Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Best Plans Don't Always Work

Rain and thunder at 6:00 AM were a sign that I won't be able to bike to work today. Rats. Plus a work trip to ALexandria required me to drive my car over the noon hour. I had hoped to bike to work for exercise and then bike back home to pick up my car for the Alexandria trip. Mother nature trumps human plans.

Does anyone reading this blog know of a safe way to bike in the rain?

Three people are taking the "Getting To work survey" ask your friends to join you by taking the survey too.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Gas prices fall because of less demand.

The Daily Journal had an article that credited less driving by Americans for a drop in gas prices. Maybe all this riding, walking, and taking the bus to work is making a difference. Click here to read the Daily Journal article.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Where are the bike racks?



On my ride to work I started think about what would happen if hundreds of people started riding their bikes to work. Where would they park their bikes? We could have bikes chained to every tree and lamp post in town. Well, maybe not every tree.

I did see a bike rack at the back of Lake Region Hospital near the parking lot, and another one on the east side of the Library. SunMart has a bike rack and I know the schools have racks. The picture on the left is the bike rack at West Central Initiative at 1000 Western Avenue.

Do you know other businesses that have bike racks? Send me a comment with locations for bike racks, and I will add them to the Google map.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Messy Business
My trip to work was kind of messy. An early morning meeting and trip across Fergus Falls made it impossible to get to work on time with my bike. Today I took my car to work. At my lunch break I drove home to check on some family business. Now was my chance to get back on my bike for my return trip.

The warm hazy day with a mild breeze will make a perfect ride. Can't find my helmet. Searched the disorganized garage. No luck. Then I remembered the last time I came home from work I had both my bike and my car at work. Don't ask. My helmet and sunglasses are on the staff lunchroom shelf.

I was determined to ride my bike back to work. My daughters old helmet was still hanging by the ladder. It is a size too small, but it will still give protection. With a small helmet, old sunglasses and the breeze at my back I made it to work for the second time.

Trying something new isn't always pretty. Today my efforts were messy, but I prefer action over inaction. I hope your ride to work was better than mine.

P.S. Back at work I discover I have a meeting across town. I should have checked my schedule. My bike will get me there. Hope the rain stays away. More mess.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008


July 23


On my way to work I took pictures of my commuter route. Check out the pictures at my Flikr web site, and see if you can identify the route I take to work.


Monday, July 21, 2008

Be a Super hero. Save Gas, Save Yourself, Save the World

Taking your bicycle, walking, or riding the bus to work is one small way to save the world. During the month of August try going to work by bicycle, walking, or riding the bus.

To find a route to bike or walk to work check out this link for a city map with bike trails in Fergus Falls,

If you want to try the bus go to this link for the Otter Express

Check out the save-o-meter to find out how much gas you are saving.

Send safety tips to this blog for others to read.

Connect each morning to the superhero survey to find out who else is saving the world by finding a gas saving way to work.

Upload pictures of your bike or route to work on your Flicker web site and link them to your blog response. See my daily commute. .

Support your favorite charity by taking the "Save the World in August" challenge.

Ask your employer to match any donations made by friends for every day you save gas by biking, walking, busing to work or school during the month of August.