Month: October 2013

Posted on

Show #166 – October 26, 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

GUESTS: REED ALBERGOTTI, THOMAS BOWDEN

Now that Lance Armstrong has confessed to most of his misdeeds, the other people who were either participants or victims are free to tell their stories. Hence, the current crop of movies and books about Pharmstrong, Inc. One such book is the recently released Wheelmen by Wall Street Journal reporters Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O’Connell. Albergotti joins Diane on today’s show to talk about the book, and his views on cycling as an amateur racer.

After a break and a condensed wrap-up of the news, we welcome back Thomas Bowden of Bike Virginia. Thomas was recently a participant in a test run of Amtrak’s experimental Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) program, where cyclists can take their bikes on the train without disassembling or boxing them as is the current policy. The RORO service is currently available on the Capitol Limited between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thomas also weighs in on the recent NY Times blog entry about the relative safety of cycling (and the relative dangers of not cycling).

Posted on

Show #165 – October 19, 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

GUESTS: MARLA STREB, CHARLES PEKLEY, RICHARD FRIES

We’ve probably all said at one time or another, “I love my job, but it gets in the way of my biking.” I said that a few times just this week. Our first guest on today’s Outspoken Cyclist acted on that sentiment by leaving a scientific research career to become a downhill mountain bike racer. Marla Streb has worn many hats over the years, and currently she’s a wife and mother, coach, and writer, as well as the proprietor of Streb Trail Systems, a mountain bike park design company in Costa Rica. Clearly, Marla is a woman who loves all of her jobs.

Filming started yesterday on the new movie Seven Deadly Sins, based on Irish journalist David Walsh’s book about Lance Armstrong. Chris O’Dowd has signed on to play David Walsh, and Ben Foster will portray the “seven deadly sinner”. Friend of the show Charles Pelkey figures into this story as he was part of the entourage that included Walsh, Rupert Guiness, and John Wilcoksen during the 1999 Tour. Pelkey will be played by Nathan Wiley, and he’s on this week’s show to talk about that and much more.

Lastly, Diane catches up with Providence Cyclocross Festival director Richard Fries to talk about how “holy week” went, and the festival’s unique tribute to the late Amy Dombrowski.

Posted on

Show #164 – October 12, 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

GUESTS: JIM GOURLEY, THOMAS PREHN

Happy International Observe the Moon Night! Here in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association will have telescopes set up at Edgewater Park from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. There is still time to hop on your bike and do a little gazing!

Being an Astronautical Engineer, our first guest could probably tell us a few things about the moon, but Jim Gourley is here today to dispel some myths about the science of human-powered speed. His new book Faster: Demystifying the Science of Triathlon Speed is an in-depth look at what will (and won’t) make you faster as a swimmer, cyclist, and/or runner. We’ve each got a finite amount of watts; Jim can help us use all of them to go faster.

In the second half of the show, we have news of the pro peloton, rail-line litigation, a bike licensing attempt in Georgia, and bike banning in India.

After the news, Thomas Prehn of Cateye returns to talk about almost everything except Cateye. Thomas is helping organize a fundraiser to help rebuild the town of Jamestown, Colorado, which was a favorite destination of Boulder-area cyclists until last month’s devastating flooding and mountain slides. There is information about how you can help at c4jtown.org and rebuildjamestown.org. Thomas is also heading to India this month to help nurture the budding professional road racing scene there, and he’ll fill us in on that as well.

Posted on

Show #163 – October 5, 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

GUESTS: SUE KNAUP, JANET BUCKWALTER, BRYAN KEYS (AKA “PAT MCQUAID MUST GO”

 

As the seasons continue to transition, <em>The Outspoken Cyclist</em> brings you a trio of guests to help put the season, and cycling in general, in perspective. From low-tech, DIY componentry, to a look at eclectic, human-powered ways to cross the U.S., to the culmination of one man’s desire to see leadership change at the UCI, we’ve got you covered this week.
First up is <strong>Sue Knaup</strong> of <a title=”One Street” href=”http://onestreet.org/” target=”_blank”>One Street</a>, an international bicycle advocacy organization. Sue is a former bike messenger, former bike shop owner, bike mechanic, and lifelong advocate. A recent outgrowth of One Street’s mission is a new, durable, easy to manufacture shift lever with only six commonly available parts. See more about this Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody <a title=”Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody” href=”http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/604592896/bike-shift-lever-for-anybody-by-anybody” target=”_blank”>here</a>.

After a break, Diane welcomes <strong>Janet Buckwalter</strong>, who has compiled a new book of stories (including her own story) of people who crossed America in unusual ways, or under harsh conditions. The book is entitled <a title=”One More Mountain: Road Warriors Explore America” href=”http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JanetBuckwalter” target=”_blank”><em>One More Mountain: Road Warriors Explore America</em></a>. I wouldn’t skateboard from coast to coast, but I’m certainly interested in getting inside the mind of someone who did.

Lastly, in the wake of the recent UCI presidential election which saw the defeat of Pat McQuaid and the victory of Brian Cookson, we un-mask the man behind a Facebook page called <a title=”Pat McQuaid Must Go” href=”https://www.facebook.com/mcquaidmustgo” target=”_blank”>Pat McQuaid Must Go</a>. The mysterious moderator is Irishman <strong>Bryan Keys</strong>, and we’ll find out why he started the page, and what he thinks might change in pro cycling during the Cookson era.