Infinite miles per gallon

Written by Nathan

Wednesday, 16 July 2008 00:00

Technically that's not true - I don't use any gas on my bike, but the end result is the same. Tomorrow is my last day of work for the week (I work an alternate schedule), and it will be the first week that I haven't spent a drop of gas driving to work. I feel inspired to extol the virtues of riding a bike to work.

The most obvious benefit of riding a bike to work is that you will save money. I only have a 6 mi round trip, and I have a fuel efficient car (~35 mpg), but with $4 gas prices I save ~$0.70 per trip, or ~$3.40 every week. However, if saving a few dollars doesn't interest you, I have discovered numerous other bike riding perks:

No need for that morning cup of coffee. Whether it is the cool morning air, physical activity, adrenaline rush from being in traffic, cold shower at work, or a mix of all 4 factors, I am wide awake when I sit down at my desk in the morning.
Conversation starter. Walking a bike through the building and having it propped up in my cube has been an easy way to start conversations and make new acquaintances. They have either thought that I'm crazy or smart as a fox, but the bike makes a great first impression.
Exercise tool. I've got an automatic cardio routine built into my day. It gets the metabolism kicking early in the morning, and saves time on the days when I would normally do cardio.
Feel good machine. There's nothing like the feeling of cresting a hill, kicking the bike into its highest gear, and giving it all I've got. Cruising down a hill under my own power with the wind in my face always causes me to smile. Plus, every time I step off of my bike at work or at home, I feel like I've accomplished something.

Do you need to save money, quit caffeine, make new friends, loose weight, or cure a mild case of depression? Don't try any of those wonder drugs or tinctures of modern snake oil! Simply hop on your bike and commute to work, it is the cure for what ails you!

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