More Lanes Equals More Riders

This road had a beautiful Bike Lane but only for half the 8 mile length

This beautiful scenic road is 8 miles long but sadly only the eastern half has a bike lane. What happened was the road entered into the next county and I suppose they did not get the funds to add a bike lane. If bicycle riders can't get access to most places that they want to travel to, they simple will not go as far, or as much. This means they use their cars more, meaning more wasted gasoline and less exercising. I'd like to visit my sister more often across town , but it is difficult without bike lanes. I don't want to put my life at stake riding on the edge of the road. So I'll just guess I will have to find the best way to find the least busiest roads or the ones with the best bike lanes. The other alternative is to hide away on to some quiet bike path and soak up the nature and the miles of greenery. I like the action of the city and the streets for taking photos and the fact that you can get closer to places than you can with a car. Maybe when we all run out of gas, I will have the entire road to myself :-] No need for Bike Lanes. -This is Jimio saying *Ride Safe and Ride for Fun*

A Little Bicycle History

Civil War Bike?

Actually the first non-chain, non-pedal bicycle was called a Dandy Horse was invented by Baron Karl Von Drais in Mannheim in the summer of 1817. This bike in the photo which I took at our Civil War Muster today is a forerunner of the velocipede as it has a crank with pedals on the front tire. These bikes were made in the early 1860s, so I guess this man is period correct.Notice the wooden spokes as the wire spokes on bike tires did not emerge until around 1869. Even this man had to *Ride for Safety* as to avoid hitting these modern visitors. -Jimio :-]

Touring Season is Upon Us

Bike Tourers Ride past Bucky Harris Park in Jackson MI

I passed these hardy riders a few days ago and wondered where they all found the time to go on a long tour. Either they were all on vacation from work at the same time or are between jobs. For me to do this would require getting a much lighter bike and some nice tools and equipment purchases. I suppose the Easy Tourer would rent hotel rooms but the Dedicated Tourer must camp out every night. I wonder if the real hard-core tourers even catch all their own food. Now that would be self-sustaining efficiency. At least in a big pack, you can help each other when problems arise. Don't think its a good idea to tour alone, 300 miles from home ,without a phone [batteries died]. Just be sure to ride along the safest roads you can and wear reflective clothing and have bike lights. If its foggy out, don't ride. If its raining hard, don't ride. Even go out of your way to bypass a busy road. We want you back in one piece to ride again! This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride for Health* and *Ride Safely and Responsibly*

Local Bicycle Shop

The mechanic and the owner of "On 2 Wheels"

Skills going back to the 1870s

There is nothing like your local bicycle shop. You can go in and talk bikes, browse for your next pedaling beauty, and learn about getting into bicycle racing, touring,mountain biking or BMX dirt racing. These guys, who have been around for 23 year are located on a wonderful brick building on a spacious corner lot with plenty of room for bikes and equipment. The Owner had a cat called "Campy", a great name :-] This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride Safe* and *Ride to your local Bike Shop and see what they have to offer*

Collectible Bicycles

Old Huffy Bike

While pedalling around taking pics of small towns I happened to come across a Classic Car Lot and they had a few old bicycles. This Huffy seems in fair shape for it's age and sitting outside in the elements every day. A little History of Huffy Bicycles. First Huffy was called a Dayton and was built in 1892 by George P. Huffman. In 1925 Horace Huffman formed the Huffman Manufacturing Company. Now it's the Huffman Dayton bike. In 1949 the name Huffy bike sticks and becomes a household name. In 1955 Huffy had a radio built into its tank between the seat and handlebars. Over the years Huffy has built and built  and built and has over 100 million bikes sold. Some people find it a very rewarding hobby to find old bicycles and restore them to their past glory. some late 1800s bicycles can sell for about $15k to $20k. I think the value can only increase if kept in fine shape and mint condition. There are a few more old bicycles on this Classic Car lot and I hope to show them in the future.

Pedalling can be a Family Affare

Mother and Son riding together

If you want to get closer to your parents or closer to your kids, there's no better way than to take nice refreshing bicycle cruise down your neighborhood streets. You can even take in outdoor concerts or as this Mother and Son did: Take in some 4th of July Fireworks. There are plenty of things to ride to so don't let 2 wheels stop you. Nothing better than the calming effects of balmy flower scented air to clear your mind and discuss anything now that Mom is in a good mood.  Who knows! Maybe Mom is ready to buy you that used car or that new guitar, all it took was some fresh air and 3 miles of gliding down hills. Even if the convo diverts into small talk, its a memory that can last a lifetime. Our parents wont always be here and neither will we, so lets just make the most of it and enjoy life as it rolls by but please watch for cars and pedestrians. This is Jimio saying: *Ride for Health* *Ride for Fun* *Ride for the Memories* and *Ride with a Camera*

Thumbs-Up for Pedaling!

Guy I met at Cascades Falls Park

This man came out to Cascades Falls to see the fireworks on July 3rd. He used to live in Michigan but lives down south now. I think he was visiting relatives in town. I could tell he was enjoying himself as was I. Nothing like getting exercise and getting around faster than walking. It was a rather hot and humid evening with the temps still hovering in the high 80s by 9 pm. I probably circled the park 20 times looking at all the different people walking around, sitting on picnic tables, sitting on the lawn, walking dogs or carrying tiny dogs in their purses. A few even sat in the back of pickup trucks. A few even played lawn darts [these had no sharp points on the end]. The band near the Falls played all the old hits [Black Magic Woman-Magic Carpet Ride-Taking Care of Business-Radar Love] I almost felt I was transported back to 60s and 70s! It took forever to get dark, I'd say the fireworks didn't go off till 10 pm. The Moon was Full and Love was in the air judging by all the teenagers holding hands. Even a few ancient moldy oldy grownups held hands but I suspect that was more out of nostalgia over the Cascades Falls than over some explosive hormonal thing. This is Jimio saying *Ride for Fun* *Ride for Health* *Ride for the Memories* cause we ain't getting any younger. =B-]