Tag: Dennis Markatos-Soriano

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Show #625 – March 18, 2023

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Guests: Joe Lindsey; Dennis Markatos-Soriano

On our last podcast, Caley Fretz, editor-in-chief of the new Escape Collective cycling website, was talking about the then imminent launch of the project and how some of the best journalists would be going in-depth to bring the cycling stories and information subscribers wanted.

Well, Escape DID go live this week and met its initial goal(s) so that they could indeed sign some of the best journalists, photographers, editors, and developers in the business.

This episode of the show features one of these great journalists.

When we spoke, Joe Lindsey, who has been on the show in the past and who does some amazing reporting as you will hear in a moment, alluded to what was coming next for him and, sho’ ‘nuf – he’s the new Senior Editor at Escape Collective and I think it’s a match made in cycling heaven.

Today’s conversation with Joe is the result of some extensive research and reporting.

I don’t know what you think or believe about autonomous vehicles –  AKA self-driving cars –  or some of the functions that might no longer need a human to make decisions – but, I think you will find my conversation with investigative journalist Joe Lindsey fascinating!

In his March 1st article for Bicycling Magazine titled “Self-Driving Cars Won’t Save Us Any Time Soon”, Joe Lindsey goes into great detail to explain why that is so.

In our conversation, he breaks down the range of autonomous vehicle categories, what is – or perhaps more appropriately what is NOT happening with legislation, and why humans are still better than AI in a lot of ways.

After our break, I check in with Dennis Markatos-Soriano, the executive director of the East Coast Greenway.  As many of you know, I am a member of the Greenway’s advisory board and I’m always pleased to be able to relay what’s happening with funding, projects, and great stories from the Greenway’s paths and  trails.

With more than 1,000 completed miles of the 3,000 planned miles of the Maine to Florida ECG, it’s time to check in with executive director Dennis Markatos-Soriano to wrap up 2022 and dive into what’s happening in 2023 – and it’s a lot!

With a new initiative, Greenways For All, Dennis gives up some insight into the difference between – yes we want to make consequential changes for safer and better walking a biking – and what might be holding us back from seeing it happen.

Check out greenwaysforall.org and greenway.org for all the information about the East Coast Greenway and how you can get involved.

Next time on TOC, I speak with Paul Tolme from the Cascade Cycling Club in Seattle.  With over 10,000 members, this state-wide club isn’t fooling around when it comes to offering programs, rides, and legislative opportunities for better biking in Washington State.

We also check in with our NYC ear-to-the-ground biking and sustainability guru John Surico.

 

 

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Show #528 – November 14, 2020

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Guests: Dennis Markatos-Soriano; Chuck Marohn; Lou Mazzante

As many of you know, I am an advisory board member to the East Coast Greenway and when something exciting happens with the organization, I like to share it with you.

One of the BEST things about the Greenway is its commitment to the environment, knowing that infrastructure that expands walking, biking, and other outdoor activities is good for all of us.

On Monday, November 17th (yep THIS coming Monday!) the first in the Impact Series – this conversation about climate – with take place between my guest, ECG’s executive director Dennis Markatos-Soriano, and Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, who is also an ECG advisory board member. You can listen to the conversation for free at greenway.org

Then, it’s another great conversation with Strong Towns‘ founder Chuck Marohn. 

Today we discuss a specific traffic situation that led to a young boy’s untimely death as well as exploring the self-defeating decisions that are made by cities and towns when they try to turn a road and a wealth-creating area into what Chuck has coined as a
“stroad.’  And, because this conversation happened in advance of the presidential election, I posed a question to Chuck about infrastructure in a post-election world.

Lastly, my 2nd in a 3-part series with Bicycling Magazine Test Director Lou Mazzante focuses on “high tech” gift items this week.   With the necessity to stay in and stay away from others, we discuss the entertaining as well as training assistance of the Wahoo Kickr indoor trainer, the fun of the new Go-Pro camera, the Whoop strap app, and a 3D printed saddle from Fizik.

(photo courtesy of Trevor Raab)

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Show #483 – December 21, 2019

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Guests: Patrick Brady; Manuel Tajada; Michelle Duffy; Dennis Markatos-Soriano

This week we have the proverbial smorgasbord of shows! 4 guests whose topics range from California, Spain, to Colorado, and finally to the East Coast!

Usually, when we think about Patrick Brady, we think Red Kite Prayer and road bikes, right?

Well, Patrick is wearing a new cap these days as interim executive director of the California Mountain Bike Coalition. In a state so large with so many different areas in which to ride, there are also a plethora of organizations that manage mountain bike issues. So, now there is CAMBT – And, with a new 501(c) 4 designation, there is a new mission – to improve and increase trail access for mountain biking throughout California by providing a unified statewide voice for organizations and individuals.

And, we’ll find out why Patrick is a great choice to head it up.

Then, we head to Barcelona, Spain to speak with Race Director Manuel Tajada about the Garmin Titan Desert Race. Who knew that upwards of 700 people have been competing through the mountains and dunes of Morocco for a week, followed by an entourage of medical assistance, restaurants, technical support, and a spa-like encampment each night?

About to launch its 15th year, the race will also see 5-time TdF winner Miguel Indurain join the ranks with the hope of finishing!

Then, it’s back to the U.S. to speak with the director of off-road events for Lifetime , Michelle Duffy. In the past year, Lifetime has acquired Crusher in the Tushar, Dirty Kanza, and recently announced the new Big Sugar gravel races as the organization looks to expand its already large offering of other events.

To say that gravel is the thing these days was perfectly illustrated when Big Sugar sold out in 4 minutes of when it was announced.

And, finally – Dennis Markatos-Soriano, executive direction of the East Coast Greenway Alliance brings us up to date on the progress made in 2019 on the 3,000 mile north to south – or, if you prefer, south to north – connectors that make walking and biking safer and more enjoyable.

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Show #378 – December 9, 2017

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Guests: Shane Stokes; Dennis Markatos-Soriano; Courtney Laggner

My first guest, Shane Stokes, is the news editor for cyclingtips.com. He’s in Girona, Spain hanging out with about 100 pros who are training and getting ready for the 2018 race season.

Recently, Shane published, “Human rights groups and others call on Giro d’Italia to abandon Israel start“, an article about the Giro d’Italia and the unprecedented move to take the first 3 stages off the Continent and begin in Israel. As one might expect in this time of international turmoil, the move is controversial.

Shane and I discuss the reasons behind the move, who might be protesting and why, and what the riders are saying – if anything.

Then, I catch up with executive director of the East Coast Greenway, Dennis Markatos-Soriano. When we last spoke with Niles Barnes, who is the director of Greenway programs, the 3,000 mile River Relay was just about to get underway. This week, Dennis and I talk about the results of the relay – how many events were held, how many people participated, and how important the Greenway is to the economies of those communities through which it passes.

Finally, we offer up the last of our tangible gift ideas for 2017 when we visit the family owned and run Darn Tough Sock Mill in Vermont. Marketing manager Courtney Laggner “walks” us through the decades old company, explaining why the Darn Tough brand has been able to garner such loyal customers.

She introduces us to the new BA (Bad Ass) Barney and BA (Bad Ass) Betty socks – for all you winter cycling fans and tells us about how to become a “sock tester”.

Kick it back folks! Enjoy!

 

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Show 255 – July 18, 2015

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Guests: Connor Long; Dennis Markatos-Soriano

This week’s show is chock full of awesomeness! We begin by sending off the Velo Sano Ride and our XOBA event. Velo Sano, now in its second year, is already raising multi-millions of dollars for cancer research here at our Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

XOBA, the Cross Ohio Bicycle Adventure, will begin in the Northeast corner of the state and travel down the east side to end up in Racine, Ohio right up against the W. VA. border.

Then we head on over to Copper Mountain, Colorado to speak with cyclist, swimmer, rock climber, actor, and so much more Connor Long. Celebrating his twenty-first birthday today, July 18th, Connor is captaining a team of cyclists to raise funds and awareness for the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome by riding 38+ miles, hoping to top his high mileage mark from 2014.

The ride is called the Copper Pro Challenge Community Ride and Connor is captaining the Courage Classic “Dare To Ride“ team.

Connor has Down Syndrome and his beautiful explanation of what that means blew me away. You are going to love him! (PS – his Dad Brian helps out in this interview, so I didn’t want to leave him out)

After a break and our news – which is full of fun and actually segues quite nicely with Connor’s idea of “triathlon”, we will head on down to Durham, N.C. to speak with the executive director of the East Coast Greenway, Dennis Markatos-Soriano. (watch his TexX talk by clicking on his name!)

The East Coast Greenway vision is for a long-distance, urban, shared-use trail system linking 25 major cities along the eastern seaboard between Calais, Maine and Key West, Florida. It will serve non-motorized users of all abilities and ages. A 2,900-mile long spine route will be accompanied by 2,000 miles of complementary routes that link in key cities, towns, and areas of natural beauty. This green travel corridor will provide cyclists, walkers, and other muscle-powered modes of transportation with a low-impact way to explore the eastern seaboard.

We talk with Dennis about the challenges, the successes, and how this amazing network is coming together.

Full plate tonight so… let’s get to it