Tag: Charlie Cunningham

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Show #279 – January 2, 2016 – Happy New Year!

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Guests: It’s Tim and I discussing “stuff”; Jacquie Phelan

Welcome to 2016 and the first show of the year!

Tim and I decided that, because there was so much more interesting news this past week, we would spend the first 1/2 of our show discussing stuff (very technical term) the we found interest.

For example, StreetsblogUSA has a contest running for the “best street transformation of 2015” and there are 6 finalists, including one in Columbus, Ohio. Here is where you can find out more about the “Streetsie Awards” and cast your vote.

Then there are the “Karma Kits” in Napa, California that are placed in strategic places along a variety of trails to aid a cyclist who might need a patch kit, tube, pump, or even an energy bar and emergency poncho. Andre Garcia, who is a tech at Bicycle Works in NAPA and the originator of the Karma Kits, is also vice president of NAPAbike.org. Good karma for sure!

After a break, we head on out to California to speak with Ms. “Alice B. Toeclips” herself – Jacquie Phelan. Our conversation starts with an update about her husband Charlie Cunningham, who was critically injured in a bike crash back in August. Jacquie tells us how this tragic turn of events has changed their lives and what they are doing to cope as Charlie slowly works toward health. (You can help Jacquie and Charlie by making a small donation to their GoFundMe page)

We also chat about many aspects of her life – her interests, her cycling, the WOMBATS club, and her goal for 2016 to get to the World Single Speed Championships in Australia AND take Charlie with her.

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Show #267 – October 10, 2015

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Guests: Josh Poertner (Silca); Reid Miller (Reid Miller Apparel)

When we think of the greats of our industry – especially mountain biking – Charlie Cunningham doesn’t immediately go to top of the mind. BUT, he was the genius behind the welded aluminum frames (and a whole lot more) and the mountain bike hall-of-famer needs our help.

Here is the back-story: (From an online article in Bicycling this week)

A mountain biking accident in August left Cunningham physically crawling out of the woods for two miles with a major head injury, broken ribs, a broken clavicle, and shattered pelvis. He was only in the hospital for a few days before heading home to custom-build a cane for himself, but six weeks after the accident, his head injury manifested as a subdural hematoma. Today, he’s in the hospital recovering—but his prognosis is questionable.

His wife, single-speed-loving mountain bike devotee Jacquie Phelan**, talked with us about Cunningham, how their love of biking changed both of their lives, and what they’re facing now. Read the interview, and if you’re as touched as we were, consider donating to the GoFundMe site raising money to help with Cunningham’s hospital expenses, rehabilitation, and retrofitting of his home to make it wheelchair-accessible. The cycling community has always taken great pride in taking care of our own, and Cunningham is certainly deserving of a helping hand.

(**click the link to hear my interview with Jacquie back in 2010)

Since that article, Charlie has made some progress – but, he still needs our help. If you are so inclined, go to his GoFundMe page and offer some assistance – even some kind words will help with his healing.

So – this week? We have two great guests.

Josh Poertner was the Technical Director of Zipp Speed Weaponry for 14 years. During that time, he had occasion to meet Claudio Sacchi, the grandson of Felice Sacchi, the founder of Silca – the Italian pump manufacturer. I don’t know of a bike shop that has been in existence more than 10 years that doesn’t have a Silca “pista” (track) pump somewhere – and most are using theirs – 10, 15, 20, even 40 years after manufacture.

So… fast forward to a time that Claudio contracted cancer and as his health declined, so did the company.

In a fortuitous conversation, Josh and Claudio came to an agreement and now Silca is here in the U.S. and is once again heading for the top of the charts with renewed energy, excitement, and innovation.

Josh will take us through that journey up to present day in the first half of the show.

After our break and some news, we head on down to North Carolina to meet up with a most interesting lady. From dreaming about fashion design as a child to a stint in Africa with the Peace Corps and then a short career in Public Health, Reid Miller has come full circle back to her dreams of fashion bringing a classic look to the women who ride their bikes for transportation and recreation.

Hope you enjoy this episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.

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Show #235 – February 28, 2015

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Guests: Veteran Frame Builder Steve Potts; Pro Bike Fitter Curtis Cramblett

On this last day of February, I think we have an outstanding show for you!  We actually have bright sun and temperatures in the double digits – yep! So, I’m in a great mood for talking bikes!

We are only a few days away from the Handmade Show and, as promised, we have another great frame builder with us to talk about his long history in the craft.  Steve Potts of  Steve Potts Bicycles in Petaluma, California is one of the originators of the 29er bike WAY back when and along with Charlie Cunningham, Steve originated the Type II fork (among other things!).  He fabricates pretty much exclusively in titanium now – and for practical as well as aesthetic reasons.

He tells us about his shop, his favorite tools, and how being called a “machinist” is a compliment to him.  All the bikes Steve will have in his booth at NAHBS are already spoken for and are examples of his work.  Steve will also be a member of my frame builder’s panel next Friday morning.

We plum ran out of time for news this week, so we head right on out to San Francisco where professional bike fitter, physical therapist, and certified coach Curtis Cramblett, owner and founder of Revolutions in Fitness,  joins us for a comprehensive conversation on how his holistic view of the bike-body connection is integrated into his work.

Curtis starts with an interview, moves on to how you look on your bike, and then puts your history into the mix to achieve maximum comfort, power, and performance on your bike.  He wants to “enhance human potential” regardless of whether you are an elite triathlete or a recreational rider.

Remember that next week’s show will be pre-recorded and that I will be in Louisville, Kentucky for the 11th annual North American Handmade Show.  Please search me out if you are there and say hello.