The Go By Bike Challenge

Believe it or not, it's not ALL bad news about the price of fuel these days! Of course, for many Americans, it means having to use the car less, but it also means that most of us may get the chance to walk or bike more...which is a win-win-win-win situation!

The nation wins by lessening our nation's dependence on fossil fuels;

The environment gets a break from the ever-increasing CO2 emissions (footprints) that we each produce prodigiously in our current, fast-paced drive-thru lifestyle;

Your wallet wins, of course, because you don't have to take so many depressing trips to the "filling station" (as they used to call it on The Andy Griffith Show);

Your health wins because finding methods of transport that don't even involve fuel (i.e. your tennis shoes &/or your bike) and the resultant exercise gives you a chance to keep your cardiovascular system in tip-top shape.

The Trek Bike Company estimates that 40% of our trips in fuel-driven vehicles are of distances of 2 miles or less!!! So biking when you can (especially on these short trips from home) is just a nice little thing we can all do with probably only a minimum of sacrifice to help take better care of this fragile planet, as well as those of us who call it home.

Trek--in what is obviously a gimmick to sell more of their products (I already own a Trek Bike & I love it)--has created a website called "1 World 2 Wheels" (http://www.1world2wheels.org/), where you can go & pledge to bike to as many places as it is feasible for you to do. You can visit their website from time to time to see how the pledges are going & Trek has even created a little widget that you can post on your blog to keep track of how many miles of non-fuel-generated traveling we're all pledging (even if it's not done on a Trek bike)! I even have one of their widgets at the bottom of this blog, if you want to take a look.

As of the writing of this post (7/25), over 12,500 people have pledged nearly 4 million biking miles--saving nearly as many pounds of Carbon Dioxide from being released in the atmosphere, burning over 187 million calories & saving over $875,000 in gas money.

So, considering how painful it is to have to face another gas pump & boosting Big Oil's bottom line, you can turn that frown upside down by getting up & getting your (human) motor running and taking the "Go By Bike" Challenge.

As Nike always says, "Just Do It."

Gas Saving Myths

From CNN...
Link = http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/autos/ways_to_not_save_gas/index.htm?postversion=2008051515

6 gas-saving myths
Sure you want to save gas, but there's a lot of bad advice on how to do it. Some of it makes no difference, and some of it can wind up costing you.

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer

Last Updated: May 15, 2008: 3:59 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- With gasoline prices hitting record levels, it seems everyone has a tip on how to save fuel. Much of the advice is well-intentioned, but in the end, much of it won't lower your gas bill.

Here's a look at a few misconceptions:

#1. Fill your tank in the morning

You may have heard that it's best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the fuel is cold. The theory goes that fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas actually has more gas molecules than a gallon of warmer gas.

But the temperature of the gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day, according to Consumer Reports, so there's little, if any, benefit, to getting up early to pump gas.

#2. Change your air filter

Maintaining your car is important, but a clean air filter isn't going to save you any gas. Modern engines have computer sensors that automatically adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged air filter chokes off the engine's air supply.

While engine power will decrease slightly as the air filter becomes clogged, a lack of performance or an increase in fuel consumption will be negligible, Consumer Reports says.

#3. Use premium fuel

With prices already over $4.00 a gallon, premium gasoline is a hard sell these days. But a lot of drivers think because their owners' manual recommends premium, they'll get better fuel economy with it. Really, they may be paying more money for nothing.

Newer cars for which premium is "recommended" - but not "required" - won't suffer with regular fuel. Modern engine technology comes to the rescue again. When sensors detect regular instead of premium fuel, the system automatically adjusts spark plug timing. The result is a slight reduction in peak horsepower - really, you'll never notice - but little or no reduction in fuel economy.

Always check your owner's manual before putting anything into your car. And if your car runs badly on regular, by all means, go back to the pricey stuff. (See editor's note at bottom)

#4. Pump up your tires

Proper tire inflation is important for a number of reasons. Under-inflated tires are bad for handling and can even cause a crash. Improper tire inflation also causes tires to wear out faster and to heat up more, which could trigger a dangerous high-speed blow-out.

According to on-the-road driving tests by both Consumer Reports and auto information site Edmunds.com, underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, so proper inflation is key.

But you should never over-inflate your tires. They'll get you slightly better fuel economy because there will be less tread touching the road, reducing friction. But that means less grip for braking and turning. The added risk of a crash isn't worth the extra mile a gallon you might gain.

#5. To A/C or not A/C

There's no question air-conditioning makes extra work for the engine, increasing fuel use. But car air conditioners are much more efficient today than they used to be. In around-town driving, using the A/C will drop fuel economy by about a mile a gallon.

Meanwhile, driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag. As speed increases, drag becomes more of an issue, making A/C use the more efficient choice at high speeds.

At most speeds and in most vehicles, A/C use drains slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, contends David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "My final take on is that it's very close," says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "It's hard to measure the difference and every vehicle is different."

The best choice - if temperature and humidity allow - is to keep the windows rolled up and to turn the A/C compressor off. You can keep the fans running to blow in air from the outside, but your car will be as aerodynamic as possible while still letting you breathe. You will save gas, but the fuel economy improvement will be slight.

#6. Bolt-ons and pour-ins

Before you buy a device that's supposed to make your car more fuel-efficient or pour in an allegedly gas-saving additive, ask yourself this: Don't you think oil and car companies aren't doing everything they can to beat their competitors?

If BP (BP) could add something to its gasoline that made cars go farther on a gallon, cars would be lining up at the company's pumps. Sure, people would burn their fuel-saving BP gas more slowly, but then they'd drive right past rivals' gas stations to come back to BP for more. BP stations could even charge more for their gas and still sell tons of the stuff.

So if there really was an additive that made gas burn up more slowly, it wouldn't be sold over the Internet one bottle at a time.

Likewise, car companies are already spending big bucks to increase fuel mileage. If General Motors could make its cars go significantly farther on a gallon simply by putting a device into the fuel line, don't think for a second it wouldn't be doing that. GM's car sales would go through the roof.

"There are a number of these gas-saving devices that are generally useless," says Champion.

But drivers who try them will swear they work. In reality, it's probably an automotive placebo effect, says Reed. Buy one of these devices or additives, and you're like to pay extreme attention to your fuel economy and how you drive.

Of course it can't hurt to keep a close eye on your driving habits -- and what kind of car you drive. In the end, that can make the most difference in saving gas.

Gas prices have climbed to record levels. Are you feeling the pinch? Tell us how gas prices are affecting you and what you're doing to cope. Send us your photos and videos, or email us to share your story.

-Editors note: This story was revised from an earlier version to clarify that the advice to use regular gas instead of premium may not apply to all cars.

CNN also had a list of the 8 most fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes...YOU GUESSED IT...my car, the Toyota Yaris. Yes, it came in at #8, but at least it's ON the list...is yours?!?! ;-)

Here's your winners*:
Link = http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0803/gallery.most_fuel_efficient/index.html
* Source: Fuel economy and cost estimates, EPA

1. Honda Civic GX

Overall mpg: 28 miles per gallon-equivalent of compressed natural gas

Est. annual fuel cost: $884

Lowest base price: $24,590

2. Toyota Prius

Overall mpg: 46

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,019

Lowest base price: $21,100

3. Honda Civic Hybrid

Overall mpg: 42

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,117

Lowest base price: $24,350

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Overall mpg: 34

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,380

Lowest base price: $25,350

5. Nissan Altima Hybrid

Overall mpg: 34

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,380

Lowest base price: $25,170

6. Smart For Two

Overall mpg: 36 (premium fuel)

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,397

Lowest base price: $11,590

7. Ford Escape Hybrid (front wheel drive)

Overall mpg: 32

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,470

Lowest base price: $26,265

8. Toyota Yaris

Overall mpg: 32

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,470

Lowest base price: $11,350

Dude, Where's My Stimulus Payment???

In case you were not aware, CNN is reporting (http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/17/pf/taxes/rebates_payment_schedule/index.htm?postversion=2008031716) that the 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment that the federal government is sending out to most taxpayers should actually be sent out no later than May 16, 2008, for those who filed their 2007 federal taxes electronically. If you filed the old-fashioned way (i.e., through the US mail), depending on the last 2 digits of the Social Security number of the taxpayer (or, for married couples, the Social Security number for the primary taxpayer listed on the return), and if you qualify for the stimulus payment, it could be as late as July 11, 2008 before the check is sent out to you. The link above shows the schedule, so you can determine when your check will be sent.

Also, the IRS has created an Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator (www.irs.gov/app/espc) which will provide you the amount of your refund (maximum is $600 for single/head of household taxpayers but generally no less than $300, as long as you qualify; maximum for married couples filing jointly is $1,200, but generally no less than $600, as long as the couple qualifies). When using the calculator provided, make sure you have a copy of your 2008 return, which will have the info you need to determine your Stimulus Payment. The calculator will also tell you, depending on the numbers you plug in, if you qualify for the rebate. Generally, for single or head of household taxpayers, if your tax liability was at least $3,000 in 2007, you'll qualify for the maximum. REMEMBER ALL OF THIS IS DEPENDENT ON THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE FILED & THE I.R.S. HAS PROCESSED A 2007 TAX RETURN BY THE TIME THE CHECKS ARE DUE TO BE SENT OUT.

If you're like me, you'll probably blow your refund on a couple of tanks of gas. I know, I know, I'm just a wild man.

:-/