Show #232 – February 7, 2015

Guests: Shannon Galpin; Dr. Paul Dimeo; Joe Friel

It’s RADIOTHON WEEK! Please consider making a pledge to help support not only The Outspoken Cyclist, but also WJCU. We are a non-profit, non-commercial station and RADIOTHON is our once-a-year event to raise funds to keep our facility up-to-the-minute in quality equipment. You can pledge on line all week and, you can call in any time (216) 397-4438 and tell the person who answers the phone that the pledge is for the station in support of The Outspoken Cyclist show.
So… on with this week’s show.

After learning that two companies pulled the plug on their sponsorship of the Afghan Women’s Cycling team because of “fear of retribution” in light of the Charlie Hebdo bombings in France, I just needed to check in with Shannon Galpin to find out what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to get these brave young women the help they need so that they can ride their bikes. As Shannon says, when a 14 year old Malala can win a Nobel Peace Prize even though she was shot in the face for standing up for educating women in Muslim countries, these companies should not be afraid to offer assistance to others seeking their freedom and their rights.

We talk with Dr. Paul Dimeo, a Fulbright Scholar, lecturer, and researcher whose specialty is doping in sports. His article in “The Conversation” titled, “Forget Lance Armstrong: the next cycling doper might be your dad jumped out at me and I wanted to know more. Why do amateurs dope? What is the history of doping in sport, especially cycling? And, are things going to change? The conversation is enlightening!

Finally, I welcome back Joe Friel. At 70, Joe, who has written several training bibles and is himself an endurance athlete, recently released “Fast After 50. How To Race Strong For the Rest of Your Life”. Yes, he admits we all slow down; but, he also gives us great ways to stay healthy, strong, fit, and live a longer life by NOT succumbing to the thinking that older equals decline.  The book includes many short essays from professional cyclists, triathletes, runners, doctors, and sports professionals.

BIG show… let’s GO