Pedaling the Daily Grind - A Year of Bike Commuting

It was a year ago today that I, as a "grown-up," rode my bicycle to work and back and set forth sequences of events that have, literally, been life changing.

July 16, 2008, I walked into the Trek Bicycles store at 72nd and Dodge and stated that I wanted a bike to use for commuting. They set me up with a Trek 7300 hybrid bike, and shortly afterward, I added a rack for carrying stuff and fenders for all-weather riding.

The next day I rode the bike, and have ridden a bike to work almost every day since then. Rain or shine, snow and ice. I've had to drive to work less than five times, usually to run an errand that required a car. I also rode the bus on a few days.

A lot of what I've learned about bike commuting can be found in my 2008 year in review post.

Below are some extra stats:

• Total miles cycled: 3,673
• Total bike-to-work miles: 2,476
• Total weight lost: 25 pounds
• Parking money saved: $750 (low estimate of $3/day)
• Commuting gas money saved $304 (estimate of $2.75/gal)
• Total bikes owned: 3 (two complete, one "project bike")

I can't say enough just how awesome it is to be out riding a bike all year long. I've made many new friends with some really cool people. I think Omaha is on the verge of becoming a notable "bike city," and I'm really excited to be a part of the change.

I'm here to demonstrate that if I, an ordinary, almost 40 year old dude of average fitness, can ride a bike to work in Omaha, then you can, too. Get out there and ride, and participate in the various online forums and blogs and be a part of Omaha's cycling culture.

Rolling Stone and Gasoline

Moss doesn't grow fat on a rolling stone, and vines don't grow on a rolling automobile.

Such is not the case with my truck, though. I've been favoring the bicycle so much lately that viny vegetation from a nearby hedge started growing up my aerial.


The last time I bought gasoline for the truck was back in April. Since then I have driven 266 miles, using 14.6 gallons of gasoline.

At this rate, I am filling up my truck about four to five times a year, spending perhaps $120 - $150 a year.

3,000 Miles And Counting

According to MapMyRide, I broke 3,000 miles this weekend!

I still have a month and a half before the one year anniversary of my cycle commuting conversion. I expect to log another 500 - 1,000 by then. (500 easy... 1,000 if I work at it).

Since the MapMyRide stats are fun to look at, I will reprint them here.

I'll also add that the total weight loss thus far is 25 pounds. It is my hope that with the longer summer daylight hours and extra time to get things done around the house that I'll be able to get some more miles in and see some more weight loss.

To those of you who have encouraged me in this venture, "Thank you!" To those who may be thinking of bike commuting, "Get out there and pedal. If I can do this, so can you!"

Pedal Powered Lawn Mower?

Not yet. At least I don't have one?

But as long as lawn mowers need gasoline, here's how I have to go get it.


It just seemed silly to get into a 2,000 pound vehicle to drive one half mile to pick up one gallon of fuel.

Yay for cargo racks and bungee nets!

Passing Gas

Um, that should be passing gas stations... as in cycling right on by.

Oh well. Saturday morning I had to buy more gas in the truck again. The last time I bought gas for the truck was back on February 5. I'd driven it 278 miles and purchased 15.9 gallons, making for about 17.5 miles per gallon, at a cost of $30.77 for a fill-up.

17.5 MPG is not so good. I guess carrying around all those sandbags and some items destined for the dump aren't doing me any good on the dry streets. Perhaps in the snow it was nice for extra traction.

I wonder how many miles I could ride on my bike for $30.77 worth of burritos, hummus and Dr. Pepper?

OK, Mr. Oil Executive... I'll Buy Some Gas

My wife and I own two vehicles. She drives a 1998 Malibu and I have a 1999 S-10 pickup. We're not exactly the Joneses.

Since I started bike commuting last summer, I've found that I rarely drive the truck. It's useful for bringing home big things from the hardware store. Also, I bike or bus/bike home on Thursdays in time to pick up and deliver my daughter to her after-school drama classes. Other than that, it mostly sits in the driveway.

Every week I look at the fuel gauge to see how much is there, and this Saturday, while taking my daughter to a friend's birthday party, I noticed that it was getting darn close to "E."

As I filled the tank, I tried to recall the last time I had put gasoline into the tank. The best I could come up with was in November. Depending on when in November, it could be that I'd gone at least two months, and maybe almost three months without paying the Gas Man.

The price of a gallon of gasoline is much less than when I started bike commuting, but it still hurts to fork over $27.42 cents for my 15 and a half gallons of petrol. In bike terms, this could be a single pedal, a jersey, a pannier, some really nice socks, most of a helmet, gloves, lights, or several burritos (my favorite).

I expect the price of gasoline to go back up this Summer, so when it does, the savings from bike commuting will be even greater.