Show #123 – December 29, 2012

GUESTS: MICHAEL VITEZ; JEFF ARCHER

As we prepare to bid farewell to 2012, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for listening over these past 12 months, and for your continuing feedback about the show’s content. Without you, Diane and I would just be two people locked in a small room recording phone conversations. You are the secret ingredient that turns it into radio.

So celebrate safely, enjoy another edition of The Outspoken Cyclist, and be sure to come back for more in 2013.

First up this week is author Michael Vitez from Philadelphia. Michael is a Pulitzer Prize winning human interest writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s also the author of several books including his latest, The Road Back. It’s the story of collegiate triathlete Matthew Miller, who not only survived a horrific car-bike crash, but recovered to complete an Ironman, and enter medical school.

After a break and some news, we welcome Jeff Archer, who owns First Flight Bicycles in Statesville, North Carolina. First Flight is a Bicycling and Bike Retailer Top 100 shop, and the home of the Museum of Mountain Bike Art and Technology (MOMBAT). With so many hats to wear, Jeff naturally has lots of great stories to tell about his involvement in cycling.

Show #122 – December 22, 2012

GUESTS: KELLI REFER, ELLY BLUE

Nothing against the Mayans, but I love it when science turns out to be right. Happily, the only astronomical thing that happened on 12/21/2012 was another Winter Solstice. So enjoy that extra minute of daylight, and this episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.

It’s an all-girl show this week with <strong>Kelly Refer</strong>, who teaches yoga in Seattle, and has written a book called <a title=”Pedal, Stretch, Breathe” href=”http://yogaforbikers.me/” target=”_blank”><em>Pedal, Stretch, Breathe (the Yoga of Bicycling</em>)</a>, and the return to TOC of <strong>Elly Blue</strong> from Portland, whose latest offering is entitled <a title=”Taking the Lane” href=”http://takingthelane.com/” target=”_blank”><em>Everyday Bicycling</em></a>. Two energetic and informed voices promoting better cycling and better health for us all.

We bid you happy and safe holidays, including, but not limited to: Festive Yule, Merry Christmas, and Peaceful Kwanzaa. We’ll be back at you one more time before the end of 2012.

Show #121 – December 15, 2012

GUESTS: DAVE WAGES; DAVE SMITH

At this writing, Diane and I, along with the rest of the U.S., are still struggling to process yesterday’s horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut. We hope you’ll enjoy today’s show, despite the fact that everything in the world of cycling is insignificant in comparison to the senseless loss of so many young, innocent lives.

Today we begin with an interview with Dave Wages, custom framebuilder and owner of Ellis Cycles. Dave worked for both Serotta and Waterford before launching his own shop in 2008 in Waterford, Wisconsin. His artistic eye and the exquisite details of his frames are stunning.

Rounding out the hour is a chat with Dave Smith, who coaches athletes in many sports including running, biking and polo. Dave’s company, Flow Funktional Fitness is based in Staffordshire, England, but his clients come from all over the world. He has coached Olympic Medalists and TdF stage winners as well as amateurs of all levels.

Show #120 – December 8, 2012

GUESTS: IRA DAVID LEVY, JOE FRIEL

Hanukkah is already here and the rest of The December Holidays are not far behind, so we offer you a ready-made excuse to put shopping and decorating on hold for an hour and indulge in some cycling time.

First up is Ira David, who is the producer and host of a TV series on cycling called Pedal America. The show is starting its second season on PBS, and the premise is to showcase various locations in the U.S. from the perspective of an everyday, or casual cyclist. Ira tells us how he came to produce Pedal America, and gives us a few insights into the second season.

After a break and a bit of news (including a couple of gift ideas for the eccentric cyclist on your list) we welcome back Joe Friel, who has written a new book called The Power Meter Handbook. Joe explains how a bicycle power meter works and why power is an excellent measure of performance.

Show #119 – December 1, 2012

GUESTS: JOHN BURKE, WADE BAROSCI

Sometimes it’s not about the bike, but it is about the bike company. This week, we welcome to the show two gentlemen who have ties to iconic bike companies, as well as being interesting in other ways.

Four years ago, John Burke‘s father Dave Burke (founder of Trek Bicycles) died after complications from heart surgery. What started out as a private memoir intended for John’s two children has become a book called One Last Great Thing. John Burke joins us today to talk about the book, his dad, and their shared history in the bike business.

While the Burkes were building Treks in Wisconsin, a company up in Connecticut by the name of Cannondale was also innovating with aluminum tubing in bicycle frames. Production of Cannondales has moved offshore, and the tubing equipment was purchased by our second guest this week, Wade Barocsi of Acel Tubing and Joining Products. Wade is also owner of Cycle Design USA, and a framebuilder and instructor. If you want to know about shaping and joining metal, Wade’s your guy.