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Show #661- December 18, 2024

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Guests: Leah Missbach Day; Bill McGann

The holidays are literally around the corner and today, I wanted to offer up one of my favorite year-end opportunities for giving.

Leah Missbach Day is one of the founders of WBR, and World Bicycle Relief is about to turn 20.

In the years since its inception, it has grown from aiding 20,351 people in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami to 850,000 bicycles on the ground in 7 African countries and in Colombia, South America.

Calling it “50 kilograms of love,” Leah Missbach Day joins me to talk about World Bicycle Relief and the bicycle that is changing lives all over the African continent and beyond.

With some new components innovations as well as an independent study that showed incredible results, WBR lives up to its motto of Empowering individuals to access education, healthcare and economic opportunities through life-changing bicycles.

These bicycles have helped girls to go to school, health workers to deliver life saving aid, and farmers to get their goods to market. 

The Buffalo bike provides a sturdy, reliable machine that offers not only transportation but safety to the thousands of people who ride them.

The S2 Drivetrain
The Impact Study

 

 

 

In the second half of the show, I’m joined by Bill McGann.

Bill started out as a bicycle retailer in a 750 square foot shop in California back in 1974 with a $3,000 bank loan and a lot of chutzpah.

In his new book, Why Your Bike Is Made in Asia: My career in bicycles as I watched two continents squander an industry, takes us from early bicycle history through the 10-speed craze and on into the industry’s move to Asia as a result of some wrong-thinking on the part of American and European manufacturers.

It’s an interesting look at the bike industry from a very different perspective.

In the many conversations I’ve had with bicycle historians over the years, no one has mentioned the single tube bicycle patents OR how Asian-made bicycles came to overtake the European and potential American markets back in the 70’s and 80’s.

Bill McGann lived that transition, and he tells us all about it in his new book, Why Your Bike Is Made In Asia, My Career in Bicycles as I watched two continents squander an industry.

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Transcript_December 18

 

 

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Show #660 – December 7, 2024

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Guests: Tom & Deb Gardner; Jenn Dice

Yes, it’s been a minute – well, maybe a bit longer – since the last episode, but I’m back and today’s show is the first in our year-end series highlighting gift-giving opportunities.

That’s not all though.  My first guests are husband and wife Deb and Tom Gardner.  They live in Indianapolis and have such a great story to tell.

Both are now retired and the accomplishments they have under their belts are mind blowing.  Before they became heavily involved with long-distance cycling, they decided to run a marathon in every state.  Done.  Then it was on to some pretty spectacular bicycling.

I’ve always wondered what drives some people to aim for and achieve such amazing objectives such as running a marathon in every state or riding across country.  In the case of Tom and Deb Gardner, I think it’s just the way some people are wired – but what is so cool about this couple is that they seem to be wired exactly the same! 

My thanks to Tom & Deb Gardner for allowing ME to be the first to broadcast their newest adventure! Their blog site, “Keep Calm and Pedal On,” is full of great information as well as some preliminary details of their upcoming New Zealand trip.

After a break, we catch up with the president and CEO of People for Bikes, Jenn Dice.  People tell me I’m “so enthusiastic!”  But, next to Jenn, I feel pretty laid back!

And, her enthusiasm for the work she does is contagious!   Running PFB, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary – thank you very much –  is a big deal and from the city ratings program to eBike battery recycling, Jenn can recite chapter and verse on all the many spokes in the PFB hub.

Jenn is a bicycling powerhouse..  She was named “one of the 50 most influential people in American cycling” in 2023 by Escape Collective .

She is a tireless advocate for cycling at the grass roots level, moving a vast array of cycling projects from start to successful finish.

 You can find all of the projects Jenn and I talked about plus a lot more at peopleforbikes.org.  Join the organization, learn about the many great programs and opportunities available, and find out how your city rates as a great place to ride – or learn how to effect change in your city using PFB’s advice. And, you definitely want to recycle your eBike batteries!

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Next time, we’ll be speaking with World Bicycle Relief’s Leah Misbach Day.  It’s time we caught up with her and learn about the organization’s most recent programs and progress.

We’ll also be speaking with BikeFit expert Paul Swift.  I think we’ll have a lot to talk about!

December 7_Transcript

 

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Show #659 – October 6, 2024

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Guests: Brendan Quirk; Bruce Donald

Brendan Quirk is the CEO of USA Cycling.  Brendan fell in love with bike racing as a teenager and throughout his young adulthood and beyond, has immersed himself in everything from owning his own shop and developing a thriving online business to his present position – imbuing USA Cycling organization with his passion for the sport.

Brendan’s determination for success for the organization, beginning with member ship and working on the Foundation Board, led to his role as CEO.  His commitment to spreading the word about cycling, from local grass roots organizations to our Olympic goals for Los Angeles in 2028, is clear. It’s about supporting local clubs and events and raising money to make certain the sport stays alive and vibrant in the U.S.

  As Brendan suggested, GET INVOLVED! You can find out more at usacycling.org. 

With the fall riding season in full swing, we’re bringing you our last great riding trail review for 2024.  And, I’ve saved a review of the Southern New England area, especially Connecticut, for last.

The East Coast Greenway has come a long way in a few short years and, especially in 2024, the effects of the infrastructure act have pushed quite a few projects along helping to add many segments in the quest complete the 3,000+ mile project.

Our guide to this beautiful area of the Greenway is Bruce Donald and to say he is well-versed in all-things-trail-related in the area is a gross understatement.

In addition to all his advocacy work, acquiring more than $189 million dollars in funding for Greenway projects, Bruce is a lifelong cyclist and alpine skier.

Bruce has such a deep interest in the work that is required to get the Greenway completed – and it shows in his results.  You can find everything you need to know about the ECG Alliance at greenway.org.

October 6_Transcript

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Show #658 September 2, 2024

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Guest: Professor Wes Marshall

This episode of our show was intended to highlight another great riding trail along with a conversation with renowned traffic engineer and planner Professor Wes Marshall at the University of Colorado in Denver.

My conversation with Wes happened the day after the news of the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were announced and when we logged in to talk, we had both been reading the same news summary. 

The horror and disbelief of the tragedy really struck me hard and because so much of the topics Wes and I were to talk about were directly connected to the issues we have with traffic and safety, I decided to let this episode stand alone.

Professor Marshall’s new book, Killed By A Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies Our Transportation System, offers ideas, data, options, and a broad observation of what we are getting wrong about the way we not only DO transportation and safety, but how we think about it in the first place.

I think you will enjoy our conversation and, in the least instance, get some valuable insight into what traffic engineers are and need to be.

I do highly recommend his book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer, and, as he mentioned, read some of his peer-reviewed papers by searching Google Scholar for a plethora of interesting topics including why higher numbers of cyclists translate into safer cities.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks in our bicycle world with the high-profile deaths of the Gaudreau brothers.  I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow that their families are feeling and, from the outpouring of support and tributes, so many others have been affected too.

The time for a change in the way we think about traffic, safety, urban planning and transportation, and most importantly, the mindset that says it’s okay to drive a car regardless of your sobriety, anger, or distractions, is now.  If you are not already involved in some form of advocacy, perhaps now is the time to join a local organization, sit in on city council meetings, or perhaps take your already-expertise to local schools.

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September 2_Transcript

 

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Show #657 – August 23, 2024

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Guests: Laura Moulton; Cassie Brandt

As August comes to a close we are beginning to wrap-up our series on great riding trails.  This episode, we take a ride down the Katy Trail in Missouri with trail manager Cassie Brandt.

We’ve had clients tell us how much they enjoy the Katy and listening to Cassie, you might just want to add it to your bucket list.

Before we get to the trail though, my first guest today is .  Back in 2011, I spoke with Laura about her then 3-month art project, Street Books, in Portland, Oregon.

Fast forward 13 years! And, Laura has sort of been kicked upstairs to an administrative position as executive director for the non-profit. Today, Street Books has expanded from one bicycle driven library to three with a set schedule, thousands of books loaned out free each year, and an incredibly inspirational story.  I can’t imagine you not finding this project important and heartwarming.

  In addition to the link to “Loaners,” the book she and “Hodge” wrote, here is a second link to the Librarian Summit on YouTube. 

If you think you’d like to start a project like Street Books in your community, log on to streetbooks.org and contact Laura.  I can’t think of any reason this wouldn’t be welcomed in any neighborhood.

The Katy Trail is the longest rail trail in the Rails-to-Trails network, consisting of 240 mostly flat miles.  Yep!  Mostly flat! 

Managed on a day-to-day basis by four State Parks, it’s Cassie’s job to make sure that the trail is monitored for problems, even offering up a lost-and-found for cell phones that seem to get left behind occasionally.  Let’s take a little trip on the Katy and find out what you can see, what you can do (other than riding,) and of course where you can eat and stay.

My thanks to Cassie for joining me to fill us in on all-things-Katy-Trail.  Here is a photo of the Sunflower silo  and a link to the Sedalia Depot.  I’m thinking this should be one of our bucket list items.

 

 

Our new YouTube channel will be live soon and, although we won’t be uploading video, you will be able to listen if your favorite medium is YouTube!  We’ll add the link to the channel on the website too.

Next time on TOC, we’ll be speaking with Bruce Donald, the CT manager for the ECG.  He’s got SO much knowledge about not only the CT portions of the route, but much of the Southern New England area.

August 23_transcript

 

 

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Show #656 August 14, 2024

Guests: Jill Warren; Scott Kasper

Back in April, 65 members of the European Cyclists Federation, representing 40 countries, signed the EU Declaration of Cycling.

Founded in 1983, the European Cyclists’ Federation is a Brussels-based independent non-profit association dedicated to achieving more and better cycling for all in Europe.

The ECF’s mandate?  That by 2030 there will be more cycling, safer cycling, and stronger political support for cycling that includes higher investment with more and better infrastructure.

Today, my guest is Jill Warren.  Jill, who is CEO of the European Cyclist’s Federation, left the corporate world to pursue a career committed to expanding cycling for everyone everywhere.  She’s lived in Europe for 35 years and, although she does have a car, rarely drives it, depending instead upon one of the stable of bikes for transport.

Jill says, and I quote, “there is no conceivable way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal or climate-neutral cities without significantly more cycling.”

You can find out more about the ECF at ecf.com.  And, sign up for their newsletter there too.  I’m hoping we here in the U.S. can take a page out of her playbook in hopes of expanding our cycling infrastructure. 

In the second half of our episode today, we continue our summer exploration of great and favorite trails. 

One of my past guests, Scott Kasper, contacted me and wanted to share his experience of the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

Not as well known or traveled as the Grand Canyon, Scott thinks this trail is just as breathtaking and urges us to drop in, climb out, and disconnect from the grid for a few days, taking in the beauty of the rugged White Rim Trail.

Located between the Green and Colorado Rivers, the 100-mile MTB trail is both rugged and breathtaking.  As promised, Scott’s gallery shows the beauty of the White Rim Trail. 

My thanks to Scott for sharing his experience of the White Rim Trail in Moab.  As promised, we’ve posted a gallery of his photos on outspokencyclist.com.

We’ll be heading to Missouri to explore the 240 mile Katy Trail on our next Katy Trail, episode and will be having a chat with Professor Wes Marshall whose book, “Killed By A Traffic Engineer,” is acclaimed as the transportation book that will change the way you look at our streets.  Provocative title, huh?

Thanks for listening – I hope you enjoyed the show.

Hope you’re having a great day.  Stay safe.  Stay well.  And remember, there is always time for a ride.  Bye bye.`

Transcript_ August 14_2024

 

 

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Show #655 July 30, 2024

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Guests: Chris Morris; Joe Lindsey

In our ongoing series on favorite riding trails, I took Jim Sayer’s advice and contacted the Empire State Trail’s Chris Morris for a look at New York’s 750 miles of cycling and walking paths through the State.

Chris is the Empire State Trail Program Manager, living a short distance from one of the trailheads as well as having traversed many a mile on the trail himself.

Brian and I spent a couple of days riding our tandem on the Erie Canal Towpath back in 2016, traveling from Lockport to Brockport and back, staying in a lovely B&B overnight, and discovering some of the rich history of the Canal.  We loved the adventure.        

With three basic sections to the trail – North from Albany to Canada; West from Buffalo to Albany; and South from Albany into downtown Manhattan, the Empire State Trail offers some of the most diverse riding opportunities on the east coast. You can access the interactive map as well as the GuideBooks and more on the website.

 

Even though the Tour de France is over, and we are almost a week into the Olympics, I wanted to wrap-up this year’s Tour – especially in light of upcoming events – including the Worlds’.

And who best to fill us in on all of this?  Escape Collective’s Joe Lindsey.  From jersey winners to breakout stars and some observations on what might be coming up during the Olympics and beyond, I don’t know anyone who can speak bike racing like Joe.

Well – we’ve seen the entire Tour de France come and go – and WHAT a race this year.  Now, we’re smack-dab in the middle of the 2024 Olympics with America showing up all over the place.

So, who better to talk to about all-things- tour-de France and the Olympics, than the managing editor of Escape Collective, Joe Lindsey.

Joe can recite chapter-and-verse about the riders, the teams, and the individual stages of a race that both started and ended differently than in the past and, I always learn so much about bike racing when we talk.

At the time we spoke, the Tour had already completed its 21 stages and we had a short breather before the Olympics – so, while we now know some results, Joe had some predictions.  We’ll see how he did in the second part of the show.

We’ll be watching the men’s and women’s road races coming up as well as some of the track events to see who takes home the medals. You can check out more from Joe (and the rest of Escape’s crew) at escapecollective.com.

Next time on TOC, we’ll be speaking with Jill Warren, the CEO of the European Cyclist’s Federation. With lofty goals to see more biking, safer biking, stronger political support, higher investments, and more and better infrastructure, Jill details the role of the ECF’s large umbrella under which 65 members in 40 countries have all signed on for a better cycling future.

We’ll also be highlighting a portion of the ECG including CT, RI, and MA – with Bruce Donald, the Greenways’ Southern New England ECG Manager.

Transcript_July 30

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Show #654 July 22, 2024

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Guests: Leah Goldstein; Jim Sayer

Last time, we began our series on favorite bike trails with the Ohio to Erie Trail and today, we’ll be exploring the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota.

A couple of years ago, Jim Sayer, who was with the Adventure Cycling Association for many years, was riding cross country and stopped in to stay with Brian and me for a night.  We got to talking about the trip he was making.  He told us he would be taking in some of the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota on his way back to Montana. 

When several people mentioned the Mickelson Trail as one of their favorites, Brian remembered that Jim had traveled it and suggested I contact him. He was happy to share his thoughts about it.

Jim sure made the Mickelson Trail sound appetizing!  We have some photos of his time on the trail on our website, outspokencyclist.com as well a link to the Mickelson Trail website.

 

 

My first guest is not new to the show either.  Leah Goldstein is arguably one of the most accomplished ultra-athletes I’ve ever had the honor to speak with. 

She was world kick boxing champion at the age of 17.  She was an undercover police officer in the Israeli army, she is a national cycling champion, and recently, she completed the grueling 4,000+ mile self-supported Trans Am road race .

The last time we spoke with Leah, she had just completed RAAM – winning the event overall.  I thought that was crazy then! But, the Trans Am race is another level all together and today’s conversation covers the gamut from weather and equipment to wildlife and aspirations.

I want to preface the second part of my conversation with Leah with a comment. Back in February, Leah was to have given one of her amazing motivational keynote talks to the Inspire’s International Women’s Day Event. Then, she was suddenly dis-invited.  The reasons given and the behind-the-scenes truths were completely different.  Regardless of how you feel about the war in the Middle East, what Leah experienced was both uncalled for and clearly antisemitic.

You can follow Leah on her website leahgoldstein.com.  We also have a few photos of her during the Trans Am event – since that was all the support she was allowed – someone taking a photo – as well as a link to a short video of Leah on course during the race.  You can find them on our website, outspokencyclist.com.

Before signing off today, I must bow down to this year’s Tour de France.  In addition to it being one of the most interesting and exciting editions of the race, it was truly inspiring to see riders such as Biniam Grimay and Remco Evenepoel become super stars. And I’m beginning to think Tadej Pogocar might just break some long held records many thought would never be broken.  Can you say Eddy Merckx?

As for the Tour,  Joe Lindsey joins me next time to wrap-up this year’s Tour, chat about the remainder of the cycling race season, and we’ll preview the Olympics too.

We’ll also be continuing our series on favorite trail with the Empire State Trail in New York.

Transcript_July 22

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Show #653 – July 13, 2024

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Guests: Tom Bilcze; Sela Musa

Finally, we will begin our series on cycling trails and paths.  I did hear from quite a few of you about your favorites and we will begin the series here in my home state, Ohio.

Tom Bilcze is the president of the Ohio to Erie Trail Foundation and he has ridden almost every inch of the 326 mile route from The Ohio River to Lake Erie.  Tom will offer us some of the highlights of the trail along with some great information about how to plan your trip including an interactive map.

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with Tom and, since then, I’ve been following his postings on FB as he rides up towards us here on the shores of Lake Erie.  My conversation with Tom details much of what he is seeing as he moseys along. 

Find out more about the Ohio to Erie Trail at ohiotoerietrai.org – and plan your trip with the interactive map. 

 

In the second part of the show, I welcome Sela Musa, a reporter for ZAG Daily, an online portal to The Business of Sustainabile Mobility.  Sela will walk us through the EU’s Declaration of Cycling which, while not a mandate, sets forth 8 principles and 36 commitments around sustainability through cycling that the EU and its member states have agreed to commit to.

On April 3rd, the EU Declaration on Cycling was signed by all the EU Transport Ministers in Brussells.  My guest, Sela Musa, wrote in her article for ZAG Daily that “It was a historic milestone for cycling.”

Sela is here to detail the Declaration and tell us about ZAG, the publication she works for that covers “The Business of Sustainable Mobility.”

You can check out ZAG Daily on line where you get a taste of tech, trends, people, and places as well as sign up for their newsletter. 

I hope you enjoyed the show and invite you to send me information on your favorite trails for future reporting.  You can email me at [email protected]. 

One last thing – my thanks to the League of American Bicyclists for including me in their webinar on July 9th about Podcasting for Bicycle Advocates.  It was a fun conversation, and you are welcome to take a listen.

Transcript_July 13

 

 

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Show #652 June 13, 2024

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Guests: Carla Francome interviews Diane

On my last show, I spoke with London cycling advocate and the truly delightful Carla Francome.  Not a moment after we ended our conversation, Carla sent me a note asking if SHE could interview ME.

Carla had many questions for me, and I hope I didn’t bend her ear too much.

She asked me about my childhood, how I got into the bike business, and of course, about Brian.

I’ve created a gallery of some of the photos we spoke about and you can check out Brian’s great “Be Careful What You Wish For” post,  Bike Cleveland and its executive director Jacob Van Sickle, Ben Serotta, and The Ohio Erie Canal Towpath.

As for some of the books I mentioned (and I haven’t read all of them,) authors include Carlos Castaneda, Richard Bach , and Shirley McClain, among many others that have helped me along the way.

I hope you enjoy it.

Show Transcript June 13 2024