Countdown to Preparedness

In many types of disasters, cars and trucks may not be your best bet for transportation. After a major event like a tornado or flood, roads may be all but impassable. Add to that a lack of readily available fuel, and most folks are going to be hoofing it to get anywhere.

Plan ahead for this possibility. In many cases, a bicycle will serve your needs well. You can pick them up cheap at rummage sales or even free on Freecycle (Freecycle.org). Some of them may need a little TLC to be roadworthy again, but repairing a bicycle is not rocket science. Remember, we’re not talking about expensive racing bikes here. A few simple mountain bikes will do nicely.

For about $30, you can get all the stuff you need to keep a bike on the road. Make sure you pick up tube repair kits as well as extra tubes. Get a small bag that will hang under the seat or over the handlebars to store wrenches, tubes, a small bottle of WD-40, pliers, and other odds and ends. Pick up a bike pump designed to fit on the bike frame when not in use.

Remember that in some cases, the bike might be more useful for carrying cargo than yourself. This was a lesson learned in many third world countries. A bike can carry a whole lot in bags and lashed to the frame, with you pushing it. That’s far easier than trying to carry all that stuff on your back.

If you keep your eyes open, you can often find a trailer for the bike rather cheap. Look for one designed to carry one or two children as well as convert to a stroller. These mount on the rear of the bike easily and will handle bigger loads. After all, they’re made to carry a couple of kids. The stroller conversion can be handy if you reach a point where you’ll have to ditch the bike for some reason.

Don’t forget a lock. I like to use combination locks, so you don’t have to worry about losing the key.

Of course, horses are another time-honored method of transportation. But they’re much more expensive than bicycles and require a lot of upkeep. I’m told that hay has skyrocketed in price in recent years. But if you have the means to have a few horses, as well as the knowledge to take care of them, they’re certainly a viable option. And packhorses can carry quite a bit of gear and supplies.

Motorcycles are also an option. They run on far less fuel than a car or truck. But they do require some training on how to operate them, as well as the requisite license. While you’d think law enforcement would have better things to do in the aftermath of a disaster than look for unlicensed motorcyclists, don’t push your luck.

Given that the odds are great that no matter what you have planned for transportation you’ll still likely end up on foot at some point, I encourage you to go for daily walks if at all possible. Start small if need be. Even going around the block once is better than nothing. Gradually increase the distance as your health and physical condition allow. Get used to putting one foot in front of the other as a way to get to where you’re going.

WEEK 23 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS

1. Determine which alternate modes of transportation are viable for you in your particular situation. If you decide bicycles are the way to go, acquire them as cheaply as you can and repair them as needed. If it’s been a while since you last rode, get back in the saddle by going out regularly. The saying is true, y’know, you never really forget how to ride a bike.

2. Take a look at your planned evacuation routes. Will any of them need to be altered if you’re not able to use a motor vehicle?

SAVINGS

Add $10 to your Prepper Savings Account.

TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT:

WATER STORAGE

One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household.

TOTAL WATER STORAGE:

GROCERY LIST

3 cans vegetables, your choice

2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup

1 can chili or stew, your choice

1 package or jar gravy mix, your choice

1 jar peanut butter (if allergies are an issue, choose an allergen-free version, such as SunButter)

1 jar pasta sauce, your choice

1 jar honey (100% real honey, not flavored corn syrup)

1 lb dry beans, your choice