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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.

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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!

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Show #421 – October 6, 2018

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Guests: Christine Acosta; Julie Moss

My first guest, Christine Acosta, offers an interesting and enlightening conversation about Pedal Power Promoters, the organization she founded and runs in the Tampa-St. Pete area of Florida. PPP is doing some impressive and important work to bring business, community, and cycling together in the Tampa-St. Pete area of Florida.

Christine facilitates and helps businesses navigate the necessary labyrinth of the hows, whys, and wherefores of becoming a “bicycle friendly business” and help advocacy turn its ideas into realities.

After our break, I have a long conversation with one of my all-time favorite sports’ heroes!

When Julie Moss crawled across the finish line at the Hawaii Ironman in 1982, the whole world saw it on ABC Wide World of Sports. That race and that coverage changed Julie’s life forever; it changed the sport of triathlon forever.

Julie’s new book, Crawl of Fame, is the memoir all of us who saw that footage, were inspired somehow to become involved in the sport, and wondered what she is up to these days, have been waiting for.

We talk about her early life, her training (such that is was!), her marriage to World Champion Mark Allen, and what she is doing now.

The book does not disappoint! I hope my conversation with her doesn’t either.

PS – Julie will be racing this year’s Ironman on October 13th as will her son, Mats Allen!

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Show #420 – September 29, 2018

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Guests: Jan Ransom; Mike Flanigan

As he did every morning, Dan Hangeby picked up his Citi Bike from the NY Bike Share station. On this particular morning, June 12th, Dave Lewis was driving his 55,000 pound bus down the same city street – so close that he clipped Mr. Hangeby’s front wheel and dragged him under the bus. Dan Hangeby died at the hospital a short time later.

This past week, Mr. Lewis was on trial for the incident – but, not until a lot out outrage and investigation by local cyclists and Mr. Hangeby’s family.

Jan Ransom is a reporter for the NY Times who covers the criminal justice system and I talk with her about this case. Her article, “”First Fatal Citi Bike Crash:Was The Bus Driver to Blame” was published on September 17, 2018. The verdict is expected next week.

Then, it’s a long conversation with Mike Flanigan – Mr. A.N.T. – Alternative Needs Transportation. We trace the frame builder’s journey from his home in Ft. Worth, Texas as a youngster through his cross-country bike trip that eventually led him to Boston, where he worked with Fat City Cycles and was one of the founding members of Independent Fabrications.

But, Mike is a free-spirit and his love of the niche-y classic touring bikes took him back to the bench at his own shop.

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Show #419 – September 22, 2018

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This week, it’s a 3-fer!

With women smashing world records all over the place, I caught up with Vittoria Bussi – one of the best!

On September 13th, she broke Evelyn Stevens’ 1-hour world record at 48.007km.

She’s wicked smart, wicked fast, and actually one of the most self-effacing people with whom I’ve had the privilege to speak.

Vittoria and I talk about the event, her training, and what’s next for her.

Then it’s off to Annapolis, MD for a very quick conversation with Velo-Orange‘s Igor Shteynbuk.

As he gets ready to pack it up and head up the eastern seaboard to Boston for the Builder’s Ball, Igor gives us a bit of background on the company, the products, and what’s new.

Then, let me introduce you to a very enthusiastic and interesting man – Ryan Johnson from Galaxy Gearworks. Ryan has a great history in the bike biz and is now putting all his experience and effort into building bikes.

 

 

 

 

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Show #418 – September 15, 2018

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Guests: Matt Manuel; Dylan Reynolds; David Cain

It is interesting how people come to the bicycle business and what compels them to do so.

My first guest is a commercial airline pilot – he’s also a dad with two young children, and… he’s a new frame builder. He’s not fresh out of school – obviously – but, his frames are starting to get some traction in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada as well as reaching further west into the country.

Matthew Manuel is the proprietor of Fluent Frames – and a great story as to how he came up with name – and we’ll talk with him in a moment.

Then, just to break it up, we’ll head to Provence, France where I caught up with Dylan Reynolds, the founder of Ride and Seek Bicycle Adventures. As I mentioned on last week’s show, we will be talking about a new epic tour he is offering from Berlin to Budapest.

I ask Dylan what makes an epic tour, who rides with him and his many tour guides, and what we might expect different from Ride & Seek.

Then, it’s off to Vermont to speak with David Cain. David is a wood worker by trade; and, he fell in love with handlebar bags, panniers, and other bike bags when he saw a Rivendell bag he just could not get out of his mind.

Now, he spends as much time as he can making custom randonneuring and touring bags, along with some pretty clever accessories at his company Waxwing Bag Company.

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Show #417 – September 8, 2018

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Guests: Joe Lindsey; Mark Plotz

We made it! It’s our anniversary… 8 years! And, thanks to all of you who listen and support the show.

This week, I’ve tapped journalist Joe Lindsey to talk about a wide variety of topics. You’ll see Joe’s byline in a lot of places – Bicycling, Outside, Wired, Men’s Journal, and a slew of other publications.

Tonight, we touch upon the relationship of cycling to NASCAR, LeBron James’ relationship with bicycles, Joe’s venerable Bridgetsone MB-1, and some ideas about today’s equipment.

Then, it’s off to Washington, DC to speak with BikeWalk.org‘s Senior Associate and Program Manager, Mark Plotz about Bike/Walk/Places’ conference in New Orleans beginning September 16th.

Begun ins 1977, Bikewalk.org jump started the advocacy movement in the U.S. There have been a number of iterations, but all have had the common goal of making biking and walking more accessible, fun, and safe.

 

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Show #416 – September 1, 2018

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Guests: Lisa Mazzola; Peter Cossins

First up is Lisa Mazzola. When I first learned about her, from a listener by the way, I thought, how it is possible that she’s an artist, a yoga instructor, and a bicycling coach and I didn’t know her?

Well, I do now, and I think you’ll like her – a lot. She lives in NYC and along with her partner Kristen Phillips, runs The Art of Cycling NYC. Incorporating the mindfulness of yoga with the focus of skills, training, and all the areas of cycling that might not come naturally to any of us, Lisa and Kristen have developed some great programs for their clients.

After a break, we’ll welcome Peter Cossins back to the show. Last year, we spoke to Peter about his book The First Tour de France.

This year, his new book, How the Race Was Won, is a study in tactics. From the earliest Tour in 1903 to modern day racing, Peter looks back in history and follows the development of tactics right up to today.

What he finds is fascinating and informative.

How the Race Was Won might just be the book you want to add to your holiday gift list – it will be out in the States on November 12th.

I’d like to say thank you to all of you who took the time to show your support with your donations last week.  You can hear more about that and find the link to our sponsor page at outspokencyclist.com too

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Show #415 August 25, 2019

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Guests: Jan Heine; Eric Weis

As promised, it’s a brand new conversation with Jan Heine!

From his Bicycle Quarterly Magazine, which turned 15 this year, to his comprehensive blog, Off The Beaten Path, and his store – Compass Cycles – where many of the components he offers comes from his extensive research, development, and testing, Jan and I talk about upgrades, riding on gravel, some of his recent travels, and more

It’s a delightful in-depth interview!

Then, Eric Weis, founder and director of the New England Builder’s Ball, joins me to fill us in on this year’s September 22nd event at the Boston Innovation & Design Building.

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A Listener’s Response to the Right Hook

Bob W. always gives me great feedback about the show AND shares a lot of information and stories with me. I thought this was particularly interesting in light of last week’s show.
Diane,
 
My very first bike accident back in 1966 was a right hook.  A driver passed me on the left and then made a right turn in front of me.  I locked the brakes and went over the handlebars landing right in front of the car.  Fortunately, the driver stopped before running over me.  I was fortunate enough to be able to ride away with only some road rash.
 
I was also a victim of a left turn in 1970 in Germany while in the service.  While riding on a countryside road, a car pulled onto the highway from the right, right in front of me, without having stopped at a stop sign.  He continued down the highway slowly so I pulled into the passing lane to pass him.  I was almost around him when he decided to make a left turn without having had his turn signals on.  My Campy caged pedal (back in the days of toe straps) clipped his front fender just in front of the tire.  I was fortunate to finish getting around him without going down.
 
Those are my only two near misses in my cycling career.  I continued to ride the highways for another 25 years until a friend was hit from behind and is now a paraplegic.  That driver was never caught.  I, now, ride only around our small town or on trails.  Distracted driving really concerns me.
 
Sincerely,
Bob
Grinnell, IowaÂ