Show #114 – October 27, 2012

Richard Sachs, T.J. Murphy

It’s been difficult to escape the Lance-centric USADA-fueled, and now UCI-driven cycling saga of 2012. Billions of bytes and pixels have been spilled over the revelations of doping in the pro peloton over the past several weeks. You may think you’ve read and heard all there is on this topic, but you’d be wrong…

This week, The Outspoken Cyclist checks in with framebuilder, cyclocross racer, and opinionated observer of all things, Richard Sachs. Richard has a perspective that is unique and sometimes controversial, but always ‘atmo‘.

After a survey of the cycling news, including the announcement of a collaboration between Bianchi and Gucci, we welcome author T. J. Murphy, who has written a new book about CrossFit. Murphy’s book, Inside the Box: How CrossFit Shredded the Rules, Stripped Down the Gym, and Rebuilt My Body tells of how he went from a limping 47-year-old former marathon runner to the best shape of his life, all by using the nutritional and workout techniques of CrossFit.

Two quick programming notes:

  • After this TOC episode was recorded, the UCI announced it has suspended its suit against journalist Paul Kimmage, pending the outcome of an independent management review.
  • If you’re looking for the online raffle to benefit the family of the late Stan Bugarcic (the man who drowned in the 2012 Greater Cleveland Triathlon), here’s the link: http://www.imathlete.com/donate/Campaign.aspx?fCID=1607&fb_source=message

 

Show #113 – October 20, 2012

Ernest Gagnon, Dan Empfield

Halloween is still a week away, but a Big Yellow Elephant charged into the room this week, so Diane and I felt compelled to address it, because, well, Big Yellow Elephant. But don’t let that deter you, because we also have two great guests this week.

Ernest Gagnon is a big guy from New England on his way to being a smaller guy from New England. Two years ago, a combination of depression and a sedentary job in the tech industry helped him tip the scales at 570 pounds. Now, over 200 pounds lighter and several thousand miles later, Gagnon has both a different body, and a different outlook on life. This week we get the whole amazing story from Ernest and two of his cycling buddies, Steve Lachance and Zach LaBry.

The expansive website slowtwitch.com is ostensibly about triathlon (and there is a ton of excellent tri content there) but it’s so much more than multi-sport. This 13-year old site is the brainchild of Dan Empfield, who has a deep passion and understanding, not only of the sport itself, but of the athletes as well. This week Dan tells us how and why he started Slowtwitch, and also offers a bit of advice for first time competitors.

 

Show #112 – October 13, 2012

“Cello” Joe Chang, Brett Davis, Bina Bilenky

That’s more than just the usual Fall chill you feel in the air this week. The USADA’s release of its Reasoned Decision in the Lance Armstrong case, combined with admissions of doping from both George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer, have served to frost a lot of pumpkins in cycledom. Happily, there are other things going in in bicycling, and we have three of them for you on today’s show.

What do you get when you cross beatboxing with cello playing and bicycling? Cello Joe, of course: the “wildest beatboxing cellist in the west.” Joey “Cello Joe” Chang has toured the U.S. and Mexico on his bicycle, with his cello in tow, playing a unique brand of classical-inspired music. Today Diane brings you a conversation about his adventures, along with a sample of his music.

Over the summer, there’s been a hive of activity in Cleveland’s Broadway Avenue neighborhood. Fast Track Racing, along with volunteers from the Cleveland cycling community have been busy constructing Ohio’s only velodrome. This week we welcome back Brett Davis, board president of the Cleveland Velodrome board to talk about the first couple months of operation, and what they have planned for 2013 and beyond.

Wrapping up, we check in with Bina Bilenky, who is busy putting the final touches on the Philly Bike Expo, which drops on October 27th and 28th. This year’s theme is “Artists, Activists & Alternatives”. Should be a great chance to see lots of cool cycling stuff in the freedom city.

 

Show #111 – October 6, 2012

Daniel Coyle, Paul Steely-White, Doug Selee

Fall means it’s time to pull on your SPF Infinity sunblock (long sleeves and tights) and hit the road. For The Outspoken Cyclist, it means three great stories from the lighter and darker sides of our sport.

Joining us in the studio is Daniel Coyle, co-author with Tyler Hamilton of the book The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs. Coyle conducted extensive interviews and research with Hamilton and many others to paint an enlightening and sometimes disturbing picture of the culture of doping in professional bike racing.

Perhaps no other city in the U.S. has so radically transformed its street infrastructure than New York City. Where Portland streets seem almost ready-made for bicycling, NYC has gone from allowing cars in Central Park (!) to being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country. Paul Steely-White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives joins us from Brooklyn to update us on how NYC has pulled this off, and what’s on the horizon for the Big Apple.

Wrapping up the hour, Diane speaks with Doug Selee, Executive Director of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). NICA’s mission is to start mountain bike racing leagues at the high school level around the U.S. With two leagues in California, and eight in other states, NICA is on a mission to get kids active and to create lifelong cyclists. See, it doesn’t take balls (literally or figuratively) to play high school sports!