1) Riding is easier on your joints, than running is. Running just beats up your body.
2) You get to see more of the countryside when you ride your bike.
3) Bike lanes.
4) Tandem Bikes! How do you do that running?
5) Cool bike clothes!

So when I'm riding down some of the big hills around hear on my bike, I often am on the breaks a long, long time. How long can regular bike breaks take that kind of punishment? Do I have to worry about break failure? Is it bad for the tires? More stuff that I need to research.

I finally was able to ride my bike all the way up to the top of the San Clemente water tower. I had a few things that helped:
1) I kept the gears lower, even at the bottom where it's easier to ride the bike. Only 5% grade down there.
2) My chain did come off, about 1/2 way up, so I had to turn my bicycle over, and do a quick fix. Maybe a two minute break.
3) I made sure my tires were properly inflated ;)