Pre-Run

Today was my day off, so I rode halfway to work, checking out the route and working out the bicycling muscles.  It was probably about eight miles, mostly on the Midtown Greenway.  I stopped by Ace Hardware on the way home to pick up a couple bungees and a hacksaw, which I needed to finish installing the rack.  That was $15.  Overall I've spent about $850 thus far.  I think that's all the money I need to spend until winter comes around, which isn't very far away.  At that point I'll need fenders (well, I'll probably need fenders sooner than that), aggressive tires, maybe a single speed drivetrain (so as not to ruin my fancy drivetrain in the harsh weather), and probably some clothing.

My savings on gas alone will be about ten cents per mile.  Based on that I'd have to ride to work 531 times in order to break even.  Hmmm...  But that doesn't include the cost of repairs to the car, and I'm hoping to get part-time insurance, but I'm not sure how that works.  And I'll be riding to more than just work.

Of course I'll be in good shape too.  It's hard to quantify the savings on health care.

Pictures to come soon.

This is how it starts...

I picked up my new bike today, after four trips to REI in five days.  She's a Scott Sub 20.  I went in on the first day, after some online research, ready to buy the Novara Transfer.  It's on sale, and it already has lights, fenders and a rack.  But, to my disappointment, I hated it.  It only has seven gears, and the hardest gear is way too easy for my muscular legs.  After much deliberation, and a few test rides, I found the bike for me.  Now she's sitting in the corner, begging me to ride her, but I have to go to work.  I know: if you read the description of this blog then you may be asking yourself, "Why aren't you riding your new bike to work?"  Well, my lights are in the mail, and while there will be light on my way to work, if last night, and the rest of my life, are any indication of the future, there will be no light on my way home.

Stay tuned for updates.  I'll let you know when I actually start riding to work, and when I find out the name of my new bike.  Any suggestions?