the 07/24/2008

Doctor bicycles to work - just for fun but not in the rain

By Lois Kendall

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

As gas prices hover near the $4 mark, more and more commuters arelooking for ways to cut the cost of traveling to and from work.Some are carpooling, others are taking a bus or MetroLink. A fewhardy souls are opting for pedal power - hopping on their bikes andwheeling to work.

Dr. Susan Swope, an internal medicine specialist on staff at St.Anthony's Medical Center and a South County resident, considersherself something of a trend-setter. She was riding a bike as herprimary form of transportation long before the practice becameecologically, politically - and financially - correct.

"The price of gas was never my motivation," Swope said. "It's justa fun way to get around. I ride for recreation - and exercise. Forme, it's the most glorious combination of the two."Swope, 51, was18 years old when she began riding her bike as a necessary form oftransportation. She had just moved out of her parents' house anddidn't own a car, so she traveled everywhere by bicycle. Her firstbike was a "mutt," or, in more refined terms, a "hybrid."

"It was put together with spare parts from other people's bicycles," Swope said with a laugh. "A friend gave it to me and itwas the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Then he dismantled itright in front of me and told me I'd have to put it back together.He helped me, but it still took me the better part of two days todo it. From that day on, I could do all of my own bikemaintenance."

She still owns the 1978 "spare parts" bike, along with six others,including a 1945 three-speed she bought at a used bike shop some 30years ago and a Redline Conquest touring bike she rides for herone-mile commute to St. Anthony's and her five-mile trip to hermedical office in Fenton. She always has a spare set of wheels tolend to bike-less friends.

When Swope first joined the hospital's staff some six years ago,she had only one request: "Can I have a bike rack?" She now happilyparks in a rack designed to hold three bikes that is located on theupper lot of the doctors' parking garage.

Swope said she's no fanatic about riding her bike. If the weatheris really bad - pouring or bitterly cold - she drives her car towork. But she's always prepared, with lights, rain jacket and coldweather gear, in case she's caught in a sudden storm.