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Show #345 – April 29, 2017

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Guests: Rob Gusky; Michael Haddad; Leslee Schenck Trzcinski

What a show – what a show!

This week we usher in May with Rob Gusky and the 2017 National Bicycle Challenge. With a lofty goal of 60,000 riders, Rob talks about some of the prizes – like a year’s supply of toilet paper! – the categories – such as corporate teams, schools, and clubs – and how Strava is integrated into the Challenge this year.

Then, Michael Haddad, a member of the Brooklyn Velodrome Vintage Wheelmen, tells us about the exhibit he has curated that will be opening on May 11th at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy, NY.

The exhibit, “Italy’s Golden Age of Bicycles“, includes 12 brands, a collection of great wool jerseys, a lecture by Aili McConnon about her book, Road to Valor – Gino Bartali: Tour de France Legend and World War Two Hero” , and runs through July 2nd.

Then, we speak with retired pro cyclist, yoga instructor, and coach Leslee Schenck Trzcinski. Leslee, who now lives in Rochester, NY with her husband and daughter, tells us about her career, the crash that pretty much ended it, and the work she is doing with aging athletes, especially women.

PS – Remember, May is National Bike Month! Go for a Ride!

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Show #344 – April 22, 2017

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Guests: Kimberly Moszyk Coats and Jock Boyer; Joe Bell

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

This week, we welcome Kimberly Moszyk Coats and Jock Boyer BACK to the U.S. and BACK to the Outspoken Cyclist, as they readjust to life in Wyoming after almost a decade in Rwanda, Africa as the force behind Team Africa Rising!

Speaking from the Boyer Family Ranch, Jock and Kim tell us about their “re-entry into American life, what we can expect from Team Africa Rising going forward, and about their plans to stay connected to the team as well as begin to look at new opportunities here at home.

Then, we meet the man to whom many of the finest frame builders turn to for the finishing touches on their masterpieces – Joe Bell. Perfectionist that he is, Joe tells us about how he became the most sought after bike painter in the U.S. and gives us some of his thoughts about color, why a bike is so difficult to paint well. and how he handles those clients who may not want to hear what he has to say! (He’s a REAL diplomat!) He is recovering from a broken shoulder and tells us that story too!

Sit back and enjoy another great hour of The Outspoken Cyclist

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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 ([email protected]) 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!