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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, Iowa 
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Show #414 – August 18, 2018

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Guests: Linda Poon; Greg Priddy; Jim Cummins & LeLan Dains

Ah yes 8-18-18… for those who like such things!

This week, it’s a chat about the road cyclist’s worst nightmare – right hooks! EXCEPT, this is about a study that is trying to figure out how and why these things are happening.

Linda Poon from CityLab’s August 13th article, Science Tackles the Right Hook; Biking’s Most Feared Crash, looks at the small but telling study that took place as part of a much larger initiative to discover how to change drivers’ behavior…

Then, our friend Greg Priddy offers his Op-Ed piece – “The Evolution of the Wheel” – from the what goes around comes around department of bicycle componentry. It’s quite entertaining and not untrue!

Finally, it an in-depth conversation with the founder and operations manager of Dirty Kanza.

Jim Cummins and LeLan Dains are 100% committed to this event and it shows. This past June, 2750 riders slogged through the 200 mile, one-day ride through the hills, mud, prairie grass, and gravel of Emporia, Kansas – and happily so.

The event is considered the Wrold’s Premier Gravel Grinder. “Hear All About It”.

 

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Show #413 – August 11, 2018

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Guest: Anthony Moccia

Not the usual hour of fun and talk… and, I hope you enjoy this “mini-podcast”

We are just back from vacation and I have quite an interesting tale to tell.

Then, it’s off to Vermont to talk with Anthony Moccia about Rasputitsa… events for the gravel-minded. (What DOES it mean? You’ll find out when you listen!)

Coming up September 1st is The Redemption Tour – you might just want to add this to your pre-cross calendar!

And there are already 600 riders registered for the Spring, 2019 “main event”.

It might be short, but it’s not too bad!

Enjoy!

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Show #412 – August 4, 2018

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Guest: Dave Moulton

As promised, I am joined this week by the iconic and venerable Dave Moulton.

Now in his 80’s, I would venture to say that he’s still as sassy, interesting, and well informed as he was in the heyday of his frame building – which we will discuss.

As you will hear, he’s built thousands of frames, written books and writes songs, and has a wickedly good sense of humor.

He recalls his days as a boy in England as well as his reasons for riding a bicycle in the first place.

He’ll remind of us terms we haven’t heard in years, give us his views on carbon, eBikes, and sew-up tires, and offer us his ideas on geometry and frame sizing.

Also, if you want to see Dave perform his song, The Ass Song – yep, you heard that correctly! You can go to You Tube and type in MUFIC Songwriter of the month Dec 2016: David Moulton – I guarantee, you will be singing the chorus by the end of the 5:43 second video.

There are quite a few interesting videos with Dave that will pop up too. You might want to grab an adult beverage and plan to spend some time.

I’m sure we missed something; but, we do end with the promise of another visit some time soon.

I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as I enjoyed being engaged in it.

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Show #411 – July 28, 2018

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Guests: Sabra Davison; Marc Sani

Sabra Davison from Little Bellas joins me for a joyful and fun conversation!

From a ski and mountain bike background, Sabra and her sister Lea co-founded the organization – now with 17 chapters in 15 states – to give girls between the ages of 7 and 13 a most unique and focused experience through mountain biking.

Then, Marc Sani from Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, just returned from Outdoor Retailer, the largest outdoor trade show in the U.S. and wrote an article about the effects being felt by all from the tariffs, freight costs, and more.

We talk about all that plus take a look at the state of the industry from the uncertainty of the administration’s wishy-washy policies to the lack of product at the most crucial time of year.

And, there’s even some news this week!

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Show #410 – July 21, 2018

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Guests: Dorothy Pacheco; Taliah Lempert; Bruce Hagen

My first guest is Dorothy Pacheco. When we talk about women in the bike industry, we don’t always see someone who is so broadly versed in a variety of business disciplines.

Dorothy, who was born and raised in Colorado, was one of the first people to bring mountain bike racing to the U.S. in the form of NORBA – the national off road bicycling association – where she set up the first series of races. Then, she helped to bring mountain bike racing to the Olympics.

Today, Dorothy is on the board of Little Bellas – which we’ll discuss – and is the sales and marketing manager for a new line of bicycles that will be introduced this September – Batch Bikes.

Then, we’ll talk with bicycle artist Talia Lempert. If you’ve ever seen her work, you know that it is instantly recognizable. Her paintings of bicycles – both new and old – are bold and colorful; and, her commissions come from all over the world.

Today, we’re going to talk a bit about her new book project – it’s her third – titled Classic Bicycle Coloring Book. Taken from paintings she has done in the past, the drawings are a unique way to express your own creativity.

Lastly, and I know this subject it always contentious and seems to come up way too often – I speak with Georgia Bike Law’s Bruce Hagen. This week, he posted an article on his blog titled – Another Cyclist Killed: Another Shoddy Police Investigation.

While this IS the crux of the conversation, something Bruce said has stuck with me – He said” “If your brain is shut off at the existence of cyclists; of course it appears like we come out of nowhere”. It’s a telling comment and one that we discuss in some detail.

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Show #409 – July 14, 2018

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Guests: Sean McBride; Russ Rader; Joe Szigeti

With the Tour de France in full swing, I thought a little perspective on racing might be interesting.

This week, I caught up with someone who has such a different and unique perspective on becoming a pro that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share it with you. Sean McBride went over to Belgium by himself. He entered races, he made a few dollars, and he kept racing. Then he came home.

And, he did that twice more – as in three’s a charm – only it wasn’t. What is charming is his perspective on these adventures and his advice to young riders who think that the only way to the top of the podium is through a Cat 1 license.

Then, I welcome back the IIHS‘s Russ Rader to talk about the new helmet study conducted at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. When we last spoke with Russ, he told us that the study was being conducted, and lat week the first results were released. As more and more helmets are tested, it seems that a new standard of testing might be the result.

Finally, I talk with Titanium Joe. That’s not his whole name – it’s Joe Szigeti – BUT, that’s his web site and he’s the guy who supplied amateurs and professionals alike with titanium tubing as well as helps aspiring builders with specialty welding kits.