Show #623 – March 7, 2023

Guests: Carolyne Whelan; Daniela Gomez & Dilshod Kohlmatov

Since this is women’s history month, I had the honor of being interviewed by Traci Berry, the coordinator of Northwoods Trails in Arkansas for the Natural State Bikes Podcast. We chatted for over an hour, and I really appreciated her thoughtful inquiry.

You can hear that episode as well as others highlighting some of the bike world’s most interesting female voices on Spotify  or you can find it on Spotify at Natural State Bikes – women of biking.

As a journalist, I’ve been watching with both sadness and trepidation as editors, writers, photographers, and the very publications that have supported cycling – in all its forms – are being dismantled.

Recently it was Velo News and Cycling Tips; this week it was Road Bike Action and E-bike Action, and I think a lot of journalists in the industry are holding their collective breaths to see what shoe drops next.

But, there are some bright spots in cycling publications and, Adventure Cyclist Magazine stands about as close to the top as any.  Now, with a total makeover and some clear-headed thinking, AC Magazine has just launched its new look and some new features.

This episode of our podcast features Carolyne Whelan, the editor in chief of Adventure Cyclist Magazine. Carolyne is a poet, a journalist, a cyclist, and has a super interesting background that led her to the position she occupies today.

And, Adventure Cyclist Magazine, unlike many other cycling publications, is not only still standing, but is OUTstanding as it launches a new look for 2023.

 

 

After a break, we’ll meet two young people whose passion for safe roads for young people shows up in some very meaningful ways. Daniela Gomez, who lives and works in Bogota, Columbia, and Dilshod Kholmatov, who is in Tajikistan, both represent the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, a program that was launched by YOURS – Youth For Road Safety – a global organization that acts to make the world’s road safe for youth.

Seems that the problems of road safety are no different in Colombia, Tajikistan, or the U.S. Too many young people are being injured or killed on the roads and there is an international initiative that is fervently working on the problems.

From the “claimingourspace.org” website that invites young people to get involved to the YOURS academy, which is offering free modules to get you started on the path to road safety advocacy, Daniela Gomez and Dilshod Kholmatov are two of the spokespeople who are making a difference in their respective countries. 

In separate but very impactful ways, both Daniela and Dilshod bring their amazing backgrounds to the table to effect meaningful change in their countries.

Show #619 – December 25, 2022

Guests: Jenn Hamelman; Patrick Greenwood

I hope you have had a great holiday – Christmas, Hanukkah, Qwanza, Festivus – and even just staying in and enjoying some down time.  Certainly here in NE Ohio we had little choice with below zero temperatures, wicked winds, and blowing snow.

Despite the weather, sometimes it’s really nice to be living in one of those States that is doing something so right for cycling; and Ohio is one of them.

My first guest today is Jenn Hamelman.  She’s the program director for the USBRS – United State Bicycle Route System.  We’ve spoken with Jenn in the past and I wanted to wrap up 2022’s USBRS progress.

Turns out that Ohio has done some really cool things to make traveling through the State both safer and easier to follow.

RideWithGPS

Adventure Cycling Association

Patrick Greenwood’s passion for Viet Nam and the events that happened in 1975 and beyond inspired his new book Sunrise in Saigon.

Patrick has taken his lifelong interest in the fall of Saigon and what happened in 1975 and incorporated it into a historical fictional story he wrote from what he knew growing up in the 70’s and what he experienced as he rode his bicycle through Viet Nam and on to Cambodia in 2012.

Young Jack Kendall is the protagonist of the book, and he pondered many questions about what had happened.  As he grew older, he knew that he had to take this journey and that it would have consequences. What Jack discovers, and what many people at any stage of their lives will come to regret, is not making the journey will come to haunt them.

The story follows Jack Kendall, who is struggling with a failing marriage and poor health, as he embarks on a journey to meet a beautiful Vietnamese woman as well as find out what happened to the Lost U.S. Embassy and the Catholic nuns who helped with “Operation Babylift.”

You can find Sunrise in Saigon from any of your book purveyors.  And, we’ll be watching for the sequel next summer. You can also find out more about Patrick’s espresso company at cyclewriter3espresso.com

Show #544 – February 27, 2021

Guests: Elizabeth McGowan; Rob DeMartini

This week, we meet journalist and long-distance cyclist Elizabeth McGowan.

In addition to her work – she’s a Pulitzer prize winning journalist – she’s also an ardent adventurer and a cancer survivor.

I found her to be one of the most articulate, interesting, and candid people I’ve spoken with over the many hundreds – nope thousands – of interviews on the show.

Yes she wrote a book – a really good one about her cross-country bike tour. But, it was her reasons for taking the trip and then teasing out the whys that became the real story.

Elizabeth fought melanoma for many years. Her father died from the disease at the age of 44. Some of the treatments Elizabeth experienced were experimental – all were brutal. So, when she received her 5-year clean bill of health, she decided to celebrate with a cross-country bike tour.

Her book, Outpedaling the Big C is the telling of the story of that trip.

Then, I welcome USA Cycling’s CEO Rob DeMartini back to the show. Rob wanted an opportunity to respond to some of the comments that George Mount made on the show two weeks ago.

According to Rob, George’s assumptions were based upon outdated knowledge of the organization and Rob DeMartini l wanted to offer a more current explanation of how the organization works.

So… equal time…

Show #436 – January 19, 2019

Guests: Joan Hanscom; Chris VandenBossche; Frank Moritz

Hunkering down in the “big storm”?  Well, curl up with your favorite adult beverage for this week’s podcast!

Joan Hanscom has a long and storied history in the world and work of cycling – and her passion is bike racing as a planner, not a participant.

As she moved through her career, she kept coming back to her time with the Philadelphia Classic races back in the 80’s and the excitement of watching them unfold.

Fast-forwarding to today, Joan is the new Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center – although most people will recognize the name T-Town – and her hopes and visions for this iconic track will become abundantly clear in our conversation

Now entering its 45th year, the Amishland & Lakes Bicycle Tour is a weekend of beautiful roads, great food, and great support. Ride Director Chris VandenBossche and I talk all about it when he joins me a bit later in the show.

Taking the Adventure Cycling’s TransAm Cross Country 93 day ride and cutting out 14 days with the Eastern Express route, not only shortens the time, but makes the ride much more palatable to a wider range of riders.

Frank Moritz is the creator of the new route and explains how and why he devoted almost two years to developing it.

Show #178 – January 18, 2014

Guests: Eli Damon and Adventure Cycling’s Jim Sayer

If you got a ticket for riding on a roadway where the law says you’re allowed to ride, what would you do? How many of us would simply pay the fine and find a friendlier place to ride in the future? How many would actually retain a lawyer and fight the charge? Eli Damon of Hadley, Massachusetts found himself in this situation, and decided he would rather “fight than switch”. Because his eyesight prevents him from driving a motor vehicle, bicycling is Eli’s primary means of transportation, so he had plenty of motivation to defend his right to the road. Eli Damon joins us in the first part of today’s show to talk about his experience, and how it led him to become a bicycle advocate.

After the news and a break, we return to have a conversation with Jim Sayer of the Adventure Cycling Association. Even in the off-season, the ACA is busy working out new routes, updating their maps, and strengthening partnerships with other organizations to make touring by bicycle in the United States an even better experience.

Show #106 – September 8, 2012

9/8/2012
Kicking off this first post-Labor Day 2012 show is a conversation with Karen Bliss. Karen is known as the American cyclist with the most career wins. These days, she’s the VP of Marketing for Fuji Bicycles, and she’s an active participant the bicycle industry as a whole. Karen has a most interesting perspective as a woman and former racer.

In the second half of the show, we get a chance to hear from a guy with simply amazing tales to tell, and a way of telling them that conveys his sense of adventure and fun. Willie Weir is a world cycle tourist, author, columnist for Adventure Cycling, and a heck of a fun guy. Diane’s conversation with him is sure to brighten your week.

Show #70 – December 24, 2011

Guests: Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling; Leslie Bohm, Catalyst Communication

It’s December 24th, the stockings are hung, the menorahs are lighted, and the Festivus poles are standing tall. Diane and the elves were busy this week, creating a special podcast-only edition of The Outspoken Cyclist for your holiday audio feasting.

First we check back in with Jim Sayer of Adventure Cycling. Jim gives us his take on the current climate for cycling advocacy, as well as bringing us up to date on what Adventure Cycling has been up to lately. Here’s a hint: it’s more than just maps and tours.

In the second half of the hour, we welcome Leslie Bohm, Chief of Everything at Catalyst Communications. Catalyst works with makers and sellers of sports gear to improve the quality and impact of their marketing efforts. Beyond that, Leslie is a tireless cycling advocate. If you’ve never considered that the National Rifle Association might have something to teach the cycling community, prepare to have Leslie expand your consciousness.

Two conversations to lift your cycling spirits and give you food for thought on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist.