Tag: Paul Tolme

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Show #630 – May 31, 2023

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Guests: Paul Tolme; Gretchen Reynolds

Not too long ago, we spoke with Paul Tolme, the communications manager of the Cascade Bicycle Club headquartered in Seattle.

I was so taken with some of the programs this 10,000-member club is developing and implementing, that when Paul contacted me about the Pedaling Relief Project, which is reaching a huge milestone, as well as to update me on some of their legislative initiatives, I thought I’d share his news with you. 

Our conversation sort of began before I did the “formal intro” so, I figure we’ll just fade into it… he’s always raring to go!

I always take away such great information from the work Cascade is doing.  You can find out more about the Club, read the blog, sign up for any of their rides and events, or learn about their many and varied programs at Cascade.org.

My second guest is the Washington Post’s award winning author Gretchen Reynolds.

Gretchen writes the “Your Move” column for the Post on Wednesdays.

Today, we’re going to talk about what sometimes happens with athletes who exercise at intense levels over long periods of time. 

In her May 17th article, “When Too Much Exercise Is Bad for Your Heart,” Gretchen talks about a new study of ultra-endurance athletes which showed an unusually high incidence of AFib.

We’ll also discuss the benefits of exercising outdoors in green space. Turns out, it’s the best!

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Show #626 – March 27, 2023

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Guests: John Surcio; Paul Tolme

My first guest is no stranger to TOC.  A couple of times a year, at least, I ask journalist and NYU professor, John Surico to join me and catch us up on what is happening in NYC.

The reason I look to him and to NY is that he’s got his ear to the ground on everything from climate and sustainability to walking, biking, and advocacy plus a lot more. I like the way he thinks and especially what he talks about on his substack pages, Streetbeat.

In our conversation, I ask him what his students might be thinking about the field of journalism as the editorial and reporting landscapes continue to shift and morph – with fewer print papers and magazines, more controversial news outlets, so much misinformation, and the need for focus on relevant problems – like climate, cities, sustainability, and more. We talk about “super sidewalks” in our conversation; here is a link to the video that explains it.

John just completed a year working with the Central Park Conservancy to help explore how to keep the iconic park healthy and relevant while studying the park to see what climate change is doing to the trees, grass, and general environment.  He talks about two of the programs he worked on and how they might impact the park going forward. His insights and observations always give me food for thought as I look at the issues facing NYC and how we mirror them across the country.

In the second half of the show, I welcome Paul Tolme, the communications manager and spokesperson for the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle,

Washington. Several years ago, I spoke with a young PhD candidate out in Seattle about the work he was doing along with the Cascade Bicycle Club to have an inequitable helmet law repealed in the city.  The initiative worked, the law was repealed, and helmet use didn’t decline – win X 3.

Today, I speak with Paul about the organization itself – its amazing number of club members – 10,000 – and the statewide programs and events it offers. In addition to the famous rides the club offers – the 44 year old iconic STP Ride (Seattle to Portland) and the RSVP – Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party,) as well as all the programs and tours offered,

I don’t think any single fact was more impressive than a 10,000 member club roster.  Even though the club is a statewide organization, 10,000 members is mighty impressive.

With that kind of support, it is no wonder that Cascade is able to influence local and state legislators and planners to improve cycling and walking in Washington, develop great educational programs, like the one that is being implemented in schools, and organize one of the most iconic and enduring events in the country – The famous STP – Seattle to Portland ride – that will be held July 15th and 16th this year.

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Show #547 – March 20, 2021

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Guests: Paul Tolme & Ethan Campbell; Joe Lindsey: Caron Whitaker

I want to begin with a statement and a question.

We 100% support the wearing of bicycle helmets – for everyone. That said, should there be a legal mandate insisting that everyone wear one when riding?

We begin with King County, Washington, into which Seattle’s boundaries fall. It’s had a bicycle helmet law on the books for YEARS. The law was marginally enforced for a while and then enforcement just sort of dropped off. However, citations are still being issued.

That begged several questions – why had it dropped off? And, if citations are still being issued, what are the circumstances around that?

Now, that law is being challenged and there is a campaign to have it struck down. I speak with PhD student Ethan Campbell – whose field of study is not even remotely connected to the topic of bicycle helmets by the way – and to Paul Tolme, content strategy and media relations manager for the Cascade Bicycle Club out in Seattle.

Then, we do a quick check-in with journalist Joe Lindsey. Like me, he watches the news carefully for bicycle-related stories and we both caught the story about former NBA star Shawn Bradley who was seriously injured back in January while riding his bike.

And while t hat’s a big story unto itself, it is the media’s coverage that irked both of us.

From renown news outlets such as cbsnews, espn, , abc, tmz, and more, the reporting about former NBA star Shawn Bradley, is just wrong. As we have had drilled into our heads over the past few years, these are not ACCIDENTS – they are crashes.

And, since I always like Joe’s straight forward thinking on these types of things, I knew he would have some helpful and insightful things to say.  (Read Joe’s article about this topic!)

Lastly, we speak with Deputy Executive Director of the LAB, Caron Whitaker. This year’s National Bike Summit wrapped up recently and I thought we should all be aware of what resulted in this unusual time of not being able to actually see our legislators face-to-face – well, unless you consider Zoom.

I want to preface my conversation with Caron Whitaker with an apology for the sound quality on Caron’s end. I was unable to clear up some of the distortion in editing; but, the conversation was too good to discard all together.

This year’s National Bike Summit was, of course, virtual. What I didn’t expect though was how incredibly successful it turned out to be!

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Show #136 – March 30, 2013

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GUESTS: GILLIAN KLEMPNER WILLMAN, PAUL TOLME, JEFF FROST

 

I’m told we can blame the record number of “trainer miles” ridden this year on the Greenland Block. I’m about ready to fly up there, kick some Viking ass, and get that thing moving. In the meantime, here’s another hour of cycling conversation to divert your attention while you ride the “bike to nowhere”.

First up is an interview with Gillian Klempner Willman, who directed and produced a new film entitled The New Woman. It’s a documentary about Annie Londonderry’s journey around the world on her bicycle in 1894. The New Woman will be screening locally in April as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival.

For about 120 years, one constant about the bicycle has been the chain. We love them, we hate them, we lube them, but (so far) we haven’t been able to live without them. The Gates Company is attempting to change that with their Gates Carbon Drive. Joining us this week is Paul Tolme, Brand Evangelist for Gates to enlighten us on what it is, how it works, and why you might want one.

Rounding out the show this week is a look into one of the biggest bike race/festivals in the country: The Sea Otter Classic, which is coming up in mid-April in Monterey, California. We’ll hear from Jeff Frost, who is the Sea Otter Athletic Director about what’s happening in addition to bike racing at this year’s event.