(from Des Moines, IA )
June 21 ,2003
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 Jim Muellner with Boulder Mayor Will Torrrs |
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June 21, 2003 National Bike Greenway Mayors' Relay Welcome Reception — noon at the farmers' market; reception for Jim Muellner, 67, who biked to Boulder from Washington, D.C. in support of the National Bicycle Greenway; he will be presented a Boulder Mayoral Proclamation. For more information, call (303) 441-3266 or visit www.bikeroute.com. |
June 21, 2003 About noon today, the Minnesota man who invented the Smart Carte airport baggage carrier will ride into Boulder on a tricycle that folds into a suitcase. The arrival of Jim Muellner, 67, a participant in the cross-country National Bike Greenway Mayor's Relay Ride, is one of four events at the Boulder |
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In Longmont, CO, just outside of Boulder, Buzz at High Gear Cyclery took great care of us. He even had Nadia, from his excellent staff, do a variety of repairs to get me ready for the mountains. Buzz has such a wonderful casual manner about him that nothing seems impossible and he shows that, by giving his employees freedom to do their jobs. On top of that he organized a wonderful ride from Longmont with a group of riders to accompany me to Boulder. And he rode his Vision recumbent to lead us. It made the ride and the day extra special for me and for all of us.
Buzz Feldman a Prince on our NBG team. Love to all, Jim Muellner |
 Greg Miller, Jim Muellner's guide thru the Rockies |
Greg Miller
By Annalise Kinkel
The Daily Times-Call
LONGMONT — City officials declared last Saturday “National Bicycle Greenway Day” as a variety of bicycles and tricycles left for Boulder from High Gear Cyclery on Main Street.
The convoy of about a dozen cyclists accompanied 67-year-old Jim Muellner for the next leg of the coast-to-coast National Mayor’s Ride.
Muellner left from Washington, D.C., on May 2 and arrived in Longmont last Thursday. He had ridden nearly 2,300 miles and is expected to finish the ride in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Aug. 16.
The National Mayor’s Ride is sponsored by the National Bicycle Greenway. Muellner said the ride is intended to “encourage the officials in every city to put bike-friendly routes on their agenda.”
The ride is part of NBG’s goal to establish a network of bike paths across the country, similar to what the interstate is for cars. Muellner said The National Mayor’s Ride promotes “more transportation-oriented biking rather than just exercise-oriented biking.”
Just before the cyclists departed from High Gear, Longmont City Council member Fred Wilson presented Muellner with a proclamation. Wilson said new bike routes are planned and partially funded throughout Boulder County.
“We do what we can as money allows,” Wilson said.
Muellner said the highlight of his trek has been all of the kind and supportive people he has met.
“Everyone has been so nice and encouraging. It’s been wonderful,” he said.
Muellner said he gets e-mails of support from all over the country. So far, he has heard that he has fan clubs in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Chicago.
A bike designer from White Bear Lake, Minn., Muellner has been cycling for 15 years. This is his second ride across the country. He rode from Los Angeles to Orlando, Fla., in 1998.
In the last five years, he also has ridden up the East Coast and along the northern border of the United States.
Muellner said one doesn’t have to be a “spring chicken” to be a serious cyclist.
“I felt that it’s impo
rtant (to show) that older people who have the time can do this,” he said.
Muellner attributed part of his ability to ride for such long distances to his bike, which is a tricycle rather than an upright bike. The trike, Muellner said, requires the same amount of work as an upright bike, but it allows him to travel uphill at any speed he wants without worrying about maintaining balance.
After passing through Longmont, Muellner cycled to Estes Park and Steamboat Springs en route to California.
Annalise Kinkel can be reached at 303-776-2244, Ext. 389, or by e-mail at akinkel@times-call.com.
 Jim explaining his rig to Greg |
 Jim, Buzz Feldman and Greg |
 Marni Ratzell, Boulder Bike Coordinator |
Cheers,
Susanna Gross
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 -Boulder Bike Coordniator, Marni Ratzell, addresses the crowd at the Farmer's Market reception |
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