Show #170 – November 23, 2013

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.