BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- May is bike-to-work month, and with gas prices at an all-time high, one Tehachapi resident has decided to put his bike peddle to the test.

Louie Buentiempo's day starts about 5 am. He gears up, kisses his wife and hits the road.

He decided to bike to work during the whole month of May.

Buentiempo works in downtown Bakersfield but lives in the heart of Tehachapi. Riding his bike to work has always been on his mind but never actually did it until now.

“It is something I always wanted to do,” Buentiempo said. “I never actually did it until this year.”

The 42-mile trip takes him through Tehachapi and onto Highway 58. According to Buentiempo, it not against the law to ride on Highway 58 between the 202 and the 223 Arvin cut off.

“I think it's fabulous,” Buentiempo’s wife, Alicia said. “Things are getting expensive.”

With the wind in his face and the gas station to his back, the three-hour journey has meaning. So far this month he has saved $400 that would normally go in his gas tank.

Even though saving money is a big plus, Buentiempo’s main motivation was proving to himself that he could do it.

Buentiempo said he has never felt better. He has lost weight, saved money and plans to keep on riding.

Starting next month he will cut back to a few times a week.