The start of December is a great time to wrap-up the 2015 cycling season, and tonight we do just that with the newly crowned Prince of VeloVoices “Social Media User of 2015” – Dan Wuori.
Beginning with the Spring classics and moving through the season to the Grand Tours and the Worlds, Dan gives us his insights into the who, what where, why, and how it was done this season.
Dan and I also discuss the effects social media has had to the sport, the participants, and the fans.
Then, after our news and a break, we head on over to Upstate New York to speak with Lorrie Tibbitts. Out of a bad situation with a family member, Lorrie and her husband became involved in the “Ride for Missing Children”, an event that takes place each June in the Utica, NY area..
Celebrating its 20th year in 2016, this event attracts over 500 riders who not only raise funds for the posters that you might see when a child goes missing, but also for safety education as well as other programs to assist the families, friends, and schoolmates of any child who is suddenly gone or has been otherwise exploited.
The New York event has some pretty compelling statistics:
• Posters raised – 9,139,083
• Children Missing – 9,277
• Children Recovered – 6,644
With a real Surface Transportation Bill looking like it will actually pass, the Secretary is looking forward to getting some desperately needed resources for transportation initiatives as well as promoting safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Coming from a big-city background, he understands what is necessary to get support and resources for urban projects and how much more needs to be done to promote jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, and to open up the conversation to keep funding for transportation for the future.
We have some news and chat and then we’re off to Copenhagen for a great conversation with around-the-world traveler Thomas Andersen. Finding himself with a short break from college one year, Thomas decided to try a bike trip and we all know what happens… he was sucked in – handlebars, crank, and derailleurs!
Fast forward 50,000+km, 6 continents, and over 1800 days on the road, and we caught Thomas at home before the next and final leg of his world tour – Africa.
How can he afford to stay on the road? I’ll let him tell you!
His blog cyclingtheglobe.com exquisitely details each day – though Thomas will tell us how daunting that can be.
So – go get some of those turkey-day leftovers, pop open a beer, and settle in for another great episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.
Guests: Andrew McLindon; Mina Thorgeson; Fredrik Gertten
The week before Thanksgiving… and, we are ramping up to the holidays.
We have three great guests this week so, let’s get right to it.
We begin in Baton Rouge, LA with Andrew McLindon. Andrew is the head of the McLindon Family Foundation and their work is dedicated to special needs children, teens, and young adults.
To date, they have delivered over 90 special bikes – many costing upwards of $5,000 and more, to children who otherwise could not experience the joy, independence, and sense of being part of their respective communities because of their disabilities.
Starting in 2008 with their first bike for a young boy with hydrocephalus, , they now have a waiting list in the hundreds. And, after a piece aired on NBC’s “Making A Difference” on the evening news, not only is there a growing list of those who want and need a special adaptive bike; but, there has been an outpouring of support from individuals, “teams” of people, manufacturers, and more.
It’s a great feel good story and one that fits right in with the season of Thanksgiving.
Then, we head on down to Ridgeland, Mississippi to speak with Mina Thorgeson. I met Mina in Cincinnati at Recumbent Cycle-Conand she was so interesting, enthusiastic, and fun that I needed to know more about her work and her city.
Ridgleland is a small city of 24,000 people – but, it sports 140 restaurants, a 30,000 acre reservoir, hosted a tandem rally last year, and is situated right next to one of the most popular riding routes in the south – the Natchez Trace. Ridgeland welcomes cyclists and their families and offers great southern hospitality.
After some quick news and a break, I take the microphones over to Sweden to speak with film producer and director Fredrik Gertten. Fredrik’s documentary movie, “Bikes vs Cars” is touring the world right now to huge acclaim and enthusiastic audiences.
In a comparison between Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Los Angeles, California, Fredrik’s film shows – in striking and sometimes horrific fashion – how the automobile industry has shaped our world and what is at stake if things don’t change: and soon!
Guests: Jim & John Loughlin from TiGr lock; Author and Pro Triathlete/Nutritionist Pip Taylor
After our big shout out to the Philly Bike Expo as well as our weekend hosts, we talk to brothers Jim and John Loughlin who are the creators of a great product – the TiGr lock system. Now, locks may not seem like a sexy subject, but you might just find THESE locks about the sexiest looking security devices ever!
A the booth right next to us at the Philly Bike Expo, we watched in amazement as crowds gathered non-stop to check out these innovative, simple, and elegant locks.
Made of titanium so they are strong and light, they sport a simple patented locking system, come in two models and several sizes; and, because of the way they mount and secure your bike, might just make you believe that you need a lock on your multi-thousand dollar road machine. (Watch an independent review video of how they work!)
The Bow is available in small, medium, and large; and, the new model, the Mini, is an abstract of what you might think of when you think U-lock.
After a break and some news, we travel down to the Southern Hemisphere to speak with professional triathlete, certified dietitian, mother, and author Pip Taylor.
Sometimes, no matter how well eat, how much rest you get, how smart your workouts are, and how you monitor your vitals, you just don’t feel 100%. You often have issues with sleep and find that the results you were expecting – whether racing, riding long distances, or just going for a short run – just aren’t adding up.
Enter the gut! Your issues might just be related to the kinds of foods you are eating and finding the best foods for performance and health is what “The Athlete’s Fix” is all about.
Pip gives us some tips on how to find out our food intolerances, how inflammation is often the culprit, and tells us how to “fix” the issues. She also gives us some great recipes that will taste good as well as do good.
So, park it – lock it – and let’s talk with Jim and John Loughlin from TiGr Lock.
Guests: Senator Sherrod Brown; Keith Laughlin, Tim Blumenthal
(Note: This show was recorded on Wednesday and Thursday, November 4th and 5th, before the passage of the Surface Transportation Bill Thursday afternoon. Who knew???)
This week we dodged a HUGE bullet when amendments that would have cut funding for bicycle related initiatives including the Recreational Trails Program and the Transportation Alternatives Program were tabled and another amendment, #36, was introduced that will make it EASIER for states to commit funds to bike/ped projects.
News from a variety of sources sent up alarm bells on Tuesday and then, literally overnight – poof! We were “home free”.
I wanted to know what was going on in Congress that suddenly put the transportation bill front and center, creating such a hot topic, and so went looking for answers. I found it in three very tuned-in sources.
My first guest is the senior Senator from Ohio,Sherrod Brown (D). Senator Brown always brings his incredible insight and energy to questions and issues and this week tells us what he thinks might be the outcome of the vote on the Surface Transportation Bill** as well as how and why things might or might not change with the new Speaker of the House. He also explains how important it is that we once again make the U.S. a world class country in terms of infrastructure and transportation.
We then talk with the president of People for Bikes, Tim Blumenthal. Tim explains many of the reasons that Congress, and especially those responsible for programs that make communities more sustainable from an economic perspective, tabled those program slashing initiatives. PFB is now a strong 1.2 million voices and carries some serious clout!
Finally, my go to guy, Keith Laughlin who is president of Rails-to-Trails, gives us his inside-the-beltway understanding of the whys and wherefores of the transportation situation as well as some insight into who helped quash those amendments and what the passage of a new Surface Transportation Bill will mean going forward.
Three great guests – three intelligent and informed perspectives.
Take a listen!
(according to the U.S. Congress web site, the bill passed on November 5th!)
Guests: Journalist Joe Lindsey; TDA Global Cycling’s Henry Gold
Boo! Happy Halloween and the official end of October. Hope you’ve had a great week and are ready for a brand new episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.
This week, we go out to Boulder, Colorado to speak with journalist Joe Lindsey. His name is instantly recognizable as a contributing writer to many publications, not the least of which is “Bicycling Magazine”.
Joe, unlike many others who pen articles, review equipment, and comment on cycling, started out as a journalist and just kept right on going! His work has appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Outside, and Men’s Journal to name a few.
Our conversation starts with his recently published article titled “Why We’re Not Covering the Lance Armstrong-Frankie Andreu Feud” (it’s besides the point) and traverses the gamut of cycling to transportation, advocacy, and whether the bicycling bubble is about to burst (no spoiler alert from me!)
Then, after our break and news, we head on up to Canada to speak with TDA Global Cycling’s Henry Gold. When we last talked with Henry back in January 2013, he was about to take a group on a four month excursion through Africa.
Now, after covering 6 continents, he is preparing a group for a fat-tire expedition through Antarctica to the South Pole – completing the last piece of the world puzzle – calling this new trip “The Last Degree” in reference to the “last degree of longitude”.
With permission from the authorities to make the trip, Henry has brought on adventurer and author of Winter BackpackingBen Shillington to lead the group.
A 6-day training camp at Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba in February 2016, which is open to anyone who’d like to learn to ride under arctic conditions, is mandatory for those joining the group in December 2016.
So, lots of interesting stuff this week – let’s get to it.
Okay – I’ll admit it… I’m lazy! Well, maybe not lazy; but, not ready to take apart the following to make each show an individual entry. So… I’m posting the first 18 shows in one BIG entry and hope that you might find some gem you want to hear in them.
Eventually, I’ll break them up into individual posts. The link to the podcast is at the end of each entry.
September 11, 2010
The Outspoken Cyclist with Diane Lees features an interview with renowned mountain biker and three-time NORBA champion, Jacquie “Alice B. Toeclips” Phelan. Plus conversation with Andrew Miller of CAMBA and Greg Collins, ride director of the Woo-Man Tour to Cure.
September 18, 2010
fully-loaded tour of the gamut of cycling this week! Diane talks with multi-champion, coach and author John Howard; Scott Cowan of Century Cycles; Frank Seebode, ride director of Columbus Fall Challenge; and PBP and RAAM racer John Karlovec.
September 25, 2010
Diane reports this week from Interbike, the annual U.S. bicycle industry trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her first-person commentary about Interbike, Diane has interviews with Fred Clements, Executive Director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association; and Steve McCauley, Development Director for the USA Cycling Development Foundation.
October 2, 2010
If you’re a cyclist who wants to go fast, or maybe just a bit faster, this week’s show is for you. Diane interviews author and six-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman, Mark Allen; and owner-operator of Cycling Camp San Diego, Rob Panzera. Mark’s new book is called Fit Soul – Fit Body, and Rob has written a book entitled Cycling Fast.
October 9, 2010
The Outspoken Cyclist is in the big ring this week with two outstanding interviews, plus news and more news. Join Diane as she speaks with Stephen Bilenky of Bilenky Cycle Works about frames and the upcoming Philly Bike Expo. She also talks with Eric Shutt, of Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park. Ray’s is expanding their facility in Cleveland, and opening a new park in Milwaukee next month, and we’ve got all the dirt.
October 16, 2010
Is there life after racing for a National Champion? Is there life after lupus for a mountain biking mama? Will there be Blue Skies for ‘Cross in Euclid this Fall? The answers to these and other questions in this week’s Outspoken Cyclist, as Diane interviews cyclist attorney Bob Mionske; Director of Sponsorship at Santa Cruz Bicycles Julie Furtado; and Bill Gibson, owner of Blue Sky Bicycles.
October 23, 2010
There is literally something for everyone this week on the Outspoken Cyclist. Diane gets the scoop on Woman Tours (the only all women bike tour company in America) direct from its owner, Jackie Marchand, and one of Jackie’s clients, Cheryl Teare.
Then we here in Northeast Ohio get to hear how they ride in Philly, as we talk with Sarah Clark Stuart, Campaign Director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
And we round out the hour with an update on the progress toward mountain bike trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, from Andrew Miller, president of CAMBA.
October 30, 2010
The Outspoken Cyclist heads for the Rockies this week to talk with Mad Dogs and Advocates.
First up is Patrick O’Grady, cycling’s resident satirist and cartoonist. Next, it’s a conversation with Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong. And Diane grabbed an interview with Elliot Singer, who recently crossed the Rockies on his way across the U.S.
All this plus news and side comments from Greg on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist.
November 6, 2010
Cycling from both historical and current perspectives is on tap for The Outspoken Cyclist this week.
We begin with a conversation with David V. Herlihy, who was in town on Wednesday to promote his new book, The Lost Cyclist about Frank Lenz’s attempt to ride around the world in 1882.
Moving to the present day, Diane chats with champion mountain biker Brian Lopes, who has just written an excellent guide to two-wheeled off-roading entitled Mastering Mountain Bike Skills.
And finally, what will the shift in political power brought about by the 2010 mid-term elections mean for cycling and other transportation? Diane checks in with Lois Moss of Walk+Roll, and Jim Sayre of Adventure Cycling.
November 13, 2010
Two big interviews plus a whole lotta cycling news on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist.
First up, Chris Brewer, Senior Manager of Development Communications at LiveSTRONG (formerly the Lance Armstrong Foundation) gives us a detailed look at the history and current activities of the organization that uses cycling to promote cancer awareness and advocacy.
And then Keith Laughlin, Executive Director of Rails to Trails talks with Diane about his organization’s goal of putting a bike/ped trail within 3 miles of 90% of Americans by 2020, and what you can do to help achieve that goal.
Additional links for this show:
• Change.org (regarding the recent hit and run crash in Vail, Colorado)
• ODOT meeting to discuss cycling improvements on the Lorain-Carnegie bridge
• News-Herald article on proposed extension of Lake County Greenway
• Richmond Heights man sentenced for hitting boy on bike (News-Herald)
November 20, 2010
It’s Lost and Found week on the Outspoken Cyclist. We lost track of a scheduled guest (Joe Kurmaskie) and happily found another one (Jake Jacobson from Garmin (the GPS company, not the cycling team)). In any event, Jake joins us to talk about the new Garmin Edge 800 cyclecomputer/GPS/espresso maker.
And in the second half of the show, Diane gets to talk to a very special guest, Dr. Eric Heiden. Eric holds 5 gold medals in Olympic long-track speed skating, and was a founding member of Team 7-Eleven. He’s now an orthopedic surgeon practicing sports medicine along with his wife in Park City, Utah.
And not to worry, Joe Kurmaskie (the Metal Cowboy) was merely out of cell phone range in ‘gorges’ Ithaca, New York. We’ve got him lined up for our Thanksgiving show next week.Links from the news in this week’s show:
• More opposition to the extension of the Lake County Greenway Corridor (News-Herald)
• Geauga Park District buys land in Chardon to complete Maple Highlands Trail (News-Herald)
• Commuting by bicycle may put you at risk for an injury (The Stranger)
• Convicted killer sues victim’s parents (Newsy)
November 27, 2010
It’s our first annual Thanksgiving show, and one you won’t want to miss. The main guest this week is “Mark Twain on two wheels”, Joe Kurmaskie, The Metal Cowboy himself. Joe talks about how he got his nickname, as well as his upcoming book You Might be a Cyclist If…
Then it’s a couple of interesting product features with Chuck Robinson of Specialized and Graham Berg of Resource Revival.
And we wrap up our holiday feast with some news and Greg’s litany of things cyclists are thankful for.
December 4, 2010
Winter weather has arrived in northeast Ohio, and this week’s Outspoken Cyclist brings you much food for thought on a cold Saturday evening.
Our main guest this week is John Schubert, Technical Editor of Adventure Cyclist magazine. John is a long time cycle-tourist and bicycling advocate. He has a unique take on how and what kind of government investment makes the most sense for cyclists.
We’re also joined by Paul McManus, Tour Director of Tour d’Afrique, which offers long distance tours all around the world, including, of course, Africa. Tour d’Afrique is partnering with Trips for Kids on their first-ever North American tour this coming spring.
And finally, we get a first-hand look at a wild new product from it’s inventor, Brent Thomas. If you’re a night rider like Greg is, Bike Wrappers might be something you’d like in your stocking this Christmas.
December 11, 2010
The Outspoken Cyclist takes a global, national and local look at cycling this week with three very compelling and dynamic guests.First up is F.K. Day, president of SRAM, and World Bicycle Relief, which has developed a brilliant and sustainable system for bringing durable utility bikes to Indonesia and Africa. Listen as we get all the details from the man himself, including how you can help.Next, Peter Flax, the newest Editor of Bicycling Magazine talks with Diane about his experiences as both a journalist and a cyclist, as well as the future of the magazine and the sport of cycling.And to close this week’s installment, we welcome Scott Varner, who is the Deputy Director of Communications for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Scott looks back on the recent accomplishments of ODOT in the area of alternative transportation, and gives us some encouragement for the future.
December 18, 2010
This week’s main guest is someone who arguably knows more about all facets of building bicycles than most of us have forgotten, and he’s willing to share his knowledge and opinions freely in a very engaging manner. In addition to being a descendant of Ignaz Schwinn (founder of the Schwinn Bicycle Company), Richard Schwinn is co-founder of Waterford Precision Cycles, and we’ve got him on today’s show.
Rounding out the hour is an interview with Andre Husain of Team Hope, which is a four-man team training for RAAM 2011. Team Hope’s special reason for racing across America is the Blue Planet Network, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to help bring safe, clean drinking water to the 1 billion people worldwide who currently don’t have it.
December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas to all from The Outspoken Cyclist! The elves have been busy this week cooking up a holiday treat for their cycling friends (regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year).
Harvey Newton, author of Strength Training for Cyclists joins us to talk about how important muscular strength is, as a complement to the muscular endurance we build as a result of cycling (especially for those of us, ahem, of a certain age). Listen to Diane’s conversation with Harvey, and learn how the off-season is the perfect time to start a strength training program.
Rounding out the hour, we talk with Cassie Schumacher of West Akron, Ohio, who will be competing as a solo rider in the 2011 edition of Race Across America. In addition to her goal of finishing one of the most grueling cycling events in the world, Cassie is raising money and awareness for war veterans with PTSD. More information on how you can get involved is available at Wheels for Change.
January 1, 2011
Today as we say “goodbye” to 2010 and “hello” to 2011, The Outspoken Cyclist takes an opportunity to get better acquainted with our host, Diane Lees. Diane has been interviewing personalities from all corners of the cycling universe for some time now, and it occurred to me that we should find out more about what she brings to these interviews.
Although she’s an artist and writer, Diane isn’t your typical artist or writer; and although she’s a bicycle dealer, Hubbub Custom Bicycles isn’t your average bike shop. Give a listen, and learn about this unique and creative individual on today’s Outspoken Cyclist.
Guests: Bryan Ball; Bina Bilenky Trahan, Scott Fitzgerald
It’s Saturday so it must be time for The Outspoken Cyclist. And, this week’s show is crammed with “stuff”.
Besides the mention that Cleveland beat the wheels off Pittsburgh in the “National Bike Challenge” (by a mere 300,000 miles), Shinola also announced that a retail store would be built in Shaker Heights, Ohio opening fall of 2017. So, when we say Cleveland Rocks – we mean Cleveland Rocks! (And Rolls of course) (video is older, but lots of fun!)
So, whose on our show? Well, let’s start at the beginning with the man who has probably forgotten more about recumbent bikes and trikes than I will ever know! Bryan Ball is the managing editor of THE recumbent site bentrider.bike
AKA bentrideronline.com(either brings the site up in your browser).
Besides a rich history in cycling, Bryan has also long been a writer and his book, “How Recumbents Are Exactly Like Beer” is one of the several topics we cover in our conversation this evening. Oh, he’s also a stand-up comic!
Then, with the Philly Bike Expo just two weeks away, I check in with show manager Bina Bilenky Trahan to find out what is new for 2015. Bina runs down some of the newer exhibitors, seminars, rides, and events.
Finally, after a “back to the future” news cast, we head on out to Idaho to speak with former bike shop owner and now author/publisher Scott Fitzgerald about his new book – and projects – “B Is for Bicycles”. Meant to offer grown-ups a chance to give their kids a sophisticated look at bicycles and bicycling in rhyme and beautiful illustrations, Scott giv
The son of Connie Carpenter-Phinney and Davis Phinney – both world class athletes and Olympians – Taylor gives us a glimpse into growing up in this athletic and down-to-earth family, how he found his artistic outlet when he was injured and rehabbing after a nasty crash, and how he really likes a great sandwich – among other things!
Then, after a break for some news, we head down to North Carolina to speak with multi-record holder endurance athlete and CEO of CruzBike, Maria Parker.
I met this energetic lady at the Recumbent Cycle-Con in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and wanted to know more about her and the company she runs.
CruzBikes are built differently than other recumbents and a lot of people came down to test ride them and find out how and why. Maria answers all those questions!
At 50, Maria is racing and winning – and raising funds for brain cancer research. Her sister, who died from the disease, became the impetus for redoubling her racing and riding efforts and continues to champion the cause for more funding and research to find a cure.
So, sit back and enjoy my chat with Taylor Phinney!
Guests: Josh Poertner (Silca); Reid Miller (Reid Miller Apparel)
When we think of the greats of our industry – especially mountain biking – Charlie Cunningham doesn’t immediately go to top of the mind. BUT, he was the genius behind the welded aluminum frames (and a whole lot more) and the mountain bike hall-of-famer needs our help.
A mountain biking accident in August left Cunningham physically crawling out of the woods for two miles with a major head injury, broken ribs, a broken clavicle, and shattered pelvis. He was only in the hospital for a few days before heading home to custom-build a cane for himself, but six weeks after the accident, his head injury manifested as a subdural hematoma. Today, he’s in the hospital recovering—but his prognosis is questionable.
His wife, single-speed-loving mountain bike devotee Jacquie Phelan**, talked with us about Cunningham, how their love of biking changed both of their lives, and what they’re facing now. Read the interview, and if you’re as touched as we were, consider donating to the GoFundMe site raising money to help with Cunningham’s hospital expenses, rehabilitation, and retrofitting of his home to make it wheelchair-accessible. The cycling community has always taken great pride in taking care of our own, and Cunningham is certainly deserving of a helping hand.
(**click the link to hear my interview with Jacquie back in 2010)
Since that article, Charlie has made some progress – but, he still needs our help. If you are so inclined, go to his GoFundMe page and offer some assistance – even some kind words will help with his healing.
So – this week? We have two great guests.
Josh Poertner was the Technical Director of Zipp Speed Weaponry for 14 years. During that time, he had occasion to meet Claudio Sacchi, the grandson of Felice Sacchi, the founder ofSilca– the Italian pump manufacturer. I don’t know of a bike shop that has been in existence more than 10 years that doesn’t have a Silca “pista” (track) pump somewhere – and most are using theirs – 10, 15, 20, even 40 years after manufacture.
So… fast forward to a time that Claudio contracted cancer and as his health declined, so did the company.
In a fortuitous conversation, Josh and Claudio came to an agreement and now Silca is here in the U.S. and is once again heading for the top of the charts with renewed energy, excitement, and innovation.
Josh will take us through that journey up to present day in the first half of the show.
After our break and some news, we head on down to North Carolina to meet up with a most interesting lady. From dreaming about fashion design as a child to a stint in Africa with the Peace Corps and then a short career in Public Health, Reid Miller has come full circle back to her dreams of fashion bringing a classic look to the women who ride their bikes for transportation and recreation.
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Outspoken Cyclist.
