Tag: Afghan Women’s Cycling Team

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Show #569 – August 21, 2021

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Guests: Professor Ben Brewer; Journalist John Surico

I want to start by asking that you stay focused and informed about what is happening to the women cyclists and athletes in Afghanistan.

My colleague and activist friend Shannon Galpin told us in our conversation back in mid-July, these women were going to be in danger – and they are.

This week, Shannon and her network are working feverishly to get these women out of the country. A few days ago, she was able to secure the departure for 5 women – making an agonizing choice as to who would board a plane.

Please keep these brave people in your thoughts and intentions as people work feverishly behind the scenes to secure their passage to safety.

This week’s show is a two-fer and both guests have joined me in the past.

Back in 2019, Sociology Professor Ben Brewer asked custom frame builders to respond to a survey he had designed with the hopes of learning about as he calls it the “micro-enterprise” of frame building.

COVID sort of delayed the survey, but in fact, gave Ben some extra time to analyze the almost 40% response he received from his list of around 300 builders.

Whether you want to BE a frame builder or want to know ABOUT frame builders, Ben has some concrete answers for you.

Today, we’ll break down what he found out about frame builders from how many units they produce to where they live, how much education they’ve received, and whether they are actually making any money.

And, if you want to see the entire survey, you can download it too!

Then, John Surico is back to help unpack the $1T+ infrastructure bill.

From $39 billion – with a b – for public transit to 66B – another b – for Amtrak, the massive infrastructure bill that finally passed the Senate is back in the hands of the House of Representatives to be marked up to get ready for a vote.

But, is there money for micro-mobility? Is this bill enough? Well, is it ever enough? And, what’s in it for biking, walking, Greenways, and local projects?

Let’s ask John Surcio… he knows!

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Show #564 – July 17, 2021

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Guests: Shannon Galpin; Trudie Lobban

My first guest is not new to The Outspoken Cyclist..  She is one of the bravest, most passionate, and ardent activists for women’s rights, Shannon Galpin. (You can join her on Patreon!)

Her message today should strike a chord in the very depths of your psyche as she offers us the unvarnished truth about what is happening to the women of Afghanistan – especially the women’s cycling team.

Back in 2012 and 2013, the Afghan Women’s Cycling Team was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and Shannon was named National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year.

Now, Afghanistan is under siege and women especially are at risk, including the women’s cycling team. (You can help the Afghan Women’s Team!)

Shannon, who currently lives in Scotland, returned to the U.S. on a personal matter and I was able to catch up with her a couple of days ago.

Then, we discuss a really important issue that affects a LOT of people and apparently, might affect those who exercise intensely even more than the general population.

On July 12th, the Irish Times published an article titled: “Athletes more likely than non-athletes to have irregular heartbeats”

It seemed counter-intuitive at first; but, 13 studies between 1990 and 2020 that analyzed data from 70,478 participants concluded that “there is a threshold beyond which exposure to increasing levels of exercise is linked to heart issues including atrial fibrillation.”

AA logo – MASTER 2016 LOGO

As I read the article, I thought back to my conversations with Lennard Zinn and his tribulations with Afib as well as all the ads on TV which I thought were overblown in an effort to sell more pharmaceuticals.

 

So, I decided to talk with Trudie Lobban,  THE expert in the field.  Trudie is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Arrhythmia Alliance and she has some sage advice to pass along to us about heart irregularities and how to not only detect them, but what to do about them – including her “knowyourpulse.org” initiative.  (Know Your Pulse Video!)

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Show #310 – August 27, 2016

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Guests: Mountain2Mountain’s Shannon Galpin; Atlanta’s Byron Rushing; Greg Priddy

With the militant attack on the American University in Kabul this week, it is difficult to believe that there might be good news coming from Afghanistan.

But, Shannon Galpin, the force behind the Nobel Peace Prize nominated Women’s Cycling Team in Afghanistan, does have some good news about the riders and their quest for equality as well as a spot in the 2020 Olympics.

Shannon also weighs in on women’s rights worldwide and how Muslim women are dealing with the “duality” of being true to themselves as well as their religion while still trying to compete on the world stage.

I also talk with Atlanta Regional Commission’s bike and pedestrian planner, Byron Rushing. Atlanta has some big plans on the table for both short and long term biking options including a 22-mile loop around the city.

And finally, my previous technical producer and co-host, Greg Priddy has some sage advice for us based upon his 3-year ordeal with colon cancer. His commentary wraps up our show this week.