My home is pretty far from the nearest mountain bike trail and therefore, what's the best way to get a bike into my car.

The car is a Mitsubishi Lancer 4-door....

If you must put your bike inside your car, remove the front wheel and lay the bike on the back seat, chain side up. Throw a blanket over the drivetrain and lay the front wheel on the blanket.

When reinstalling the front wheel, make sure the brake calipers are centered – if they're not, they may rub the rim as you ride. Also, if you leave your bike in the car on a hot sunny day, lower the tire pressure so the tubes don' t explode (no joking).