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January 24, 2015January 24, 2015

Show #230 – January 24, 2015

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Guests: Elden (The Fat Cyclist) Nelson; Don (Mr. NAHBS) Walker

We’re getting into that time of winter where we long for sunny skies, warm temperatures, and green! So, probably one of the best ways to forget the winter doldrums is to laugh – at it, about it, or just find some funny stuff.

And, this week we did indeed find humor. Back at the beginning of the month, we spoke with commentator and journalist Dan Wuori. During our conversation, Dan mentioned that he had participated in the forward of a new book by the “fat cyclist” and I said… “Who’s that?”

Well, this evening, we get to talk with the “fat cyclist hisself”… Elden Nelson isn’t fat and he IS a cyclist. In fact, he’s an avid cyclist having completed 17 of the 18 Leadville 100 events he’s entered (there’s good reason he was DNF on the 18th!)

Elden writes the irreverent and mostly outrageously funny blog fatcyclist.com. His new book, “The Great Fatsby – Absurd Cycling Stories Disguised as Expertise and Insight” is a compendium of his blog from 2007 through 2010 and in it he adds many of the incredibly funny comments that were left after each entry.

But Elden isn’t just a humor monger – he’s the real deal and has raised millions of dollars for charities near and dear to his heart including Livestrong (yes, he believes in the organization and what it does), World Bicycle Relief, and the Kesem Camps (just listen and you’ll learn about them).

Then, after our break and some news, we hustle off to Louisville for the skinny on this year’s NAHBS show with founder and owner Don Walker. Oh yeah – NAHBS #11 is only 6 weeks away and Don gives us some excellent reasons to head over to the show and to the city of Louisville for some great cycling culture.

So, get your ears on and let’s listen in to my conversation with Elden Nelson – MR. Fat Cyclist.

January 17, 2015January 17, 2015

Show #229 – January 17, 2015

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Guests: Richard Fries; Elly Blue

When the Heritage Tree Foundation protested the final day of our Cyclocross National Championships in Austin, Texas, riders, fans, and officials had to scramble to figure out what to do to qualify our National Team and make the Junior men and women whole.

First the event was canceled, then it was postponed, and finally the last of the events was rescheduled for Monday . Some folks went home disappointed, others were able to compete, but it just took some of the fun and excitement out of one of the most interesting of our cycling disciplines.

Richard Fries – race promoter, commentator, and the new Executive Director of Mass Bike was there and fills us in on all that happened last weekend.

Richard will also give us his understanding of and ideas for bicycle advocacy for the State of Massachusetts as he embarks on this new phase of his already long and illustrious cycling career.

After our news, we’ll head on out to Portland, Oregon to catch up with one of the busiest journalists, writers, and feminist cyclists I know, Elly Blue.

Elly’s company, Elly Blue Publishing (AKA Taking the Lane) merged with Microcosm Publishing last month and the result is – MORE Elly Blue opportunities. With more resources and a lot more titles, Elly will be able to continue her work, expand her portfolio of titles, and get back on the road with her popular Dinner & Bikes events.

It’s a full plate of cycling so, let’s get to it.

January 10, 2015January 10, 2015

Show #228 – January 10, 2015

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Guests: Cherokee Schill, Frank Strack

We’re broadcasting from the deep-freeze that is NE Ohio this week! The morning began sunny with a temperature of 0 degrees. But, it’s January and it’s what we can expect.

There was good news this week as the Baltimore police revealed that their investigation into the death of Tom Palermo by the Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook has resulted in charges of manslaughter, DUI, leaving the scene, and more… I’m hoping this high-profile case will be a tipping point in bringing not only justice for cyclists but recognition by authorities country-wide that something needs to change the way cyclists (and pedestrians) are treated and it needs to change now!

Meanwhile, this week’s show wraps up another case – the one in which Cherokee Schill – whose life was turned upside-down by a series of citations and an arrest for riding her bike on a road that does NOT prohibit cyclists from riding – is finally settled! While the end results weren’t perfect, Cherokee will tell us how it all unfolded in court and how she is ready to move on with her life.

Then, we talk about Velominati – say WHAT? Yep – Frank Strack is the Head Keeper of the Velominati and tells us about the rules, the lexicon, and the purpose of his worldwide “organization”. With over 400,000 monthly hits to his blog and dozens of opportunities for the cyclist who wants to preserve the “culture” of cycling at its very core, you too can become a Velominatus!

Stay safe – stay warm – enjoy the show.

January 3, 2015January 3, 2015

Show #227 – January 3, 2015

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Guests: Journalist Dan Wuori; The Legendary Ben Serotta

Happy New Year Everyone!

As promised, we are wrapping up the 2014 season and looking forward into the 2015 cycling season on tonight’s show.

My first guest is journalist and commentator Dan Wuori. His 2014 Velo News “At the Back” column about Robin Williams was named one of the top 14 stories of 2014 and as always, Dan has great insight into the pro cycling world. We talk about the races, the riders, and the teams in our annual wrap-up.

My second guest this evening is also my first guest… well; he WAS my first guest on the first episode of The Outspoken Cyclist way back in 2010.

Ben Serotta is without a doubt one of the most legendary and iconic figures in our industry and as we begin a new year, Ben looks back on his career and gives us his unique perspective on the bicycle business today.

This show is chock full-o-stuff, so you may even want to take notes!

December 27, 2014December 27, 2014

Show #226 – December 27, 2014

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Happy Holidays to All… this week we are taking a much needed break while we get ready for 2015.

We will be back next week to wrap-up 2014 and bring you a special first-guest-of-the-year interview.

Tim and I want to thank you for listening to the show and wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Stay safe! Go for a ride. See you in 2015!

December 20, 2014December 20, 2014

Show #225 – December 20, 2014

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Guests: Pro Cyclist and film producer Kathryn Bertine; Coach, author, and ultra-distance athlete Mark Kleanthous

Happy holidays to all! Happy Solstice too!

With just a few more days to get those last minute gifts, we have two guests whose work might just offer up a suggestion and, regardless – are interesting for who they are and what they do.

My first guest is the producer and director of the cycling documentary “Half the Road: The Passion, Power, & Pitfalls of Women’s Professional Cycling.”

Although Kathryn Bertine started out as a figure skater, she found her way into triathlon and then fell in love with road cycling.

Quickly riding to the top of the standings, she found out just how difficult it is for women – even very talented women – to find a place in pro cycling. So, she fell back on her journalism work (she was a writer for ESPN) and called upon all her connections to produce this 1 hour and 52 minute documentary. It includes some of the great cyclists from the past – Connie Carpenter Phinney and Inga Thompson for example; and some of the great women racing today. The film is narrated by ex-pro cyclist and well-known race announcer Bob Roll. You can find out more about the film and the accompanying book at www.halftheroad.com.

In the second half of the show, we will speak with Mark Kleanthous, ultra-distance athlete, coach, and author of the new book, The Mental Battle: Triathlon .

Mark also authored the Complete Book of Triathlon Training and has over 1050 triathlons, marathons, and other ultra-endurance events under his belt.

The Mental Battle gives you all the ammunition you need to conquer the demons that plague an athlete mentally when racing or training. From positive imagery to a litany of A-Z of negative words we tend to use that end up sabotaging our goals, Mark gives you the tools you need to train and compete. (And, if you order one of the books from his web site, Mark will sign it for you too!)

Either the film or the book might just be the right “last gift” for you or your cyclist!

December 13, 2014December 13, 2014

Show #224 – December 13, 2014

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Guests: Greg LeMond & Dr. Mark Hom; Jose Alcala

Sometimes, when you least expect it, things just fall into place and this week was one of those times.

Unbeknownst to me, a book was being written that would not only explain in detail who he is, but along with a prominent medical professional, why his career came to an early end.

This week, Elsevier Press released The Science of Fitness: Power, Performance, and Endurance, by 3-time Tour de France Champion Greg LeMond and Dr. Mark Hom; and, instead of an interview that rehashes the same questions he has been asked umpteen times, we were able to delve into who Greg LeMond is, what his racing strategies were (and are), and why this book might just be the best explanation of how to achieve lifelong fitness and good health.

After the hunting accident that almost killed him, Greg began to experience symptoms that were not explainable in any normal medical way until he had a biopsy that showed his Mitochrondria was being irrevocably impaired by the lead pellets that remained after the accident. He was experiencing severe lead poisoning at his very core.

Dr. Mark Hom was especially able to relate to Greg LeMond in ways other athletes and medical professionals could not: he is not only a biologist, medical illustrator, and physician, as well as an avid cyclist who rides over 4,000 miles a year, his specialty is Mitochondrial diseases.

The conversation is lively, informative, and fun.

In the second half of the show, we talk with SRAM Technical Director of Neutral Race Support Jose Alcala.

Growing up in Michigan, Jose had the distinct privilege of working with one of the legends of cycling, Mike Walden. Famous for his ability to pick winning cyclists, Mike Walden taught much of what he knew to riders like Jose; and, from his experiences riding and racing for Mike on the famed Schwinn Wolverine Sports Club team, Jose went on to become a first class coach and mechanic.

Today, he manages the fleet of specially equipped Volvo wagons that make up the U.S. SRAM NRS support team. I ask Jose about neutral race support, the state of racing then and now, and what we might expect to see in the upcoming race season.

Fasten those toe clips folks – it’s going to be on helluva ride!

December 6, 2014December 6, 2014

Show #223 – December 6, 2014

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Guests: Our Bicycle Donation Opportunity Show includes: World Bicycle Relief, Trips for Kids, People for Bikes, and Tours de Cure

As many of us here in the U.S. know, the past week was one of “specialty days”. We experienced Black Friday (which evidently was a bit anemic), Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday.

Not to be left out – we are prepared to throw our handlebars into the ring and offer up a few ideas for charitable giving to bicycle non-profits.

So, this week, we present Bicycle Donation Opportunities. We will be speaking with four different people from four different bicycle non-profits; and, after asking them each the same set of four questions perhaps one of these organizations will “pull at your heartstrings” as you write your “checks for charity” this year.

Our first guest is Ruth-Ann Renaud director of global marketing for World Bicycle Relief. Ruth-Ann just returned from Zambia and is ready to share the work of WBR, including their amazing milestone for 2014, with you.

Our second conversation is with Marilyn Price. Marilyn is the founder and executive director of Trips for Kids, since its inception in 1988 has “opened the world of cycling in the United States, Canada, Israel and Sierra Leone, to over 127,000 at-risk youth. We’ll learn more about the organization, it’s earn a bike program, and how to support one or more of the over 80 chapters operating today.

After 4 ½ years, “People for Bikes” has reached its initial goal of 1,000,000 signatures to the Pledge! So, of course we wanted to include the organization in our “Bicycle Donation Opportunities” show. We speak with Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, Kate Powlison to hear about all the projects that are in progress or coming up for 2015. PFB has made some significant changes in the past year or so and has taken on a lot of the important work in moving cycling forward here in the U.S.

And finally, we are going to talk with the Nicole Preston, National Director for the Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure rides. We have talked about the rising incidence of diabetes and how cycling can help to alleviate some symptoms as well as keep more severe problems at bay. Nicole will give us an update on the events for 2015 and how you can get involved if you wish.

Lastly, we will hear the second part of my interview with Inga Thompson from last week.

November 29, 2014November 29, 2014

Show #222 – November 29, 2014

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Guests: Chef Biju talks leftovers and Little Curry Shop; Inga Thompson, new inducted Bicycle Hall of Famer

On our post-Thanksgiving show, we’re offering up some leftovers! No – not an old show; REAL left overs!!

And the perfect person to give original ideas for leftovers is Chef Biju Thomas. Chef Biju, co-author of the Feedzone Cookbooks, talks burritos, chilis, and more. He will also tell us a bit about his new book (won’t be out until Fall, 2015) as well as his background and how that has evolved into his new restaurant, Little Curry Shop that will open in Denver next week.

We’ll have news – most of it GOOD; and, then we will have the first half of a great conversation I had with newly inducted Bicycle Hall of Famer, Inga Thompson. Along with three other cycling luminaries, Inga was awarded her place in bicycling history at a ceremony earlier this month.

Inga, who is an outspoken advocate for cleaning up the sport of cycling (her interview in Velo News in June, 2014 is worth the read)

As always, Inga is fun, informative, and thought provoking and because our discussion was so interesting, I just couldn’t bear to cut it off. So, we’ll have the second half of our conversation next week.

Guests: Elden (The Fat Cyclist) Nelson; Don (Mr. NAHBS) Walker

Guests: Richard Fries; Elly Blue

Guests: Cherokee Schill, Frank Strack

Guests: Journalist Dan Wuori; The Legendary Ben Serotta

Guests: Pro Cyclist and film producer Kathryn Bertine; Coach, author, and ultra-distance athlete Mark Kleanthous

Guests: Greg LeMond & Dr. Mark Hom; Jose Alcala

Guests: Our Bicycle Donation Opportunity Show includes: World Bicycle Relief, Trips for Kids, People for Bikes, and Tours de Cure

Guests: Chef Biju talks leftovers and Little Curry Shop; Inga Thompson, new inducted Bicycle Hall of Famer

Angie Schmitt from StreetsblogUSA; Carlton Reid, author of “Roads Were Not Made for Cars”