🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Jun9.002842.29188@leland.Stanford.EDU>, gooch@leland.Stanford.EDU (Carl Gooch) writes:
> In article <1992Jun8.173622.4035@clipper.ingr.com>, fenwick@clipper.ingr.com (Stephen Fenwick) writes:
> |> Since it can't come off my work time, it has to come off my personal time.
> |> That's about 185 hours per year (@ 45 minutes/day). Reality check: I get
> |> 3 weeks vacation per year, which is 120 hours (8 hours/day).
> 
> You seem to be neglecting either the time you would ordinarily spend 
> exercising (if you do) with accompanying shower & change time; or the 
> health benefits that you got while riding to work regularly which you
> no longer enjoy.  Add in reduced health insurance to go with your 
> improved fitness, reduced car insurance and upkeep costs due to lower
> mileage, and that 185 hours/year might not sound like such a bad 
> investment, even ignoring the environmental damage you wouldn't be
> causing.

Hmm. My company pays for my health insurance (I do, indirectly);
I expect that the current system will be replaced by a national
health care system by the turn of the century. I don't smoke or drink,
which eliminates two of the biggest controllable risks. I don't
exercise as uch as I'd like, but if I were to start, I'd use
a rowing machine (which gives a more complete workout) and watch
MacNeil-Lehrer at the same time.

Car insurance doesn't go down for less use; I've tried to convince
our insurer (State Farm) that we'd like to use public transit,
but they still assume we'll use our one-and-only car for commuting.
Using a car once a week (or less) will increase you repair
costs, as the cylinders begin to corrode shortly after stopping.
Most IC engines will be kept in best condition if they are run
at least once a day, long enough to thoroughly heat them.
I'll concede the environmental damage point.

Another reality check--185 hours per year adds about 10% to my
work time (50 wks * 40hrs/wk). Again, this is on top of my existing
commute time.

> |> I think you add at least one (and probably two) showering occasions.
> 
> A matter of taste.  For me, no more than one; I don't bother to shower 
> before riding to work, and since I live alone and usually ride home during
> the cool of the evening, I don't necessarily shower when I get home.

Not my situation. I might get by with two, but not one. Do you pay
your own water bill?

BTW, what's the problem with a renewable-fuel vehicle? Mercedes is
showing off a methanol-powered car; electric cars have been around
for a long time (at least as long as IC engined cars). How about hybrids?

Steve
-- 
Stephen C. Fenwick /Sr. Systems Engineer |  fenwick@clipper.ingr.com (work)
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