Show #612 – September 21, 2022

Guests: Jonathan Maus; Will Tracy

On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to a young cycling journalist whose professional journey began in college.

One thing that he says at the beginning of our conversation struck me as SO true – that unless your parents, or someone close to you, shows you the way, getting into the sport of bicycle racing is not very easy.

Nonetheless, Will Tracy did do some bike racing but found that reporting on and photographing the sport was much more rewarding for him.

I discovered Will when he penned a piece about a fight between two teams that ended up with suspensions from racing.  And, I was surprised, because I don’t think of cycling as a hand-to-hand combat sport.

To begin however, we bring Jonathan Maus, editor and publisher of Bike Portland, back to TOC for a conversation about a topic that I didn’t even know was a “thing.”

Here in the Cleveland area, I am not aware of huge homeless encampments.  I am, of course aware that we have a homeless population, but it’s difficult for me to comprehend large encampments with tents, walls, and piles and piles of bikes and parts.

Which brings me to the topic – homelessness and bike theft.  Apparently, that’s a thing too and Los Angeles has even gone so far as to enact legislation to deal with the issue.

Jonathan wrote about homelessness and bike theft and the new legislation in LA for Bike Portland back in June.  But it turns out that he’s been aware of the issue – in Portland – and has been involved with helping to sort out the theft from what might just be transportation or recreation.

We talk about a few other topics too and in the second half of our conversation… well, you’ll just have to listen because there are some things happening in Portland that I don’t think are happening anywhere else – such as the “Carry Shit Olympics.”  Yep you heard that right!

(photo of Jonathan taken by Eleni Maus)

Show #522 – October 3, 2020

Guests: Matt Bretoi & Chris Posch; Micah Rice; Devah D

My first conversation this week is about a technical solution to a problem many, if not most of us have experienced when riding in urban and suburban areas… coming up to an intersection and NOT being able to trip the light!

Last week, Bike Portland posted an article about thermal video detection of bike riders at traffic signals and I said… I gotta’ learn about THIS!

The company FLIR Systems, Inc. isn’t new to thermal imaging – in fact, the company has been around since 1978. And, through a series of acquisitions coupled with emerging technologies, is doing some really fascinating work to bring a safer experience to VRU’s – Vulnerable Road Users. Their work also crosses into the automobile and coupled with AEB, can make the driver side of transportation a lot safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

FLIR’S Matt Bretoi and Chris Posch will explain how the systems work and what we might expect our intersections to look like as these systems come on line.

As we have watched bike racing slowly come back, The Pikes Peak APEX race presented by RockShox managed to put on a 4-day stage race that offered great prize money, attract a terrific field of riders, and keep everyone safe!

Executive director, Micah Rice, walks us through that event and offers a guide to other race directors looking for ways to establish safety protocols in this time of COVID.

Lastly, I have a terrific conversation with Devah D of Devah D Cycling, right here in Cleveland. Devah D, whose given name is Diana – and no one calls her that! played women’s semi-pro football for many years. YES YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT!

When injuries sidelined her and her son was young, she decided to hang up those cleats for a pair of cycling shoes. Coming from absolutely ZERO knowledge about bicycling, she’s built a huge following for her rides, clinics, and her not your average slow rolls in and around Cleveland.

She’s also immersed in the Black Girls Do Bike organization – Cleveland being one of over 90 chapters in the U.S. and gives us some brilliant insight into why it matters that Black Girls DO Bike.

It’s a full plate today, so let’s get to it.