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Show #313 – September 15, 2016

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Guests: Richard Fries, Eric Weis, Kelly Hodgson

Middle of September already and we are deep in cross season.

This week, Diane talks with KMC Crossfest’s consummate announcer – and promoter – Richard Fries. While we do discuss Crossfest, we delve into a lot more of the issues and successes that Richard is addressing as the head honcho at Mass Bike.

After two fatal crashes in one day, Richard dropped into high(er) gear than he usually uses to pursue his passions and the results of what might be coming next are quite thought provoking.

Then, we catch up with Eric Weis, who is in full-tilt boogie mode as the New England Builder’s Ball nears the launch date.

Last year when we spoke with Eric, he was wrapping up his long tenure as the head of the East Coast Greenway Director of Development. He’s passed that baton and after a couple of months off to pursue some of his long-held dreams of bike touring and more – which of course did not turn out exactly as planned – he is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the New England Builder’s Ball and KMC Vendor Expo.

The Ball and the KMC Crossfest move to a new venue this year – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, CT (I know you can hear that announcer yelling “Sunday-Sunday”).

The NE Builder’s Ball is a one-of-a-kind event, taking place from 7-11pm on Friday, September 30th. The new venue, which is a huge storage barn for vintage cars, is going to see some interesting action as the cross races ride right on through the middle. Oh, and did we mention there will be free beer?

Let’s let Eric tell you the rest.

Finally, we hear a heartwarming story about United Cycle and Sport Central in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. United Cycle’s Kelly Hodgson fills us in on the details of the $500,000 in sports equipment and supplies his organization promised after a devastating fire forced more than 80,000 people our of their homes in Ft. McMurray last year.

Sport Central’s commitment doesn’t stop with the 53’ semi that delivered the equipment; rather, it has set up a permanent office to continue to help the community rebuild.

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Show #312 – September 10, 2016

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Guests: Award winning author Edward Humes; Bike Attorney Peter Wilborn

It’s a chock-full-o-stuff show beginning with my first guest, Edward Humes.

Ed is the author of 14 books, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and his new book, Door to Door: The Magnificent, Maddening, Mysterious World of Transportation looks “under the hood” of transportation in ways we never imagined.

From the total flop that was dubbed “Carmageddon” in 2011 when a portion of Los Angeles’ 405 freeway was shut down for “expansion” to how cat food shows up on your step hours after you ordered it on line, Ed shows us how our transportation systems reek of inefficiency and waste.

We talk about whether we have the guts to make the changes we need to make going forward and where it needs to start.

Then, I talk with bike attorney and founder of BikeLaw.com, Peter Wilborn. Peter grew up a cyclist, lost his brother to a cycling related crash, and has dedicated his career to defending cyclists as well as giving great advice to anyone who needs to know his or her rights.

We discuss Peter’s well reasoned ideas about cyclists, drivers, and the attitudes we all take when we both get behind the wheel of a car or on the seat of a bike!

 

 

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Show #311 – September 3, 2016

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Guests: Mariann Oftermatt; Mike Mulhall

While it all emanates from NE Ohio, the issues our first guest is experiencing are certainly not local! Moving from a more rural area back into one of our most affluent ring suburbs, my friend and colleague Mariann Oftermatt keeps finding herself literally face-to-face with cyclists on a daily basis.

Mariann walks her dogs early in the morning and often walks to the tony Coventry Village neighborhood of shops and restaurants; commuting cyclists – those heading for the universities and hospitals not far from Cleveland Heights – are using the side streets to avoid traffic.

But in the past couple of weeks, the incidence of “near misses” between Mariann, her dogs, and the cyclists has risen to an alarming number. The cyclists are not stopping at stop signs; they are rolling out of driveways into the path of the sidewalks, and they are taking wide turns onto the streets.

The hope is that the discussion brings both awareness and solutions.

After a break and our news, we head downtown to speak with Mike Mulhall, the VP of development for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Since its inception in 2000, the GCSC has brought high profile events to Cleveland including the Gay Games, the 2016 world yoyo contest (yep you read that right), the Senior Games, the Transplant games, and a plethora of NCAA events.

This year, the third annual NEO Cycle Festival takes place next weekend, September 9-11th, and is billed as the “the nations’ biggest urban cycling festival” including 6 cycling events, a music fest, beer garden, food trucks (it IS Cleveland after all!), and a hugely popular Night Ride.

If you are in the area – it’s going to be a rocking great time! Join us!

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Show #310 – August 27, 2016

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Guests: Mountain2Mountain’s Shannon Galpin; Atlanta’s Byron Rushing; Greg Priddy

With the militant attack on the American University in Kabul this week, it is difficult to believe that there might be good news coming from Afghanistan.

But, Shannon Galpin, the force behind the Nobel Peace Prize nominated Women’s Cycling Team in Afghanistan, does have some good news about the riders and their quest for equality as well as a spot in the 2020 Olympics.

Shannon also weighs in on women’s rights worldwide and how Muslim women are dealing with the “duality” of being true to themselves as well as their religion while still trying to compete on the world stage.

I also talk with Atlanta Regional Commission’s bike and pedestrian planner, Byron Rushing. Atlanta has some big plans on the table for both short and long term biking options including a 22-mile loop around the city.

And finally, my previous technical producer and co-host, Greg Priddy has some sage advice for us based upon his 3-year ordeal with colon cancer. His commentary wraps up our show this week.

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Show #309 – August 20, 2016

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Guests: Brent Bookwalter; Greg Daniel.

Many, many thanks to Sean Weide for his assistance in lining up our guests this week.

We begin with Olympian and Tour de France pro rider Brent Bookwalter. A bit jet-lagged from his trip back from Rio, Brent nonetheless offers us a great glimpse into this year’s Olympic races as the only American to ride both the road race and the time trial.

He got to see Rio from a unique perspective and tells us about his experiences.

Brent is also deeply involved with the Association of National Professional Road Cyclists here in the U.S working tirelessly for the rights of cyclists including salaries, benefits, and retirement.

And, to “give it back” there’s Brent’s “Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo” in Otober. It’s a fun event for the end-of-season that invites everyone to ride!

After a break and news, we head on out to Colorado to speak with Greg Daniel, the youngest U.S. Pro Road Champion EVER!

Greg has been racing since he was 13 and his experience, even at such a young age, have shaped him into a seasoned pro. After his Championship ride, which has a story all its own, he was signed to the Trek-Segafredo team for the next two seasons.

His goal? Why, the Tour de France, of course!

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Show #308 – August 13, 2016

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Guests: NICA’s Austin McInerny & Kurt Wolfgang; Davis Tucker from NXNW in Austin

As the 2016 Olympics enter their second week, we’ve seen some big wins and some big disappointments.

Kristin Armstrong won her third consecutive gold in the individual time trial, setting a new record in the cycling world while 26 year old Taylor Phinney did not finish the Rio road race and was a distant 22nd in Wednesday’s time trial.

It’s been a great Olympics so far; we’ll see what happens next week.

This week, our show goes out to San Francisco to talk with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s executive director Austin McInerny and coach/development manager Kurt Wolfgang. Austin and Kurt fill us in on the numbers – how many states have teams, how many students are participating, and how the 2016-2017 school year will unfold for the organization.

Then we’ll do our news reporting before heading down to Austin, Texas to talk with the owner of restaurant NXNW and craft brewer Davis Tucker.

1 in 7 men will contract prostate cancer, so what Davis has to say is worth the listen

Davis’ work in getting the word out about prostate cancer and prostate health culminates in a Big 1400 mile, 2 week bike adventure from Austin to Denver, ending at the Great American Beer Fest. The story is funny, the topic serious and important.

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Show #307 – August 5, 2016

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Guests: Former NYC Tranportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan; Soigneur Shelly Verses

This week’s show is exceptionally satisfying to me!

From the persistence-pays-off-department of journalism, I am delighted to be able to tell you that former Transportation Commissioner Janet Sadik-Khan is my guest this week. Appointed by Mayor Bloomburg in 2007, Janette spent 6 years, 7 months, and 18 days in the position. (I learned that from her new book, Street Fight – Handbook for an Urban Revolution.)

Janette was the force behind what some might call the transformation of NYC’s surface transportation – from bike lanes to major street scapes. Her book details much of the work she was able to accomplish over those 6+ years as well as offer practical ideas into transforming cities – large and small – into livable communities for all.

She was delightful, forthcoming, and interesting! It was worth the wait!

After the break and some news, we head on out to Santa Barbara, CA to speak with Shelley Verses.

Shelley was the first US female soigneour and has some amazing stories about the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. I’m really glad she is writing a book, because the short time we had was filled with her giggly enthusiasm and excitement for the riders she came to know during the days of the 7-Eleven Team and her experiences at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

I hope you enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed my two guests this week.

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Show #306 – July 30, 2016

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Guests: Marc Sani; Leah Shahum

This week Diane talks with Bicycle Retailer and Industry News‘ Marc Sani about “Future Shock” and how Alvin Toffler‘s seminal work might give us some insight into the dilemmas faced by bicycle dealers today.

With a decision by Quality Bicycle Products to move one of their lines, Salsa Bicycles, into REI, the proverbial poop storm was kicked up by a bevy of dealers and Marc has some great insight into what the industry might want to do to move forward – without kicking and screaming.

After our break and some news, including a fabulous video with Chris Froome and the “Minis”, we head on out to San Francisco to speak with Vision Zero Network‘s Leah Shahum.

Leah, who has a deep understanding of transportation, especially as it relates to the bicycle and pedestrian world, gives us some solid information about what it might take to reach the “Zero Vision” goal.

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THIS is show #305! – July 23, 2016

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This week’s show was supposed to be a bit different from what is actually is going to be. Along with our guests, I was going to talk with you about a short self-supported bike trip Brian and I took last week; but, when I woke up Thursday morning it was to the news that one of my colleagues, the curator of MOMBAT  – (Museum of Mountain Bike Art and Technology) and one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to me was hit and killed while crossing the street in his home town of Statesville, N.C.

Jeff Archer was one of the really good guys – smart, savvy, and a valued part of the NAHBS judging team that year on year chooses the “best of show” in all categories.  He owned First Flight Bicycles and was just inducted into the

.Our hearts are broken and we send our deepest condolences to his wife and family.

So, while we have a great LIVE guest – in fact he was right here in studio over the weekend – we will also be airing my conversation with Jeff Archer from December of 2012.

First however, is a return guest – also named Jeff. Jeff Mapes was in town, this time to cover the RNC for Oregon Public Broadcasting as its senior political reporter.

Previously, Jeff covered state and national politics for The Oregonian for nearly 32 years. He has covered numerous presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, legislative and ballot measures, as well as many sessions of the Legislature, stretching back to 1985.

An avid bike commuter, as well as a RAAM rider, Jeff is the author of the 2009 book, “Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities.”

Our conversation runs the gamut from what’s happening in Oregon to how self-driving cars might change the way bicycles and cars interact.

Listen in and, please stay safe out there!

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NOT show #305 – July 16, 2016

Spent a couple of days on the Erie Canal Towpath in NY with some friends of ours from Oswego, NY this week.  Rode from Lockport to Brockport and back, self-supported, with great tailwinds on day 1 and killer headwinds on day 2.  And, we thought Cleveland had some fierce winds!

Some highlights of the trip included:

– Watching how the locks work in Lockport.  What a feat of engineering this stuff is!

– Finding a GREAT coffee shop in Middleport – Alternative Grounds Caffe.  Excellent coffee, fabulous food, beautiful store!

– Heard an excellent 4-man band – The Third Degree Hot Rockin Band – in Brockport on Thursday night.  Bunch of retired “hippie” types playing everything from Van Morrison and the Beatles to CCR.  Great vocals, guitars, and drums!  90 minutes of non-stop fun.

– Found out we can do this “self supported” tour thing just fine.

Back next week with a brand new show.  Will be speaking with NPR Senior Political Reporter from Oregon Public Radio, Jeff Mapes.  He was in town for the RNC and I had a chance to sit down with him and talk about his book, “Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities” as well as some of his thoughts about the Convention.

If you have a chance – go for a ride!