Whenever I see joggers pounding their joints on the side of the road, I have to resist the temptation to cup my hands and shout: "Get a bike!" But that probably won't convert many people. So how about answering some questions that might make biking easier for the average person instead?

Q. When I ride, do I have to wear those expensive biking clothes that make me look like the circus is in town?

A. Those skin-tight, superhero outfits are good if you're in the saddle half a day or if you want to reduce wind resistance on long rides. But if you just want to get in 30 minutes of fun with the kids or run a few errands, then come as you are. The only concessions I make to bike fashion are some Coolmax brand t-shirts and shorts that look casual but don't stick to my skin like cotton would. A local business, Great Outdoor Provision Co., has them, or check out www.melanzana.com for similar clothes made in Colorado by a guy we know named Fritz.

Q. Last time I rode a bike it was uncomfortable, and "good" bikes seem really expensive.

A. Bike designers have finally realized that we're not all training for the Tour de France. New bikes like the Townie are made for comfort. Foreign-made bikes for $200 to $400 are sound and won't have you bent over like a kamikaze bike messenger. Also, a local bike shop will take the time to match a bike to your body type and riding style. And have them install a rack on the back of your bike that will hold what I call bike purses. They have shoulder straps and can hold a bag of groceries or whatever you might need on a ride.

Q. The last time I rode my bike, the gears (or brakes, seat, etc.) didn't seem quite right. What can I do?

A. Some shops are selling new bikes with a lifetime of "free" tune-ups. Patrick Fogel, service manager at the Bicycle Chain, next to Whole Foods, says a basic tune-up on an old bike may run from $25 to $65. Their Web site, www.thebicyclechain.com, shows you a few things about keeping bikes running smoothly and has links to bike maps and events. If you're more of a do-it-yourselfer, visit the Bike Co-op at 723 N. Mangum from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers there can help you make adjustments or cannibalize an old bike for parts. Their Web site is www.durhambikecoop.org.

Q. Some drivers scare me when I'm driving. How can I possibly be safe on a bike?

A. When biking alone, I don't take my bike on country roads or busy urban streets. I stick to quiet side streets -- it may not be the most direct route, but it's quieter, there's more to look at and it's much safer for novices. Contact www.bikewalkdurham.org to learn about commuting around town.

Q. Renting bikes costs as much as renting a car. Can we take our bikes on trips without a hassle?

A. You've got three choices in bike racks: 1) the less expensive ones that come with more straps than a dominatrix; 2) the more expensive ones that mount on a tow bar, if you have one; or 3) a rack that has a plate that mounts on the bolts behind your license plate. I can attach the bike rack to the plate and load our two bikes in only eight minutes. Even if you only use your bikes once, it's worth it to bring 'em. Find these racks at www.bdiracks.com.

Q. Are there any easy group rides in town?

A. Check the Web sites mentioned above. In September and October there's a Critical Mass ride, a fundraising ride for Rwanda, a police bike rodeo, a Habitat for Humanity ride and more.

Q. Last question: Why on earth should we be riding a bike at all?

A. Let's skip the part about saving the Earth from imminent destruction caused by your love affair with your car -- you know, temperatures rising, coastal areas sinking, weeds and bugs growing faster, more people with asthma, etc. You should be biking because, for God's sake, it's just fun to ride a bike. And I figure that for every hour I spend on a bike, I'm buying my senior self another day of lively old age. The money I save on gas, I spend on ice cream and steaks because I burn calories while knocking off errands. But the most important reason is you get to feel like a 10-year-old again. Lord knows a lotta folks could use that.

(Seven years ago, Frank took his bike, camping gear and inflatable kayak to Alaska for a month to celebrate his 40th birthday.)