The 1 Gallon Challenge

[skyl4rk]

I like multi-lane roads where the speed limits are 45mph or lower. That way I can drive at 30-35mph in 5th gear and not disturb anyone, there is always a lane to pass. Another strategy on this type of road is EOC, I would probably do a 30-45mph EOC, using lights and hills to determine where to give it a burst of power.

Stoplights and stop signs can be a problem though. After you run a street a few times you start to learn to time the stoplights.

A lot of traffic can be a problem, but I am usually going slower than traffic so sometimes traffic jams solve themselves by moving past me or breaking up just as I arrive. A good excuse to drive slower.

[kopid03]

I was just reading your fuel log for the Yaris. You really have commutes where you average 4 mph? How long are these? I think I would consider a bike in that situation, you could go 15 mph with barely any effort.

[robbiewt]

There was some unusually bad traffic last October. That was mostly 12 mile round trip commutes. I have walked it a few times. Being slightly out of shape, I got tired quickly.

At the end of April I'll be commuting 80 miles four days a week. I'll use my bike for local trips.

I also recently found the Cycle log feature of this site.

[1337]

Originally Posted by kopid03

I was just reading your fuel log for the Yaris. You really have commutes where you average 4 mph? How long are these? I think I would consider a bike in that situation, you could go 15 mph with barely any effort.

Yeah, his fuel log says it took him 1.5 hours to go 6.1 miles. I used to bike 7 miles each way to work, and the round trip took less than an hour. I think a bike would be pretty ideal in this situation too.

[robbiewt]

Last April, before I got the Yaris, I was biking quite a bit. It was a fun trip, except for the rolling hills. That ended one Thursday afternoon when my bike was introduced to a drunk driver. Luckily it was chained to a bike rack at the time and no one was hurt. That's when I started walking on nice days. I recently got a used diamondback that needs a few repairs. I can't wait to get that on the road.

[1337]

Originally Posted by robbiewt

Last April, before I got the Yaris, I was biking quite a bit. It was a fun trip, except for the rolling hills. That ended one Thursday afternoon when my bike was introduced to a drunk driver. Luckily it was chained to a bike rack at the time and no one was hurt. That's when I started walking on nice days. I recently got a used diamondback that needs a few repairs. I can't wait to get that on the road.

Oh, sorry to hear that. I've had more than my fair share of bike mishaps too. I had a beautiful 2008 Bianchi Pista...for about 3 weeks until someone broke my cable and a U-lock to steal it.

I went for a week or so without a bike until I got time to fix up one of my older bikes. I drove at least 40 miles around town that week, and normally I never do city driving. I guess that shows how much I normally bike.