Hehe, I'm not too concerned about cost of driving versus cycling for 4 miles and I would just rather be on a bike than in a car if it is convenient. I'm sure "convenience" is partly a state of mind that will come after having biked to work for a while and worked out all the kinks. I think I'm going to look into the cheap used bike with panniers and possibly fenders. Maybe I'll go talk to Ben at the LBS today after work. It would probably be best to start now while I'm just needing to go 4 miles so that it isn't complicated by a longer commute later that prevents me from trying it. That is mostly why I asked in the first place, and I was correct in assuming I was in the right place. Thanks guys.

Oh, and Nathan in Munich: I don't know how you made it to Portland and then Munich, you lucky dog, but I'm trying my hardest to get out of here. Grew up here and there's lots to love, but I'm tired of the same ol' and Portland and Southern Germany are both places the wife and I have tried to move to. Almost made it to Stuttgart this year but things fell through. Live it up man, we're hot on your heels!