to the gas mileage point - do you guys really drive that much with a bike or two on your roof for that to matter??

there are many car washes that allow roof racks. just need to read all the signs while you're waiting in line. i just actually went through one yesterday for the first time with my Thule roof rack. no signs that said "NO ROOF RACKS", nobody told me no, and my car is sparkling clean again.



i just bought a roof rack a few weeks ago for my new Mazda 3 hatchback. i used to have a wrangler and got a spare tire carrier. i hated wrapping that stupid blue strap around the bike a million times for it to stay without moving. on...off. ride. on...off. annoying to me.

so since my girlfriend just got a bike and enjoys coming to my teammate's house to ride - i was too uneasy to keep piling 2 road bikes, 2 front wheels, and 2 trainers into my car all piled ontop of one another (of course with a blanket and towel between). i was fed up with 10:00 to pack & unpack going as well as coming.

so next best thing? roof rack! now the bikes go on the roof and the entire inside of the car is freed up. much better.