Hi, Timothy --
I live in Eugene and am in an identical predicament. Have always ridden a bike and walked, probably since before you were born. I own a small house and have constantly been subject to vandalism, trash dumping, fumes from illegal drug-cooking next door, motor racket, etc. Cyclists are vulnerable; here, it is a redneck sport to blast black exhaust fumes and spray noxious chemicals from gang vehicles at cyclists. I can cover twenty miles easily, but even the bike trails are pretty nasty here. I'd like to collaborate with a few like-minded folks, find some land, and start gardening. I'm in favor of chickens and maybe a goat, but otherwise, want the farm to be pet-free -- dogs and cats are harmful beasts. I'm vegetarian, practise yoga & meditation -- does any of that sound congenial to you? Perhaps you know others who might be thinking along the same lines? As for bikes, way-back-when, cars were smaller and drivers were more alert than they now are. I used to cycle for long distances on roads with no shoulder. A group of us might get one community vehicle for hauling and getting to towns.
