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Show #378 – December 9, 2017

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Guests: Shane Stokes; Dennis Markatos-Soriano; Courtney Laggner

My first guest, Shane Stokes, is the news editor for cyclingtips.com. He’s in Girona, Spain hanging out with about 100 pros who are training and getting ready for the 2018 race season.

Recently, Shane published, “Human rights groups and others call on Giro d’Italia to abandon Israel start“, an article about the Giro d’Italia and the unprecedented move to take the first 3 stages off the Continent and begin in Israel. As one might expect in this time of international turmoil, the move is controversial.

Shane and I discuss the reasons behind the move, who might be protesting and why, and what the riders are saying – if anything.

Then, I catch up with executive director of the East Coast Greenway, Dennis Markatos-Soriano. When we last spoke with Niles Barnes, who is the director of Greenway programs, the 3,000 mile River Relay was just about to get underway. This week, Dennis and I talk about the results of the relay – how many events were held, how many people participated, and how important the Greenway is to the economies of those communities through which it passes.

Finally, we offer up the last of our tangible gift ideas for 2017 when we visit the family owned and run Darn Tough Sock Mill in Vermont. Marketing manager Courtney Laggner “walks” us through the decades old company, explaining why the Darn Tough brand has been able to garner such loyal customers.

She introduces us to the new BA (Bad Ass) Barney and BA (Bad Ass) Betty socks – for all you winter cycling fans and tells us about how to become a “sock tester”.

Kick it back folks! Enjoy!

 

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Show #377 – December 2, 2017

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Guests: Professor Nelson Repenning; Merlyn Townley; Doug Bahniuk

This week’s show is a bit more focused on some perspectives around the economy, business – including of course the bike business – and some pretty heady insights.

My first guest is Nelson Repenning, the distinguished professor of Systems Dynamics and Organization Studies at MIT Sloan School of Management. It’s a mouthful, but Nelson, who raced his bike pretty successfully back in the day, has his finger on the pulse of business as it relates to jobs, manufacturing, and much more.

Nelson also has a consulting firm, ShiftGear, that helps companies figure out those things that always seem to sabotage success – or at least slow it down.

After a short break, it’s up to Vermont to speak with Master Mechanic Merlyn Townley. Last time we spoke, way back in June of 2012, Merlyn was in Chattanooga and we talked race mechanics. Today however, he’s got some things to convey about a direction the bike business might consider taking.

Finally, our “holiday gift” is actually a book by someone who has been in the studio and on the show more than once. Doug Bahniuk has Parkinson’s Disease; yet, he continues to ride his bike on some pretty amazing and challenging rides – even for someone who doesn’t suffer from a disorder that, many times, makes it just difficult to hold a fork.

Doug has ridden across Alaska – you might remember his journey from our last conversation – as well as Oregon and South Korea.

In his new book, The White Line to Denver, Doug details his trip from Boise, Idaho to Denver, Colorado, a trip his doctor suggested he should not take.

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Show #376 – November 25, 2017

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Guests: Dr. Gabe Mirkin; Molly Hurford

Now that Thanksgiving is over, can we talk food? I mean the food we probably SHOULD be consuming!

This week, retired but still incredibly active, Dr. Gabe Mirkin will talk about how food affects us, what new breakthroughs are being found in cholesterol and diabetes research, and how important it is to continue exercising throughout your life.

I’ve got a couple of news items, a review of the new Gore-Tex ShakeDry jacket, and then it’s on to Belgium to catch up with Molly Hurford.

At 30 years old, she’s already written four books with a 3-book series for young girls at the publisher. She manages at least 3 blogs, or may it’s four, produces The Consummate Athlete podcast with her husband Peter, and is managing the Aspire Racing Team at the World Cup races in Europe right now.

We chat about all of that, including her “advice to women” and what’s next on her jam-packed agenda.

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Show #375 – November 18, 2017

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Guests: Jim Sonnhalter; Gloria Liu; Nick Legan

This week, we keep it local for the first of my three guests.

NE Ohio urban planner Jim Sonnhalter joins me to talk about a project in his home suburb of Euclid, Ohio that will add a new trail to the Lake Front.

Jim works for Cuyahoga County Planning and has helped to establish and begin implementing a master plan for biking and walking in the Cleveland area.

We’ll talk about the Euclid project as well as the scope of the Cuyahoga Greenways projects.

Then, it’s my annual pre-holiday gift chat with Bicycling features editor Gloria Liu. This year, we talk about a new “convertible jacket” from Pearl Izumi, a handlebar bag from North St. Bags in Portland, Oregon, some new light weight entries in the children’s bike market, and of course what’s hot in tech.

Gravel Cycling by Nick Legan
Gravel Cycling by Nick Legan

Finally, Nick Legan, author of the new Gravel Cycling: The Complete Guide to Gravel Racing and Adventure Bikepacking, joins me to talk about his book, his 7 years as a pro-tour mechanic, how gravel racing became his sport of choice, and more.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy the show.

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Show #374 – November 11, 2017

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Guests: Brian Jenks; Eric Stobin

November 11th – Veteran’s Day – and auspiciously, this week, Brian and I have an extended conversation about our trip to Israel with the FIDF.

Joining 30 other Americans as well as wounded warriors, Israeli National Cycling Champion Roy Goldstein, and active duty soldiers, we rode our tandem from Eilat in the south of the country through the Negev Desert to the north ending in Jerusalem for several days.

Along the way, we toured air force and army bases, became immersed in the history of the country and the land, ate sumptuous Mediterranean foods, and fell in love with the people and the culture.

After our break, I also speak with Eric Stobin, National Sales Manager of Wahoo Fitness. From their original indoor trainer, the KickR, to their newest products – including heart rate monitors, computers, and the newest addition the Climb, Eric offers us a glimpse into the first of our holiday gift ideas.

Go get an adult beverage, settle back, and enjoy!

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Show #373 – November 4, 2017

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Guest: Peter Weigle

The Concours du Machines 2017 Winner by Peter Weigel. Commissioned by Jan Heine
The Concours de Machines 2017 2nd place Winner by Peter Weigel. Commissioned by Jan Heine

This week, Diane speaks with Peter Weigle – for the entire show!

We talk about his time at the Choir School in NYC, his stint at Witcomb Cycles in London, his love of physics, and so much more.

Peter’s bike for the 2017 Concours de Machines in Paris, France, commissioned and ridden by Jan Heine, won accolades all around, yet didn’t win first place. (You’ll need to listen to find out why!)

Enjoy!

 

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Show #372 0 October 28, 2017

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Guests: Jill Yesko; Amy Dixon

This week, meet two great women from very different cycling backgrounds.

First, Jill Yesko, former pro cyclist, takes her experiences from cycling, mixes them with her journalism and film making backgrounds and gives us “Tainted Blood” – a new documentary about the blood doping scandal from the 1984 LA Olympics.

The film is full of great characters along with their roles with our US Olympic team at the time of the 1984 Games.

Then, we meet elite paratriathlete Amy Dixon.

Amy suffers from a rare auto-immune disease that has taken her eye sight. But, it hasn’t dampened her spirits as she competes at the elite level in triathlon, And, that is only one of the many things that Amy does.

Listen in for a great last-week-of-October show.

 

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Show # 370 – October 14, 2017

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Guests: Kris Henry; Emily O’Brien

This week, I speak with 44Bikes.com Kris Henry. We look at his history, education, and the philosophy that goes into each bike he builds.

Then, it’s a conversation with Dill Pickle’s Emily O’Brien. This talented young woman is a Randonneur, makes beautiful bags for the long-distance cyclist, and is a classical musician.

It’s a pretty heady show!

 

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Show #369 – October 7, 2017

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Guests: Sam Gwynne; Dr. Jason Gill; Sue Knaup

I’ll be adding to this post ASAP!  Took a long time to edit this week… you’ll hear why

Three great guests

#1 Sam Gwynne with his provocative article about Lance Armstrong.

#2 Professor Jason Gill – He’s gonna’ tell you to ride to work!  It will cut your chances of cardiovascular disease by up to 40%! (OH, there’s a lot more here)

#3 Sue Knaup – from OneStreet.org – Her book, Bike Hunt, is right at the top of my favorites for 2017!

I’ll fill in  the details later!

Enjoy!