Tag: Davis Phinney

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Show #615 – November 12, 2022

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Guests: Polly Dawkins; Andrew McLemore

As we approach the holiday season, I’ve put together several episodes highlighting charitable gift giving opportunities that relate to cycling.

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Scott Bachelor

This episode focuses on Parkinson’s Disease and especially the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Davis Phinney is probably one of the most important U.S. cycling icons winning 328 races in his career, which spanned the 1980’s and 1990’s

But, at the age of 40, Davis was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease, and instead of succumbing to the worry and terror that the diagnosis might engender, he launched the Davis Phinney Foundation.

One of the first projects that the Foundation invested in was the work that Dr. ay Albers was doing here at the Cleveland Clinic, showing how cycling could reduce the tremors of Parkinson’s.

Now at 63 Davis’s symptoms are still worsening, but his resolve to live his best life every day is stronger than ever.

Executive Director Polly Dawkins takes us from the inception of the Foundation to present day and what we can do to support those with the disease as well as helping those who are care givers.

In the second half of the show, I speak with Andrew McLemore, the associate news editor of Gear Junkie. As he says, he’s a general news reporter for what he likes to call the REI sports – you know, climbing,, backpacking, kayaking, and of course, cycling!

Andrew talks with me about a virtual reality experience at the upcoming UCI World Track Champions League in London next month – and I know less than nothing about virtual reality.

We also discuss the crazy Walleye Fishing Contest where the alleged winners were found to be cheating, stuffing their catches with weights and other fish fillets. It sounds really weird, but we’re talking $30,000 in prize money!

Then, next time, we’ll be speaking with Dave Wiens, the E.D. of IMBA.  Usually when we speak with Dave it’s about what IMBA does for us – this time, the conversation goes to how we can offer our support for the organization.

We’ll also have Part I of our gift guide with Dan Cavallari – things you absolutely positively would LOVE to have!

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Show #285 – February 13, 2016

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Guests: Connie Carpenter-Phinney, Don Walker

I love my work!

Connie Carpenter-Phinney has been a champion since she was 14, and today as the wife of Davis Phinney, the mother of BMC’s Taylor Phinney, and the mother of a world class Nordic skiing daughter, she relishes the quirky, fun, and fascinating lifestyle that they have developed over the past decades.

Connie and I talk about a variety of topics including Parkinson’s disease (Davis was diagnosed at the young age of 40) and the Sufferlandria competition that is raising money for the Davis Phinney Foundation.

We get in to a bit of women’s racing history and speculation about how and why it has changed – especially n light of today’s great competitors.

And, of course we discuss Taylor’s bid for gold at the 2016 Olympics.

After a short break to punch up Radiothon, we head on in to some news and then down to Kentucky to talk with “The Don” – Don Walker.

NAHBS 2016 is around the corner and it’s always fun to find out what’s coming up for the artisan show that is now in its 12th year!

SO – back to Radiothon for just a moment… the window of opportunity to pledge your support of our show and all the great programming at WJCU (which streams some of the best college radio anywhere) will close on Tuesday, February 17th at 5pm. PLEASE pledge your support!

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Show #268 – October 17, 2015

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Guests: Pro Racer Taylor Phinney; CruzBike CEO Maria Parker

Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with a young man who is thoughtful, interesting, introspective, and multi-talented.

25 year old pro racer Taylor Phinney rides for Pro Team BMC and is headed for the 2016 Olympics in Rio after qualifying for the time trial at the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia last month.

The son of Connie Carpenter-Phinney and Davis Phinney – both world class athletes and Olympians – Taylor gives us a glimpse into growing up in this athletic and down-to-earth family, how he found his artistic outlet when he was injured and rehabbing after a nasty crash, and how he really likes a great sandwich – among other things!

Then, after a break for some news, we head down to North Carolina to speak with multi-record holder endurance athlete and CEO of CruzBike, Maria Parker.

I met this energetic lady at the Recumbent Cycle-Con in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and wanted to know more about her and the company she runs.

CruzBikes are built differently than other recumbents and a lot of people came down to test ride them and find out how and why. Maria answers all those questions!

At 50, Maria is racing and winning – and raising funds for brain cancer research. Her sister, who died from the disease, became the impetus for redoubling her racing and riding efforts and continues to champion the cause for more funding and research to find a cure.

So, sit back and enjoy my chat with Taylor Phinney!

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Show #91 – May 26, 2012

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This week’s Outspoken Cyclist is all about “challenge”. The world of sports in general throws around the word “challenge” a lot. Many iconic events have the word “challenge” in their names. Today’s show features three people who will see your so-called challenge and raise you a life-altering experience.

Leading off is Davis Phinney, one of America’s greatest and most successful bike racers. Davis is married to Connie Carpenter-Phinney, a successful racer in her own right, and their son Taylor is currently racing the Giro d’Italia. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 40, and has since formed the Davis Phinney Foundation to raise funds and awareness to help people with Parkinson’s live well today and every day. Davis has some great insights on his own experience with PD, as well as the subject of ‘cure vs. management’.

Bringing it back to the local level here in Cleveland, we welcome back our friend and Alaskan ‘wild rider” Doug Bahniuk. Like Davis Phinney, Doug is also living with Parkinson’s (and living well, by the looks of him), and this summer he’ll be Riding the Rockies with the goal of raising $5,000 for the Davis Phinney Foundation. Check out Doug’s blog for more details.

Last, but certainly not least, our final guest today is Mark Stephan. In 2007, Mark was involved in a cycling crash that broke two vertebrae in his neck and left him a quadriplegic. Two years later, he climbed stairs to the top of the Sears Tower. This summer, he’s riding cross country on a recumbent trike. After you hear his amazing story on The Outspoken Cyclist, you’ll want to learn more at Stephan Challenge.