get a cheap dedicated commuter bike. Nashbar would be a great place to start as they have a $99 touring frame, look around, buy a few new and a few used parts and you can do it brand new for around $500 or just look to buy something used.

Any reason given for why you can't use the spa any longer? Pleading that gas is $4.00 a gallon may not go over well if your already riding a $3500 bike but regardless, it seems like a wack decision. A friend recently told me he is considering doing a partial bike commute each day because gas is out of control. His commute is 30 miles each way so he was thinking that if he could do 10-15 miles of that on a bike every day he could easily save $50 a week