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I recently started riding my bike to work. I live about five miles from where I work so its about a ten mile round trip every time I do it. I am have been riding on all the nice days, and driving when it is rainy. I filled the tank in my neon Monday afternoon after getting off of work. I drove it on Tuesday because it was still rainy outside. Wednesday and Thursday I rode the bike. I only work Monday - Thursday. The grand total of miles put on my car this week after the fill up on Monday is about ten. My goal is to make this tank of gas last three months. Not to mention getting into a little better shape.

Congratulations! That's a big step that many, myself included, have not taken.

Thanks i'm having a shirt made today for when I do ride. It is kelly green and has the infinity symbol real big on the back, under it has 5 inch tall letters "MPG". Trying to spread the idea to all the people in cars that pass me all the time.

I feel a little more fat and lazy than I did before I read this. :woot: - Dale

Well get you a bike then and get out there.

My goal is to make this tank of gas last three months.
Yea! That is a great goal!

Warning -- if you drive on a rainy day, then leave the car unused for a month, brakes will rust into place. Use the brakes a bit more than normal to dry them as you get home. Push the car a few feet forward or back after a few days, and don't engage the parking brake if it isn't really needed.

Good riding, and keep us updated (BTW, there is a sub-forum for bicycling or other human-powered commuting).

Does anyone know where to get parts for a Schwinn Bicycle?

Well get you a bike then and get out there.
I'm still thinking about it. Don't rush me. :o - Dale

Does anyone know where to get parts for a Schwinn Bicycle?

http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/dealerlocator - Dale

I've ridden over 135 miles for commuting since I got my just under a month ago. I'll be riding it more as the weather gets better...possibly exclusively.

... I am have been riding on all the nice days, and driving when it is rainy. ...

This was also my pattern, when I was commuting, except that the distance exceeded my weekly biking endurance. 2 or sometimes 3 days a week was my limit.

Pacific Northwest rain kept the average below that, and I watched various forecasts carefully to plan the bike days. To achieve more rides in the wet seasons, I also drove the bike to work with plans of pedaling home that night, and back the next morning. Of course, this risked getting skunked the next morning when rain returned early, but as a multi-car household, the backup plan was to drive another car, and have two cars parked at work for a few days. This contingency was exercised about once a year. A transit bus was theoretically an option, but routing was not favorable.

Get some good blinky lights and reflectors on your bike and helmet for winter. Clip-on lights on your clothing or pack are difficult to keep correctly aimed at the drivers behind, which is absolutely essential for them to see you.

The way I check to see if it's gonna rain or not when I was riding the bus was like this.

I'd go to wunderground.com, then under the 5 day forecast, click on hourly. If there's any chance of precipitation, I'd bring an umbrella with me. Now don't look at more than the current day and maybe the next day. Anything after that is somewhat unreliable with any weather forecast.

I had a little accident about 4 weeks ago (my own stupidity) which not only banged me up but banged up my bike and put it out of commission. Due to stress, exams, and too much driving, I've gained at least 5 lbs- I'm scared to get on the scale and confirm. I feel like a fat pig.

I don't feel like trying to fix the bike myself, so I'm taking it to get fixed at a community organization that trains kids how to repair bikes. www.phoenixbikes.org