Show #532 – December 12, 2020

Guests: Phil Liggett; Kathryn Bertine

We have a most interesting show today, highlighting two amazing people and the work that they do.

His voice is unmistakable and his ability to recall facts, figures, names, dates, and stages of any continental race for the past 4+ decades is staggering. Yes, my guest today is Phil Liggett.

Spending the 2020 cycling season at home in England, Phil Liggett was able to continue in his role as the voice of the TdF this year with the help of NBC, technology, and Bob Roll – who was in Connecticut. (How cool is today’s technology anyway?)

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the longest running sports relationship in history – partnering for 33 years,

Paul was an integral part of the team that became the voice of cycling. But, two years ago this month, the world woke up to the news that Paul had died suddenly and the world lost a generous, smart, and dedicated man.

In an effort to continue Paul’s legacy of helping the people of Uganda, where he and his wife Kathryn lived, as well as keeping his memory alive, the Paul Sherwen Project was recently launched.

While we spoke of the 2020 season, what he believes will happen in 2021 and going forward, and other-things-bike, what we finally came to focus on was a new project that is near and dear to him – the Paul Sherwen Project.

Her voice is persistent, compelling, and gets amazing results as a professional cyclist, author, filmmaker and activist for women’s rights

Kathryn Bertine, whose documentary Half the Road still garners a regular royalty check 6 years later, signed her first professional cycling contract at the age of 37 only to experience being benched for one year, suffering verbal and physical abuse from the manager and staff.

Kathryn has taken the high road to success – using what she calls visionary teamwork and benevolent disruption to speak her truth which – it turns out – is what everybody is not only thinking, but what pretty much what everybody wants. – equality or at least equal opportunity.

After she signed her first professional contract, her female team manager warned her to keep quiet about the inequity in women’s sports. “Stop talking about this equality crap. No one will listen to you. You are a nothing, you are a no one.”

But as you will hear in the following conversation, Kathryn says that  Change is possible. Activism isn’t relegated to the wealthy, the famous, the politicians and superstars. We “regular people” have the power to make change happen, too.

(You can pre-order Kathryn’s new book, Stand, too!)

 

Show #245 – May 9, 2015

Guests: Bob Roll aka “Bobke”; author and historian David Herlihy

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better – it gets better!

The weather is fabulous, the riding season is in full swing, the Giro d’Italia and Amgen Tour of California are happening, and I have the honor of two more great guests this week.

First up is Bobke – Mr Bob Roll himself. When I talked with Phil Liggett a couple of weeks ago, I told him I wanted to speak with Bob and the stars aligned so that it became possible. Taking a short break from his busy speaking and commentating schedule, Bob was at home in Colorado this week and we sat down (well, in our separate locations!) and had a chat about the Paris-Roubaix, Bob’s racing days, the book he authored that is commanding almost $100 a copy these days, why he finds cycling such a fascinating sport, and even a few off-cycling topics.

Then, I head on east to Boston to welcome David Herlihy back to the show. When his book, The Lost Cyclist, was published a few years ago, I sat down with David right here in Cleveland where he was giving a talk and signing books at a local book store. Now, more has come to light about Franz Lenz, that “lost cyclist”, as well as another oddly similar story about the two cyclists who preceded Lenz in his bid to bicycle around the world. It all comes together in “Round Trip“, an exhibit of 43 almost lost photographs that will open in Houston, Texas on the 14th.

Grab a chair – turn up the volume – as I welcome Bob to to the show.

Show #225 – December 20, 2014

Guests: Pro Cyclist and film producer Kathryn Bertine; Coach, author, and ultra-distance athlete Mark Kleanthous

Happy holidays to all! Happy Solstice too!

With just a few more days to get those last minute gifts, we have two guests whose work might just offer up a suggestion and, regardless – are interesting for who they are and what they do.

My first guest is the producer and director of the cycling documentary “Half the Road: The Passion, Power, & Pitfalls of Women’s Professional Cycling.”

Although Kathryn Bertine started out as a figure skater, she found her way into triathlon and then fell in love with road cycling.

Quickly riding to the top of the standings, she found out just how difficult it is for women – even very talented women – to find a place in pro cycling. So, she fell back on her journalism work (she was a writer for ESPN) and called upon all her connections to produce this 1 hour and 52 minute documentary. It includes some of the great cyclists from the past – Connie Carpenter Phinney and Inga Thompson for example; and some of the great women racing today. The film is narrated by ex-pro cyclist and well-known race announcer Bob Roll. You can find out more about the film and the accompanying book at www.halftheroad.com.

In the second half of the show, we will speak with Mark Kleanthous,  ultra-distance athlete, coach, and author of the new book, The Mental Battle: Triathlon .

Mark also authored the Complete Book of Triathlon Training and has over 1050 triathlons, marathons, and other ultra-endurance events under his belt.

The Mental Battle gives you all the ammunition you need to conquer the demons that plague an athlete mentally when racing or training. From positive imagery to a litany of A-Z of negative words we tend to use that end up sabotaging our goals, Mark gives you the tools you need to train and compete. (And, if you order one of the books from his web site, Mark will sign it for you too!)

Either the film or the book might just be the right “last gift” for you or your cyclist!