I lifted this from Nozzlerage.com faster than you can lift the nozzle off the pump.  Was that a bicycle bell at the end of this clip? 

Check out this story from AdAge.com on how Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and others are expected to take a hit as consumers have less money to spend on losing weight.  

Weight…I mean wait!  What if we saved money by biking to work and in the process, lost weight?  What if fat gas prices helped us make gains in the fight against the obesity epidemic and turned out to actually save lives? 

It’s one way to turn pain into pleasure at the pump!

Harassment is still ensuing when I ride my bike to work.  Morning Guy Ed Walsh thought it would be funny to put a big basket on my bike so I would be ready to do laundry down by the river in Indonesia. 

I know.  I know.  The panniers (or saddlebags, as you people like to call them) are not my style and very noticable.  More safety, Dude.  And this is not about fashion!  It’s total function.   But, I may give in to peer pressure and get different ones because even Chris Redford said they just weren’t right. 

I’m getting the hang of this now.  I’ve invaded Fletch’s clothes closet for space to put extra clothing.  I’d love to hear what you like/dislike about commuting to work on your bike.  Me:  When I run, I can tell my legs are getting stronger from biking.  When I take off for work, I feel so free.  It’s a great way to start and finish the work day.     

I’ll be keeping a total soon of how much $ I’m saving by doing this.   Anyone have employers who are making it easier for you to commute (providing a place to put your bike, offering shower facilities)?    

I’m working on trying to get some signs put up around work that encourage people to be nicer to people who commute to work on their bikes.  Any ideas?  Maybe something like, “People on two wheels need love, too.”  If you think some news scripts torn into shreds and taped to my handlebars to look like streamers are going to keep me from being environmentally and economically conscious, well…just…just…think again.   Yeah.  That. 

You’ve probably seen these Share The Road yard signs around town.  Ian Webb at River City Cycling and Fitness bought a bunch for $10 each and is selling them to anyone for $5 each.   You can also get commuter tips here.   

Here we go.  Day one of commuting to work on a bike.   After paying $70 for a tank of gas yesterday, it’s worth the effort!

Here’s bike guru Ian Webb, showing you how to trick out your bike for a safe commute.  All of these toys are important because we don’t have cycling lanes (future post–efforts are underway–city council has been approached).

Wow!  This bike makes me feel like a kid again.  Ian was right.  My tri racing bike was awkward and causing me to crash–not built for commuting. 

I’ll keep you posted.  If you try this at home, please report back here and let us know how your commute went.   

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — A car plowed into a weekend bike race along a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border, killing one and injuring 10 others, police said.

A car plows into a crowd of bicyclists participating in a race on a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The 28-year-old driver was apparently drunk and fell asleep when he crashed into the race, said police investigator Jose Alfredo Rodriguez.

A photograph taken by a city official showed bicyclists and equipment being hurled high into the air by the collision.

Rodriguez said Juan Campos was charged with killing Alejandro Alvarez, 37, of Monterrey.

Authorities said the wreck happened 15 minutes into the 34-kilometer (21 mile) race Sunday along a highway between Playa Bagdad and Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

Campos said he is an American citizen living in Brownsville. The U.S. Consulate could not immediately confirm that.

Would you ride your bike to work on a regular basis.  Why or why not? 

I tried that once.  Gas prices weren’t that high then.  It was Ride Your Bike To Work Day.  I was sweating profusely when I got to work.  I had helmet hair (the people in this picture should be wearing helmets–trust me–I know this).   The weight of my backpack with all the stuff in it I needed for work threw me off balance on the bike.  Traffic was terrible.   

On the bright side, I felt envigorated when I got to work.  I felt industrious and more independent (I didn’t need no stinkin’ car!). 

What if we had cycling lanes?  I would make the effort more often to ride for the purpose of transportation if we did. 

What if there were a place at work to put your bike?  What if there were showers there?  What if we as a city, residents and employers made the necesssary changes?