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Show #143 – May 18, 2013

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GUESTS: GRANT PETERSEN, HEATHER ANDERSEN

 

He eschews clipless pedals, he thinks handlebars should be level with the saddle, and he’s convinced that steel is the “realest” material you could use in building a bike frame. Some would call him a retro-grouch, but he’s actually Grant Petersen, the very friendly owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works. On this week’s Outspoken Cyclist, we’re treated to a conversation between Grant and Diane on a wide range of topics, including bicycles!

She served in the Peace Corps in Africa, and didn’t want to return to the U.S. right away after her assignment was complete. So she decided to tour southern Africa by bicycle, and ended up writing a book about her experience. She is Heather Andersen, veteran cycle-tourist and author of the book I Never Intended to Be Brave: A Woman’s Bicycle Journey through Southern Africa. Heather is our guest in the second half of this week’s show.

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Show #142 – May 11, 2013

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GUESTS: PETE JORDAN, ROB GUSKY, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RAY LAHOOD

 

Mother’s Day, CycloFemme and TOSRV are all happening this weekend, so you have no excuse for moping about the house. Also, no excuse for moping: this week’s fully loaded edition of The Outspoken Cyclist.

The well-worn meme in cycling is that Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-centric cities in the world. And while that’s true, it goes much deeper than that. Pete Jordan went to Amsterdam to visit and was so impressed that he took up residence and wrote a book about the place. In the City of Bikes: The Story of the Amsterdam Cyclist is a deeply-researched work about Amsterdam’s long history with the bicycle, and the unique way people there relate to riding. Diane caught up with Pete during his book tour in the U.S.

Last year about this time, we told you about the National Bike Challenge, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark and Endomondo. The 2012 NBC was a huge success, and it’s back again this year, with even bigger goals and prizes. Rob Gusky, Kimberly-Clark’s cycling ambassador is on the show today to give us all the details. The 2013 Challenge started May 1st, now is the time to sign up and start logging your miles.

Finally, we welcome back someone who has really put his pedals where his mouth is, in terms of cycling advocacy in the U.S. government. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has championed cycling throughout his career in public service, especially during the past four years in the Obama administration. Mr. LaHood will be stepping down from that post in the near future, and we take this opportunity to say thanks, and get his take on what’s been accomplished, and what may be coming for bicycling infrastructure and programs.

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Show #141 – May 4, 2013

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GUESTS: JENN DICE, LARRY PIZZI

 

My itchy eyes and constant sneezing tell me that spring has finally arrived in NE Ohio. But here’s the crazy thing: I only have symptoms indoors at home or work. I was totally fine on a 6-hour ride today. I think nature is trying to send me a message.

Besides my spring allergy update, you might want to know who’s on The Outspoken Cyclist this week. Well I’ll tell you…

First up, we have Jenn Dice , Vice President of Government Relations at Bikes Belong. Jenn directs Bikes Belong’s Bohm Strategy Center and leads Bikes Belong’s lobbying team and government relations program. She’s also a bonafide adventurer, having completed the Leadville Trail 100 on several occasions, and climbed up and biked down Mt. Kilimanjaro!

The second half of today’s show is dedicated to electric-assist, or E-Bikes. In the automotive world, we have the Toyota Prius as the best known example of the hybrid car, and now the “hybrid bike” is beginning to get attention in the United States. Larry Pizzi of Currie Technologies is on hand to give us a thorough and insightful explanation of what E-Bikes are, and why they may fill a gap between fully-motorized and fully-human-powered transportation. A device that provides a constant tailwind? Yes, please!

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Show #140 – April 27, 2013

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GUESTS: ROB COPPOLILLO, SARAH BRAKER, SARAI SNYDER

 

Friend, has this spring’s weather taken the joie right out of your vivre? Has the bounce gone out of your bungee? Well, short of a nice long bike ride on a sunny day, this week’s Outspoken Cyclist is bound to improve your disposition.

We start with Rob Copolillo, who has written a new book called Holy Spokes!: A Biking Bible for Everyone. But Rob isn’t just an author, he’s a twin and a father of twins, a skier, rock climbing guide and bicycle enthusiast. He’s also served as a guide for Andy Hampsten’s Cinghiale Bicycle Tours. With experience that broad and deep, a book was inevitable!

In the second half of the show, we learn about Bikes Not Bombs from communications director Sarah Breaker. Bikes Not Bombs is based on Boston, and they use the bicycle as a tool to effect social change. Trust me, it’s way cooler than it sounds; just listen to Sarah’s excellent explanation.

Wrapping up, we welcome back Sarai Snyder to the show. Sarai is the driving force behind Girl-Bike-Love and CycloFemme. CycloFemme 2013 is coming up on May 12th, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever with over 150 rides celebrating women on bikes in 37 U.S. states and 22 countries

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Show #139 – April 20, 2013

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GUESTS: BIKE SNOB NYC AKA EBEN WEISS; PATRICK BRADY AKA PADRAIG

 

Well, WJCU is not the BBC (Big-time Broadcasting Company) but we did manage to lure two notable guests to the show this week.

Bike Snob NYC and his alter ego Eben Weiss have a new book out called Bike Snob Abroad, and Eben will be visiting our fair city next Saturday for a Q&A, signing, and bike ride (assuming we can defrost the Cleveland freezer by then). Listen to Diane’s interview with Bike Snob NYC right here, and then see him live on April 27th at 1:00 pm at the Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City.

Dropping in after the news is Red Kit Prayer’s Patrick Brady, making us all jealous by reporting from the Sea Otter Classic. Always ready with commentary on a diverse array of subjects, Patrick also tells us about his plans for an upcoming book crowd-funded via Kickstarter, called Why We Ride.

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Show #138 – April 13, 2013

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GUESTS: ANDY HAMPSTEN, LENNARD ZINN

 

Trust me when I tell you that this guy has nothing on our guests this week, who happen to be two titans of the cycling world.

As Bob Roll put it, back in the 1980s Andy Hampsten “cracked the chest of European road racing and feasted on its heart.” Andy went on to win the Giro d’Italia, and a stage at the TdF, among other accomplishments. These days, he owns Hampsten Cycles with his brother Steve, and he combines his passion for Italian food, wine, and riding as proprietor of Cinghiale Tours. Andy checked in just before getting ready to head over to Italy for the Giro, and his own touring season.

After the break and some news, Lennard Zinn joins us. Lennard is one of the most knowledgeable people in the area of bike tech, and the fourth edition of his book Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has just been released. He is also the longest-running columnist in VeloNews. Listen and learn about his journey from physics major, to racer, to framebuilder and technical guru.

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Show #137 – April 6, 2013

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GUESTS: LES EARNEST, SHANNON GALPIN, BEN SARRAZIN

 

Imagine if your wife, sister, or daughter was prohibited from riding a bicycle. Imagine if you competed in a sport which was controlled by organizations that included virtually no representation by the athletes. Imagine if you could actually carry something besides yourself on a bicycle. Well, imagine no more, because this week’s Outspoken Cyclist features all three of these very real stories.

It would be easier to describe what Les Earnest hasn’t done than what he has done, but suffice it to say that you’re reading this on a computer because of at least one of Les’ many discoveries. He also happens to be a walking encyclopedia of the history of competitive cycling governance in the U.S., and an active participant in organizations such as the USCF and USA Cycling. His efforts have focused on improving racer representation in the sport’s governing bodies.

Shannon Galpin is a National Geographic 2013 Adventurer of the Year for her work with women in Afganistan. Specifically, Shannon runs an organization called Mountain 2 Mountain which is helping put women on bikes in a country where the culture prohibits it. And these women aren’t “just riding around” they’re training and racing with the goal of fielding an Olympic team.

Lastly, we meet Ben Sarrazin of Yuba Cargo Bikes. Ben grew up in France, and was inspired by seeing people using bikes for transportation. During summer kayaking trips to the U.S., he saw an opportunity to create and sell transportation and cargo bikes here in the ‘States. From cupcakes to kayaks, a cargo bike can help you get it (and you) where you want to go.

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Show #136 – March 30, 2013

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GUESTS: GILLIAN KLEMPNER WILLMAN, PAUL TOLME, JEFF FROST

 

I’m told we can blame the record number of “trainer miles” ridden this year on the Greenland Block. I’m about ready to fly up there, kick some Viking ass, and get that thing moving. In the meantime, here’s another hour of cycling conversation to divert your attention while you ride the “bike to nowhere”.

First up is an interview with Gillian Klempner Willman, who directed and produced a new film entitled The New Woman. It’s a documentary about Annie Londonderry’s journey around the world on her bicycle in 1894. The New Woman will be screening locally in April as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival.

For about 120 years, one constant about the bicycle has been the chain. We love them, we hate them, we lube them, but (so far) we haven’t been able to live without them. The Gates Company is attempting to change that with their Gates Carbon Drive. Joining us this week is Paul Tolme, Brand Evangelist for Gates to enlighten us on what it is, how it works, and why you might want one.

Rounding out the show this week is a look into one of the biggest bike race/festivals in the country: The Sea Otter Classic, which is coming up in mid-April in Monterey, California. We’ll hear from Jeff Frost, who is the Sea Otter Athletic Director about what’s happening in addition to bike racing at this year’s event.

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Show #135 – March 23, 2013

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GUESTS: JODY DZURANIN, JEANNIE MARTIN, ANGIE SCHMITT

 

It’s the invasion of the bike-savvy women on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist. Not to worry, the guys can listen (and learn a lot) as well.

A couple of weeks ago, Jody Dzuranin and Jeannie Martin of the Columbus advocacy organization Consider Biking were part of the Ohio delegation to the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. The report this year is quite optimistic, with one of the main themes being “we’ve earned our seat at the table; it’s time to sit down and get to work.” Listen as Jody and Jeannie give their impressions of the Summit.

A couple hundred miles closer to home, Diane connects with Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog and RustWire. Angie is based on the near west side of Cleveland and writes about biking and walking issues, with a focus on the industrial Midwest. She and Diane talk about some of her recent articles that explore interesting angles on how motorist privilege impacts cyclists and pedestrians.

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Show #134 – March 16, 2013

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GUESTS: TIM O’DONNELL; DUANE VINNEAU; TONI SMITH

 

On the day before St. Patrick’s day, it’s fitting that we have as one of our guests, a good Irishman named Tim O’Donnell. Tim is the man behind Shamrock Cycles, which promises “hand built frames from the mountains of Indiana.”

In the racing department, there is a new professional stage race in North America this year: the Tour of Alberta. This UCI-sanctioned event will start in Edmonton on September 3rd, and end on September 8th in Calgary. Although no teams have been announced yet, the expectation is that more than a few elite pros from the TdF will be at the start line. Race Director Duane Vinneau is on the show this week to tell us all about it.

Finally, as part of the NAHBS report series, Diane talks with Toni Smith, who owns and operates Baileyworks Bags up in New Hampshire. Toni is a multi-faceted individual who is dedicated to making high-quality, functional products right here in the U.S.A.