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Show #208 – August 23, 2014

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Guests: Encore presentation of interviews with Ross Shafer & Richard Schwinn

This week we bring you an encore presentation of interviews with two of my all-time favorite people.

Our first interview, which took place August 27, 2011 is with one of our industry’s true Renaissance Men – as Greg puts it. Ross Shafer has done a bunch of cool things in his career, including launching and running Salsa Cycles from 1981 to 1997. These days, Ross runs his own design, fabrication and consulting company called Six-Nine Design from his home base in Petaluma, California.

After a quick break, we’ll be back to bring you my conversation from August 13, 2011 (see a pattern here?) with the venerable Richard Schwinn from Waterford Precision Cycles. From the economics of transportation to bike polo, there is no part of our business that goes unturned when we talk with Richard.

Even if you’ve heard these two interviews when they originally aired, I know you’ll find them fascinating with something you missed this time!

We will be back next week with a brand new episode of The Outspoken Cyclist when we talk with super-star Katie Compton!

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Show #207 – August 16, 2014

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Guests: Nancy Gibson in Rwanda; Sue Knaup with a new project; Phil Burt on Bike Fit

After watching “Rising from Ashes“, which tells of the Rwandan Cycling Team and how it began from the aftermath of unthinkable human suffering in Rwanda, the “Cycling Hairstylist of London” Nancy Gibson knew she wanted to do something to help the team – especially the fledgling Rwandan Women’s Cycling Team.

After raising $5,000 dollars – mostly from her supportive clients – Nancy set off for a three-week ride around Rwanda. She’s about to begin week #3 and I caught up with her on a rest day at the Rwandan Cycling Center for a chat.

We’ll also talk once again with Sue Knaup. After being involved with both successful and not-so-successful non-profits for the past 40 years, Sue has decided to share her broad knowledge and deep understanding of the issues small, non-profits face. She’s taken all that knowledge and written a new book, “Cures for Ailing Organizations.”

From the smallest events to worldwide efforts to bring relief in any of its many forms, Cures for Ailing Organizations points out the problems and offers solutions that keep an organizations vibrant, healthy, and profitable. You can read about the project and perhaps get involved yourself – it’s a very modest amount needed to get this book to those who need it – at Kickstarter.com

Lastly, I head on over to London to speak with physiotherapist Phil Burt. Phil’s new book “Bike Fit – Optimize your Bike Position for High Performance and Injury Avoidance“, as just published by Bloomsbury Press this week and Phil’s no non-sense approach to fit, whether you are a top level pro or the touring cyclist, offers up some great solutions to most of the common problems the occur between you and the bike.

Phil’s work with the British Cycling was obviously pretty impressive as he took members of the team to gold in two Olympics and a first-place podium finish in the Tour de France. (It doesn’t hurt that Phil and I have very compatible philosophies on fit either!)

Enjoy the show!

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Show #206 – August 9, 2014

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Guests: Angie Ridgel from the Gay Games; Krysti Scrymgeour of team Specialized-Lululemon; Patrick Brady, “Why We Ride”

This week, we welcome the Gay Games to Cleveland! And, I speak with Angie Ridgel about her role as coordinator of several of the cycling events. With over 8,000 athletes and 35 events, Cleveland will be rocking and rolling from North to South and East t West! Welcome!

Women’s cycling is finally becoming the star that needs to shine brightly for our sport. The famed Specialized-Lululemon team will be ending its contract with these two sponsors at years’ end and I speak with the team owner/manager Krysti Scrymgeour about Project-X, the new crowd funding venture to give everyone an opportunity to “own” a pro cycling team. Krysti believes that this innovative idea will bring a lot of attention, not only from likely sponsors, but to the dilemma of funding women’s racing in general. It’s time to step it up a notch!

Finally, poet, author, and Red Kite Prayer blogger Patrick Brady will talk with us about his book “Why We Ride” and read a chapter. Padraig has thought long and hard about the many years and many miles he’s ridden and has eloquently put those thoughts into short beautifully written chapters you can pick up and read any time of day or night.

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Show #205 – August 2, 2014

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Guests: Attorney & Writer Seth Davidson; Adventure Cyclist Magazine’s editor Mike Deme; 2014 RAAM solo finisher Dennis Johnson

So, last week we reported on one Laura Weintraub, the now ex-cop from Santa Paula, California, who decided to make a little video that happened to go viral.  As she filmed herself while her husband was driving, she not only made fun of cyclists – so sticks and stones, etc. – but she also decided it might be a good idea to talk about running a cyclist over.  Well… that went over like a lead balloon and within the nanosecond that the interwebz can broadcast something, she was suspended and then resigned.

The silver lining in this story is lovely and attorney, cycling advocate, and writer Seth Davidson, called Police Chief Steve McLean to see if law enforcement might meet up and have a face-to-face.  To Seth’s surprise, the Police Chief not only WELCOMED the conversation but took full responsibility for his errant officer.  It’s a story with a very happy ending – except for Ms. Weintraub of course!

We’ll check in with Adventure Cyclist Magazine’s editor, Mike Deme about a new collaboration between AC and EuroVelo.com.  For the past couple of years, AC has been working on the U.S.B.R.S. map. To date, the national network of bicycle routes, which will link urban, suburban, and rural areas using a variety of appropriate cycling facilities, has established 6,790 miles in 15 states and more than 40 states are working to create more US Bicycle Routes for the mapping project.

But, when a U.S. cyclist wants to go to Europe to ride, the map system is a bit different and Mike, along with AC’s Ginny Sullivan, came up with a way to join forces to offer more routes on both continents.

Lastly, we’ll speak with Dennis Johnson.  Dennis is a stay-at-home Dad for his young adopted daughter.  Dennis is also is a long-distance, endurance cyclist.  At RAAM 2014, riding a recumbent bike, Dennis placed 7th overall out of 48 soloists, the largest starting field ever. It was the first time a 60+ rider has ever finished in the top ten. Also, it was the first time a 60+ rider was the first American to finish.  But, wait, there’s more… Dennis set other records too.

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Show #204 – July 24, 2014

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We have a winner! Vincenzo Nibali has won the 2014 TdF handily… even did well in the Time Trial. I guess losing Contador early in the race opened the door for this quiet, determined rider.

TeeJay VanGarderen clinched 5th – just killing it in the time trial. So… another long, twisty Tour is in the books. Whew.

But wait… we have a BIG show this week! Pretty impressive stuff too!

First up is our Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, . With the release of a brand new report from the NHTSA titled “Safety in Numbers” the Secretary and I discuss the need for better education for both drivers and cyclists as well as what Congress is – or more appropriately ISN’T doing about a long-term transportation bill.

We talk with WomanTours’ owner Jackie Marchand about the Around Lake Erie Tour that began right here in my town, Cleveland, last Monday. 26 women pushed off for the 14-day trip, the third in a series of rides that will eventually cover all 5 of our Great Lakes. Jackie also talks with us about who takes a “womantour” and why they keep returning.

After a break and some news, we come right back at you with Bryan Hance and his work to recover stolen bikes – even bikes that went missing decades ago! Recently merging with BikeIndex.org , Bryan explains how his new “twitter bot – isitstolen” works to return instant information on stolen bikes. Thieves might want to begin thinking about stealing something besides your bike in the future.

Lastly, we speak with 16-year old journalist Luke Allingham. Watching the Tour de France with his Dad and brothers in 2009 as the riders climbed Mount Ventoux, Luke decided then and there that he wanted to know more about the riders, the race, and the sport. Since then, he’s written for some high profile magazines, conducted a slew of great interviews, and manages his own blog.

So – get your ears on and let’s go….

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Show #203 – July 19, 2014

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Guests: Betsy Andreu; Ultra Endurance Rider Scott Luikart; Entrepreneur & Cyclist Cathy Rogers

Oh yeah – mid Tour we’ve seen it ALL… epic rides off the front, crashes that caused many of those who might have otherwise been on the podiums to abandon, and an off-the-back 50km ride by Andrew Talansky that had all of France, if not all the world, watching as he needed to cross the finish line to qualify for the next day’s ride as well as show what it’s like to be a true team player. If you aren’t following this year’s Tour de France, I would suggest that it’s one of the best in recent history!

So, here’s what’s happening on the show this week.

My first guest is Betsy Andreu. Since it became FACT that what she and her husband Frankie said long ago about Lance Armstrong’s history with doping, she has experienced both unbearable stress and great joy. Coming out the other side, Betsy is now enjoying life, raising her three kids – well 4 if you include Frankie – and working to bring an anti-doping message to kids. In fact, she is asking that children and parents visit USADA’s TrueSport site and “take the pledge!”

I also speak with the 24-Hour National Challenge Record Holder, Scott Luikart. When Scott’s twin brother Mark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Scott kicked his commitments into high gear and rides to help raise funds and awareness for Parkinson Research. Scott set the 24-hour record this year by riding 511+ miles in the annual Michigan challenge. But, not resting on his laurels, Scott is training for the 2015 RAAM. Scott tells us how he is able to train for these ultra-endurance events while still working full time and being a father and husband. He’ll share some advice as to how to get into ultra-distance ridings as well as making it to the finish line successfully.

Finally, we’ll speak with Cathy Rogers from AeroTech Designs Cyclewear. Cathy has been a cyclist all her life and, coming from that era when cycling apparel was ONLY for men and often inappropriate in a lot of ways, began making her own clothing. Well, you know how that goes – one thing leads to another and suddenly, she found herself in the apparel business – full time. Speaking with us from a dorm room in Madison, WI as she wends her way back home from an epic cross-country ride, Cathy will tell us all about Aero Tech and her philosophy on good customer relationships.

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Show #202 – July 14, 2014

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Guests: Dr. Eric Marcotte; Steph Routh; Sarai Snyder

In Cleveland, it’s all about that basketball player; but, here at the Outspoken Cyclist, it’s about bicycling – the Tour de France, The Giro Rosa, and more! (LeBron WHO?)

So, first up we go out to Scottsdale, AZ. I am honored to welcome our U.S. National Road Champion – Dr. Eric Marcotte. What you might find most interesting is not that he won that race; but, rather his philosophy on HOW to win races and what is necessary to have the physical, mental, and emotional strength to take home that first place prize.

Eric also tells us about his team – Smart Stop – and where they might be headed in the months and years ahead.

Then we leave Scottsdale, AZ and boogey up to Portland, Oregon to speak with Steph Routh. Steph is the “Mayor of Hopscotch Town” and a “funnist” (you’ll have to listen to learn what that is.) In any event, she is FUN! We talk about many of the things she’s done (a lot), and the Alice B. Toeclips award she won.

Her new book, How to Move By Bike was just published by Taking the Lane Press and details the steps necessary to recruit all your friends, load up their bikes with your stuff, and pedal it all to your new abode.

Finally, we welcome Sarai Snyder back to the show. Sarai, who is the founder of Girl-Bike-Love and Cyclo-Femme, has just launched an exciting new initiative – “Women Race Bikes” – a platform to showcase women’s racing in the U.S. as well as worldwide. In an effort to get more coverage for women’s racing, WRB is working with Tour Tracker to upload a brand new platform for race announcing and Sarai will tell us all about that and why WRB is an important idea as women’s racing begins to expand and blossom.

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Show #201 – July 5, 2014

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Guests: Professional cyclist Jackie Crowell; Chairman of the Board of the new American Bicycling Education Association Mighk Wilson; and Patrick Brady

It’s show #201 and with it… we are introducing a new theme song. As Greg said “it’s ear candy” and it was time for an “audio redecorating”. Hope you like it.

This week, we are speaking with Jackie Crowell. Jackie is an 8-time National Champion on track and road, a coach, a mechanical engineer, and a cancer patient. Last year, as she posted her best time and place in some prestigious races, she presented with symptoms that turned out to be brain cancer. But, while she is still in treatment, she is living a life filled with hope, love, work, and cycling! Jackie’s speech at the Breaking Away from Cancer dinner at this year’s Amgen Tour of California will blow you away!

We also welcome back to the show transportation planner Mighk Wilson. Mighk also just became the president of the board of the brand new ABEA – The American Bicycling Education Association. And, that’s what he will share with us today.  It’s a new direction for the education of cyclists, drivers, law enforcement, and transportation specialists.

Finally, we’ll hear Red Kite Prayer‘s Patrick Brady offer his review on the new book by George Hincapie – The Loyal Lieutenant – Leading Out Lance and Pushing Through the Pain on the Rocky Road to Paris  – and you might be surprised by what he has to say.

So, hope you had a great 4th of July and are ready for another great edition of The Outspoken Cyclist!

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Show #200 (wooo-hooo) – June 28, 2014

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Welcome to our 200th Show! It’s been a privilege to bring you everything cycling for all these weeks and I hope we can bring you many more! Here’s a bit of information on this week’s show.

Discovered through the “twittersphere” by Editor-in-Chief of Velo Magazine, my first guest, Dan Wuori shares his particular brand of cycling – both humorous and serious – with us as my first guest this evening.

Out of an “innocent” comment on his twitter feed, Dan was asked to write for the iconic magazine and has since found himself in the enviable position of being the author of “At the Back” – the humorous-editorializing piece that appears each month on the back page of Velo News.

He also covers races and personalities through his work on Tour Chats (currently on hiatus but about to reappear in the not-too-distant future,) with his on-air partner Neil Browne.

Dan also gives us his views on our U.S. National Championship winners Dr. Eric Marcotte and Alison Powers, the Tour de France, and more…

We’ll also talk with Bike Cleveland’s Jacob vanSickle who will share some positive ideas about how we here in Cleveland are working with government and law enforcement to start making cyclists (and pedestrians) safer on the roads.

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Show #199 – June 21, 2014

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Guests: Roanoke Times’ columnist Dan Casey; BR&IN web editor Steve Frothingham

Happy Solstice All! Why don’t you stay up late and listen to the show!?

This week saw reports of an almost unprecedented number of bicycle fatalities from coast to coast and from north to south. The admonition “be careful out there” is taking on a whole new meaning in light of these incidents and I decided to go outside my usual purview to look at the Roanoke, Virginia area – which had a triple whammy of fatal bike crashes back in March – from the perspective of an active cyclist who also happens to write for the “Roanoke Times” on these matters.

Dan Casey is the Metro Columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, VA and a 20+ year veteran cyclist. Dan puts an up-close and human spin to three fatal bike crashes that occurred in March in Roanoke as well as an update on a rider who is recovering from a recent and scary crash while on a long-distance training ride. We’ll also learn how Roanoke is starting to address the car-bike situation with their annual “Rally for Road Safety” events.

I also welcome Bicycle Retailer and Industry News web editor Steve Frothingham back to the show for a chat about how bicycle-media embargoes work and how the timing of new product introductions are handled by the media as well as a frank discussion about the changing environment for bicycle dealers in an ever more competitive environment.