to clear the driveway so that you can drive your car to the gym is lost on most people. So glad to see that there are others that can see the idiocy of it.
Interesting video! 😃 My mum-in-law grew up in a small village in Swedish Lapland in the 20's and 30's. They did not have a car. They had a horse, with which her father worked in the forrest. If they wanted to shop anything special, like a new dress, shoes or anything personal like that, they pedaled to Boden, which is 83 km, mostly uphill! And then back again. That's easily 8 hours on a bike and they thought nothing of it. Also, they had to row the bike over the Luleå river at Harads, halfway. Those people were made of steel, and she lived to 96, mind chrystal clear. 😊
Wow you're mum in law sounds amazing and what an incredible life she must've led. Some very special tales I can imagine. Yes I think in these days people just did what they had to get by, nowadays the comforts and luxuries of life have become commonplace.
That connection with the world a bike brings is so hard to express but your videos do that so beautifully. Thank you for sharing your adventures and bringing such positivity to so many. Keep on smiling at the sky.
This is lovely! We're a bike family and brought up our kids without a car, just cycling, walking and public transport. As you say it's a slower life, a smaller life, but a good one. It can be done. Strength to you and thank you for your channel.
I’d say we a a 50% bike family , it helps if you move to an area that has everything you need close to home . The thing that make me rely on the car is young children that have after school sports that are at stadiums that are near impossible to get to without entering the freeway ( bikes not allowed ) also I’m renovating and need the car and trailer to pick up .
Darn kids today enjoying your lives and exploring the world. Back in MY day we lived in the REAL world; in cars, inside, watching TV and eating highly processed food, saving for the day we could retire with old, broken bodies and complain about how it was better when things were worse! Also it took me until the end of the vid to realize who this guy sounds like. Professor David Kipping from Cool Worlds Lab!
😅 I'll take the pretend world. Although after some trips, I do sometimes feel the urge to complain about how much body feels. Had to Google who he is and I do kind of hear the resemblance. He sounds like an intelligent bloke so I hope that's also included in the similarity
As a Dutchie I KNOW how fantastic cycling is and what it can do for your mindset... I just want to say to Sarah, you have the most infectious laugh and sparkling eyes, it makes me smile. And Josh, I could listen to you all day. ALL day. You'd be a great narrator for audio books. Thank you for sharing your lives with us🙏 new sub here!
When I was 10 years old a Dutchman gave me jar of Dijon mustard as he was leaving France and hadn't finished the jar. Have always liked the Dutch since then; they don't like waste but they are happy to share their condiments.
I only found your channel yesterday and seeing as I was snowed in I binged quite a few of your videos. I can't believe how breathtaking some of your shots are, your lives seem amazing and so happy. I swear Sarah's laugh is pure magic and medicine. Instant subscribe
Really glad you found us and hope ita given you some entertainment whilst being snowed in. Do you find it a fun novelty or wish you were able to get out? We're petty passionate about the storytelling through the videos so really glad you like them 🙂 stay cosy.
Now you pair don’t be thinking you have the monopoly on the rain front it’s just as bad here on the west coast of Scotland. I used to use my bike most of the time for work etc even having to work on call there was always a way around it. I do think it makes a difference on what area you live in and the more rural it is the easier it is. I certainly wouldn’t cycle into town where I am and leave a bike unattended or it would vanish even if locked up. There is also a great lack of community here so very little to do. Although I like where I stay and the fact that the only person I speak to is the postie I long to move where the people live more inspiring lives that’s one of the good things about the Lakes and places with smaller communities like further north.
Here is what cars have done for us: warped our understanding of distance and time, disconnected us from nature, disillusioned us from reality, dehumanized humans, weaponized anger, enabled recklessness, and made poor people poorer.
I think they're can be some positives to cars, we're limited of being able to buy/pick up big things. And we can't explore further afield on a whim. But ultimately I think bikes trump cars 😁🚲
We were 6 in my family , only my Dad had a byke we grew up without a car, the nearest bus only twice a week was 2 and 1/2 km away. Only the baker use to come by. We took turn to go get the milk to a farm 1 km away , and cheese and butter 2 km away. We grew our own veg and fruits and Mum had a pantry ful of delicious thing she use to preserve. It was a good life. We lived in the mountain and it was all or up or down . Wonderful memories
If you ever find yourselves in Cornwall and could benefit from a comfy warm indoor night with a private room and shower, a garage and bike stand, and a nearby bike shop, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My wife, dog, and I would love to help out.
As an American, I grew up attached to my bike. Later in life (much later) I rediscovered my love while living in Saigon. Now I’m back in the states and what really caught my attention was your statement about riding slowly. I look forward to that being my next relationship with my bike.
Hi Josh and Sarah, once again a really great video showing the journey you are on. Lots of smiles AND determination. Way back when I was younger I read this ... Beware of looking for goals; Look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living WITHIN that way of life. The words of Hunter S Thompson have helped me along the way.
I really like this! I think we try to live by this, carving out a way of life in the way we want to live. A slower pace of life, prioritising nature and happiness. Honestly, sometimes we wonder whether we should be prioritising things like saving, or getting a more typical 9-5 but I really don't think we could. We're happiest getting sweating on two wheels and I hope it stays that way 😁🚲
Hi Josh and Sarah, with good health you can do anything. With age comes change and you need to face that reality, this you are already starting to do. Predicting the future is uncertain, however you need to be prepared to protect what you cherish, what you want to maintain and adapt accordingly, change is good@@joshandsarahride
@@johnyoung6498 I completely agree, changing but prioritising what matters most 🚲 big changes on the horizon for us so learning to keep grounded through it all. Thank you 🙂
Wow thank you! Honestly we almost started from scratch at one point not liking how the first draft turned out so really happy to know you liked it 😁🚲 thank you
I live 10 miles from my work and I have ebikes as a 59 year old man. Going 160 miles in 2 days and feeling nothing but normal has me believing that I might make it to 120. I'm also bikes only.
Whilst of course great to hear your stories,ode to remote country living,can I request a 5 min segment showing sights & sounds of the countryside with no chat,no music?😊❤
I live anywhere from 5 to 20 miles away from most major infrastructure and I only ride a bicycle as well. My best investment last year was an Ebike kit that bolted right to my mountain bike,, with pedal assist it's a good send
I can relate . I gave up the car 6 years ago. Got into cycling back in 2020. Live in Lancashire and have cycled over 20k miles in 3 and bit years. Lancashire is also beautiful and rugged. It rains a lot but that's why it's so green. Cheers
I have found that for trips of 5 miles or less, there is virtually no difference traveling by bicycle or car when comparing time from door to door. Obviously, if you are already in your car, you can cover five miles faster thab a bicycle, but most trips involve getting up, going to the parking lot, starting the monster, dealing with traffic, waiting at red lights and then repeating the whole process in reverse once you get to the detination. A bicycle makes that process much simpler. In fact, for trips of 1 mile, walking is the best and most healthy way to travel.,
Fab video really enjoyed it. You two really are hardcore! How often do you get to see family and friends? We have been visiting the Lakes for quite sometime now having being bit by the Wainwright fell bug and achieving climbing to all 214 fells over several years. Would like to live somewhere around Keswick area but out of our price range so considering Montgomeryshire in Wales instead. I've always lived in the same town my whole life and whilst i like the idea of living somewhere rural I am also worried about how I would cope with not having all these interactions i currently have here with family, friends, and people I have met through our allotment and volunteering. Nice to see you getting involved with the local community. What are you going to do with your cats when you relocate again? Your cottage is in a stunning location i think you might be getting a lot of enquiries about it if you do move!
Aww that was so good 👍 you two love birds warm my heart ✨️ I know it's not all a bed of roses and life must be tough at times but the love you have for the life you lead shines throughout every film you make 💖 it's beautifully shot too. Little bit of heaven right there ✨️👌
Hi Josh and Sarah. I understand that you want to get out and have adventures, but I'm sure lots of people would love to see more of your everyday life in and around your cottage as well,. So you don't have to go to the other side of the world to have an adventure, many of us would like to see how your vegetable garden is getting on, how the cats are growing up etc. 👍
Thanks for the feedback😊the garden is currently covered in sa dusting of snow and the cats atw snuggled up, almost sitting on top one another on their bug cushion but will be sure to include more updates in the videos. Thank you! We always appreciate feedback and suggestions
I can’t find enough superlatives to say how wonderful this video is!! I know there are some hard days and not everything is perfect but in so many ways you’re living the dream. I hope this new year is a great one for you both!
Beautiful. The aerial shot of the sinkholes was fascinating, never noticed them from ground level! Awesome commitment to going car-free. Huge kudos. (Where's the rope swing?!)
Pretty cool to see them from that angle. I think it looks like it could be a really vast or tiny shot. Are you familiar with the northern lakes? I can try give direction, its a pretty epic rope swing
Funny you should post this, I was thinking about you yesterday. I drive the A66 every day Penrith to Cockermouth and I noticed how icy the Mungrisedale junction looked and wondered how you were coping. I hope that you feel settled here and want to stay - until the pull of the round the world trip! Take care both.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, your philosophy, your appreciation of the nature around you, and ultimately your experiences of this journey, truly inspirational, thankyou Josh and Sarah 🎉
Thank you so much 🙂 we are really loving the creative and story telling aspects of the videos. Really glad you liked this one, it's been a labour of love to make 🚲
I live in a city of about 500k people. My lifestyle is 180 degrees out of phase with yours. But what connects us is the bicycle. Thankfully, I work from home, and during the week I can get out almost every day on the bike. At least one day a week I do a “smell the city” ride. I purposely keep the bike in the small chainring up front and just explore areas I don’t get to much. You’re absolutely right about slowing things down. Even in a busy urban environment there are many nooks, crannies, and surprises only experienced on a bike. This video is fantastic and I’m glad YT put it on my feed. Good luck, thanks for sharing, and enjoy the experiences. Much love from Tucson, AZ.
I ride an ebike to and from town. It would be hard to ride all the time since I have to get supplies in town. Distance is 12-15 miles one way. 7300' elevation, 1000' climbing, 2 lanes, four season. I'd say that my car driving has dropped 50%. I'm 59 and could not ride the route without an ebike. santa fe nm. I ride the road when there is not snow and ice. Cars drive too fast.
Maybe clean your chain bf lubing it😁muck off or a little Diesel or soapy water and a brush work well, dry with an old rag bf applying a LITTLE lube on the inside of the chain. Just a tip from a 50 yo Dutchie who's been riding tweewielers his whole life. Smooth cycling in good weather and may the geluk be with you.
I also live in the country with only a bike, although I do at least have some public transit within relatively short reach. But they stop taking bikes in the winter, so I can't use a mixed-mode of transportation -.-". I'm in my mid-30s and have never owned a car, which was pretty easy for most of the time since I was living in cities. But surprisingly, the switch to biking in the country hasn't really been all that different. I'm already accustomed to winter cycling, I trust my legs to get me there eventually, and I can carry large hauls (like 40kg+ on just my back rack, before even factoring in what I can carry on my bike trailer). My only advice to you is get a spare bike, preferably with compatible parts with your current one. That way, when your bike goes out, you'll still have another one to use in the meantime. And also I don't understand why you don't just do the repairs indoors. Sure, it's a bit messy, but you just sweep and mop up afterwards. Much more worth that effort than baring the wet and cold outdoors while you tinker with small bearings that can easily be dropped and lost.
Heys, for me & my partner this is one of your best videos! as without our bikes there wouldn't be an us, or our toddler. We would live your life tomorrow. And the same for yous, your kittens & everything you have made happen that is this vid & more. Soz for the soppyness 😂 Loving the woodpecker! & your music. Your lives are rich without a car. True, with always hungry haha nothing beats that fuel up, then on your way. ☕️ (we take the stovie at times) Loved your Halloween thing! It's the little things. 🤘 to Sarah winning. So up for that rope swing haha. Thankyou for this! has made me & partner think on, we feel a tour coming on. X
I think its great how you explore the North side of skiddaw in so much detail and surely its due to the bikes. They give you freedom. Well - would a baby also fit on one of your bikes? Or is that no plan for the future?
Nice to see again guys. Hello. Ive watched roaming wild Rosie over Christmas. She lives like you too. Her ride to clisest town is 14 mi i believe in Sweden. She has a little trailer she hitches to bike for supply hauls. Dont be strangers...see you soon? Be well. Beautiful show. P.S. I think Rosie uses e bike some.
Hi, I have the same mindset as a biker; riding a motorbike is good way to explore deeply the surroundings. It's an other way to travel without having to go far! The way is a travel, not only the destination. Thanks for having share your expérience. greeting from France
Great vid. I haven't scrolled every comment so not sure if this has already been said: you mentioned the difficulty if one of the bikes is broken. Maybe you don't want to go too far into having tons of bikes, but why not have an extra bike? Even just one spare between you? My family is perhaps not the best example as we have tons of them, but we have our main commuting/touring bikes but then we each have a folding bike which serve a different purpose but can be used as a backup if the main bike is out of service. We also have an e cargo bike but that's mainly for child- and heavy-stuff transport. All of the commuting bikes are currently fitted with ice tyres for the winter as we cba changing travel plans when it's icy.
I'm surprised you haven't got at least one ebike. But even more surprised no trailer to carry 'stuff' or the other person. I've lived and worked in Holland and Denmark, they have some amazingly good bikes.
I take it you’re somewhere between Mungrisdale and Fell side? I recognised a lot of those fell tops as we are up there quite a lot with our dogs 👍 you make me feel guilty as well are within 10 miles, but we use a car, can’t get the dogs there otherwise. Really enjoyed your film. Thanks.
It reminds me of when I commuted to work by bike 5 miles each way each day without other options. When you know you don’t have another choice it becomes easier I guess. But hats off to the level you guys have committed to 👏🏼👍🏻
What a lovely uplifting vlog A pleasure to watch, I spent 10 years in Lancaster and a lot of that exploring the lakes by bicycle. Keep being you. God bless you both. Bob.
The dream is to make a slower, more locally-connected life like this possible for everyone and not just the few who have flexible online jobs. Inspiring ❤
Living in a remote location and relying on bikes for transport is not a big deal especially at your age. We are in our 60s and live in a remote cottage on a hill top in Northern France nearest town with bus transport 11 kms distant. We have been here for 5 years and rely on bikes as our only source of transport. We do have high speed fibre broadband which allows us to work from home. Nothing is permanent we could sell up easily and move to town if we so choose.
Is there a bike check video somewhere on this channel, as well as one for the clothing and footwear? I think Sarah needs one of the handlebars which offer more positions. Wide handlebars are good for control on poor roads and difficult "mountain biking" environments, but needlessly tiring on long stretches of good road surfaces.
Aww why not get into waxing and rotating chains if you have all the time out their to do maintenance and stuff? Less muddy gritty drive train makes a big difference to maintenance intervals and component wear surely...
If the bikes are so essential, why limit yourself to one each? It's much nicer to take a bike apart knowing you can still get to work on the other bike fi you don't fix the problem the same day.
Thanks for another wonderful video from you both. Your living a beautiful life..a real life with the elements.. "Nature never did betray the heart that loved her" ✨✨
I suppose there are many of us who would love this life style. Unfortunately there are very few of us who are lucky enough to have a job that requires sitting at home in front of a laptop. So the answer to the title is... No.
What a film! I grew up in Bassenthwaite. As a kid we would bike for hours with mates and end up miles away from home, on all sorts of adventures. Some of the best memories ever. Its hard to appreciate when your a kid but as you get older you realise its one of the most stunning parts of the world. 👌
Thank you! Not too far from our neck of the woods and a beautiful lake. I couldn't agree more. I think it's especially important to have these memories as a kid, even if we don't always realise how important they were at the time. They help solidify an appreciate for nature early on.
I'm not jealous or envious I'm very very happy for the two of you...because you truly have found wealth..its not the materialistic items in life that makes us happy as humans...for me it's being content and happy in oneself and one's life.....when you two get to my age I guarantee this period of your life will be remembered with happiness and love.....take care both...Clive!
3:43 bike maintainence tip: don't just add grease onto a dirty chain like this. It drives the dirt particles further into the chain links and shortens the life of the chain. Get the chain as clean as possible first before adding fresh grease.
it would be nice to have at least 2 bikes per person in a place like this as you cannot function without one, you need not just spare parts, but a whole capable bike.
The most notable thing i have seen in your story. Is the connection between the 2 of you, too which i do not see in couples that live in large populations centers
Just came across ur channel , nice video , i am from Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , aged 70 yrs , still cycling 4 fitness , good health with 10 bicycles 2 my collection , will continue 2 cycle 4 good health...... regards 2 both of u .......
Hello in Kuala lumpur 👋we visit a few years ago and live in melaka for a bit. Delicious food 😋 sounds like you're very adventurous cycling about! I think it's the best way to get around. Happy riding 🚲
I'm glad you mentioned the rain. I moved to Kendal just over four years ago and months of grey skies and rain have made me regret it. However, for the two weeks it doesn't rain (not all in a row!) each year, the cycling is great. Still want to move though.
It can be quite rainy 🌧 where did you move from? We tend to still go out in the rain as it doesn't often last all day and makes us feel we've really eaten a brew at the end of the ride 🚲
I commuted to/from my job for the last 19 years i worked, 9 miles each way, only taking the bus when surface conditions were hazardous. That was never more than 6 weeks out of the year. Now, due to unrelated health issues, i cant walk a football field without a crutch. But i can RIDE....just more slowly. Ahh, retirement....
Hi Josh & Sarah! Gr8 vlog. What amazing photography, & so glad to spend time with you both. Truly wish you stay healthy, happy & fulfilled in your life together, here in the Lake District. x
Lovely video with stunning photos. Really like what you guys are doing. :) Question: Have you considered buying a bike with a belt system instead of chain? The maintenance of one of these bikes is fractional compared to a bike with chains. I have one from Boardman. It has been very reliable so far and it is less than 900 pounds, a bargain for a bike like that.
I'd been on a bike all my life 'till I was 27. Bought a foldie a year ago at age 39. People think I'm crazy to utility bike in a country that's absolutely bike-hostile, but that isn't going to stop me. I respond to peculiar looks my way when I ride by saying, "I'm going back to my grandfather's time! I think we're all going to need to!"
