Show #633 – July 10, 2023

Guests: Matt deNeef; Craig Della Penna

This episode of TOC offers up two very different topics.

Image Courtesy of Dale Menegazzo

First up is Matt de Neef.  He is the managing editor of Escape Collective, the online presence of independent cycling journalism.

I caught up with Matt just before Stage 1 of the Tour to chat about his article, In Pursuit of the UCI Overlord, published June 22nd on the Escape site.

In his story, Matt details the shady goings-on of one Aaron Brown who, in 2012, disappeared with more than $70,000 of “other peoples’ money.”  That money was intended for a defense fund for Irish journalist Paul Kimmage.

Going way back to 2012, Irish journalist Paul Kimmage was sued for defamation by the UCI and two of its principals.  In his book, Rough Ride, Paul claimed that the UCI had buried the results of a doping test from Lance Armstrong.  The UCI took umbrage to that claim and slapped Paul with the suit.

Matt dove down the rabbit hole to find out what happened to the money and to Aaron Brown.  What he found will boggle your mind.

Here in the States, people don’t take kindly to picking on journalists and along with editor and writer Lesli Cohen and Andy Shen, a defense fund was set up to help with Kimmage’s legal fees.

What happened next is one of those tales of intrigue and duplicity that keep you riveted to the page.

Also, click on the links If you want some background on Lesli Cohen and Paul Kimmage from back in 2012.

If you want to know anything about rail trails, Craig Della Penna is da’ man!  Our conversation today is about the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail System and what it is going to take to complete a 104 mile long trail that runs west from Boston to Northampton and intersects with 18 other rail trails.

Craig is the President of the Board of Directors at Norwottuck Network, as well as the Owner of Sugar Maple Trailside Inn in Florence, MA. He doesn’t just talk the talk!

After writing his first book on the history of old RR lines and their conversion to bike trails, Craig was hired by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as their New England Field Representative focusing on the policy end of building rail trails as well as public outreach.  He worked for them for seven years and left in 2004 to become a Realtor, specializing in the sale of houses near the trails. 

Having given well over 1,200 lectures in 21 states and Canadian provinces, Craig is one of the country’s most sought after motivational speakers on the economic development, tourism, and community development aspect of rail-trails, and their leveraging small amounts of public dollars to redevelop forgotten or derelict lands into treasured places.

He and his wife Kathleen, operate an award-winning bed & breakfast in a restored, Civil War era house where the restoration was so extreme, it was featured on HGTV. The house sits 8 feet from one of the earliest muni-built rail trails in New England. And within 150 miles of his house sits the densest network of former steam RR corridor in the US.

As he stated in our conversation, you can contact Craig directly by email or log on to the nowottuck network.

 

 

Show #506 – June 6, 2020

Guests: Jesse Anthony; Amy Kapp; Dr. Tab Combs

What a week it has been here in the U.S. And I, for one, am happy to immerse myself in the show and bring you three diverse guests.

COVID19 is still wreaking havoc with a lot of things – including our trails, our streets, and our athletes who had high hopes of competing in any of a number of now cancelled or postponed competitions.

We talk about all three.

First up is Jesse Anthony. Jesse grew up in the Northeast and has been a cyclist all his life, competing until a few years ago. Now, he is the manager and coach of USA Cycling’s Cyclocross team and we chat with him about what we might expect as the cyclocross season looms large in the Fall.

Then, Amy Kapp, editor-in-chief of the Rails-toTrails magazine, gives us some insight into what trail managers are doing, what trail etiquette looks like in the era of the pandemic, and how to enjoy our amazing network of trails this summer.

 

Finally, Dr. Tab Combs joins me to talk about what urban planners are thinking and doing – not only in the time of a pandemic; but, also about how we might need to think about the communities in which newly opened streets have cropped up for more walking and biking, might have to re-think plans with the onset of turmoil and protests in those streets.

Show #458 – June 22, 2019

Guests: Eli Griffen; Molly Hurford; Dan Wuori

An item that came across my desk prompted me to get in touch with Rails-to-Trails and with Eli Griffen, the Manager for Trail Development Resources.

The topic is rail banking and I wanted to know more about it. Rail banking isn’t a new phenomenon; and, in fact, hundreds if not thousands of our rail-trails are due to the practice. Eli will explain it when we talk with him in a moment. He’ll also fill us in on some of the progress of the Great American Bike Trail.

We’ll have a quick chat with writer, coach, endurance athlete, and the proud author of Shred Girls – Lindsay’s Joy Ride. The much anticipated book was just published by Random House Kids and is the first in the Shred Girls series.
Last and always interesting, fun, and informative is our pre-Tour de France chat with Velo News’ Dan Wuori. With Chris Froome’s untimely crash at the Dauphine and a so-far lack luster spring for 2018 yellow jersey holder Thomas Geraint, it just might be anybody’s guess as to who will stand atop the podium in Paris this year.

Show #440 – February 16, 2019

Guests: Kevin Mills; Bill Elliston

 

This week, Kevin Mills, Senior VP for Policy at Rails to Trails introduces us to the Great American Bike Trail – a cross country, 12-state alternative to riding on the road. With 12 states already identified and thousands of miles already in place, Kevin fills us in on what the next steps are in completing this long-held vision of the Rails to Trails organization.

Then, it’s a great conversation with Bill Elliston,  pro racer, coach, race announcer, and probably one of the most mellow and well rounded “lifers” in our sport of cycling.

Highlighted in an interview by Peter Flax back in 2017, Bill Elliston’s history and career come to life in our conversation – from his early beginnings to his work with the athletes coaches today, Bill has a great perspective on cycling.

Show #380 – December 23, 2017

Guests: Keith Laughlin, David Coventry

Happy, happy holidays everyone!

This week, I speak with Keith Laughlin from Rails-to-Trails as our last end-of-year charitable gift idea. We talk about the vast numbers of trails, the future of the trail system, and some programs that will be launched in 2018.

Then, award winning author David Coventry joins me via Skype from Wellington, New Zealand to talk about his book The Invisible Mile.

The story revolves around the 1928 Tour de France and the Ravat-Wonder team – the first English speaking team to compete in the grueling race. The story is told from the first-person perspective of an “unnamed” protagonist and delves deeply into the psyche of racing.

Then, I once again offer up Maynard Hershon‘s “Nice Wheels” as a “feel good” story for the holiday season.

The show isn’t long – but, it’s full of good stuff!

Happy Holidays!

Show #340 – March 25, 2017

First, we speak with our Washington, DC connection, Keith Laughlin, who is President of Rails to Trails.  Right after the election last fall, we asked Keith what he thought might happen vis a vis infrastructure, biking, and walking and he said it was “too soon to tell.”  This past week, the President’s “:skinny budget” was released and we come to find out that all the TIGER grants are slated for elimination.  So, what that portends for other transportation issues is yet to be revealed.  Keith gives us some solid information AND advice on how to add your voice where it will be heard – members of the House and Senate appropriations committees!

Then, we meet a Warm Showers hostess who is nothing less than amazing!  She’s 87, offers  a 7-person bunk-house for cycling travelers replete with breakfast AND dinner, and is in the process of building a “tiny house” – just because she can!  Carol Montgomery is one of my heroes and you are going to fall in love with her.

Lastly, it’s time for the Spring Classics and no one can give us better insight into the events, the riders, and the teams than Dan Wuori.  I always enjoy talking with Dan because he is so knowledgeable and I get to learn so much!

It’s a great show!

Show #320 – November 5, 2016

Guests: Ayesha McGowan; Keith Laughlin; Marlaine Koehler

First show of November and it’s a great one!

We start with a bright, energetic go-getter by the name of Ayesha McGowan. Ayesha began racing at 28 and quickly shot up the ladder – winning the Cat 4 NY State Criterium Championship in 2015, she took first place at the 2016 NY State Road Race, and has her sights set on stage and time trial races for the upcoming season.

What’s so interesting besides the quick one-two wins? She’s a music teacher and is involved with the tandem group InTandem that trains captains to ride with sight-impaired stokers .

There’s a lot more to this young lady; just listen in!

Then we head to Washington, DC to talk with Keith Laughlin, executive director of Rails To Trails. Keith is a Washingtonian who has a great feel for what’s happening that might impact biking and waling at the highest levels of government and I always like checking in with him before a big election.
We also talk about what’s happening with the Rails to Trails organization including the roll out of a new program after years of study.

Lastly, we learn about Canada’s Waterfront Trail from executive director Marlaine Koehler. The Trail began as the vision of former Toronto Mayor David Crombie when the country started putting together the environment, the lake front, and bicycling.

Today, the Waterfront Trail is approaching 2,000km with dozens of great stops in historic places along the way.

Marlaine gives us some history, some travel information, and some incentive to put the Waterfront Trail on our cycling bucket lists.

Show #253 – July 4, 2015

Guests: BMC’s Sport Director Jackson Stewart; Rails-to-Trails President Keith Laughlin

It’s time for the Tour de France! (As if you didn’t know…) AND, this evening we are right there – well, not really; but, our first guest is and it turns out, his team rider Rohan Dennis WON STAGE ONE!

Team BMC Pro racer-turned-sport director Jackson Stewart spoke with me from Utrecht, Holland on Wednesday night right after the team arrived to settle in for Stage 1 on Saturday.

Jackson gives us his perspective on the how the race might unfold – including his hopes for a Yellow Jersey for team leader Tejay Van Garderen. We talk weather, equipment, race radios, and more.

Meantime, Rohan Dennis wears the maillot jeune going into Stage II and I’m sure all of team BMC is celebrating tonight!

After a break and some news, I’m heading on down to Washington, D.C. to speak with Rails-to-Trails director Keith Laughlin about what progress Congress and the Senate have made on the Federal transportation bill.

We also talk about the 50th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta trail in Wisconsin the first of now over 22,000 miles of trails that have been developed nationwide and how these trails have changed the communities through which they travel.

We also talk about how technology is impacting the Rails-to-Trails organization in an effort to give folks access to information while still keeping the trails pure and serene.

Hope you’re having a safe and fun 4th of July! Just remember to include Outspokencyclist in your plans! 

Show #216 – October 18, 2014

Guests: Philly Bike Expo’s Bina Bilenky Trahan, Rails-to-Trails director Keith Laughlin; Brett Horton of the Horton Collection

As bike shows go, the Philly Bike Expo is one of the best! And, as the weekend of November 8-9th approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to check in with show director Bina Bilenky Trahan and find out what is new for 2014. The Outspoken Cyclist herself will be attending the show this year too!

As we ramp up to the midterm elections here in the U.S., and with a possible changing of the majority party as an outcome, I wanted to find out how transportation issues might be affected. So, I always like to go to the “man-in-the-know”, Rails to Trails director Keith Laughlin. Keith has been in Washington, DC for many, many years and knows what is happening in Congress as well as anyone. He’ll also catch us up on some new and exciting developments with Rails to Trails for 2015.

Even though it’s still 10 weeks until the holidays, I wanted to get a jump start on some ideas for the gift giving season and, as everyone knows, I LOVE books!

From the over 170,000 photographs of the 1920’s and 1930’s of what racing looked like in the early 20th Century, Brett Horton, owner and curator of the Horton Collection was able to choose 106 of them to offer in a lovely hardbound book titled “Goggles & Dust – Images from Cycling’s Glory Days”. The book celebrates the grit and determination of the bicycle racing pioneers who established the records, traditions, and distinct flavors of Europe’s most hallowed races.

Show #186 – March 15, 2014

Guests: Keith Laughlin, Rails-to-Trails;  Zach Vanderkooy, Green Lane Project;  Mike Cobb, Disaster Relief Trials

It’s official; the weather in northeast Ohio has caused me to give up on the notion of riding a bicycle out of doors. Ever. And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

If the federal government gives a railroad some land, what happens to the land when it’s no longer used for train tracks? According to the Supreme Court of the United States, it reverts to the adjacent, private landowners. Otherwise, a bike trail might run through someone’s house. Or something. Anyway, Keith Laughlin of Rails to Trails is here (again) this week to explain the court’s recent decision and its potential impact on rail-trails.

On a brighter note, People for Bikes is gaining traction with their Green Lane Project. According to Zack Vanderkooy, director of the Green Lane Project, green lanes are also known as separated bike lanes. This project works with selected cities to implement these lanes to make urban cycling safer and more accessible.

DRT_Pic(photo by Ethan Jewett)

And finally, out of Portland, Oregon comes Mike Cobb and his Disaster Relief Trials. The concept is a friendly competition to get people thinking about using cargo bikes to transport supplies in the wake of a natural disaster. This technique popped up in a limited way after Superstorm Sandy, when roads, electricity, and gasoline supplies in the NY/NJ area were compromised. As we say in IT, never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of backup tapes!