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Show #317 – October 15, 2016

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Guest: The Laidback Bike Report’s Gary Solomon

This week, it’s podcast only so the show is a bit shorter than usual. WJCU’s football game has preempted out broadcast!

While attending Recumbent Cycle-Con last weekend, I met up with Gary Solomon. Gary is a retired pharmacist who lives in the Columbus, Ohio area and has been riding a recumbent tandem with his wife for 15 years. Last year, he started a new venture – the Laidback Bike Report, a monthly interactive video production that is broadcast on You Tube.

His “shows” cover the gamut of recumbent news, interviews, and reviews. His viewers can also participate in the show as it is happening. I wanted to know more and, since we do audio and he does video, I thought it would be an interesting conversation. In fact, it was! And this week I’m sharing it with you!

Let’s get to it!

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Show #316 – October 8, 2016

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Guests: Neil Flock; Michael Charney

Brian and I are attending Recumbent Cycle-Con in Sharonville, Ohio this weekend. It’s cool and sunny with hundreds of folks trying out all kinds of cool bikes on the outdoor test tracks.

Our show this week runs the gamut from a new line of affordable, smart, and well designed internally geared, belt drive bikes to a smart concept that, once adopted, will save lives!

First, we talk with Neil Flock from Cycle Monkey. Neil’s new line of Link Bicycles previewed at Interbike last month to rave reviews. Three simple offerings – mixte, cross, and road – 5 sizes from x-small to x-large – and internally geared, belt driven – will be available in Spring 2017.

Neil tells us about his philosophy and the market he thinks these bikes will best address.

In the second half of the show, we talk with Michael Charney in Boston. Michael is a retired doctor who abandoned his car many, many years ago and instead began cycling. He came across the “Dutch Reach” concept of exiting your motorized vehicle and dove head first into bike advocacy.

Michael’s case for changing the way you get out of your car is catching on and he wants everyone to we jump on that bandwagon.

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Show #315 – October 1, 2016

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Guests: Jeremy Powers, Niall Gengler, Charles Coyne

This week we have three guests including the “winningest” American cyclist ever!

With 60 UCI international wins and 4 USA National Cyclocross Championships, Jeremy Powers shares his not-so-secret-secret as well as some tips for anyone aspiring to race a bike. He also tells us about his JAM non-profit organization that is reaching out to promising athletes who might not be able to get in to the sport for a variety of reasons.

I also talk with Charles Coyne about next week’s Recumbent Cycle-Con and Touring Expo at the Sharonville Convention Center in Sharonville, Ohio (just north of Cincinnati).

Charles gives us a glimpse into the who, what , where, and why of the 3-day event that begins on Friday, October 7th with a “trade day” that then opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

This year, there are two test track courses – one for 2-wheel recumbents and one for trikes, giving the trikes the room they need to be put to the test.

After a short break for some news, we head to Easthampton, Ma to speak with Niall Gengler from Pioneer Valley Frameworks.

Niall builds some sweet steel bikes and gives us his philosophy about what it takes to get a rider dialed-in for optimum performance and comfort.

It’s a jam-packed show… so let’s get started!

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Show #314 – September 24, 2016

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Guests: US DOT’s Barbara McCann;  Arsenal Cycling’s Thomas Prehn; Ornithologist Eric Masterson

Hey – it’s The Outspoken Cyclist here!

Big show this week as we explore what’s happening at the federal, state, and federal level in bicycle and pedestrian issues with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Barbara McCann. Barbara is the Director of the Office of Safety, Energy, and Environment

Well known and widely considered the architect of the Complete Streets program that has been almost universally adopted here in the States, Barbara tells us about the Mayor’s Challenge Awards that came out of 2016 Summit for Safer People, Safer Streets last week as well as the new Federal Highway’s recently published Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation.

With an eye on safety, Barbara tells us how important our transportation system is and what it needs to be doing to keep us safe and efficient going forward.

I talk with Thomas Prehn, author, former pro racer, and now inventor. His new product, the 4Sync lighting system, is a synchronized system of 3-4 lamps, adding to the pattern of visibility that the human eye will follow. Thomas’ hope is that this new system will add to our visibility on the road in a way that catches the eye of anyone looking.

Lastly, I speak with ornithologist Eric Masteron. Eric is on a 5,000 journey following the migration of the broad winged hawk from his home in New Hampshire to South America.

500 miles in, I catch up with Eric in Gettysburg where he tells us about the birds he is following and what he hopes to see and learn.

Oh, did I say that he is traveling by bicycle? Why yes, that’s the connection!

Enjoy!

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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.