Happy 4th to all the Pedalers out there.

This happy bicycler has a trailer that can carry small children or pets!

This is Jimio saying *Happy 4th* of July to all those who pedal around. Be careful to watch for cars and other bikes and pedestrians, for they might not be concentrating on the roads or sidewalks too well because of so many things on their minds. Some may even have started to party kinda early and have gotten a head start so just be extra cautious and have a great time on your bike.

Spring is here - Get that bike out of the basement

This family is ready to tour the neighborhood on this warm spring day in early May.

When the birds are chirping furiously and the flowers on the trees are blooming, you know that it is time to drag those bikes out of the basement or the garage and to start your way to getting healthier. All its takes is an air pump [or take the tires to a local auto tire shop but dont pump them too hard or they will explode. Those car tire pressure hoses push a lot of pressure. I just squeeze the tires and if they barely move a little its ok. You dont need your tires as hard as a rock.] and some WD40 or a bottle of engine oil for that rusty chain. Make sure the brakes are tight, pedals on snug and the seat adjusted for comfort. The young ones should wear a helmet also for protection. Im my small town I recommend riding on the sidewalk near busy streets because cars just don't watch out for you and you have no chance in a wreck vs a car. On side streets its ok because traffic is very limited and most drivers there hopefully are driving near home and have children of their own so know how precious it is to go slow around bicycles. This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride for Health*

A Little Bit of History

My Bike "Loretta" at The Elaine Apartments

This beautiful 8 story building started out in 1865 as a Chartered Bank #1533 by the USA Govt to the people of Jackson Michigan. It was 4 stories back then but was torn town in 1912 and the bank used the 1st floor while the remaining floors were used by doctors, dentists, lawyers and real-estate agents. In 1929 the bank merged and moved down the street and they leased the 1st floor to Albert Kantor who ran a fashionable womens clothing store called "The Elaine. In 1945 Albert bought the building and kicked the other businesses out and he occupied until 1967. In 1971 the building was converted to apartments .http://blog.mlive.com/citpat_history/2008/02/building_had_long_history.html The buildings vestibule and lobby has Italian Botticino marble and bronze and terrazzo floors. During the 1929 crash Gov William Comstock mandated an 8 day banking holiday. After the holiday ended, the bank never reopened as the original bank.  http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/peek_through_time_jacksons_mag.html#incart_related_stories  This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun*  *Ride for Health* and *Ride to Historic Places*