THIS CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE ON DECEMBER 11, 2018.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Show #423 – October 20, 2018
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Guests: Gary Helfrich (from 2011); Jeff Speck (from 2013)
You know, I really wanted to produce a brand new episode this week but, the Universe had other plans and instead presented me with a nasty cold and wicked cough.
So rather than foist them upon you (and unsuspecting guests!) I decided to bring back a couple of my favorite interviews from past shows.
One of those is with Gary Helfrich – at the time (2011) he was part of the Sonoma County bicycle scene. And when we spoke, he talked about all the things he’d done including being the head roadie for Aerosmith and building some crazy thing for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, burying a whole titanium frame in the walls of a house in Somerville, Mass., and being the creator of one of the finest frame jigs in the world – the Arctos. The conversation was lively, fun, interesting and worth listening to a second (or third) time.
Then, it’s a re-do with Jeff Speck (2013). Jeff is a city planner and urban designer who, through writing, lectures, and built work, advocates internationally for more walkable cities. His book, Walkable City, eas published in 2013 and is still one of the most important on the topic.
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
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!