Evelyn Howell, Herald Staff Writer

TODD WETHERINGTON | DAILY HERALD Benefits Specialist Dawn Daly-Mack and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Vincent Hill stand with their bikes outside Halifax Regional Medical Center. The two have been peddling to work in an effort to combat rising gas prices. Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS - Dawn Daly-Mack was fed up with the soaring price of gasoline. So she decided to do something about it - she went out and bought a bike.

Each day, when it's not raining, she rides her Road Master mountain bicycle to work so that she can save on gas. The Roanoke Rapids resident, a benefits specialist for Vanguard, travels just over one mile to and from work.

And although Daly-Mack has only been riding for two weeks, she said she has already saved quite a bit with gas prices over $4 a gallon for regular.

Her bike cost her $68.77 and is an excellent mode of transportation to run errands such as going to the post office.

However, she does warn others who may consider riding their bikes to work to start with a very short distance. She didn't make it to work on her first try.

“I rode three quarters of a mile to work and decided to turn around and go back home,” she said. “I was huffing and puffing. It was just too difficult because I had not rode a bike in years,” said the 43-year-old mother of eight children and two grandchildren.

Daly-Mack enjoys riding her bicycle because it is a source of good exercise, which she said she needs.

“This is an intense cardiovascular workout and this way I can shed a few pounds,” she said, smiling. “It's one of the best things you can actually do.”

Dr. Nadim Geloo, a cardiologist at Halifax Regional Medical Center, agrees. “When biking is done safely, it is fantastic exercise for the heart,” he said. “Chronic exercise helps stabilize people's moods and they can sleep better and live longer.”

Geloo advises that before riding a bike, you should see your doctor, especially if you are middle-aged and have not been on a bicycle in years. Always wear a helmet to prevent head injuries, he added, and wear comfortable clothing - perhaps synthetics - because synthetics, do not hold on to sweat and allow the skin to breathe. Clothing should bright colors such as orange when riding at night.

Daly-Mack isn't alone on the road. For Vincent Hill, it's not just about saving money. He rides his bicycle 3.5 miles each way to work for health reasons.

“I have high blood pressure and diabetes,” said the registered nuclear medicine technologist at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Hill said he also enjoys riding, although the first time he rode his bicycle, he got caught in the rain.

“I just kept on riding even though it was down pouring in the morning,” he said.