So, how ‘bout those gas prices? Watching them soar past the $3 mark makes me extra-glad we sold our 16-mile-per-gallon Frontier last month. Now the TealdoMoto.com crew is down to one car and two motorcycles, and the pocketbook has stopped waiting to exhale.

Part of the beauty of riding, definitely, is having lower fuel costs than the gas guzzlers. And there’s a funny thing about the motorcycle biz: Sure, a lot of what we sell earns the rider bragging rights, but when you think about it, there’s a lot to be said for spending money on a mode of transport that, overall, saves money. (Use that one on the wife next time you want a mod. And that’s coming from a wife.)

I think that even as the economy worsens (the December unemployment report was the worst in four years. Fallout from the subprime debacle won’t abate for at least another year. Consumers curb spending when gas prices rise …), the motorcycle industry will maintain, or even pick up, its momentum. When the going gets tough, the tough find other ways to get going. I am hopeful that more people this year will choose to ride. Not only would this be great for those of us in the motorcycle sector, but it would reduce carbon emissions somewhat, and even lower demand for foreign oil.

Hey, a girl can dream.

—Kelly