by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- High gas prices are annoying, but most people aren't doing much about it.

Martin Gnandt is not one of those people.

The city of Aurora water department employee has started riding his bike to work every day -- rain or shine. That was evident July 3, when he said the weather was nice on his way to work but pouring rain in the afternoon.

Gnandt lives in Streetsboro, about 8 miles from the wastewater treatment plant where he works. The trip takes about 40 minutes and he has to get up about an hour earlier, but Gnandt said it's well worth it.

"I'm killing two birds with one stone," he said. "I'm staying in shape and I'm saving on gas."

Staying in shape is important for the 54-year-old Gnandt. He is in the U.S. Navy Reserves and has to take a fitness test once a month.

Gnandt said he noticed himself getting in shape, but more importantly someone else has, too.

"My wife has noticed that I've started to slim down," he said with a chuckle.

Gnandt's supervisor at the wastewater plant -- Andy Krispinsky -- also has noticed.

"I'm impressed," he said about Gnandt. "He rides every day no matter what. I'm really proud of him."

Gnandt used to leave for work at 7:10 a.m. Now, he leaves his home by 6:15 a.m. He heads out of his home and east on Route 303, up Market Square Drive and finally north on Route 43.

He'll get to work by 7 a.m., relax over a cup of coffee and be ready to clock in by 7:30.

Gnandt wasn't a bike rider before six weeks ago when he started riding to work.

"It's been ages since I rode a bike," he said. "It took some time to get used to, but it's like they say -- 'it came back to me just like riding a bike.'"

He plans to continue to ride through October.

"I keep seeing gas prices go up and I'm doing what I can now," said Gnandt. "I hear gas could reach $7 a gallon. Then people will have to find other transportation. I'm doing that now."

E-mail:

bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115