Bike to Work

Bike to Work

Gas prices are forcing more and more folks to reevaluate their lifestyles. When you have to fill your tank at the cost of giving up something else in your life, it’s easy to start thinking about alternative solutions.

I’ve always enjoyed riding my bicycle. When I was in college, I rediscovered the joy of riding a bike. In fact I took my first over night trip from Toledo to someplace in Michigan that was 75 miles away. I can’t remember the name of the town, but I do in fact remember it was 75 miles, because that weekend I rode a $69 K-Mart purchased Huffy for 150 miles. It was a joyous and painful experience.

Bike to Work

My current ride has greatly improved from the Huffy to a Specialized road bike complete with wireless computer and more gears than I can remember to use. Still as much as I would like, I don’t ride my bike nearly enough.

Why? Well I have a ton of excuses. Mainly my work is not open to bike commuting. My trip is less than 10 miles one way, no biggie, but the route to get there is not easy. Besides that, I have no place to “freshen up” once I arrive. Probably the most viable excuse of all, is where would I put my clients?

Typically I work with people who need to be driven to the four points of metro Denver. Somehow giving them a personal bike or even having them ride on a bicycle built for two just doesn’t seem the right thing to do.

I suppose I could tell folks to drive their own car and I’ll meet them at the property. LOL I doubt that would work either. They would probably get tired of waiting for me.

Lately I’ve been drooling over a cute little orange scooter. I can see myself on it at least this time of year. But then I wonder if I’m really tough enough to ride in January when the days are short and the temps are a tad chilly?

As much money as I’m spending of gas the scooter would pay for itself in a few months, providing I parked the car and took the scooter.

Hummm, that’s food for thought!

There is another alternative. What if I leave the car at the office and commute via bike and light rail? Sounds a little complicated but it just might work.

The light rail is less than 1 mile from my home. I can cycle to the light rail, hop on bike and all. When I get to the station I would have my bike to take me the rest of the distance (about 1 more mile). My bike could probably sit in my office while I worked. If I ended up needing to show property, my car would be there.

Maybe, just maybe I have a plan here.

Now I’m wondering what others are doing. Are you pumping at the pump and thinking how to beat it?

BTW next week is Denver’s Official Bike to Work Day. Check out their website and all the great supportive activities, t-shirts on DRCOG.