The Cycling Experiment - Week 3

The third full week cycling to work is done. I only cycled 4 days this week. So far I've traveled about 300 miles and saved $57.88 on gas. Gas was $3.91 last weekend when I would have filled the tank. If fuel prices stay the same it will take me about 164 more trips for the bike to pay for itself. I've recouped 8.27% of the purchase price, and 7.24% of everything I've spent related to the bike.

Since I've started riding there are two guys at work that have stared riding to work. There were already 3 doing so (2 that don't have cars at all). The ride doesn't seem that long to me now at all. I'll be applying for a job at a place that would increase the distance to work at least 50%, maybe closer to doubling the distance. If that happens the savings will really pile up quickly.

The biggest things that I didn't expect about this experience have been how sore I get from sitting on that little road bike saddle and how hungry I am all the time. I might be able to get a more comfortable saddle, but I think a lot of it is just how unaccustomed I am to cycling. It has been better since getting bike shorts with the extra padding in the seat. It has been better still since I have gotten into the habit of leaning more forward on the handle bars. Being hungry all the time is a bit of a new experience for me. I never have been a big eater. I have a hard time eating past when I am full, so it seems like I always have to be eating something to get enough calories. I eat a lot more snacks at work, and I am always thinking about putting something in my belly at home. My weight hasn't really changed any more than normal, so I'm not stacking on the pounds.

The Cycling Experiment - Week 2

I now have two weeks of cycling to work under my belt. We usually fill up on my pay day every other Friday. Gas price at the station we use was $3.84. The total saved is $42.24. That amounts to 6.03% of the purchase price of the bike, and 5.28% of the purchase price of the bike and other accessories that have been purchased thus far. Last Friday when we filled the tank gas was at $3.91. I have 172 more trips to work until the bike is paid off.

Stuff White People Like

Not long after yesterday's post I came across the blog, stuff white people like, with a post about
how white people like bicycles. There is also a post about liking New Balance shoes ( I have a worn out pair, and I'm ready to get a new pair to replace them) and playing children's games (I play Heroscape and spend a lot of time on the fan site). I got some good laughs out of reading them.

The Cycling Experiment

I'm about to embark on an experiment of sorts. Tomorrow I will pick up one of these and start commuting by bicycle. At 10 miles from home to work, and a car that gets 20 miles per gallon, I will be saving a gallon of gas a day. I will be keeping a running tally of how much gas I have saved (and what percentage of the purchase price I have recouped). At today's prices I'll need to ride 5 days a week for 33 weeks to "break even", but that will come a little quicker if prices continue to rise. I figure that it will take until some time next summer unless I can ride well into the fall and winter.

One of the factors considered is the cost of time. Time is money, bla bla yakity smakity. Sure it will take more time to commute, but I figure a comparable exercise regimen would take more time out of the day. Cycling is something that I enjoyed as a teenager, but I haven't been on a bike seriously in close to twenty years. Fortunately the route I intend to take will be flat. I chose this route primarily as a safety consideration due to only crossing one busy street at a light. That will allow me to get into decent shape without any hills. I know my heart can use the improved functional capacity.