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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 Well, there was so much flack from the industry, that the petition was withdrawn and I wanted to know more about it.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!

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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.