Tag: Simon Firth

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Show #429 – December 1, 2018

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Guests: Caron Whitaker; Luke Humphreys, Simon Firth

URGENT REQUEST FROM THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS!

My first guest is Caron Whitaker, VP for Government Relations with the LAB. She is asking that we take action if we are interested in seeing a bill that is currently before the Senate coming up for a vote in it’s current form from being passed.

The AV Start Act, will give manufacturers of autonomous vehicles a ton of leeway in setting safety standards as the bill is currently worded. The LAB is requesting that we call – which is preferable over email – our Senators.

Then, I talk with the new CEO of Pacenti Cycle Design. Luke Humphreys is a long-time bicycle industry guy and recently took over the reigns of Pacenti with some very specific goals for the company. One of them is to bring customers up-to-date with current product and has instituted a “rim amnesty” that will do just that.

Last, and absolutely NOT least, is an extended and delightful conversation with Simon Firth – one of the proprietors of Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles in Philadelphia. Pa.

Originally hailing from England, Simon came over to the States for a vacation and stayed! He’s been involved in the bicycle industry for a very long time, spending over 15 years with Bilenky Cycle Works for example.

Simon and his wife Victoria, along with partner David Wilson opened Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles a couple of years ago and Simon and I talk about his history, the shops, and of course his dog Archie!

 

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Show #422 – October 13, 2018

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Guests: From French Fender Days: Peter Weigel, Jan Heine, Deb Banks, Carlos Pintos, Corey Thompson, Dave Cain, Simon Firth; Christine Acostas, Whit Blanton

A View from Above.

 

French Fender Days! Peter Weigel! And, it’s off to Connecticut for 6 short conversations with folks attending the iconic framebuilder’s once-yearly event!

We chat with Peter first and learn about the event then… it’s the “cast of characters” in the following order:

Jan Heine – from Bicycle Quarterly & Compass Cycles attending his 1st FFD

Deb Banks – from Rivet Cycle Works in California (and the “hostess” with a small “h”)

Carlos Pintos – from Ontario, Canada. He’s a flight attendant whose international travel schedule allows him to find French fendered treasures and ride all over the world.

Corey Thompson – from Thompson Cycle Works in Olympia, Washington. He’s a newlywed who will be taking his bride to PBP in 2019 on the tandem he built. He’s a randonneur, frame builder, and more.

Dave Cain – even though we just talked with Dave from Waxwing Bag Company recently, he alluded to a new product and lets us in on it in this short conversation.

Simon Firth – Philly frame builder, retailer, and just a super cool guy takes us around the FFD bike stable and points out a few interesting machines.

Then, after a break, we hear a conversation between Christine Acosta from Pedal Power Promoters and Whit Blanton from Forward Pinellas, the county planning organization as they discuss their take AND rebuttal of the WSJ article that said Pinellas Count, Florida was the most dangerous place in the US to ride.

BIG SHOW – get can extra beer out of the frig!