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Show #432 – December 22, 2018

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As Florida prepares to pass a bill that will not only ban texting and driving, but also forbids even touching the screen or holding the phone, two more cyclists were hit and killed by motorists.

One step forward and two steps back!

Matt Austin is the evening news anchor at WKMG – Channel 6 in Orlando, Florida and he is a BIG proponent of any and all distracted driving regulations that will crack down on the dangerous habit.

Matt has a chilling story to tell and explains why he and his television station have gotten solidly behind the upcoming legislation. Will it pass? He’s my first guest on the show this week.

Then we revisit Drew Guldalian, owner of Engin Cycles and the Wissahickon retail store in Philadelphia.

Last week, when we spoke with Jim Kersten from CABDA, I got a sense of hope and inspiration for a resurgence of the IBD. This week, Drew has quite a different tale to tell.

We also talk about what direction he’s heading and about the bike he, along with Rody Walter from Groovy Cycleworks, built up for the iconic titanium master Gary Helfrich.

Lastly, we finally get to have our chat with tandem couple Tracy and Peter Flucke.

As a stoker myself, I always find other tandem adventurers stories really interesting; and this one is definitely that – and more.

Riding together for well over 20 years, they’ve already made 3 long-distance trips. Their 2014 book, Coast to Coast on a Tandem, details that first cross country trip in a he says-she says day-by-day entry from their on the road diaries

We chat about all kinds of things including what they’ve learned from those tandem trips, about riding long distances, and about each other

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Show #431 – December 15, 2018

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Guests: Kate Koch; Jim Kersten; Tom Howard

When Kate Koch decided to adopt her first child out of the Columbus, Ohio foster care system in 2008, little did she know that an innocent question for her caseworker – “what kinds of gifts can we give to foster kids” – would lead to an amazing project.

Armed with $1,000 and a wish to bring bicycles to kids who might never otherwise have a chance to own a bike, her Bike Lady organization has expanded and grown beyond her wildest dreams. It’s a really “feel good” story for the holidays.

Then, after the news of Emerald Expositions shutting down the 36 year old industry trade show Interbike, I decided to chat with someone whose small, regional efforts are quickly filling in the space that might otherwise have left a gaping hole in the industry.

Jim Kersten is the president of CABDA (The Chicago Area Bicycle Dealer’s Association) and the director of both CABDA midwest and now, CABDA west! His perspectives on the dealer, the business, and how HIS trade shows work is quite refreshing!

Finally, there is a new trail on the horizon! The Birthplace of America Trail is about to break ground in Virginia and will eventually travel 42 miles to the Atlantic at Virginia Beach. Along the way, it will pass through some beautiful small towns and connect with the Virginia Capital Trail, already seeing more than 1M cyclists per year.

Tom Howard is the chairman of the Tidewater Trails Alliance and the spokesperson for the project.

 

 

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Show #430 – December 8, 2018

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Guests: Jacob VanSickle; Stephen Swift; Joe Roggenbuck

This week, we can congratulate ourselves for taking action and getting the AV Start Act language changed before the bill comes up before the Senate. Your calls and letters made a difference!

Then, we say a brief. sad goodbye to one of the most famous voices in our sport, Paul Sherwen. His untimely death at the age of 62 will leave an enormous gap in our enjoyment of the Tour de France in July.

Then, we welcome back Bike Cleveland‘s Executive Director, Jacob VanSickle. Last month, the advocacy organization presented a one-day Strategic Summit to re-cap where the organization is, what it has accomplished since its inception in 2011, and where it’s going… all of which is pretty impressive.

We speak with Stephen Swift who is about to wrap-up a 6 years, 26,000 mile journey that has helped him recover from unbearable loss and gives him hope for the future. He’s been both helped and harmed along the way; and, his forthright and honest description of life on the road tells a story unlike any we’ve heard in the past.

Our final guest this week is Joe Roggenbuck from Cobra Frames in Syracuse, NY. He’s a frame builder, a tool maker, and a very refreshing young man who sees his craft from the eyes of a 28 year old but with the wisdom of someone so much older.

 

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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 #428 – November 24, 2018

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Guests: Kristin Wentworth; Katie Jordan, Marty Jemison

With the gift-giving season just a few short weeks away, we continue our quest for cycling related products, services, and other ideas.

This week, I talk a bit about stocking stuffers with Kristin Wentworth from Planet Bike. We’ll talk about lights, bells, and some cold weather gear. And, while the company itself is pretty small, it does some big things when it comes to charity – we’ll discuss that too.

After our chat with Kristin, we talk about one of the most iconic and enduring events on the east coast – the Assault on Mt. Mitchell. Ride director Katie Jordan joins me to give us some history on the ride, why you can’t ride DOWN the mountain after you climb it, and what alternative is available if you aren’t up for the 7500’+ elevation of the mountain and the 102 miles it takes to get to the top.

Finally, I catch up with Marty Jemison. I’ve been following Marty’s beautiful photographs from all over the globe over the past few months and wanted to know more about his company Jemison Cycling Tours.

Marty’s long history with cycling, including racing in Europe after college, led to his desire to offer tours that are tailored around the clients who book them.

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Show #427 – November 17, 2018

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Guests: California Travis, Kathleen Walker & Andy Sherding, Zak Pashak, Joe Lindsey

So it’s T-minus 5 days until T-day here in the States. If you are celebrating, I hope you have a happy day, don’t overeat, and find time to get out on your bike! Unless it’s snowing, then I guess it’s skis, sleds, and skates!

This week, instead of two long conversations, the show is a sort of 4-part news-zine.

We cover another perspective on the tariffs, a new event in Cape Cod, a really interesting chat about driverless cars and some of the philosophical aspects of programming them, and last but certainly not least, a first-hand report about the California Camp Fire and how it is affecting the people in Chico, the town 11 miles “down the hill” from what was Paradise.

In fact, we begin with that report. California Travis as he is known to friends and family, works for Paul Components. He was born and raised in Chico and his parents were living in Paradise when the first swept through.

Travis gives us a picture of the devastation and offers some advice on how to help if you wish.

Then, it’s off to Brewster, Mass to speak with the ride directors Kathleen Walker and Andy Sherding about a new event, The SOS Cape Cod triathlon. It’s to be held next June and it’s a really different and interesting format. Yes, it’s got bike, run, and swim, but it’s not what you think.

Part 3 is a chat with Zak Pashak, owner of Detroit Bikes. Back in October, Detroit Bikes, along with BCA (Kent Bikes) filed a 201 Petition that would impose a 50% tariff on bikes imported from China. On the surface, it sounds really bad for the bike industry; but, is it? Well, there was so much flack from the industry, that the petition was withdrawn and I wanted to know more about it.

Finally, it’s AV – autonomous vehicles and the impact they may or may not have on traffic, commuting, the safety of cyclists and pedestrians and more. I check in with journalist Joe Lindsey, whose October 2017 article spelled out part of the dilemma and has some new information from many studies that have either been just completed or are ongoing.

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Show #426 – November 10, 2018

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Guests: Tim Blumenthal; William Bevington

This week I speak with People for Bike’s Tim Blumenthal. He’s got a free gift for you… just offer up your email and name and you will be able to participate in any number of great programs and advocacy initiatives!

PFB has become a mighty force for cycling since it was launched in 1999 and now boasts more than 1.2million members! And, the work they are doing is getting great results!

Then, William Bevington, Professor of Information Design at the Parsons The New School for Design in NYC speaks with me about his long awaited book Japanese Steel – Classic Bicycle Design from Japan.

The book boasts 300 gorgeous photographs, covers the peak export years of the many brands that came out of a post war Japan, and offers up some fascinating details about the industry and its many quirks.

It’s all good!

 

 

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Show #425 – November 3, 2018

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Guests: Ishbel Rose Holmes; Sean Coffey


This week, I have a lovely conversation with Ishbel Rose Holmes. Her blogs, Ishbel Holmes and World Bike Girl detail who she is and some of what she has accomplished, which is pretty amazing!

She’s been a British National Cycling Champion, pedaled solo across 20 countries, been face-to-face with the Syrian refugee crisis, and has changed the way street dogs are treated in Turkey.

Her story is detailed in her new book, Saving Lucy (from Velo Press) and I have a great conversation with her on the eve before the day she will be speaking in front of the First Minister of Scotland!

From a homeless 16 year old to a truly world-famous rescuer, Ishbel has an amazing story to tell.

Then, in the first of our holiday gift idea segments, I speak with Stages Cycling‘s Sean Coffey. Sean is the global manager of outdoor cycling for the company and explains how the Stages power systems work.

 

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Show #424 – October 27, 2018

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Guests: Molly Hurford, Alex Gjendem Gvoren, Johnny Coast

This week it’s a diverse group of interviews.

We begin with the Outdoor Edit‘s Molly Hurford and her advice for cool weather riding.

We talk about base layers, jackets, fingers and toes, and more.

Then, it’s a new product line from Norway – ReTyre. Instead of trying to match your tires to the terrain and weather as it changes, you can “zip” a new skin onto your tire to accommodate gravel or snow and ice.

Pshaw you say? No no… it’s real and Alex Gjendem Gvoren will explain it all.

Then, it’s off to Brooklyn, NY to speak with frame builder Johnny Coast. His name kept surfacing all over the place at French Fender Days and leading up to this weekend’s Philly Bike Expo.

So, I called and we talked! It’s a great conversation.

I hope you enjoy the show!