Tag: Tour de France

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Show #406 – June 23, 2018

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Phil Southerland is the mighty force behind Team Novo Nordisk as well as a myriad of projects related to diabetes.

Diagnosed at the age of 7 months, doctors told his family he probably wouldn’t live much past his mid-twenties.

Phil discovered that riding and Snickers kept his blood sugar manageable, along with the proper insulin monitoring and dosing, and knew at an early age that his success as an athlete was something any Type 1 diabetic could aspire to with some guidance.

That knowledge has informed every aspect of his life and his outlook about exercise and diet are most enlightening. His goal is to share that outlook and he’s put together quite a repertoire of projects that further that goal.

Author and journalist Daniel De Vise had literally just landed for the start of his book tour in the western part of the country when I caught up with him this week.

Dan’s first two books had absolutely NOTHING to do with sports; but, his background as the son of a cyclist who came to the U.S. from the Netherlands and his memories of the glory days of America’s only Tour de France winner, gave him the inspiration to research and write – The Comeback – Greg LeMond – True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France.

With tons of research and access to both Greg and his family, along with many of the excellent books about him as well as others who were part of his cycling career as guides, Dan has written a narrative that everyone – whether you love and follow our sport or not – will find compelling.

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Show #355 – July 8, 2017

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Guests: Dan Wuori; Brent Schroetenboer; Bob Mionske; Gernot Sauter

Should Peter Sagan, the reigning world champion, have been summarily ejected from the Tour de France after Stage 4? Controversy surround the “hasty” decision by the officials and it’s too late! Sagan was on a plane home the same night.

Velo News columnist Dan Wuori joins me to talk about the incident. He also reminds us that “Tour de Pharmacy” airs on HBO tonight, July 8th, at 10pm eastern

Then, USA Today journalist Brent Schroetenboer, wh has been following the Lance Armstrong case, gives us some background on the latest iteration of the saga as the November trial date looms ahead. Do the Feds have enough to convict Armstrong on the charges they are bringing or will we see an end to the controversy?

After Nako Nakatsuka was hit from behind by a car, she received a “pay up” letter from the driver’s insurance. She was suddenly liable for “backing in to the car and causing damage”. What ensued was evidently a comedy of errors adding insult to her injuries and the damage to her bike. Bike lawyer Bob Mionske and I discuss this case, what to do when you are involved in a crash, and how to prevent future litigation.

Finally, we hear from our National Bike Challenge Stories riders with our second audio. Gernot Sauter lives in Dusseldorf, Germany and as an employee of NBC sponsor 3M, gives us his impressions of the Tour de France, which started practically outside his doorstep.

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Show #309 – August 20, 2016

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Guests: Brent Bookwalter; Greg Daniel.

Many, many thanks to Sean Weide for his assistance in lining up our guests this week.

We begin with Olympian and Tour de France pro rider Brent Bookwalter. A bit jet-lagged from his trip back from Rio, Brent nonetheless offers us a great glimpse into this year’s Olympic races as the only American to ride both the road race and the time trial.

He got to see Rio from a unique perspective and tells us about his experiences.

Brent is also deeply involved with the Association of National Professional Road Cyclists here in the U.S working tirelessly for the rights of cyclists including salaries, benefits, and retirement.

And, to “give it back” there’s Brent’s “Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo” in Otober. It’s a fun event for the end-of-season that invites everyone to ride!

After a break and news, we head on out to Colorado to speak with Greg Daniel, the youngest U.S. Pro Road Champion EVER!

Greg has been racing since he was 13 and his experience, even at such a young age, have shaped him into a seasoned pro. After his Championship ride, which has a story all its own, he was signed to the Trek-Segafredo team for the next two seasons.

His goal? Why, the Tour de France, of course!

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Show #277 – December 19, 2015

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Guests: Velo News editor Caley Fretz; “Mad Dog Media’s” Patrick O’Grady

Happy holidays from The Outspoken Cyclist!

We have two great guests for our final show of 2015.

First up is popular Velo News associate editor Caley Fretz. Caley has written so much about our sport and this past week had two articles published – both of which grabbed my attention.

There were actually two separate entries about the first subject, transgender cyclocross racer Molly Cameron. The first, on December 11th said she wouldn’t be permitted to race in the master’s men’s events; and the second, published just a few days later, said she would. And, while this isn’t what Caley and I talked about for this on air conversation, both are fitting for this time in history and in our sport.

The second article, titled: “Uniquely vulnerable: The Tour and terrorism” raised the hair on the back of my neck. In light of all the issues in Paris (and elsewhere around the world), the question of whether the peloton is defenseless against predators seems like an important one to ask. Then, there are the spectators and support crew – how can we protect cycling?

In our conversation Caley and I discuss what the authorities did at the 2015 TdF and what we might expect to see in the future.

We also chat a bit about all the crashes that seem to be coming from course obstacles – both moving and stationary – as well as what Caley is working on for 2016. (Hint: women + para-olympics!)

After our news and a break, we head on out to Albuquerque to catch up with long time journalist, cartoonist, and satirist, Patrick “Mad Dog Media” O’Grady.

Patrick’s reviews of bikes this past year for Adventure Cyclist Magazine give us great insight into what is truly available as well as desirable in a sturdy, functional, reasonably priced, and fun touring machine. Who knew there were so many available when one rarely sees them in the local bike shops. But, out there they are and after talking with Patrick, you might just want to add one to your stable!

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Show #257 – August 1, 2015

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Guests: Physics Professor John Eric Goff; Ohio Bike Lawyer Steve Magas

We’ve seen the winners of the TdF. We’ve seen more than our share of crashes in this year’s event. And, we’ve seen controversy. So, what’s left? Well, how about something a little more techy-geeky?

Dr. John Eric Goff, physics professor at Lynchburg College in Virginia, does a little calculating – PRE-race, to predict finishing times for all 21 stages of the Tour de France; and, he’s been doing this for a few years now. How accurate is he? And, how does he do it? Just you wait and see.

Dr. Goff, author of Gold Medal Sports, is interested in the physics of sports and is off to Sheffield, England for a one-year sabbatical that will include some more interesting projects with sports related topics; maybe even one that involves bicycle tires! And, he’s my first guest this evening.

Then Tim and I rattle off some news items before we head on down to Cincinnati to talk with bicycle attorney Steve Magas.

Evidently, statistics in bicycle crashes – especially as they relate to deaths – show a marked decrease; but, are these statistics correct or is something else going on? Steve, who always has fascinating things to tell us, will fill us in on that and more.

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Show #254 – July 11, 2015

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Guests: Live Update Guy Charles Pelkey; Author Peter B. Rice

I think we really nailed a great show this week!

With African rider Daniel Teklehaimonot in the polka dot jersey raising his arms on the podium and the maillot jeune handed off once again as race leader Tony Martin had to abandon after Stage 6 with a fracture of his shoulder, this year’s Tour de France has been nothing less than thrilling.

One of the most interesting ways to follow the race is to log on to liveupdate.com and follow moment by moment as veteran journalists Charles Pelkey and Patrick O’Grady detail each stage from start to finish. Even without the visuals, the colorful commentary takes you right there AND you can participate in it with them.

Charles also shares his opinions and ideas about a few other salient cycling subjects as well as detailing his role as a new legislator in the Wyoming House.

After our break and some news, we turn our sights on New Mexico where I catch up with Peter B. Rice. Peter’s book, Spandex Optional – Bicycle Touring: How To Ride Long Distance, the Cheap and Easy Way, turned out to be quite a fun little tome. Peter’s perspectives on bicycling and bicycle touring are very different from what you might think of as “traditional” – and, I found his ideas and suggestions very likeable. (P.S. One of his comments? Training sucks)

So, let’s head on out to Laramie, Wyoming and chat with the Live Update Guy, Charles Pelkey.

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Show #253 – July 4, 2015

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Guests: BMC’s Sport Director Jackson Stewart; Rails-to-Trails President Keith Laughlin

It’s time for the Tour de France! (As if you didn’t know…) AND, this evening we are right there – well, not really; but, our first guest is and it turns out, his team rider Rohan Dennis WON STAGE ONE!

Team BMC Pro racer-turned-sport director Jackson Stewart spoke with me from Utrecht, Holland on Wednesday night right after the team arrived to settle in for Stage 1 on Saturday.

Jackson gives us his perspective on the how the race might unfold – including his hopes for a Yellow Jersey for team leader Tejay Van Garderen. We talk weather, equipment, race radios, and more.

Meantime, Rohan Dennis wears the maillot jeune going into Stage II and I’m sure all of team BMC is celebrating tonight!

After a break and some news, I’m heading on down to Washington, D.C. to speak with Rails-to-Trails director Keith Laughlin about what progress Congress and the Senate have made on the Federal transportation bill.

We also talk about the 50th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta trail in Wisconsin the first of now over 22,000 miles of trails that have been developed nationwide and how these trails have changed the communities through which they travel.

We also talk about how technology is impacting the Rails-to-Trails organization in an effort to give folks access to information while still keeping the trails pure and serene.

Hope you’re having a safe and fun 4th of July! Just remember to include Outspokencyclist in your plans! 

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Show #243 – April 25, 2015

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Guests: Phil Liggett; Leah Missbach Day

Last show in April and it’s a doozy!

Tonight I speak with the person who arguably has the most famous voice of all time in professional cycling.  From his early days as a budding journalist to the announcer of all the European Classics including Paris-Roubaix, Fleche Wallone, Giro D’Italia, our American Amgen Tour of California, and of course the Tour de France, Phil Liggett is a wealth of information and fun as he makes bike racing thrilling for us all.

Phil talks about his love for statistics, what he sees as those things that have changed bike racing irrevocably, and how cycling is again coming around to being a sport we will want to support and watch.  And, because of Phil’s close bond with Africa, we talk of the rise of the MTN Qhubeka team and how he too sees an African on the Podium in Europe in the not-too-distant future.

We wrap up our conversation with his Helping Rhinos campaign (watch the video too!)– which means as much to him as his work as a journalist.  He tells us how we can support the cause, ride with him in several events, and about the efforts being made to protect the few remaining Rhinos from the horrific poaching that is going on in Africa.

We have news of course – including a massive recall from Trek – and then head on to SRAM headquarters in Chicago to talk with Leah Missbach Day about World Bicycle Relief.

WBR celebrates 10 years this month and Leah, who along with her husband FK Day, are the founders of the hugely successful movement to get people who could not otherwise go to school, work, or even bring food and water to their families on the African Buffalo bike. We talk about the very first delivery of bikes right after the devastating Tsunami in 2004 through the Africa Rides trips that you can take.

So, get ready for a great evening of cycling talk as we head over the pond to speak with Phil Liggett!

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Show #196 – May 31, 2014

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Guests: Tech Guru and author Richard Hallett; Traithlete David Brumley; Tour de France announcer and television “star” Paul Sherwen

We’re back with another brand new edition of the Outspoken Cyclist and welcome three guests with very diverse stories.

For those who enjoy the nitty-gritty of cycling, U.K. “tech Guru” Richard Hallett will offer up a delightful “deconstruction” of the machine in his new book: “The Bike Deconstructed – A Grand Tour of the Modern Bicycle” Richard talks about history, materials, the 650B wheel, and what he thinks about disc brakes for road bikes – among a lot of other things. Richard is also a frame builder – specializing in steel frames at RichardHalletBikes.com. The book is a coffee-table quality oversize tome with many lovely photographs and a lot of tech-talk in layman’s terms.

Second up is triathlete David Brumley. By all rights, David should be happy to just walk to the end of his driveway and pick up the local paper in the mornings, but a question from his then 3-year old daughter in 2008 made him take a more proactive role in the management of his chronic and incurable disease CVID. We’ll learn what it is, why it often goes un-diagnosed even though the patient is ill much of the time, and how David has become a super Dad for his daughter! Since his “epiphany” about his situation, he’s decided to share his experience and give back to the “Primary Immune Deficiency – PI” community with his Triforbetter.com organization.

After a short break, we’ll scurry back with some news and then head on over to Uganda to speak with one of the most famous cycling voices on the planet. Paul Sherwen is the historian and storyteller at the major races like the Tour de France, The Amgen Tour of California, and many more. What you’ll learn though is more about Paul and his how his background reaches back many decades into our sport. It’s a delightful chat!
Enjoy!