Welcome!

Posted on

Show #96 – June 30, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s the start of the Tour de France and we begin this show with some insight into what might be coming up by by welcoming Bicycling.com editor Daniel McMahon, who gives us his take on the array of disarray heading into the 21012 Tour de France. Who’s out, who’s in, who was out, and is now back in: Daniel sorts it out for us.

Then, we switch over to a journalist I very much admire who has a broad and interesting perspective on transportation, cities, and the socio-political scene. Salon.com columnist Will Doig writes a regular column called Dream City, and I always enjoy reading them.

To get a first-hand impression of the impact of the wild files currently raging in Colorado, we check in with Jim Rutberg of Carmichael Training Systems. Because of the fires, the air quality in the Colorado Springs are has degraded to the point where it’s unsafe to train outdoors. So Carmichael has opened its facility free of charge to anyone in the area who wants to ride or run indoors.

Wrapping up, we head for Berkley, California to speak with Ozzie Zehner, visiting scholar at UC Berkley, and author of a new book entitled Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism. More recommended reading and listening, especially if you think you’re living a ‘green’ lifestyle.

Enjoy the show!

Posted on

Show #95 – June 23, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Here is my report from Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah where I attended Press Camp. I had the opportunity to interview a wide variety of folks from different corners of the cycling press and trade community. Here’s a list of who you’ll hear on this week’s show:

Posted on

Show #94 – June 16, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Next week, I will be reporting from Press Camp in Park City, Utah. So this week I catch up with Press Camp organizer Chris Zigmont to give you a bit of insight into the event from the organizer’s perspective.

After some news and a mini-rant from Greg, we get down to business with master mechanic Merlyn Townley. Merlyn has been a neutral support and team race mechanic for over 2o years. He also builds some of the most beautiful and durable custom wheels you’ll ever ride. Check out his shop online at Merlyn Mechanics.

Finally, follow our favorite RAAM racers, Cassie Schumacher/Wheels 4 Change, and Andre Husain/Team Hope at RaceAcrossAmerica.org.

Posted on

Show #93 – June 9, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The cycling season is in full swing here in the Northern Hemispere, and whether you’re riding for sport or transportation, we’ve got something for you on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist.

Are you an “advanced cyclist”? Our first guest, Hunter Allen can quickly help you answer that question. If you are, or if you want to be, his new book Cutting Edge Cycling: Advanced Training for Advanced Cyclists will show you how. Hunter’s discussion of power meters and the various metrics and training zones is really interesting stuff. If and when you’re ready to train with power, Hunter is the go-to guy.

There is more than one way to be an advanced cyclist, and another way is to become proficient and comfortable riding on the roadways as a a vehicle (“I’m not riding in traffic; I am traffic.”). Joining us in the second half of the show to talk about riding safely and effectively on the road is Keri Caffrey. Keri is the woman behind Cycling Savvy, a 9-hour course designed to help anyone from a beginner to an advanced cyclist confidently and safely negotiate all types of urban and suburban traffic situations.

Posted on

Show #92 – Jun3 2, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Track, Road and Tri: we’ve got a bit of each for you this week on The Outspoken Cyclist.

Ian Dille has written a new book with and about Marty Nothstein, entitled The Price of Gold. Nothstein is a former World and Olympic track cycling champion, who was known as a terror both on and off the track. Dille talks about the process of writing the book, and provides a few tidbits to whet your appetite for a good summer read.

After some news and a break, Diane welcomes Tour of Utah President Steve Miller. The Tour of Utah is billed as “America’s Toughest Stage Race”, and is poised to attract some of the top pro teams in 2012. Situated in early August between the TdF and the Vuelta, the Tour of Utah should deliver a treat for racing fans with TV and live streaming coverage.

If you’ve ever wanted to do a triathlon, but didn’t know how you could fit all that training into your already packed weekly schedule, Joe Friel has the solution for you. The second edition of his book Your First Triathlon: Race Ready in Five Hours a Week is out. Check out Diane’s interview with Joe, and then check out the first chapter of the book here.

Posted on

Show #91 – May 26, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This week’s Outspoken Cyclist is all about “challenge”. The world of sports in general throws around the word “challenge” a lot. Many iconic events have the word “challenge” in their names. Today’s show features three people who will see your so-called challenge and raise you a life-altering experience.

Leading off is Davis Phinney, one of America’s greatest and most successful bike racers. Davis is married to Connie Carpenter-Phinney, a successful racer in her own right, and their son Taylor is currently racing the Giro d’Italia. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 40, and has since formed the Davis Phinney Foundation to raise funds and awareness to help people with Parkinson’s live well today and every day. Davis has some great insights on his own experience with PD, as well as the subject of ‘cure vs. management’.

Bringing it back to the local level here in Cleveland, we welcome back our friend and Alaskan ‘wild rider” Doug Bahniuk. Like Davis Phinney, Doug is also living with Parkinson’s (and living well, by the looks of him), and this summer he’ll be Riding the Rockies with the goal of raising $5,000 for the Davis Phinney Foundation. Check out Doug’s blog for more details.

Last, but certainly not least, our final guest today is Mark Stephan. In 2007, Mark was involved in a cycling crash that broke two vertebrae in his neck and left him a quadriplegic. Two years later, he climbed stairs to the top of the Sears Tower. This summer, he’s riding cross country on a recumbent trike. After you hear his amazing story on The Outspoken Cyclist, you’ll want to learn more at Stephan Challenge.

Posted on

Show #90 – May 19, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

May is National Bike Month, and the season is just getting into full swing for a lot of riders. But in between all that riding, ya gotta keep up with what’s going on, right? Never fear, The Outspoken Cyclist is here to maximize your intake of cyclinformation.

Aaron Gulley participates in, and writes about athletic pursuits of all types for a number of publications, including Outside Magazine. Listen as he describes his path as a journalist, and some of his favorite topics.

Ellee Thalheimer is another great example of an immersion writer. She brings a rich history of adventure travel and cycle touring to her new book Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Oregon.

And finally, we wrap up with a visit from three “repeat offenders” on The Outspoken Cyclist: framebuilders Josh Symonds, Mike Zancanato, and Richard Sachs. They’re here to talk about their upcoming Baller’s Ride, happening May 25th – 27th in Virginia.

Posted on

Show #89 – May 12, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Here in Ohio, Mother’s Day weekend marks the beginning of the touring season with TOSRV. The Outspoken Cyclist is doing its part by bringing you a trio of great interviews from all over the cycling map.

First up, we welcome to the studio Rick Smith and Brian Griggs, co-creators of Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery, a thrice-weekly slice of cycling life in web comic form. And, they’re based right here in Cleveland!

May is also “bicycle to everything” month, and Robert Ping is here to talk about Safe Routes to School. Robert has some great insights on kids biking, walking and what’s needed to encourage more of both.

And we wrap up with the skinny on the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame from past president and current board member Bill Brunner. Bill knows who’s in the 2012 class of inductees, and although he can’t tell us that, he does reveal pretty much everything else about the Cycling HoF.

Posted on

Show #88 – May 5, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

More fun in the bike world this week.

Girl-Bike-Love blogger Sarai Snyder is back with an exciting worldwide event coming up on May 13th. Listen and learn about women and men can participate in CycloFemme!

In the second half of the show, author Peter Zheutlin joins us to discuss his new book, Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride. Annie Londonderry was not only a pioneering woman who also happened to ride a bike, she was Peter’s great-grand-aunt!

Posted on

Show #187 – April 28, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

As cyclists, we can sometimes get so focused on goals, equipment, advocacy, and events, that we forget how much fun is at the core of riding a bicycle. This week’s show presses the reset button, and turns the Fun Dial up to 11, with two great interviews that speak to the joy of cycling.

First up is author Steven Rea who has written a new book: Hollywood Rides a Bike: Cycling with the Stars. Steven is also the movie critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the man behind a Tumblr blog about stars on bikes. As it turns out, you’re no one in Hollywood unless you’ve been photographed on, or with a bike.

After some cycling news Diane is joined by Rob Gusky of Kimberly Clark & Amanda White of the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation. Rob and Amanda are two of the driving forces behind the National Bike Challenge, which starts May 1st, and runs all summer. It’s free, and there are prizes. Did you hear that? Prizes just for riding your bike!