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Show #343 – April 15, 2017

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Guests: Kath Sonnhalter; Curt Goodrich; Chris Carmichael

This week, I speak with Kath Sonnhalter, the force behind a new event here in NE Ohio – BikeBike! It takes place next Sunday, April 23rd at the iconic Beachland Ballroom and it’s all about commuting and self-supported touring.

You can find out more about it at their web site; Kath fills us in on the basics. I’ll be there moderating a series of panels and hope to see you there too!

Then, it’s off to Minneapolis to chat with frame builder Curt Goodrich. He builds his bikes in steel while lending a hand at HED Cycling part time to build one of Cervelo’s carbon frames. He still believes that steel is the ride that, once you experienced it, you will never forget and will probably come back to again and again.

He started out filing and sanding, he ended up as one of the première builders in our handmade bicycle world.

Curt is a one-man-shop, building and painting all his bikes in-house.

Then, I talk with Carmichael Training Systems‘ coach Chris Carmichael about his newest book, The Time-Crunched Bicyclist – Race Winning Fitness in 6 Hours A Week.

We chat about his background (he is an Olympian, a Hall of Fame inductee, was US Olympic Committee Coach of the Year, and more…), then on to his explanation of training high and training low.

I do ask him to speculate on the Giro and the Tour – he has some great insight into that too.

His favorite food? You’ll be surprised.

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Show #342 – April 8, 2017

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Guests: Julie Walcoff; Tim French; Abbie Durkee

The show this week begins with the mention of yet another untimely and tragic loss to the cycling community. Steve Tilford, 4-time National Cyclocross Champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee (and that’s barely scratching the surface of who he was and what he did) was struck and killed on the Utah-Colorado border in the midst of a nasty truck/car crash on the Interstate Wednesday night.

His popular blog, SteveTilford.com has more information on Steve, his legacy, and offers you a glimpse into this special man. His loss will be felt for a long time to come.

After a short break, I talk with ODOT‘s Julie Walcoff about the opening of USBR50 through Ohio. A ribbon cutting took place this morning (April 8th) in London, Ohio to officially open the east-to-west designated bike route that will eventually be part of the cross-country USBR50 from California to Washington, DC.

Julie fills us in on how the route developed, the communities which all got on board with the plan, and some of the other projects that are in process at Ohio’s Department of Transportation.

Then, I check in with Tim French who is the 2017 ride director for the Cherohala Challenge. I’ve been hearing about this ride for many years and, this being a special year – 17 – on the 17th of June – in 2017, it was time to find out more.

There are 4 routes including the “Challenge”, a 115 mile ride that includes the famous “Dragon Tail” 318 turns in 11 miles, and over 10,350′ of climbing for the day. Fastest man and woman are the “designated Black Knights”. Your reward? The “dragon slayer” medal for finishing!

Then, I introduce you to Abbie Durkee, a true entrepreneur who is about to launch a brand new concept in bicycle retail – mainly for women. But, wait there’s way more – she’s a yoga (like me), she’s a mountain biker, a mom, and an artist. And, her story is very interesting! Oh, and her My Alibi Clothing company is famous for its bloomers!

Grab a beer – it’s a good one!

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Show #341 – April 1, 2017

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Guests: Dave Kirk; Tom Kuglin; Richard Fries

April 1st – No Foolin’

This week I speak with framebuilder Dave Kirk who won two first place ribbons at NAHBS in Salt Lake City last month.

His Reynolds 953 stainless steel bike won in the fillet brazed category and he also won for best road bike.

Dave and I delve into his journey to the one-made shop he runs in Bozeman, MT as well as the reasons his traditional bikes might have attracted the judges’ attention.

We talk a bit about his Dad, who passed away many years ago when Dave was just a little boy; and, how his JK Specials honor his father and his father’s work.

Staying right in Montana, I talk with Natural Resources reporter Tom Kuglin about Senate Bill #363 which just cleared the Montana Senate and was sent over to the House with a $25.00 per bike fee for anyone coming in to Montana from out of state with a bike in tow. Tom’s March 30th article caught my attention and I wanted him to explain why Senator Sales might have pitched this amendment and what is likely to happen next.

Then, we head back to the east coast to catch up with the busier-than-ever director of MassBike, Richard Fries. The organization is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year and, while there is no way we can cover everything that is happening in Massachusetts on the bike front in one conversation, we touch on quite a few topics. One that sounded like a lot of fun was opening day at Fenway Park, where you can ride your bike, avoid the $30 parking fee, and enjoy the game while the Bike Valet takes care of the parking for you.

We also just graze the topic of the Spring Classics and Richard’s race announcing schedule for 2017.

Finally, I will read you the short excerpt from Adventure Cycling Association about the sudden and untimely death of Mike Deme. I just spoke with him on the show at the end of February. It was a a terrible blow to the Adventure Cycling community as well as the cycling community at large. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

 

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Show #340 – March 25, 2017

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First, we speak with our Washington, DC connection, Keith Laughlin, who is President of Rails to Trails.  Right after the election last fall, we asked Keith what he thought might happen vis a vis infrastructure, biking, and walking and he said it was “too soon to tell.”  This past week, the President’s “:skinny budget” was released and we come to find out that all the TIGER grants are slated for elimination.  So, what that portends for other transportation issues is yet to be revealed.  Keith gives us some solid information AND advice on how to add your voice where it will be heard – members of the House and Senate appropriations committees!

Then, we meet a Warm Showers hostess who is nothing less than amazing!  She’s 87, offers  a 7-person bunk-house for cycling travelers replete with breakfast AND dinner, and is in the process of building a “tiny house” – just because she can!  Carol Montgomery is one of my heroes and you are going to fall in love with her.

Lastly, it’s time for the Spring Classics and no one can give us better insight into the events, the riders, and the teams than Dan Wuori.  I always enjoy talking with Dan because he is so knowledgeable and I get to learn so much!

It’s a great show!

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Show #339 – March 18, 2017

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Guests: Christine Culver, DeVon Griffin, Tim Thompson, Paolo Casalis

This week’s show offers up a wide variety of topics from the bicycle world.

My first guest, Christine Culver, is the former president now board member of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. Christine and I talk about everything from her custom jewelry and stable of classic bicycles to her thoughts on advocacy and the state of cycling in the Sonoma County area.

Then, my first guest newscaster, DeVon Griffin, and I have a brief chat about Team Sky and the interview that Cyclingtips’ Shane Stokes did with Paul Kimmage. Is Team Sky going down that “U.S. Postal” road and what WAS in that mysterious package that was delivered to the team?

I talk with retired police officer Tim Thompson whose experience with OsteoStrong helped him to go from virtual immobility to being able to walk 15 miles without pain. Now, Tim manages the Willougby Hills, Ohio office of OsteoStrong and tells us what the process is and how it helps with strength, flexibility, and balance.

Finally, it’s off to Turn, Italy to chat with Paolo Casalis about the new film “48 Hairpin Turns at Night“, just released last week. The documentary is aboutBI and his quest to ride down the Stelvio at night – without brakes or handlebars. And, Giuliano is 77 years old.

So… big show – great guests! Let’s go!

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Show #338 – March 11, 2017

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Guests: Zak Pashak; Chuck Marohn

First off, I’m introducing a new feature and want your help!!! In what I’m hoping will be an interesting and somewhat novel idea, I’m requesting that you – the listeners – be my newscasters.

Here’s how it will work. Send me a message on our Outspoken Cyclist’s FaceBook page or send me an email (outspokencyclist@gmail.com) and tell me you would like to recount a news story. In turn, I will send you a link to a story that I would like you to report on in the upcoming episode; or, you can let me know you have a story you’d like to report about on the show. Then, I will call you (or we can use Skype), will record you reporting on the story, and we can take a few moments to discuss it.

You don’t need any radio or podcast experience – you just have to be willing to offer up some thoughts about the story after you tell it and to want to have some fun! So, don’t think about this too deeply – just send me a note and we’ll put it together.

Now, we’re ready for this week’s show. My first guest is Zak Pashak. Zak is the president of Detroit Bikes and has quite the interesting story to tell – from his days as a music promoter to his run for office to his journey to his adopted city of Detroit. His extensive background belies his young age – he’s under 40 – and his thoughtful way of looking at the bike business, including his sponsorship of Robert Gagno, the reigning pinball champion, may just elevate the bike business to some new heights.

Then, we check in with Mr. Strong Towns – Chuck Marohn. I really like our conversations because he has such a positive perspective on what cities, government, and citizens can do to make their towns strong and vibrant. Today, we talk about the Allendale neighborhood of Shreveport, Louisiana as they grapple with the proposal for a $700million dollar federal highway project that will plow through their residential neighborhood. I’ll let Chuck tell you the rest.

So, let me introduce you to Zak Pashak from Detroit Bikes.

Enjoy!

 

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Show #337 – March 4, 2017

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Guests: Stephen Hyde; Rick Vosper

You may notice a transition in our podcasts… we have some new things happening and we are working on our format, music, and some of the semi-permanent features of the show (open, close, etc.)

Please bear with us!

We will also be starting a new feature in the not-too-distant future where YOU can participate in the show if you wish! Stay tuned.
Out show this week features two interesting guests.

First, we head out to Malaga, Spain to speak with our current US National Cyclocross Champion, Stephen Hyde. About to turn 30 this month, Stephen has an incredibly mature attitude toward riding, racing, cycling, and life. He also has a killer laugh and seems to enjoy life to the fullest. He’s on vacation before the start of the new cycling season – this year aiming to break out onto the mountain bike circuit – after all, he already top top-of-the-podium in cyclocross!

Then, we head down to Arkansas to speak with a longtime friend, marketing whiz, and the mastermind behind #OldSchoolCyclist. Rick Vosper and I have known each other for almost 40 years, and our conversation covers the gamut of the state-of-the-bike to “you know “You know you’re and old school cyclist if….” Are you?

Let’s head out to Spain!

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Show #336 – February 25, 2016

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Guests: Mike Deme; Mike Sayers

This week we visit with two Mikes – one in Montana; the other in California.

Out in Missoula, Mike Deme, who has been with us on the program in the past, talks with us about the goings on of Adventure Cycling Association. Mike is the head of all publications and gives us good news about the Association’s continued growth on many levels – subscriptions, membership, projects, and more.

When many cycling related organizations are floundering, Mike tells us why the news is so positive with Adventure Cycling and what the future holds.

Then, it’s off to Sacramento where Mike Sayers has come home after a stellar career in the professional side of our sport.  He rode for Team BMC, became the first American Director Sportif of a major team (BMC), ran the men’s road team for USA Cycling, took two teams to the Olympics, and now has come full circle to report on the sport.  As the “Mike” half of the “Inside Line with Mike and Dave“, he and Dave Towle offer up a podcast exploring the racing end of the sport with riders, coaches, and more.

2-Mike’s Up!

 

 

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Show #335 – February 18, 2017

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Guests: Ben Serotta; Sam Ollinger

After a two-year stint with a bike share company that has changed the way he looks at the bicycle industry, Ben Serotta has a torch back in his hand as he explores the next chapter of his professional life.

In a lengthy interview that includes his thoughts on bike share, the artisan bike world, what building bikes means, and a discussion about fitting, Ben and Diane catch up for what we think is the first part of an on-going conversation.

Then, it’s off to San Diego to talk with Sam Ollinger. Sam started out as an accountant; although, bicycles were always in the picture. When she and her husband landed in San Diego, she started a blog about cycling in the area. That has morphed into Bike San Diego, a powerful laser focused organization that “gets it done” when it comes to changing the way government thinks about transportation.

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Show #334 – February 11, 2017

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Guests: Roger Bird; Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Don Walker; Greg Siple

What a show! It’s Radiothon week and the theme is “Stayin’ Alive”. In the midst of funding cuts to the station from the University, we need to up the ante and ask for your support to help us reach our goal of $50,000!

It’s easy… just log on to www.wjcu.org and pledge our support on our secure server.

Now – on to a GREAT show this week.

On a sad note, the bicycle world lost a larger-than-life icon when Chris Kegel, owner of Wheel & Sprocket in Wisconsin succumbed to a rare form of liver cancer that was diagnosed last year. In an effort to convey just what an amazing person Chris was and what his legacy will be, I asked Roger Bird, a long time friend and colleague, to offer us his thoughts about Chris, the loss, the future, and the legacy.

Then, we head on down to Washington, D.C. to speak with Senator Sherrod Brown, (D-OH) about his views on infrastructure, the environment, and a host of other topics. Senator Brown pulls no punches and holds little back as he talks about the current administration and what listeners can do to keep the pressure on for those things they want and those things they don’t.

We take short break, then head on down to Kentucky to chat with NAHBS’ show director Don Walker. the 13th annual North American Handmade Show will kick off on March 10th at the Salt Palace in SLC, Utah and Don fills us in on what’s new for 2017, gives us a peek into a new project he’ s working on with Nelson Vails and Raleigh, and tell us why NAHBS is still so relevant in an environment that is seeing trade shows falling into the abyss.

Finally, we help send Greg Siple off into retirement. After 40 years, the co-founder of BikeCentennial and Adventure Cycling, is stepping away from the organization that has been so near and dear to he and his wife. He reminisces a bit about how it all started and gives us a peek into how he sees cycling.

Quite a show!

Enjoy!
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