"james" wrote:

even if you can't commute to work i'm a big advocate of utilitarian
biking. even if it adds 1/3 additional time to your commute, that 1/2
time you would have spent in car is now spent doing some heavy duty
cardio. naturally western more "outdoorsy" states are more supportive
and condusive to this lifestyle, but even if your co-workers think
you're a dork so be it. your abs and your wallet will benefit. (the
savings in gas money, plus lowering my car insurance to "occasional
use" has given me a LOT more money for flying...

I'm pretty evangelistic about bike commuting too, and have been doing
it for a LOT of years. Once you get used to it, you'll find yourself
making excuses why you CAN ride to work, rather than why you CAN'T.
It's a rare example of "making time" - compared to sitting in traffic
for an hour a day, burning gas and wearing out your car - THEN trying
to find time to go (drive!) to the gym... bike commuting allows you to
have a pleasant ride to work, and then another one coming home, and
usually adds only minutes to the total "commute" time.

My daily ride is 12.5 miles each way, and takes 40 to 45 minutes.
Driving to the same destination takes 25 to 45 minutes (average of ~35
minutes). So for 10 to 20 minutes "investment" I get about an hour
and a half of workout time.

a few times i've even biked to FTG (home airport), with a friend,
flight gear in my panniers, and secured bikes in the back of the 182.
at my destination they comes in perfect for getting around and
exploring whatever town we're headed to (and generally much more
reliable than the courtesy car

This is going to drive (no pun intended) my choice of aircraft some
day - I need a relatively fast 2-seater with enough room behind the
seats for a couple bikes and luggage. It helps that I own a company
that builds titanium bikes - less impact on W&B.

now bikes AND camping gear get a little too heavy on hot summer days...

Suddenly the Murphy Moose looks better...

Mark Hickey