Just Two Jim's Indy Memorial Day

Here is Jim Muellner's (everyone loves this guy) Day 1 from Indianapolis to Chicago. He has been on
the road since May 2 from Washington DC. 67 year old Jim, last year's Indy to Chicago relay rider
<http://www.bikeroute.com/SCNBGFest/ChicRecep.html>, is the inventor of the Smart Carte shopping
cart system that passengers rent to shuttle their baggage around at airports. He is riding the
trike, made by his company, Just Two Bikes <http://justtwobikes.com>, that folds to fit in a
suitcase. If you want to contact him, you can reach him on his Pocket Mailer at
<[email protected]>.

If you want to start from the beginning and/or follow Fred and our other NBG relay riders as they
move forward in the National Mayors' Ride at <http://www.bikeroute.com/NationalMayorsRide>, point to
their blog at <http://www.nationalbicyclegreenway.com/Events/Mayors_Ride/reports.php>. All of this
excitement will al be consummated at the second annual Santa Cruz NBG Bike Fest
<http://www.nationalbicyclegreenway.com/Events/Festival>:
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Hi you lucky people: Was able to find my niece Cindy and her husband Rich in Avon, IN. They were
partying with old friends from DeLux Check. I cycled out to see them, about 20 miles from where I
was staying so could not stay too long. Got to taste some fresh caught fish and catch up on some
family news to get me grounded.

Life is good, the sun is shining and I am on my way. The second time on this section give me an
opportunity to compare. Carmel is definitely growing northward. Lots of huge houses and narrow
streets with no sidewalks or shoulders. Not very bike friendly in these new areas.

Saw a glider pilot getting his craft ready. Other fellows were getting the charcoal grills ready.
Wanted to stop and ask when dinner was being served.

Must have been bad weather here as a barn was half blown down, timbers sticking up into the air
where roofing once was.

Even saw a raccoon having a snack along the road and it never moved from me.

The fields are becoming enormous. No more wind rows and in some cases no more farm buildings. I
worry about the huge dust storms of the past where you saw pictures of top soil drifted against
houses and barns. But greed it seems knows no bounds. No place for wild life to nest.

These huge fields could be converted into golf courses by planting a few trees. Of course they
would be competing with the two already in business. But from what I can see there are never
enough of them.

Saw a few cattle inside a pasture with lots of green grass surrounded by plowed fields. However the
cows were all sticking their heads through the fences, proving once again the grass is always
greener on the other side. Also saw some very large range cattle with horns big enough to hang my
laundry on. They were impressive.

All the small towns looked deserted until you come to a church and look inside and there they are. I
stopped in one called St. Bernards like the one I went to as a boy. Except everyone was speaking
English here. My little town all spoke German, even me. In New Munich, MN. Stopped there once a few
weeks ago and it has not changed one bit.

Want to mention that while our ride is to promote safe routes it also needs to provide a health
element. At the Indy Parade I could not believe the size of a lot of the people, the kids. When I
stopped at a gas station the other day I could not find one thing in the whole store that I felt was
healthy. Sugared water and junk food. It is a sad situation, no wonder our youth are overweight.
Everyone was carrying an armful out to their cars. I had to leave.

Saw some furry lama mixed in with sheep, maybe they are like guard dogs.

Last year I whizzed right through Lafayette and did not even see Purdue University. This year I paid
more attention. They sure like their football.

Saw three deer today and they were running and leaping. Like a cross between a gazelle and a cheta.
When they are frightened they sure can move and they look so graceful. It always pains me when I see
one dead along the road. They are such a beautiful animal. I want to pet them.

This year I am taking it easy since I have my camping equipment with me.

That's all for today, have a nice Memorial Day. Jim

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MARTIN KRIEG: "Awake Again" Author c/o BikeRoute.com 79 & 86 TransAms, nonprofit Nat. Bicycle
Greenway CEO Ever wanted anything so bad U were willing to die for it? Really die? By moving thru
clinical death and reversing paralysis, *I saw God* when I answered that question.