Leisure or Transportation?

Since the hot weather officially cracked in Phoenix, I started commuting to work on my Caponord. Its a great bike for my specific commute. I have about thirty-six miles each way that only includes two stop signs and two traffic lights. I also travel out of town against traffic and with the sun at my back both ways…I am pretty lucky.

I was thinking this morning why I am commuting on the bike versus the cage. My answer, this is one of those where the truth hurts, was simply because of fuel prices. The Capo gets some 44+ mpg for my commute miles versus 18-20 for my Rodeo. At $3 per gallon, that’s about half of the fuel cost.

I like riding, I really do. The problem is that until now, riding was for leisure and not at all associated with work. If I rode to work, it was on a casual Friday or a group would decide we would all ride in. Now its just transportation.

The reality is that for the commute, I like my creature comforts. Music (yeah, I know you can pipe in satellite or MP3’s), air conditioning and the back support of a full bucket seat just make for a comfortable, relaxing drive. That, and a radar detector that I can see and hear keeps me ‘informed’.

I am also an admitted fair-weather rider. I do have a rain suit that is stored on the bike, but my hope is to never have to use it. I have no intention of commuting in the rain if at all avoidable.

I do plan on commuting as much as possible, and have even geared up for the cold weather morning rides (35F) in the desert in January. I’ve added heated grips too. I just don’t know if I’ll truly enjoy it, or if for the first time, it’ll be just another mode of transportation.

The above would make me seem like quite the sissy. Funny. I am one of the biggest enthusiasts I know (I’ve likely owned almost thirty bikes), but I have not had or tried to merge leisure with transportation. In the past, my bikes have always been “toys”. Now, my Capo may be relegated to a butt-hauler.

Like all other habits, it’ll take a couple weeks to make routine. Skip a few days, and I’ll have to start over (kind of like working out, then missing a week). Or worse, get assigned a sweet vehicle from work – part of my job is vehicle evaluation. A nice luxury / sport sedan could definitely wreck a streak!

Time will tell I guess. But as long as fuel prices are this high, and I maintain the attitude about wanting to keep my money as much as possible, I may rack up some serious miles on that Capo in ‘06.