Boulder Couple Makes Car-Free Move

By Brittany Anas, Camera Staff Writer
First Published in the Daily Camera
November 6, 2005

For Wanda Pelegrina and Rich Points, the move into their new condominium was all downhill - literally.

Pelegrina, 31, and Points, 35, moved from their north Boulder home to a condominium about one mile away near Iris Avenue and 30th Street on Saturday. But the couple didn't use U-haul or pick-up trucks to pack up and move.

With the help of friends, and strangers, they did the move entirely by bike.

"Fortunately, it was mostly downhill, and the wind was behind us when we were carrying loads," said Pelegrina, who is a family outreach coordinator at Columbine Elementary School.

It took 11 people doing four round trips to finish the move. For about four hours on Saturday morning and afternoon, it was like the inside of Pelegrina and Points' home was on a parade along the Diagonal Highway and 30th Street.

The heftiest load was one that Points pulled, and it included a mattress, armchair parts, cat food and bookshelves.

The environmentally-conscious couple says that Boulder is bike-friendly, and there's no need to rely on cars.

"We don't rely on cars," Pelegrina said. "So, we figured why change because we're moving."

Points, a web developer, said he has been car-free for about eight years. He got rid of his "big, honking" truck and lost 25 pounds after taking up his anti-car lifestyle.

Saturday's move was Pelegrina's third by bike, and Points' second. This bike move was a piece of cake compared to their last one - which was a 5-mile one-way trek, mostly uphill, that they did without help in the middle of the summer.

"They played their cards better this time around," said Jimmy Hogan, 36, of Boulder who is a former roommate of the couple.

Hogan was among those helping with Saturday's move.

"When you're carrying barstools and office chairs, you should see the looks on people's faces," Hogan said. "You can tell the people who aren't from Boulder. They get this look on their face that's like, 'Did I just dodge a dresser in traffic?'"

Hogan said local folks gave nods, honks and waves and cheered on the house-moving caravan.

"It was a great community-building event," Hogan said. "Everyone had fun."

By Saturday evening, Pelegrina and Points - and their two cats - were moved into their new home. The plants were hung, boxes spread throughout the condominium, and they were getting ready to relax and watch a DVD on their television that was hooked up.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at (303) 473-1132 or
anasb@dailycamera.com