http://campfire.theoildrum.com/node/6438

Yes, that's one way. And they certainly have more cargo capacity than usually expected. That one with the cooler bottles looks to be carrying nine of those babies, over 360 pounds.

And when you have a flat tire?....I love cycling, but those guys are way out of my league.

I'm always amazed what people manage to do with limited resources. I bet most of those bikes are handmade from old spare parts. Amazing.

This is an area where hobbies (I don't consider prepping a hobby, I consider it a lifestyle) and prepping can overlap. We have bicycles and now have several different packs that can attach to them as well as tools, a breakdown kit, etc. Plus us getting out and riding we are able to go longer distances by being used to it and being in better shape. If gas does go crazy high we have them as transportation.

Inside of five to ten miles, depending on health and conditions, commuting and trips for light chores are practical on a bike. Most any bike can be set up with panniers that allow you to carry significant amounts of stuff.

A three-wheeled cargo bike have advantages. They carry a lot more cargo and don't require the rider to balance the ride. One of my acquaintances has a head injury that messed with his sense of balance. He can't handle a two-wheel bike but he does fine on a three-wheel model.

Bikes have a lot going for them. Inexpensive to buy, easy to maintain, cheap to operate, durable, adaptable.

I went slightly above the price range I wanted on our house because it was in this http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...mp;t=h&z=14 area. We live in a small neighborhood at the left of the map, I work in the big building to the east of it, get our groceries at Kroger in the Polaris Town Center to the east of that, then the huge Polaris Fashion place north of that, my son's pre-shool is north of that. All around those main areas are houses, stores, restaurants, etc. Everything we need is within two miles, just have to get the roads made safe, some are single lane 45mph with several entrances to business parks and housing developments so they are not very safe even in a car. The entrance/exit to my workplace dumps onto one of those roads and there is a small hill where you can't see past. I looked up my truck and depending on different options my 0-60 acceleration is between 8-1 seconds. I can look and see no cars past that hill, pull out onto the street and floor it and then have a car nearly rear end me, people drive anywhere from 50-60mph on that road, its just not safe to try and bike on. If the price of gas goes up enough that less people are driving then I'm all set. Right now I go down the sidewalk and wait and dart across the street. Its like the old game Frogger.

I feel you on the road hazards issues. Saving money, energy and getting healthy are contradicted if the odds are you end up in a hospital maimed.

There is a push, and some legislation, to demand that all roads incorporate features that allow easy and safe accommodation of bicycle riding.

I'd like to get a new Trek bike this summer and getting into a bit more trail type camping. A bike can be really versatile.