In one way, I'm glad the price of gasoline is going up.

In most ways, I'm not.

But a year ago, when I decided — banning rainy weather or a change in work hours — I would bicycle the 12 miles to work when possible. Soon, I discovered, that meant 12 miles back, too.

But a year ago, when the bike was shiny new and gasoline was $4 per gallon. I figured biking twice weekly saved about two gallons, or $8 per week.

Kick in the additional exercise, what it does for the environment and the fun and rush you can get makes it all worth while.

But think back to January, when at one point gasoline dipped below $1.50 per gallon. If I had been biking back then, I would have saved a mere $3 per week. Well, except someone would have locked me up somewhere because it was 15 degrees and snowing at the time. These days, I'm saving about $5.20 weekly.

Yet whether I'm saving tons of cash or not, the biking is good for me, adds a little adventure to my life and does a little bit for the environment. Maybe this planet will last a millisecond longer before capitulating to global warming because I road from Conneaut to Ashtabula a couple of times a week during warm months when it wasn’t raining, when I didn't get off of work at midnight. OK, maybe not.

There are two sides to the global warming discussion. There's the scientists who have studied the situation and radio talk show hosts. After considerable thought on my part, some of which takes place while bike riding, I have decided to side with scientists.

I also question the thought process of some politicians who say if we require vehicles to have better gasoline mileage, it will cost consumers a little more to buy the vehicle, therefore global warming can't really be that big of a problem.

By mid-May many people at work asked when I was going to go back to biking, mainly because they like to see me ride around the news and production departments on the bike, narrowly missing desks and people. I decided that was sufficient reason to begin the long process toward getting the bike ready for warm-weather jaunts.

This process — and please don't get bored by my technical discussions here — consists of lubricating the chain and inflating the tires a bit more.

Then I had to get the bicycle helmet out of winter storage. This consists of picking it up off the bench inside the door from the garage, which is where I left it back in October.

I did check to see that the front light and rear flashing lights were functional, since I don't always get home before dark. Getting the right lights spanned almost my entire biking season last year.

The first front light I bought cracked and fell off while riding home from the bicycle shop. Another one proved a bit more successful, but not by much.

The back light, which offers a steady on or flashing signal, worked for much of the season. But the light wasn't too bright. When it cracked and fell off in the Taco Bell parking lot, I decided it was a sign. I better buy a bean burrito. Oh, yeah, and get a more secure, stronger light.

The back light I got off the Internet, after doing some research. The flashing red light is so bright, I could set up my own crime investigation scene. The front light, which is bright and more substantial than its predecessors, I found at another high-tech place, the Conneaut K mart.

Biking to work also means taking in clothes early, doublechecking I have everything. One wrong calculation and I would find myself walking around work one day without dress socks. Well, that might not be too bad. I've known people who NEVER wore any socks to work anytime.

I also bring in wash clothes and towels for a quick cleanup.

Wife Louise even helped out, buying me a plastic soap dish to replace the sandwich bag I kept my soap in all of last year.

Last but not least, it was time to fill the MP3 player with episodes of the "CBS Mystery Theatre" from the Internet. This was a radio drama that aired from 1974-82 on CBS radio affiliates. The programs are pretty good and the downloads included vintage radio commercials and a chance to win an AM-FM radio with cassette. Ah those commercials. "When you say BUD-weiser, you said it all."

So if you see me pumping along Route 84, honk if you don't think I'll drive off the road into a utility pole. Or just throw money. Remember, I'm not saving as much of it this year.

Lebzelter is special sections editor. E-mail him at bobleb@starbeacon.com.