Tom Mather, an avid recreational cyclist, for years dismissed the notion of riding his bike to work. No matter that he works in public affairs for the state Division of Air Quality.

"I thought about commuting [by bicycle] for a long time," Mather says. "I just didn't think it was safe."

But during last year's Bike to Work Week, he decided what the heck, he'd give it a try.

He got out his Raleigh bike route map, found his home in North Raleigh off Durant Road, found his office off Capital Boulevard and the Beltline -- and realized there was a bike route that covered a good deal of the space in between.

"It turned out better than I expected, so it's become my usual mode of commuting," Mather says.

By "usual" he means he aims to ride the 9.8104-mile route daily. (He used the free Web site gmap-pedometer.com to chart his route.) Inconveniences such as off-site meetings and inclement weather ("I don't mind a little rain, but I won't ride in a downpour") mean he generally rides three or four times a week.

Mather spent his first few weeks tinkering with his route. He started with Raleigh's Bike Route 11, which passes a block from his office and roughly parallels Capital Boulevard up to Durant Road. The route mostly follows side streets but includes a milelong stretch on busy Spring Forest Road. He tweaked it until he came up with his current route.

He leaves for work around 6:30 in the morning and arrives there by 7:15. In the afternoon, he beats traffic by leaving work at 4:30, often taking a longer route home "to get in my miles."

"If I can't get out by 4:45, I'll hang out another hour," he says.

Sometimes, it works the other way. Monday, a little before 3 p.m., Mather took a break from work to check the weather on his computer.

Ooh, that doesn't look good, he thought. Ominous storms were brewing over New Bern and, if the 8-hour radar loop was to be believed, were on their way to Raleigh and should arrive during his commute home. He packed up and left early.

He rides an old Debrenardi racing bike (acquired "cheap on eBay") modified for commuter duty with such little tweaks as bigger, sturdier touring tires and rain-shielding fenders. He wears a bright vest to increase his visibility in traffic, his bike sports two or three taillights as well as a bright headlight.

"The most important thing is to be visible," he says.

What he has shelled out for the bike and commuter touches has more than been offset by saving $3.50 a gallon in gas.

In the past year, he has commuted 3,250 miles. Assuming $3.25 a gallon gas during that stretch and based on the 22 miles per gallon that his Ford Ranger pickup gets, that's $480 saved in gas alone.

Commuting has given Mather an even a bigger perk, though.

"I used to get home from work, then try to work in a ride," Mather says, reflecting a scenario common to the recreational cyclist.

"Sometimes," he adds, reflecting another common scenario, "that didn't sit well with my wife."