It's a question I've heard so many times from so many different people, I have almost run out of meaningful answers. Riding my bike has become such a part of my life that I can now only say to my inquisitors, "because it's fun."

But in reality, it's more than fun. It's invigorating. It's challenging. It makes me feel like a kid again. It has done wonders for my health and overall well-being. It has saved me lots of money that I would have otherwise wasted on gasoline and vehicle maintenance; and this money has since gone to more useful things, like books and saving for the future.

Now, don't get me wrong. I do own a car. I'm not one of those self-righteous, latte-sipping morons who boastfully regards myself as God's own prototype for the perfect human (ever notice how you you can't say 'hypocrite' without almost saying 'hippie?').

To the contrary, I don't even pretend to be a model citizen. But, as a hack earth scientist and a former Boy Scout, I do like to Be Prepared. I will spare you my observations of overpopulation and peak oil, and instead provide an honest look at modern American society in general, and why we need to change our ways.

American culture is a funny thing. We like things to be simple, effortless, cheap, and instantaneous. We waste a lot of stuff, and we don't like to think about consequences. We all talk about being better to the environment, and maybe we really mean it, but there's just so damn many of us that it's hard to see macro-scale results from micro-scale progressions.

Every time we turn on the TV, there's a shiny product commercial telling us that the future is bright, followed by a news program saying that the world is doomed. Gas prices jump to record highs, but we drive more than ever before. The average person's fitness level is embarassing, but TV keeps telling us that whatever health problem we may have, we can just take a new pill to cure it (side effects may include blindness, paralysis, or loss of sanity).

How did we go from a nation of rugged frontiersmen, fearless explorers, and sharp-shooting cowboys to a nation of lazy fat people? And we have the nerve to call ourselves the strongest nation on this planet? Please. Granted, we have our super-athletes and our gold medals, but what we need is a miracle cure for the Everyman, something to help the regular joe be healthier, stronger, happier, and a bit more earth-friendly.

Enter the bicycle.

It is such a simple machine, and advancements in technology have allowed us to perfect it in every way imaginable (though they still can't walk the dog or do our laundry for us). They are lighter, stronger, more comfortable, and more diverse in design than they have ever been, and the bike has been around for quite a while.

It doesn't matter how old you are, how strong you are, how smart you are, or how good-looking you are, there is a bike out there that is perfectly designed just for you. And if you don't think so, you can build your own from the ground up with surprisingly little effort.

Riding a bike forced me to slow down, to spend more time thinking and less time needlessly rushing. Riding a bike turns every sidewalk, highway or gravel road into The Scenic Route, and it allows me to recharge my spirit on my way to or from wherever I'm going (talk about multi-tasking). Riding keeps me in tip-top shape; and lets me hear, taste, smell and touch the world rather than just observe it through tempered glass.

Bad weather? Winter? Darkness? Simple matters of proper dress, proper equipment, a little practice, and a willingness to test yourself. North Dakota has winter temps of -30 degrees Fahrenheit, summer temps of +100 degrees Fahrenheit, and maddening winds that seem to blow incessantly from every direction at once. But this place is cake compared to, say, Alaska or the desert southwest.

And yet, even in these harsh places, bikes and people who love riding them are everywhere. Bikes can stand up to anything their riders can, and they do it in style.

But some of you might be thinking, "but I'm not an athlete, I don't know if bike travel is for me." Well, I have some good news: being an athlete isn't a requirement. Sure, it helps, but it's not that important. The important thing to remember, though, is the more you ride, the more of an athlete you become - it might even happen without you realizing it. Most bikes have such a wide range of possible gear ratios, you can make your ride as hardcore or as easy-going as you wish.

So go ahead, get on Google and poke around a bit. Or better yet, head to your local bike shop and tell them about your new interest. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, and fit you to the best type of bike for your taste and riding style. Try out some different models and see what you like best, then do your homework and weigh your options carefully. After a little while, you will have the perfect bike that will make you happy for years to come.

So go on, give it a try. If everyone traded their cars for bicycles just one day out of every week, that would add up to a significant reduction in fuel usage, emissions, and road rage. If everyone made the swap two days a week... you get the idea. One thing I can promise is that you won't be disappointed, and you might even find that investing in a bicycle was the best decision you ever made.

I'll see you on the trail!