patrick.net

joshuatrio says

Anyone use a bicycle as their primary means of transportation? I've been doing it for almost a year now and really enjoy it. I know it's not for everyone, but it saves a ton of money each month - and bikes are cheap/easy to maintain.

Count me in! I just looked at my bike stats for last year: went to work by bicycle every day except three (stupid rainstorms!); just over 8000 km in total; was on the bicycle in some form on 332 of the 365 days in the year.

My commute takes about 30-35 minutes by bike and about 20-25 by car. It's about 18 miles round trip. It's pretty safe, great exercise, lowered my blood pressure 20 points and lost my love handles. Wife loves it.

Mine is 50-55 minutes out (lots of cars on the road; can't go too fast and get sweaty before work) and 35-40 minutes in (no cars anywhere and I can go as fast as I like). Only 16 miles (26 km) round trip.

My job finishes early in the morning before the trains start running, so while my company officially disapproves, it sure beats standing around at the station waiting for an hour. The sun comes up early here, but nobody is out doing anything, so at 5 AM I have the roads to myself; it's great.

The only problem is if some buffoon punches a hole in my tire while I'm at work, or if I get a flat on the road at that odd hour. There are no shops open, and I don't have the maintenance equipment I've got at home, so I'm stuck walking the rest of the way if that happens!