As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve recently started biking to and from school. And for two weeks already, I’ve felt the benefits (and the pains) of my new choice of transportation mode.

You see, because biking does not cost me any money, I’m able to save a bit. As a matter of fact, if my calculations are correct, I have already saved enough to buy mateo a large can of milk from what is supposedly gas or tricycle money. Aside from this, I feel a bit healthier especially after seeing how my leg power and endurance has improved in the past two weeks. Also, since biking contributes no greenhouse gases, I’ve gained more pride talking to my classes about conservation and environment because I can use my bike as a real and viable choice for cutting down pollution.

However, as in the cases of most choices, there are ups and downs to biking. The downside of this particular choice of transportation can weigh heavily against its advantages.

For example, if getting to your place of work involves traversing elevations and slopes, cycling can become physically more challenging. I know because the school where I teach in lies on a hillside. My sore muscles can attest to the difficulty in climbing especially long and steep inclines.

Second, because cycling to and from work usually involve rolling on busy streets, most cyclists expose their face and skin to smoke and dust while perspiring. This usually leads to clogged pores and consequently acne breakout. I mean, what’s the point of biking to save money when you end up spending money for derma visits and acne treatment?

Third, because a bicycle offers no protection from the weather, a cyclist is always at the mercy of the sun. If it rains, then the cyclist and the bike get wet. If it’s hot, then both rider and bicycle get burned.