Show #203 – July 19, 2014

Guests: Betsy Andreu; Ultra Endurance Rider Scott Luikart; Entrepreneur & Cyclist Cathy Rogers

Oh yeah – mid Tour we’ve seen it ALL… epic rides off the front, crashes that caused many of those who might have otherwise been on the podiums to abandon, and an off-the-back 50km ride by Andrew Talansky that had all of France, if not all the world, watching as he needed to cross the finish line to qualify for the next day’s ride as well as show what it’s like to be a true team player. If you aren’t following this year’s Tour de France, I would suggest that it’s one of the best in recent history!

So, here’s what’s happening on the show this week.

My first guest is Betsy Andreu. Since it became FACT that what she and her husband Frankie said long ago about Lance Armstrong’s history with doping, she has experienced both unbearable stress and great joy. Coming out the other side, Betsy is now enjoying life, raising her three kids – well 4 if you include Frankie – and working to bring an anti-doping message to kids. In fact, she is asking that children and parents visit USADA’s TrueSport site and “take the pledge!”

I also speak with the 24-Hour National Challenge Record Holder, Scott Luikart. When Scott’s twin brother Mark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Scott kicked his commitments into high gear and rides to help raise funds and awareness for Parkinson Research. Scott set the 24-hour record this year by riding 511+ miles in the annual Michigan challenge. But, not resting on his laurels, Scott is training for the 2015 RAAM. Scott tells us how he is able to train for these ultra-endurance events while still working full time and being a father and husband. He’ll share some advice as to how to get into ultra-distance ridings as well as making it to the finish line successfully.

Finally, we’ll speak with Cathy Rogers from AeroTech Designs Cyclewear. Cathy has been a cyclist all her life and, coming from that era when cycling apparel was ONLY for men and often inappropriate in a lot of ways, began making her own clothing. Well, you know how that goes – one thing leads to another and suddenly, she found herself in the apparel business – full time. Speaking with us from a dorm room in Madison, WI as she wends her way back home from an epic cross-country ride, Cathy will tell us all about Aero Tech and her philosophy on good customer relationships.

Show #91 – May 26, 2012

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.