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Guests: Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
Welcome! You are about to listen to episode #611 and, coincidentally, it is also the 12th anniversary of the show. Thank you for tuning in today.
Looking back over the past 12 years, so much has changed, from the scarcity of podcasts in 2010 to a whopping estimated 2.4 million different shows today – a statistic I took from Apple’s Pod News – to the many changes in our everyday lives from the climate to the pandemic and al the social unrest we are experiencing.
One thing that has been consistent though is that people still ride and love their bicycles and THAT makes the Outspoken Cyclist herself pretty dang happy.
I would like to thank everyone who has listened, subscribed, been a guest, and otherwise contributed to the show over the past 2+ decades.
Every time I thought, hey – I think I’ve covered it all and maybe it’s time to move on – I am inspired by something I read, something I see, or something I hear and, off I go in search of the story.
Which brings us to today’s episode.
As many of you have figured out by now – which wouldn’t take a rocket surgeon if you listen regularly – I like the thread that weaves urban planning, sustainability, and a car-free lifestyle together. It doesn’t happen to be the way we live right now, but it’s certainly an idea that intrigues us and a goal that we have.
So, when I learned of a family that chucked their car, researched the places where they can live, work, and raise their family without miles and miles of asphalt and traffic, and then turn that into the work that they do, it only took a minute to send them an invite to the show.
Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are from Canada – she started out in the fashion world and he in architecture – they moved from the east coast to Vancouver and realized they didn’t need a car. By this time, they had two young children. And then, things started to get very interesting.
Today, the Bruntlett’s live in the Netherlands – and they are calling it their forever home.
For more information about their work, you can log on to modacitylife .com and follow them on all the social media platforms. You can also purchase their books from Island Press or your favorite book emporium.
Although he was almost better known for his work with HPV’s – human powered vehicles that were recumbent bikes, Mike Burrows was probably best known as the man who designed and built the Lotus track frame that Chris Boardman would ride to Olympic gold in the 4000 pursuit in Barcelona in 1992.
Guardian, and the Daily Mail, has been my guest several times and today, we reminisce about his relationship with Mike Burrows going all the way to the 1980’s.
Just a quick note to let you know that I was on the other side of the microphone this week when Dan Cavallari, the slow guy on the fast ride, interviewed me for HIS podcast. 
We mentioned 
considered for the Arris Composites’ 
Emily Thornton is the spokesperson on behalf of Arris Composites. The company sounds like a really interesting place to work – except I’m not looking for another job! Anyway, you can check out the list of American’s Best Biking Cities at arriscomposites.com/best-biking-cities/
Arkansas. 
Heather Dowd, who along with her husband Beppe Salerno, own and operate 
cycling, and a lot more when she joins me in a moment.
Then, we’ll speak with Josh Poertner. Josh is the owner of 
with fraud, counterfeit product, and outright theft to the future of the independent bike shop and how brands like Silca will fare as the industry continues to consolidate, Josh Poertner has some deep understanding and an ability to make it clear to anyone listening.
Gary Fisher, whose 29-year relationship with Trek ended this year, is on a tear.
If you’ve ever had to file a claim on your homeowner’s policy for anything beyond a catastrophic occurrence, you may have found that either a. your deductible was outrageous and/or b. your insurance would be either cancelled or the rates would skyrocket.
“comprehensive” homeowner’s insurance wasn’t so comprehensive. What he found out led him on a quest that has produced a brand-new insurance product exclusively for your bicycles.
With a new infrastructure bill, money in the coffers to build protected bike lanes and connect them, and more people riding eBikes, a whole lot more than we’ve ever experienced is possible.
Peter Nye, who has probably forgotten more than any of us might ever have known about that history – except, I’m not certain he’s ever really forgotten any of it –is a veritable encyclopedia of facts and great stories about the sport.
from Peter’s unique first-person perspective.
This week, we are going to talk about sailing – and biking – and river cruising – and biking… with 
In the second half of the show, we speak with 
transplant list if you have PKD. Hoping for new technologies and breakthroughs, Glenn Frommer isn’t waiting around – he’s immersed in knowing all about his disease and struck out to raise money as well as awareness, riding from California to Massachusetts this summer.
Which takes me to our first guests – 
In the second half of the show, we learn about City Thread – a new non-profit start-up that has been leading the charge in getting trails done – FAST.
But, what if you could harness the powers that be – local, state, federal – and especially every-day folks like you and me, and get our dream networks finished and paid for – quickly and efficiently?
and in a relatively short time they’ve taken their combined 50 years of experience in urban planning, marketing, communications, equitable public participation, fundraising, grant making, community engagement, strategic planning, and campaign management to bring hundreds of miles of trails to fruition.
And, as a side note, if you like following cross-country riders – you know – voyeuristically speaking – you can follow our friend Mike Ball. His photos are breathtaking and his blog is excellent. You can find it at 
My first guest is Dave Wiens, the executive director of 
biking – it’s about trails – all kinds of trails, and what it takes to build them, finance them, maintain them, and ferret out the best places to build them.
Then, we speak with the 
because the work NICA does with kids leads right into the long-term goals that IMBA has too.