Month: November 2013

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Show #171 – November 30, 2013

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Guests: Lennard Zinn – Part II; Paralympic Bronze Medalist Rob Jones; Founder & CEO of Ride2Recovery JohnWordin

Here in the U.S., the annual War on Thanksgiving has been waged once again, and in an effort to lower the commercial quotient of this weekend, we have an episode of The Outspoken Cyclist for you that contains nothing but thoughts, ideas, and a story of triumph over adversity. We hope you find it a bright spot in your Thanksgiving and/or Hannukah holiday.

We open this episode with the return of Lennard Zinn, Technical Editor of VeloNews. Lennard was on the show back in April, and time ran out before the discussion turned to crank arm length, which is one of his unique specialties. This time around, we get the lowdown on how to determine optimal crank arm length (and why) as well as an update on disc brakes for road bikes, and a peek behind the scenes at his Technical FAQ column.

The second half of the show is devoted to the subject of wounded warriors and cycling. First up is Rob Jones, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who lost both legs as a result of combat in Afghanistan. With the help of Ride 2 Recovery at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland, Rob re-mastered the ability to ride an upright bicycle. He’s now on a cross-country ride (with SAG support from his brother) to raise awareness and funds for the organization that helped him. He also found time to win a bronze medal in rowing at the 2012 London Paralympics.

To get a little more background on Ride 2 Recovery, Diane wraps up the show with a conversation with its president John Wordin. John is a former pro cyclist who now leads an organization that helps returning veterans reclaim mobility and fitness by adapting bicycles to accommodate their post-injury bodies. Our military medical personnel have become legendary for saving lives in combat; now organizations like Ride 2 Recovery are helping raise the quality of those soldiers’ lives after they return home.

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Show #170 – November 23, 2013

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GUESTS: Outside Magazine’s Marc Peruzzi, Race Announcer & Author Jamie Smith; Ed Dunne from VeloBling

If you listened last week, you know that IceDot can expedite medical attention if you crash. But what about the trauma to your brain as a result of that impact? Are recreational and competitive athletes taking bigger risks than in the past that have potentially life-altering consequences for our brains? Outside magazine Contributing Editor Marc Peruzzi has written an article for the December issue entitled After the Crash: A Closer Look at the Rising Incidence of Brain Injury, and he’s here to talk about this trend. As they say in Physics 101: “It’s not the speed that hurts you; it’s that sudden stop at the end.”

After a short break (during which I inspected my helmet, and took an aspirin for the sympathetic headache I got from listening to all that brain injury talk) Diane welcomes Ed Dunne of Velo Bling Designs. Ed takes worn-out chains, cogs, brake rotors, and other bike parts, and turns them into stunning jewelry and home decor items. What started as a cyclist making jewelry for himself and his riding buds has turned into a full-time business.

Lastly, but not leastly, veteran road racer and race announcer Jamie Smith has written a book, along with Chris Horner (yes, that Chris Horner) entitled Reading the Race: Bike Racing from Inside the Peloton. It’s all about the strategy and tactics you’ll need to win, once you’ve figured out how to go fast. Jamie is also a great raconteur, so we get some bonus stories about his career, and his perspective on cycling.

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Show #169 – November 16, 2013

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GUESTS: “THE ARMSTRONG LIE” DIRECTORS FRANK MARSHALL & MATT TOLMACH; ICEDOT.ORG CEO CHRIS ZENTHOEFER

Now that the “Truth Tap” is open and flowing with the misdeeds of Lance Armstrong, there is a library of books and a multiplex of movies coming out on the subject. This week we bring you a conversation with the producers of a new documentary about Armstrong entitled The Armstrong Lie. Frank Marshall and Matt Tolmach talk with Diane about the years-long process of getting this film made and their reasons for making it.

In the second half of today’s Outspoken Cyclist, we turn our attention to the ugly subject of crashes and injuries. If you ride a lot of solo miles, how will you summon help if you’re incapacitated by a crash? It’s hard to dial that cell phone if you’re unconscious. IceDot has developed an impact sensor that pairs with your Bluetooth-equipped cellphone, and texts your pre-configured contacts if it detects a crash. First responders can also use IceDot to access your identity and medical information on-scene. There is more to tell than I can fit here, so listen to Diane’s interview with one of the IceDot developers, Chris Zenthoefer.

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Show #168 – November 9, 2013

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GUESTS: NICK STEVOVICH, DR. KEN SPARKS, PHILIPP SEGURA, MICHAEL “MAC” MCCOY

Admit it, as cyclists we’re always on the lookout for that magic device that will coax a few more watts out of our hearts, lungs, and legs. Ken Sparks, Ph.D. and Nick Stevovich from right here in Cleveland are developing and testing a new pedal system that might do just that. Inspired by the sideways leg motion of inline skating, Pedal Resolution takes advantage of some leg muscles not used in the traditional cycling motion. Ken and Nick are here with us today to talk about the details, and when you might be able to get a pair for your bike.

The sixth annual San Francisco Bike Expo is coming up next Saturday, November 16th at the Cow Palace. Admission is free, and the doors open at 11:00 am. Phillip Segura, the director of the expo chatted with Diane about all the cool things to see and do next weekend for bike aficionados on the west coast.

Michael “Mac” McCoy was one of the original cross-country bicycle tourists back in the 1970’s, and now works with Adventure Cycling and BikeOvernights.org. The second edition of his book, Cycling the Great Divide: from Canada to Mexico on America’s Premier Long-Distance Mountain Bike Route has just been published. Mac rounds out the second half of the show to talk about the origins of bicycle touring, and what to expect when mountain biking the off-road Great Divide.

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Show #167 – November 2, 2013

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GUESTS: DR. KRISTEN DIEFFENBACH, BINA BILENKY TRAHAN, HECTOR PICKARD

As amateur or recreational athletes, most of us feel the need to continually go faster, farther, or finish feeling stronger. A little friendly competition, whether it’s with our own past performance, or against other amateurs, is a good motivating tool. But where is the line between motivation and obsession? Exercise scientist Kristen Dieffenbach, Ph.D. of West Virginia University is here to talk about this and more on today’s Outspoken Cyclist.

Meanwhile, the Philly Bike Expo has a new date and a new location this year. It’s not only moved to the second weekend in November, and to the PA Convention Center, the Expo has also grown in size and variety for 2013. Expo director Bina Bilenky-Trahan stops by during the second half of today’s show to tell us all about it.

And wrapping up today’s show is an interview with triathlete Hector Pickard, who lost all of his right arm, and part of his left arm in an industrial accident. That might seem like a major impediment, at least to swimming and biking, but Hector disproved that assumption by completing three Ironman Triathlons, among other accomplishments. Hector talks with Diane about his journey and his future exploits, and you can learn more at dontstopliving.org.