In many areas of the U.S., average folks could be saving themselves many hundreds of dollars per year by doing something as simple as pedaling a bicycle several blocks to the supermarket or drugstore. I'm not speaking primarily of kids or college students. If I can do this at age 53 (and if others can do it at far more advanced ages), you can likely do it. You don't have to be in "athletic" condition (I'm certainly not!); you just have to be able to pedal and steer a modern bike, which, for the majority of the population, is scarcely more complicated than taking a daily stroll through the neighborhood.

However, to make this moneysaving approach really work (and not turn into yet another failed experiment), you can't just hop aboard some dusty old, hard-to-shift contraption that you bought at the likes of Wal-Mart years ago and soon relegated to …

Trusty Bicycle
As I peer outside my kitchen window
I see my trusty bicycle
The one as I used as a child
Its rust glistens in the summer sun’s
hot reflection

It has been on so many adventures
Down so many winding roads
Anticipating life’s next twist
and turn
its next curve ball
It has been through so much
its tires worn and gears quite squeaky
But through it all
My trusty bicycle never left my side
Traveling the roads only an adventurous
mind dare seek
Climbed the highest peaks
My trusty bicycle
My lifeline…

During the summer months I like to take my bicycle out for a ride at night. While one reason may be exercise the other reason is less obvious unless you have been through a hot and sticky summer in the Mid-Atlantic. While the humidity may not drop significantly at night the temperatures are slightly cooler. One thing that worries me though is that if I ride out past a town's limits where there are no streetlights cars often react in exactly the wrong way.

Partly this is my fault. I am not doing one important thing I should be for safety and that is attaching a headlight to my bicycle, but however there are reflectors on the bike and if I tend not to wear dark colors while riding out after sunset. However, the reaction of cars is often surprises me.

The first mistake they often make when seeing me …

With the warmer weather fast approaching, there has never been a better time to teach your preschoolers about bicycle safety. I have found that one great way to do that is to incorporate books about the subject into your story times. If you do decide to go that route, here are a few worth considering:

“Franklin’s Bicycle Helmet”

Paulette Bourgeois’ book “Franklin’s Bicycle Helmet” is one that I would definitely recommend. Most preschoolers will recognize Franklin, which should help to retain their interest. Its storyline focuses on the importance of staying safe and wearing a helmet while bike riding. It also touches upon issues related to peer pressure. A valuable lesson plan that may be used with the book is available on the Capital Health website. I like the plan because it addresses how to properly wear a helmet and contains role playing exercises. You can also find a cute …

When German Baron Karl von Drais came up with the idea of, and then invented, his "hobby horse" in the early 19^th Century, his aim was to help cut down starvation and death of horses caused by crop failure. So, he made a wooden-framed, gliding machine to "get around a little quicker." Great idea!

Drais promoted his invention, originally named the Laufmaschine, during his first ride from Mannheim on June 12, 1817, by covering 13 kilometers in less than an hour. The machine was used by pushing one's feet against the ground, then rolling both one's body as well as the device forward in an assimilation of gliding walk.

Initial manufacturing began in Germany as well as France. Then the Chinese took interest. Technological enhancements occurred after pedals were applied directly to the front wheel of the two-wheeled riding machine in 1865 which brought on the full introduction to …

Many people are choosing to ride their bicycle to work and other places to save gas and help protect the environment. However, many people do not perform a safety inspection on there bicycle, or they pay someone to do it for them. Safety inspections are important because as you ride your bicycle, parts tend to loosen and tires begin to wear. If a bicycle is in need of repair, you could be seriously injured. There is no need to pay someone to inspect your bicycle for safety, it is really quite simple to do at home yourself. Here is how to properly perform a bicycle inspection.

1. Check the tires

Make sure that the tires are properly inflated, there are no cracks, or bubbles, and valve stems are secure and intact.

2. Check your spokes

Ensure that all spokes in the tire rim are present and taught. Do not pull on them …

California has one of the strongest cycling cultures in the country and offers an extremely diverse selection of rides to choose from. Some of the very best are briefly described here.

1. The stretch of California coast on Highway One from Santa Cruz to the quaint town of Davenport is one of the most charming places to ride in the country. Spring is a particularly pleasant time to make the journey, when temperatures are perfect and thousands of wildflowers dot lush green fields sitting on white cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Along the way is Wilder Ranch, a gorgeous state park ideal for seaside strolling. In Davenport, one can enjoy local cuisine at Whale City Bakery, which boasts a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere and the best chicken sandwich on the west coast.
2. A trek across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is an opportunity not to be missed by any cycling

It doesn't matter if you're bicycling for a marathon, or just pedaling down to the store, a bike rider needs a few things. Sure, you can stuff your pockets with items you need, like your house keys, money clip, change, and more. But, as any bicyclist knows, things in your pockets, at least while pedaling, can be a bit uncomfortable. What you need is a saddle bag. Okay, now that you're back from checking on the price of that, and as you're recuperating, go look in your kitchen. If you've got a jar with a lid you've got a cheap, unconventional, but useful saddle bag for your bike.

Face it, there aren't that many places on a bike where you can put a carryall. You can't hang it on the handlebars and deal with it swinging all over the place. And it's a tall order to attach a container with …

At some point in their life almost everyone owns a bicycle or car. One of them often leaves an everlasting impression on them for years to come. I have had numerous bicycles and cars during my 63 years. They included my first car,the one you never forget, a 1960 comet. Then there were my hot rods, sports cars and numerous other cars, some functional others luxurious. However, before the cars were the bicycles. The first one was a green and cream beach cruiser with a basket and streamers. As I became older, I moved into the ten speed era. However, the best vehicle I have ever owned is my golf cart.

This is no ordinary golf cart. She was custom built to look like a miniature Jaguar convertible. Like all convertibles it has a top that raises and lowers just like a convertible car. It has a tonneau cover to …