Tag: Julie Walcoff

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Show #342 – April 8, 2017

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Guests: Julie Walcoff; Tim French; Abbie Durkee

The show this week begins with the mention of yet another untimely and tragic loss to the cycling community. Steve Tilford, 4-time National Cyclocross Champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee (and that’s barely scratching the surface of who he was and what he did) was struck and killed on the Utah-Colorado border in the midst of a nasty truck/car crash on the Interstate Wednesday night.

His popular blog, SteveTilford.com has more information on Steve, his legacy, and offers you a glimpse into this special man. His loss will be felt for a long time to come.

After a short break, I talk with ODOT‘s Julie Walcoff about the opening of USBR50 through Ohio. A ribbon cutting took place this morning (April 8th) in London, Ohio to officially open the east-to-west designated bike route that will eventually be part of the cross-country USBR50 from California to Washington, DC.

Julie fills us in on how the route developed, the communities which all got on board with the plan, and some of the other projects that are in process at Ohio’s Department of Transportation.

Then, I check in with Tim French who is the 2017 ride director for the Cherohala Challenge. I’ve been hearing about this ride for many years and, this being a special year – 17 – on the 17th of June – in 2017, it was time to find out more.

There are 4 routes including the “Challenge”, a 115 mile ride that includes the famous “Dragon Tail” 318 turns in 11 miles, and over 10,350′ of climbing for the day. Fastest man and woman are the “designated Black Knights”. Your reward? The “dragon slayer” medal for finishing!

Then, I introduce you to Abbie Durkee, a true entrepreneur who is about to launch a brand new concept in bicycle retail – mainly for women. But, wait there’s way more – she’s a yoga (like me), she’s a mountain biker, a mom, and an artist. And, her story is very interesting! Oh, and her My Alibi Clothing company is famous for its bloomers!

Grab a beer – it’s a good one!

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Show #242 – April 18, 2015

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Guests: Anna Schwinn; Matt Bruning and Julie Walcoff from ODOT; Sea Otter Classic with Paul Skilbeck

Flowers blooming, sun shining, and birds singing – it is spring here in NE Ohio; always welcomed and appreciated!

This week we have a trio of guests for you beginning with one of the zaniest and wittiest women in the bike world today. When we last talked with Anna Schwinn, her fledgling all-women’s cycling team “Koochella Racing” had just been formed and Anna was designing bikes.

Today, her team has grown, their focus has expanded, and Anna is now able to direct her attention on her team’s efforts as she pursues her freelance work for Bike Rumor. We talk about track racing and the NSC Velodrome in Minnesota. And, Anna has some great insight into women’s cycling at the grass roots level that I hadn’t heard before and I think you’ll find it enlightening.

Then it’s off to Columbus, Ohio with Matt Bruning, Press Secretary for the State of Ohio Department of Transportation and Julie Walcoff, the Ohio bike/ped and Safe Routes To School coordinator. Ohio’s Governor Kasich signed a $3 billion (that’s with a “B”) transportation bill on April 1st, and I wanted to learn how some of that money might go to funding bike/ped projects as well as expanding education efforts.  Matt and Julie are full of great information for us.

Finally, the 25th annual Sea Otter Classic kicked off this weekend and our press inside man-on-the-ground Paul Skilbeck talks with us about the events, a bit of background, and how this silver anniversary will be celebrated. You can also follow the Sea Otter this year with their new mobile app on both Apple and Android platforms.

Big show – lots going on – so, hit the play button and let’s roll.