Category: Radio Show

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Show #173 – December 14, 2013

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GUESTS: Bicycle Advocate Janna Chernetz; CEO & President of LiveSTRONG Doug Ulman

 

The psychology of people and their transportation choices fascinates me. Think back to when motor vehicles were the new kid on the block. The then-dominant horse-drawn carriage lobby called automobiles dangerous, noisy, and uncivilized. They were probably convinced that equine-powered transport would be around forever, and that cars were an impractical toy. Except for Amish country, we know how that worked out for them.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the players have changed, but the arguments and beliefs are the same. Our first guest today, Janna Chernetz, of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, has seen this play out recently in Rutherford, New Jersey. The Rutherford Bike Ring is an ambitious project to add bike lanes and traffic-calming infrastructure to the area around the Meadowlands sports complex. It has broad support from a host of government agencies. And yet, the project was gutted in the space of three months, by a minority of vocal residents. Janna is here with us today to talk about what happened, and to talk about TSTC’s plans for bike/ped friendly rebuilding on the Jersey Shore.

After the news and a break, we’re joined by Doug Ulman, President and CEO of LiveStrong. Doug is a cancer survivor himself, and although LiveStrong’s prestige and fundraising ability has taken a hit in the wake of Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace, the organization continues to pursue its mission of support to cancer patients and survivors. Doug also explains how LiveStrong is attempting to evolve beyond the twin shadows of cycling, and its famous founder. It’s a complicated environment for anyone selecting a charity to support, and we hope this interview will help you make better-informed choices about your giving.

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Show #172 – December 7, 2013

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GUESTS: The always insightful GEORGE MOUNT, CHRIS PARKER – CEO OF ICE Trikes

 

I know it’s the ultimate cliche to complain, or even talk about the weather, but as cyclists, our riding is greatly influenced by what Mother Nature is doing outdoors. Everyone seems to have their own personal limits on temperature, moisture, and road conditions. Today, for instance, it’s 28 degrees F in Cleveland, and there is some ice left on the roads from last night’s snowfall. So instead of a ride to Little Italy for Presti’s, it was off to Spin class for me this morning.

Think about that while you ponder the journey Maria Leijerstam is embarking on: a self-supported ride from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. She’ll need to average 80 miles per day through deep snow in temperatures as low as -40 degrees F, with steady 50 mph headwinds, and conquer a climb that may take several days. Maria will be riding a specially-built tadpole trike from Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE), and Chris Parker, the president of ICE Trikes, joins us in the second half of the show to talk about the advantages of recumbent trikes for many cyclists, not only those who are venturing to the “bottom of the world.”

We open today’s show by welcoming back former racer, active cyclist, and hall of famer George Mount. George returns today to share his always-strong opinions on the state of road racing, and to talk about the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. George suffers no fools, and minces no words, and that’s exactly why we like him!

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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.

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Show #166 – October 26, 2013

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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).

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Show #165 – October 19, 2013

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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.

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Show #164 – October 12, 2013

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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.