Bicycle Commuting

I go back to work tomorrow and although I enjoyed the time off, I am looking forward to getting back in the saddle. Sometime around last June I decided that the cost of automobile ownership for a vehicle to only go 16 miles round trip was not cost effective. Therefore I invested in a bicycle and some riding gear.

This is what I have ridden to work 80% of the time from the end of July to present. I have ridden over approximately 1000 miles and the differences both in my pocket and the area several inches above my pocket have been highly positive. As you can see above, I am riding a Schwinn Mesa from Performance Bicycle. Nowhere near a top-dollar cross-country mountain bike, I was set back less than $300 for this on clearance. Helmet, gear, clip-in shoes and pedals, and a cheap light set put me back about another $200. If you compare this to the cost of owning an automobile and operating it for 1000 miles, you will see that the bicycle has paid for itself several times over.

My daily round trip commute is a little under 16 miles. Most of this is on a dedicated bicycle lane but there are some hairy parts on Kearny Villa Road. A mountain bike isn't the ideal daily commuter bike, but I started riding more for the exercise. That being said, I have been scouring craigslist for a roadbike in any condition as a new project.

Since daylight savings time has ended the ride home is a little dark for my liking, but overall the decision to become a daily bicycle commuter has been worth it.

UPDATE: Monday 5 January 2009

It was 40F this morning, but I feel GREAT! 2.5 weeks of no exercise and too much wine, now we are back in the swing.