Tag: Rails to Trails

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Show #184 – March 1, 2014

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Guests: Keith Laughlin, Rails-to-Trails; Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Eric Barber, Copenhagen Wheel Project

The calendar says March 1st, but the thermometer says “January 1st”; what’s a poor cyclist to do? To paraphrase a famous bike racer, you can either ride or hide. If you’re riding, dress warmly; if you’re hiding, fire up the podcast machine and enjoy a brand new episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.

The 2014 LAB National Bike Summit is coming up this week in Washington, DC, and Keith Laughlin, Executive Director of Rails to Trails joins us to talk about what his organization has planned for the Summit and beyond. You might be surprised that Rails to Trails is about more than just trails these days.

Also checking in from Washington, DC is Democratic Senator from right here in Ohio, Sherrod Brown. Senator Brown brings us up to date on what’s happening with federal funding of transportation infrastructure, and also professes his undying love for a traditional northeast Ohio winter.

After the break and some news, we get the long-awaited scoop on the Copenhagen Wheel Project. Eric Barber, the Hardware Engineering Manager for the project joins us from Boston to talk about this new electric rear wheel which includes regenerative braking, learns your pedaling habits, and gathers data about your surroundings as you ride. No truth to the rumor that version 2.0 will “make you a sandwich and do your laundry.”

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Show #146 – June 8, 2013

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GUESTS: NEIL BROWNE, KEITH LAUGHLIN, NICK CRUMPTON

 

Neil Browne is back with us to talk about Lance’s chances fore redemption, and the general state of competitive cycling. If listening to Diane’s conversation leaves you wanting more, head over to Browne Eye Cycling for an alternate, independent look at bike racing.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy held one of their three yearly board meetings here in Cleveland this week, and the President of RTC, Keith Laughlin stopped by the WJCU studios for a quick chat on his way to the airport. RTC is preparing to push into the mobile-connected era with a trail finder app, plus all their normal work to extend and connect America’s rail-trail network.

Finally, if you think that all custom framebuilders in the U.S. work in steel or titanium, or if you think all carbon comes from a big factory somewhere (usually overseas) think again. Nick Crumpton of Crumpton Cycles is a small, custom builder based in Austin, Texas who fabricates handmade, custom carbon fiber frames. The second half of this week’s show is devoted to getting to know Nick, including his take on the most recent edition of the Baller’s Ride.

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Show #128 – February 2, 2013

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GUESTS: KEITH LAUGHLIN, JOHN PUCHER, RALPH BUEHLER

 

From the changing of the guard at US DOT to the upcoming Bike Summit, there is a lot going on right now in Washington, DC. Diane checks in with the head honcho at Rails to Trails, Keith Laughlin for the latest updates.

In the second half of the show, Diane welcomes John Pucher and Ralph Beuhler, who have edited a new book called City Cycling. Pucher is Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the Bloustein School of Planning and Policy at Rutgers University, and Ralph Buehler is Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. City Cycling is a deep dive into all aspects of the dynamics of non-motorized urban transportation.

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Show #105 – September 1, 2012

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Guests: Charles Pelkey, Keith Laughlin

Charles Pelkey is an attorney, cyclist, and regular contributor to Red Kite Prayer. With more articles about Lance Armstrong, the USADA, the UCI, and doping accusations, it seems almost impossible to sort it all out.  Charles puts it all in perspective and more.

Keith Laughlin is the President of Rails to Trails and lives in Washington, DC.  Keith is also one of the best informed cycling professionals I know.  He is keenly aware of what is happening in Congress and around the country as it pertains to cycling advocacy.  In this election year, Keith helps us understand what is at stake and what you can do to make syre that bicycles are not shoved under the rug.