Audio – WJCU: Recent Episodes
Audio – WJCU
Yes, this episode quickly follows on the heels of my conversation with Raul Avelar from the IIHS. But, there are so many great safety conversations getting ready to stack up that I wanted to make sure we get them all in this summer.
My guest today is Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns.
Over the years, Chuck and I have explored many topics about cities and “strong towns,” and I felt it was important to include him in our conversation about safety as we continue to explore what is making cyclists – and pedestrians – vulnerable.
Of course, as my husband Brian says – we ARE vulnerable. Cars are bigger and faster, drivers are distracted, impatient, and angrier, and speed limits are ignored. So it is no wonder that fewer and fewer riders taking to the roads.
What Chuck has developed – the term he has coined actually – is a concept called “stroads” – that streets and roads are actually two separate things.
Chuck sees streets as the platform for where we live, work, and recreate. Roads, on the other hand, are the connective pipelines between our cities.
For more information about Strong Towns, log on to strongtowns.org, strongtowns.org/mission, and strongtowns.org/local. Each link offers a wealth of information and a roadmap to better living.
We’ll speak with Ohio Bike Lawyer, Steve Magas on our next episode as we continue to explore ideas about safety. Steve delves into how the law is interpreted, some of the current statistics, and we discuss a few of the issues we are seeing in places like New Jersey where a knee-jerk end-of-term signature from the governor banned all eBikes… probably not a good law to implement!
There is no concert venue quite like The Ohio State Reformatory. The tower looms behind stages, food vendors, and merch tents with all the grandeur of a medieval fortress. Equal parts ominous and captivating, the setting perfectly pairs with the haunting sound of the hard rock/heavy metal bands that graced the stage July 17th-19th. Brought to life by Danny Wimmer Presents, Inkcarceration 2026 absolutely and unequivocally ROCKED!
Old Rock vs. New Rock’s Joe Gumeny with Alien Ant FarmOld Rock vs. New Rock interviews Alien Ant FarmOld Rock vs. New Rock interviews KillstreakFriday’s acts kicked off the festival with a bang. Earlier in the evening, metalcore bands Memphis May Fire and Jinger stood out. Memphis May Fire’s performance of “Chaotic” from their 2025 album Shapeshifter was particularly great, cultivating an excited energy throughout the crowd. Jinjer’s performance “Green Serpent” from their 2025 album Duél married melodic harmonies with heavy-hitting growls, highlighting lead singer Tatiana Shmayluk’s range as a vocalist. One of the best surprises of the weekend was Starset, a science-fiction inspired rock band out of Columbus, Ohio. Not only did they offer a creative, electronic-based spin on hard rock, but the band featured a cellist and violinist! We had only heard a few songs of theirs in the past, but were extremely impressed with their set, specifically their performance of “TOKSIK” from their 2025 album Silos. Hollywood Undead opened with “Undead” from their 2008 album Swan Songs, which showcased their remarkable stage presence and set the tone for an incredibly fun set.
Papa Roach’s set was one we had been looking forward to since they were announced for the festival – and they did not disappoint! Their set featured a mix of new songs and old songs, from Ego Trip’s “Kill the Noise” (2022) to Getting Away with Murder’s “Scars” (2004). The pouring rain did not stop Papa Roach from finishing strong, ending their show with a mash-up of Nu Metal hits (“Blind”/ “My Own Summer (Shove It)” / “Break Stuff” / “Chop Suey”) that led seamlessly into “Last Resort” (Infest, 2000).
A large number of concert patrons were driven out by the heavy rain before Disturbed took the stage, but those tough enough to brave the storm were in for an amazing show. We have had the privilege of seeing Disturbed a number of times over the past couple of years, and they never disappoint! They kicked off the set with their 2025 single “I Will Not Break,” and the intensity was palpable. If anything, the cool air and steady flow of rain added the perfect ambiance to their haunting cover of “The Sound of Silence” (Immortilized, 2015). Disturbed’s mascot, “The Guy” even made an appearance for the encore, emerging over the band for their last two songs of the night – “Down with the Sickness” (The Sickness, 2000) and “Inside the Fire”(Indestructible, 2008). It marked the perfect end to a great day of rock!
The Old Rock vs. New Rock crew with WJCU donor John “DJ Johnny Vinyl” Vas, Alan Rudolph, and Jeff Van ArnhemThe energy from Friday carried over into Saturday with acts like Earshot, Wolves at the Gate, Caskets, and Lacuna Coil. Earshot’s “Wait” (Two, 2004) combined strong vocals with a driving rhythm that prepared the crowd for another full day of hard rock. Early stand out performances also included Wolves at the Gate’s “Lights & Fire” (Eulogies, 2022), Casket’s “Glass Heart” (Lost Souls, 2021), and Lacuna Coil’s “Our Truth” (Karmacode, 2006).
Sleep Theory launched into their set with “Fallout” (Paper Hearts EP, 2023), and immediately had the crowd in the palm of their hand. “Gravity” (Afterglow, 2025) and “Numb” (single for Paper Hearts EP, 2023) were particularly exceptional – we couldn’t help but sing along! After a break in the concert due to inclement weather, Poopy and Sleeping with Sirens came out swinging. Poppy’s “have you had enough?” (Negative Spaces, 2024) and Sleeping with Sirens’s “If You Can’t Hang” (Let’s Cheers to This, 2011) got everyone hyped for another long night of rock!
As the sun set on Mansfield, Ohio, Gojira took the stage. Their stage presence was outstanding from the start! As they played through their encore songs, “Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)” (Single, 2024) and “The Gift of Guilt” (L’enfant sauvage, 2012), a mix of fire, fireworks, and confetti filled the night sky. One could say Gojira ended in a blaze of glory…literally!
Then, it came time for the Saturday night headliner. Bad Omens absolutely rocked their set! Stand out songs included “Spector” (Single, 2025) and “Just Pretend” (THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND, 2022). Poppy even came back onstage for their song together, “V.A.N” (Concrete Jungle, 2024)! There was no better way to end the second night of Inkcareration 2026.
Sunday at Inkcarceration 2026 delivered an unforgettable finale with one incredible performance after another. We kicked off the day with Killstreak, one of the bands we had the opportunity to interview, as they unleashed their signature heavy, video game-inspired metal to an enthusiastic crowd. The afternoon featured one of the festival’s standout moments when Alien Ant Farm had fans singing every word to their iconic cover of “Smooth Criminal,” (ANThology, 2001) proving once again why it’s rock’s greatest cover song!
The energy only continued to build as Ice Nine Kills put on a theatrical performance that included a special on-stage appearance by Jose Mangin. A Day to Remember followed with a high-octane, crowd-pleasing set filled with fan favorites, setting the stage for Limp Bizkit to close out the weekend in classic fashion. From anthems like “Break Stuff” (Significant Other, 1999) and “My Way” (Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water, 2000), the band delivered a finale that perfectly capped off the weekend.
No Inkcarceration coverage would be complete without a conversation with Jose Mangin, the legendary Metal Ambassador and one of the most recognizable voices in hard rock and heavy metal. We were able to speak with Jose at Inkcarceration 2026, and discuss his incredible charity Headbang for Science, talk about Ladrones, the exciting new band he is managing, and hear his thoughts on Inkcarceration. His charity helps to provide a scholarship to students that are pursuing a career in healthcare and/or the physical sciences. This year there will be three students awarded with a total of $33k. Among his many endeavors, Jose is managing Ladrones, a band that mixes regional Mexican music with hip-hop and metal. Ladrones currently released their third album, “Arriba La L”. When asked which bands you should know about at Inkcarceration 2026, he cited a few bands including Cleveland’s own Killstreak! Jose also told us the loudest concert he ever attended was Motorhead in the early 2000s in New York City where the band played so loud they broke the PA system! Jose is not only the Metal Ambassador, but also a great person that provides support to all, including WJCU!
Earshot performs at InkcarcerationWe had the opportunity to meet up with Will Martin of Earshot during Inkcarceration 2026. The band delivered a powerful set at Inkcarceration that featured songs from their latest album, Humaning, along with fan favorites such as “Wait.” During our conversation, Will discussed the band’s origin and his evolution from being a guitarist to a lead singer. He also said the band’s name came straight from the Thesaurus since he looked up words that are synonymous with sound and Earshot was the choice. Among other acts, Will explained that Tool and Live are two of the bands musical influences. Will also expressed that the creative songwriting process is not as daunting as it may seem as it comes from personal experiences and relationships. Earshot will continue their momentum with multiple tour dates and appearances at major festivals, including Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky (9/18/26) and Sunshine Studios Live in Colorado Springs, Colorado (10/1/26).
From start to finish, Inkcarceration 2026 showcased why Danny Wimmer Presents continues to set the standard for rock and metal festivals. It was another outstanding weekend of unforgettable performances, great interviews, and an incredible celebration of the rock and metal community.
This is the second in our series about safety. And, while it isn’t a long conversation, it’s an important one because it helps to set the context for how safety trends are playing out.
My guest is Raul Avelar, senior research transportation engineer for the IIHS – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Raul’s area of work is a focus is on bike/ped safety. And that fits right into our series here!
One of the things Raul says not too far into our conversation that piqued my interest is about the difference in behavior between men and women when they are riding and even walking; that men seem to be more aggressive and less likely to “follow the rules” when it comes to traffic safety.
As Rachael Maney said in our conversation from last week, there’s also the difference that seems to be experienced by those who are kitted up like cyclists – flashy jerseys, helmets, and cycling footwear – and recreational cyclists, perhaps in a T-shirt, cargo shorts, and sneakers. Raul’s research seems to confirm those experiences.
Then there’s the issue of whether new features in today’s cars work – warnings such as those that keep you in line and automatic braking. According to Raul, these features work; so, why would someone NOT activate them in their new car?
What Raul has given us is some details about what may be coming that should help us navigate an ever more crowded, speedy, and dangerous transportation world as technology begins to connect roadways, signals, and cars. Perhaps our learning how those things work will give us more confidence to navigate the roads more safely.
While the research shows so much that can be done to make our roads safer, what is most disturbing to me is what seems to be the deliberate removal of that information from the public’s view, putting cyclists and pedestrians in harm’s way unnecessarily.
For more information about the work the IIHS does and to contact Raul, log on to IIHS.org.
My guest is Rachael Maney. Rachael is the managing director of Bike Law, a network of independent bicycle crash attorneys. I was supposed to speak with her last month, but as is often the case, the Bike Law offices are so busy, she hardly has time to turn around!
Anyway, this conversation begins a series that will include Rachael, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,) Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns, and others.
Since I spoke with Rachel on July 13th, there have been several high-profile incidents including a road rage crash in Texas killing US decorated boxer Hannah Rapp, the tragic loss of Louisa Gag, a long time cycling advocate for the City of Boston who was hit by a truck on her way to work, and a group of cyclists in Colorado who were run down by an impaired driver.
These crashes resulting in injury and death are all the more poignant when the Secretary of Transportation claws back $1.7B from the infrastructure bill that promised the money to hundreds, if not thousands, of projects, claiming that he was going to redirect the funds to roads and bridges, not to and I quote “DEI bike lanes.”
The pushback from all quarters – not just the bicycle world – was loud and long; but I doubt this administration will change its mind about reallocating the funds.
My conversation with Rachael outlines some of bike Law’s well-honed thinking when it comes to enforcement, laws, eBikes, and more.
I’ve had this conversation archived for way too long and in re-listening while editing it today, I thought – how interesting that we are at this strange place with the announcement last week of so much money being rescinded from bike and ped infrastructure, to the amazing 50year project that completed the Poudre River Trail in Larimer Country Colorado.
So I cued it up for edit and it truly highlights what might be an exemplary project.
My guest is Zac Wiebe. He is the planning and resource manager of Larimer County in Colorado.
The Poudre River Trail sounds like the perfect ride for someone who wants the scenery of Colorado coupled with great amenities along the way without climbing the Rockies!
As with most long trails – this one covers about 45 miles –the first mile was laid in 1978 and here we are almost 50 years later as Memorial Day weekend saw the final connection to complete it.
It is clear that the commitment to completing this trail took a lot of cooperation among the county, the communities it crosses, and the state. And the way the counties were able to look to their citizens for funding to complete the trail is a lesson other states might want to look at for themselves.
My thanks to Zac for a most interesting and enlightening conversation. Colorado seems to embrace trails and trail access in a big way!
What trails like this can do to unite communities and bring economic benefits as well as recreational pleasure to so many is so worth the efforts.
While we will be celebrating our 250th Anniversary here in the States, the Grand Departe of the 113th Tour de France will lead off with a team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday.
As always, I turn to our friend and resident all-thing-TdF Joe Lindsey, managing editor of Escape Collective. He knows the ins and outs of the stages, the courses, the riders, and the teams for all the European race, but we focus this conversation pretty much on the Tour this time around.
My questions go to topics such as which riders might surprise us, how the intense heat could impact the race as we well as the teams, and what this year’s course has in store for us.
Jonas Vinnegard is apparently 100% healthy and ready to go – two full years after his horrific crash in 2024, and he’s already shown some stellar results this year. He and Tadej will be the ones to watch for that head-to-head rivalry; but, perhaps there is someone else on the horizon? And who is Paul Seixas anyway?
Joe has some thoughts…
This episode brings together a long and sorrowful history and a bicycle tour that commemorates it.
We are all familiar with rides that have meaning such as fund raisers for medical research, rides that create long-lasting memories and friendships such as RAGBRAI, and rides that bring back fond memories such as the upcoming re-creation of the Bikecentennial Ride in July, celebrating the founding of our Nation.
And then, there are rides that reaffirm some truths about who we are and what we stand for as a people while shedding light into how we might deal with the truths of our history and do better in the future.
Today’s conversation falls into the latter category and my guest is Will Chavez, the associate editor of the Cherokee-Phoenix, the official newspaper of the Cherokee Nation.
The paper itself has a long and interesting history, beginning in what is now called New Echota, once the capital of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and now a historic site.
In the 1830’s – 1838 to be exact – the removal of 100,000 Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole – from their homelands in the Southeastern United States to Indian Territory – now Oklahoma – resulted in thousands of deaths from harsh condition, starvation, and disease.
The route that was traveled by the tribes back in the 1800’s is now commemorated each year by 12 specially chosen young Cherokee riders as they travel the almost 1000 miles on the Trail of Tears.
Will offers us a look back at history and forward to what these riders take home from the historic journey they are privileged to take.
Will’s new book “Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal,” is now available for pre-order and you can follow all of the news from the Cherokee Nation through the Cherokee-Phoenix newspaper.
Seven years ago, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett gave up their cars, moved to the Netherlands, and have been exploring urban transformations around the world.
The last time I spoke with Melissa and Chris, back in 2022, they had just published two books, Curbing Traffic and Building the Cycling City. They didn’t have the opportunity to do the traditional kind of book tour at the time because of the pandemic, but that’s since changed.
In fact, with their kids heading off to college and beyond, and their new book, Women Changing Cities, global stories of urban transformation, just published, they’ve been able to travel and speak about their work in person all over the world.
Their work has led them to so many women who are doing remarkable things in their respective cities, and their stories are both fascinating and inspiring.
Women Changing Cities highlights the stories of nineteen women working in eleven different cities as Melissa and Chris shine the spotlight on what can only be termed a modern transformation of urban thinking.
Our conversation ranges from why women are still not well represented in the planning space of engineering, politics, and architecture, to the astounding fact that only 8% of the 300 largest cities in the world have elected women as mayors.
The explanations of how those things are gradually, but surely, changing are encouraging.
Their new book, Women Changing Cities: Global stories of urban transformation, is available from RIBA.org as well as all your favorite book sellers. The suggestions in the book, the women who are highlighted, and the beautiful photography that graphically shows some incredible results, will inspire anyone looking for ideas and support to bring to their community for consideration – and hopefully, implementation.
And for more information on what Chris and Melissa are doing next, you can follow them at modacitylife.com.
This is the next episode in our series of great rides around the U.S. for spring and summer 2026. Today, we visit Maine.
Lung diseases affect 35 million people in the U.S. and the American Lung Association is the first stop for advocacy, research, and funding for those people and their families.
The 42nd annual Trek Across Maine – yep – 42 years! – has to be one of if not the longest running event of its kind – a fund raiser as well as what you will hear is almost a family reunion withf hundreds of folks, for what promises to be a lovely three-day ride around Maine.. And with a Father’s Day weekend date… it’s a great way to celebrate Dad!
My guests are Matt Sturgis, who has held many positions with the American Lung Association in connection with this ride and other offices around the eastern seaboard, and Lance Boucher, who is the voice of the organization in advocacy and public affairs.
My second guest today is Professor Chris Sweet.He’s theInformation Literacy and Scholarly Communications Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University. His just published book, a History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts, goes all the way back to the late 1800’s, tracing the ups and downs of cycling from manufacturing and racing to how bicycles figured into the wars of the 20th century and beyond.
I didn’t think there was so much to learn about the history of bicycles and cycling in Illinois, and I was wrong! Professor Chris Sweet, who is the Information Literacy and Scholarly Communications Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University, is also an avid cyclist and a historian.
His research reached back into the late 1800’s to explain the subtitle of his book, 160 years of booms and busts, and brings it right up to the to effects the pandemic had on cycling just a few years ago.
I don’t think I’ve met a more fascinating person than adventurer Laura Killingbeck.
For example, how many of us know from a very young age who we are and what we want from life and then follow that desire into adulthood? Especially when we are talking about a rather solitary and independent life.
Laura Killingbeck is one of those people who DID know, and her story is incredibly compelling.
Laura is a naturalist – a hunter gatherer as she decided very early in life – and she has been on the move, writing and talking about her work, ever since. You won’t want to miss this conversation.
Then, in the second half of the show, we take a 180-degree turn when my guests are Carlos Rogers and Robin Morton. Carlos is one of the partners who owns the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and Robin is the race director.
After a 10-year absence, this iconic and well-loved event is back and just like that, Philadelphia is the proud host of a professional cycling race again.
We’ll find out all about it a bit later in the show.
The holidays are literally around the corner and today, I wanted to offer up one of my favorite year-end opportunities for giving.
Leah Missbach Day is one of the founders of WBR, and World Bicycle Relief is about to turn 20.
In the years since its inception, it has grown from aiding 20,351 people in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami to 850,000 bicycles on the ground in 7 African countries and in Colombia, South America.
These bicycles have helped girls to go to school, health workers to deliver life saving aid, and farmers to get their goods to market.
The Buffalo bike provides a sturdy, reliable machine that offers not only transportation but safety to the thousands of people who ride them.
In the second half of the show, I’m joined by Bill McGann.
Bill started out as a bicycle retailer in a 750 square foot shop in California back in 1974 with a $3,000 bank loan and a lot of chutzpah.
In his new book, Why Your Bike Is Made in Asia: My career in bicycles as I watched two continents squander an industry, takes us from early bicycle history through the 10-speed craze and on into the industry’s move to Asia as a result of some wrong-thinking on the part of American and European manufacturers.
It’s an interesting look at the bike industry from a very different perspective.
Hello and welcome to TOC. I’m your host Diane Jenks. Thanks for tuning in today.
Yes, it’s been a minute – well, maybe a bit longer – since the last episode, but I’m back and today’s show is the first in our year-end series highlighting gift-giving opportunities.
That’s not all though. My first guests are husband and wife Deb and Tom Gardner. They live in Indianapolis and have such a great story to tell.
Both are now retired and the accomplishments they have under their belts are mind blowing. Before they became heavily involved with long-distance cycling, they decided to run a marathon in every state. Done.
Then it was on to some pretty spectacular bicycling, and we’ll learn more about that in a moment, including their big 2025 plans.
Then, we catch up with the president and CEO of People for Bikes, Jenn Dice. People tell me I’m “so enthusiastic!” But, next to Jenn, I feel pretty laid back!
And, her enthusiasm for the work she does is contagious! Running PFB, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary – thank you very much – is a big deal and from the city ratings program to eBike battery recycling, Jenn can recite chapter and verse on all the many spokes in the PFB hub.
Brendan Quirk is the CEO of USA Cycling. Brendan fell in love with bike racing as a teenager and throughout his young adulthood and beyond, has immersed himself in everything from owning his own shop and developing a thriving online business to his present position – imbuing USA Cycling organization with his passion for the sport.
Brendan’s determination for success for the organization, beginning with member ship and working on the Foundation Board, led to his role as CEO. His commitment to spreading the word about cycling, from local grass roots organizations to our Olympic goals for Los Angeles in 2028, is clear. It’s about supporting local clubs and events and raising money to make certain the sport stays alive and vibrant in the U.S.
With the fall riding season in full swing, we’re bringing you our last great riding trail review for 2024. And, I’ve saved a review of the Southern New England area, especially Connecticut, for last.
The East Coast Greenway has come a long way in a few short years and, especially in 2024, the effects of the infrastructure act have pushed quite a few projects along helping to add many segments in the quest complete the 3,000+ mile project.
Our guide to this beautiful area of the Greenway is Bruce Donald and to say he is well-versed in all-things-trail-related in the area is a gross understatement.
In addition to all his advocacy work, acquiring more than $189 million dollars in funding for Greenway projects, Bruce is a lifelong cyclist and alpine skier.
This episode of our show was intended to highlight another great riding trail along with a conversation with renowned traffic engineer and planner Professor Wes Marshall at the University of Colorado in Denver.
My conversation with Wes happened the day after the news of the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were announced and when we logged in to talk, we had both been reading the same news summary.
The horror and disbelief of the tragedy really struck me hard and because so much of the topics Wes and I were to talk about were directly connected to the issues we have with traffic and safety, I decided to let this episode stand alone.
Professor Marshall’s new book, Killed By A Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies Our Transportation System, offers ideas, data, options, and a broad observation of what we are getting wrong about the way we not only DO transportation and safety, but how we think about it in the first place.
I think you will enjoy our conversation and, in the least instance, get some valuable insight into what traffic engineers are and need to be.
As August comes to a close we are beginning to wrap-up our series on great riding trails. This episode, we take a ride down the Katy Trail in Missouri with trail manager Cassie Brandt.
We’ve had clients tell us how much they enjoy the Katy and listening to Cassie, you might just want to add it to your bucket list.
Before we get to the trail though, my first guest today is Laura Moulton. Back in 2011, I spoke with Laura about her then 3-month art project, Street Books, in Portland, Oregon.
Fast forward 13 years! And, Laura has sort of been kicked upstairs to an administrative position as executive director for the non-profit. Today, Street Books has expanded from one bicycle driven library to three with a set schedule, thousands of books loaned out free each year, and an incredibly inspirational story. I can’t imagine you not finding this project important and heartwarming.
The Katy Trail is the longest rail trail in the Rails-to-Trails network, consisting of 240 mostly flat miles. Yep! Mostly flat!
Managed on a day-to-day basis by four State Parks, it’s Cassie’s job to make sure that the trail is monitored for problems, even offering up a lost-and-found for cell phones that seem to get left behind occasionally. Let’s take a little trip on the Katy and find out what you can see, what you can do (other than riding,) and of course where you can eat and stay.
Back in April, 65 members of the European Cyclists Federation, representing 40 countries, signed the EU Declaration of Cycling.
Founded in 1983, the European Cyclists’ Federation is a Brussels-based independent non-profit association dedicated to achieving more and better cycling for all in Europe.
The ECF’s mandate? That by 2030 there will be more cycling, safer cycling, and stronger political support for cycling that includes higher investment with more and better infrastructure.
Today, my guest is Jill Warren, the CEO of the ECF and in a moment, she will tell us more about the ECF and what the future holds for cycling.
Jill says, and I quote, “there is no conceivable way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal or climate-neutral cities without significantly more cycling.”
In the second half of our episode today, we continue our summer exploration of great and favorite trails.
One of my past guests, Scott Kasper, contacted me and wanted to share his experience of the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Not as well known or traveled as the Grand Canyon, Scott thinks this trail is just as breathtaking and urges us to drop in, climb out, and disconnect from the grid for a few days, taking in the beauty of the rugged White Rim Trail.
Located between the Green and Colorado Rivers, the 100-mile MTB trail is both rugged and breathtaking. My guest is Scott Kasper and his description of his experiences – yes he loved it so much he had to do it twice – so far – will whet your appetite for a multi-day experience to remember.
In our ongoing series on favorite riding trails, I took Jim Sayer’s advice and contacted the Empire State Trail’s Chris Morris for a look at New York’s 750 miles of cycling and walking paths through the State.
Chris is the Empire State Trail Program Manager, living a short distance from one of the trailheads as well as having traversed many a mile on the trail himself.
Brian and I spent a couple of days riding our tandem on the Erie Canal Towpath back in 2016, traveling from Lockport to Brockport and back, staying in a lovely B&B overnight, and discovering some of the rich history of the Canal. We loved the adventure.
With three basic sections to the trail – North from Albany to Canada; West from Buffalo to Albany; and South from Albany into downtown Manhattan, the Empire State Trail offers some of the most diverse riding opportunities on the east coast.
Well – we’ve seen the entire Tour de France come and go – and WHAT a race this year. Now, we’re smack-dab in the middle of the 2024 Olympics with America showing up all over the place.
So, who better to talk to about all-things- tour-de France and the Olympics, than the managing editor of Escape Collective, Joe Lindsey.
Joe can recite chapter-and-verse about the riders, the teams, and the individual stages of a race that both started and ended differently than in the past and, I always learn so much about bike racing when we talk.
At the time we spoke, the Tour had already completed its 21 stages and we had a short breather before the Olympics – so, while we now know some results, Joe had some predictions. We’ll see how he did.
Last time, we began our series on favorite bike trails with the Ohio to Erie Trail and today, we’ll be exploring the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota.
A couple of years ago, Jim Sayer, who was with the Adventure Cyclist Association for many years, was riding cross country and stopped in to stay with Brian and me for a night. We got to talking about the trip he was making. He told us he would be taking in some of the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota on his way back to Montana.
When several people mentioned the Mickelson Trail as one of their favorites, Brian remembered that Jim had traveled it and suggested I contact him. He was happy to share his thoughts about it.
Jim Sayer, who was the executive director of Adventure Cycling, stepped down in 2021 and decided it was time to complete his perimeter tour of the U.S., stopping by our place in Cleveland for the night.
It was during that ride that he spent some time on the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota and since we are highlighting trails this summer, I knew he’d have some honest and forthright things to say about it. And so he did.
My thanks to Jim for joining me on the show. He sure made the Mickelson Trail sound appetizing! We have some photos of his time on the trail on our website, outspokencyclist.com as well a link to the Mickelson Trail website.
My first guest is not new to the show either. Leah Goldstein is arguably one of the most accomplished ultra-athletes I’ve ever had the honor to speak with.
She was world kick boxing champion at the age of 17. She was an undercover police officer in the Israeli army, she is a national cycling champion, and recently, she completed the grueling 4,000+ mile self-supported Trans Am road race .
The last time we spoke with Leah, she had just completed RAAM – winning the event overall. I thought that was crazy then! But, the Trans Am race is another level all together and today’s conversation covers the gamut from weather and equipment to wildlife and aspirations.
Let’s take a short break and when we return we’ll speak with Leah Goldstein some more. You’re listening to TOC.
We are back on TOC. I’m Diane Jenks. I want to preface the next part of my conversation with Leah with a comment. Back in February, Leah was to have given one of her amazing motivational keynote talks to the Inspire’s International Women’s Day Event. Then, she was suddenly dis-invited. The reasons given and the behind-the-scenes truths were completely different. Regardless of how you feel about the war in the Middle East, what Leah experienced was both uncalled for and clearly antisemitic.
My thanks to Leah for joining me today. I don’t know what is worse – being chased by a bear or being blistered all over by the sun. Regardless, Leah is ready to go again – with a lot more knowledge under her helmet.
I also appreciate that she was willing to share her thoughts about the Inspire incident last February. As I’m sure you can imagine, it struck hard when I learned about it back then.
You can follow Leah on her website leahgoldstein.com. We also have a few photos of her during the Trans Am event – since that was all the support she was allowed – someone taking a photo – as well as a link to a short video of Leah on course during the race. You can find them on our website, outspokencyclist.com
Before signing off today, I must bow down to this year’s Tour de France. In addition to it being one of the most interesting and exciting editions of the race, it was truly inspiring to see riders such as Biniam Grimay and Remco Evenepoel become super stars. And I’m beginning to think Tadej Pogocar might just break some long held records many thought would never be broken. Can you say Eddy Merckx?
As for the Tour, Joe Lindsey joins me next time to wrap-up this year’s Tour, chat about the remainder of the cycling race season, and we’ll preview the Olympics too.
We’ll also be continuing our series on favorite trail with the Empire State Trail in New York.
Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed the show. Please remember that we have links, photos, and a written transcript of the episode at outspokencyclist.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter (X), FB, and LinkedIn and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.
Please stay safe. Stay well. And remember, there is always time for a ride. Bye bye.
Finally, we will begin our series on cycling trails and paths. I did hear from quite a few of you about your favorites and we will begin the series here in my home state, Ohio.
Tom Bilcze is the president of the Ohio to Erie Trail Foundation and he has ridden almost every inch of the 326 mile route from The Ohio River to Lake Erie. Tom will offer us some of the highlights of the trail along with some great information about how to plan your trip including an interactive map.
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with Tom Bilcze, the president of the Ohio to Erie Trail Foundation. Since then, I’ve been following his postings on FB as he rides up towards us here on the shores of Lake Erie. My conversation with Tom details much of what he is seeing as he moseys along.
This is the first in a series of conversations about “favorite trails.” I’ll tell you how to let me know about yours at the end of the show.
In the second part of the show, I welcome Sela Musa, a reporter for ZAG Daily, an online portal to The Business of Sustainabile Mobility. Sela will walk us through the EU’s Declaration of Cycling which, while not a mandate, sets forth 8 principles and 36 commitments around sustainability through cycling that the EU and its member states have agreed to commit to.
On April 3rd, the EU Declaration on Cycling was signed by all the EU Transport Ministers in Brussells. My guest, Sela Musa, wrote in her article for ZAG Daily that “It was a historic milestone for cycling.”
Sela is here to detail the Declaration and tell us about ZAG, the publication she works for that covers “The Business of Sustainable Mobility.”
On my last show, I spoke with London cycling Advocate and the truly delightful Carla Francome. Not a moment after we ended our conversation, Carla sent me a note asking if SHE could interview ME.
Carla had many questions for me, and I hope I didn’t bend her ear too much.
She asked me about my childhood, how I got into the bike business, and of course, about Brian.
As we chatted, I made notes so, if you go to the outspokencyclist’s website, you’ll see links to some of the things we talk about there and well as some photos of our meadows and our beautiful Mimosa tree that has just begun its annual show of amazing pink powder-puff blossoms.
There are also links to places and people I refer to in our conversation.
I hope you enjoy it.
I’m not sure how I ended up with two guests who exhibit almost identical traits – they’re gutsy, funny, and passionate about everything they do.
And yet, they are completely different from one another.
Guest #1 is Carla Francome. She lives, works, and rides in London. She’s a TV producer and a cycling advocate extraordinaire. I discovered her on Twitter (X) and just knew she’d be a great guest.
Carla Francome is a bicycle campaigner – especially for women.
When she found her work as a TV producer coming to a screeching halt, mainly due to the writer’s strike, she transitioned to a new industry taking her amazing ability for storytelling with her all the while raising two kids and riding – riding her bike in central London, which has been transformed from a crowded car-centric city to a place where riding your bike is commonplace.
We chatted about so many things from the work she has done in television to her experience of trying clipless pedals for the first time.
Then, Guest #2 actually contacted me several months ago to let me know he is about to embark on RAAM. His “handle” is speedy turtle, so that’s the first thing that caught my attention. Then, I come to find out he is blind and has been blind since birth.
Apparently though, nothing stops Dave Wilkinson – not rain, nor snow, nor crashes – in fact, any challenge that would seem daunting to me is a “let’s have it” from him.
RAAM is a team effort and Dave Wilkinson makes it abundantly clear how true that is.
He’s completed marathons – his first when he was 40, as well as Ironman triathlons. He is a skier and apparently, he’s pretty fearless because Dave was born blind.
Clearly, that has never stopped him and not only is his goal is to complete RAAM as the first solo blind rider, but he intends to do it in under 11 days.
We have two great conversations today.
My first guest is Christian Sander, the producer and writer of Hard Miles, a full-length feature film starring Matthew Modine as Greg Townsend, a social worker who takes a group of incarcerated teenage boys on a 762-mile bike trip to the Grand Canyon. It’s based on a true story – there really IS a Greg Townsend and he really has taken thousands of kids on this trip. In fact, Greg was on set every day during the shooting of the movie!
Brian and I went to a local theater last weekend to watch the new movie Hard Miles and we LOVED it! Unlike so many cycling movies that focus on competition, Hard Miles is about how the bicycle can be a vehicle of transformation, especially to kids serving time in a juvenile detention center.
Christian Sander has known about Greg Townsend, the central character in the movie, for quite some time and saw this story as a movie long before he was able to bring it to the screen.
Greg is played by award winning actor Matthew Modine along with 4 great young men who learn all about how difficult it is to ride a bike 8 hours a day! Cynthia McWilliams, who was the star of Real Husbands of Hollywood, plays the “keep-em-in-line” psychologist Haddie who grudgingly drives the SAG wagon.
NY is about to pass a bill regulating eBikes and there has been chatter on some of the bike forums about it. After hearing the statistics about eBikes in NYC, I think regulation is probably necessary. There is also a new congestion fee going into effect at the end of June and the money raised will be used for some really important transportation issues.
With almost 700,000 daily cycling trips in NYC, John Surico estimates that at least half of these trips are on an eBike.
And with that kind of ridership, there are a LOT of issues that are beginning to affect transportation in the City. So next step? Regulation. There is a bill about to be brought up for passage in the State legislature.
In addition to what that legislation might look like and who will be affected by it, John and I talk about congestion pricing that will charge cars being driven in Manhattan and how that money will be used to update public transportation among other things.
The world of bike racing, from the high school through pro levels, has been predominantly male and predominantly white, so when I saw Ian Dille’s article in Outside Online about the Richmond Cycling Corps – the kids from Cool lane, I wanted to know more.
Founded by pro-racer Craig Dawson in 2010, The Richmond Cycling Corps is not just about bike racing – it’s about community and education and giving young disadvantaged youth a perspective that expands their horizons through cycling.
Ian Dille is a journalist, writer, and producer and learned about the Richmond Cycling Corps some time ago. When he had the opportunity to embed himself into the group in May of 2022, he did just that and wrote about it in his article “The Kids From Cool Lane Just Want To Ride Bikes.”
In the second half of the show, we head to Bogota, Colombia to speak with touring company owner Tomas Castrillon.
Tomas’ company is Arriba – and its meaning refers to both heights to which you can ride and a place to which you can ascend in the sense of consciousness in the picturesque surroundings of the Colombian landscape.
We talk about the country – and the safety of riding there. We talk about coffee, and flowers, and gold mines, and food.
It may be a bucket list tour you haven’t considered and perhaps after our conversation, you will.
Tomas Castrillon started his touring company, Arriba! 12 years ago.
His tight-knit team of 7 provides a fully supported experience in his two signature tours, Bogota to Medellin and a tour in the coffee region of the country.,
He also offers non-riding partners an equally exciting experience.
John Carroll University and the City of Shaker Heights continue to go back and forth regarding the zoning of apartment buildings in Fairmount Circle that are owned by John Carroll. Learn more about the debate so far and the latest actions in this edition of Heights Now.
This episode features two incredibly thoughtful and knowledgeable guests.
First is someone I would term a renaissance man – at least he’s a modern renaissance man.
Adam Rogers is curious about A LOT of things and while we have a great topic that he recently reported on about bike lanes and their impact on businesses, I just had to ask him about some other projects he’s delved into in his career as a journalist – so far.
One such project involved color, and you might remember the controversy. Did you see a blue dress with black fringe or a white dress with gold fringe? And does it matter that you saw one or the other? Adam thought it was not only interesting, but while working for WIRED, he dove headfirst into the subject. There is even an extensive Wikipedia page about the phenomenon.
Adam Rogers is a senior tech correspondent at Business Insider, covering science, technology, and our weird future. He reports on how technology changes the way we live.
I saw his article, Bike Lanes Are Good for Business, posted on March 7th, and wanted to find out what he discovered.
What I discovered is that Adam doesn’t go off half-cocked on a subject! In fact, he uncovers as much as he can find and then digs even deeper to reveal things many other journalists might miss – over worse, gloss over!
In addition to the dress controversy I mentioned at the top of the show, we also discuss another passion of his – booze. “Proof – The Science of Booze,” is the book he wrote that came out of his discovery that we didn’t know much about the science of distilling liquor.
Oh yeah, we also talk about bike lanes and what the differences are between reality and perception when a bike lane is introduced into a neighborhood.
Such a good conversation that I never even thought about taking a break.
In the second part of the show, my conversation is with author and journalist Peter Flax.
Peter and I first spoke when he became editor-in-chief of Bicycling in 2010. THAT was a long time ago, and since then, he’s moved from the east coast to the west, worked for some other publications, and now has written one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a while.
Live to Ride, Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle, is Peter’s treatise on the bicycle world from the unique perspective of having seen almost every manifestation of bicycling – from the utilitarian to the ultra-competitive.
Peter Flax is a bike rider – he not only says so right at the beginning of his book, he has and does live it.
In “Live To Ride, Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle,” Peter breaks down his thinking into distinct categories such as adventure, speed, and self-expression.
Each chapter of the book is punctuated by people, photographs, and commentary that represent the title of the chapter.
I caught up with Peter at the Austin airport when he was waiting for his plane to take him back to L.A.
Today’s episode features two very accomplished guests.
First up is Mike Lydon – and where to begin! Well, let’s see.. Mike is an internationally recognized planner, writer, speaker, and advocate for livable cities.
But wait, there’s more; in fact, so much more that I would direct you to his website, street-plans.com where there is a great description of what he does and the accolades, and projects he’s been part of are enumerated.
Mike Lydon seems to have been “born to” the profession of urban planning with a love for towns and cities from his childhood. His work has been acclaimed far and wide and he thinks about what we can do on both a micro and a macro level to realize better ways to make our cities livable and safe.
I want to make a correction to something I say early on in our conversation. I mistakenly stated the year that the store I opened in downtown Cleveland was 1997; nope, the year it was opened was actually 1989.
In the second half of the show, Dr. Ralph Buehler will be back to speak with us about his part in a study about what happened with cycling during and after the pandemic. Some of the findings might surprise you; some of them we already know; and, some of them give us insight into what we might expect in the future.
The COVID19 pandemic changed the way we behave in so many ways. We found ourselves learning a new way of moving about, and whether it was going to and coming from work, shopping for groceries, or just getting outside for pleasure, the impact of the worldwide need to alter the way we travel is a topic of great interest to my guest, Dr. Ralph Buehler.
Today’s episode is about one man and his life as told in a new documentary as well as a new biographical novel. Marshal Major Taylor is a name so many of us know, yet what do we really know ABOUT him?
Todd Gould is an Emmy award winning producer and author who lives and works in Bloomington, Indiana.
Todd is the executive producer of Major Taylor, Champion of the Race, a one-hour documentary that will air Monday, February 26th, at 8pm eastern time as well as stream on your PBS Passport app. The film will also be available later on this spring on most PBS stations around the country.
Marshall Major Taylor was not only one of the greatest cyclists and athletes to ever compete, he was a gentleman and a pioneer, navigating a world that didn’t want African American athletes to survive let alone thrive.
As you will hear in my conversation with Emmy award winning producer, Todd Gould, Major Taylor’s story is a timely and fascinating tale that needs to be heard.
Then, sometimes inspiration at a young age ends up being the direction of your entire life.
Such is the case for John Howard, one of the most successful cyclists of our time.
Among some of his feats, John won a gold medal at the 1971 Pan-Am games road race as a member of the U.S. Army cycling team, took first place at the 1981 Hawaiian Ironman, raced in 3 summer Olympics, and came in second in the inaugural Race Across America in 1982. He set a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1985 that stood for 10 years. Of course, he is a member of both the Bicycling and Triathlon Halls of Fame.
So what drives someone to achieve this kind of success?
In John’s case, it’s the story of Marshall Major Taylor, the talented and ambitious black cyclist who overcame intense racism to become a world champion at the turn of the last Century. John will be with me in the second part of the show.
Marshall Major Taylor was not only one of the greatest cyclists and athletes to ever compete, he was a gentleman and a pioneer, navigating a world that didn’t want African American athletes to survive let alone thrive.
After 40 years of research, traveling worldwide for details about Major Taylor’s life, John Howard’s new book, The Black Cyclone – A Hero The World Forgot – was just published.
With access to historical documents, including an original copy of Major Taylor’s autobiography as well as a traveling worldwide to delve into places where the cyclist competed and lived, John’s biographical novel gives voice to Major Taylor, bringing him to life.
We’ve talked about biking and walking infrastructure a lot over the past few years, and it always amazes me that there is so much more to say. For instance…
Crosswalks – who do you think is legally protected in a crosswalk?
Well, you might be surprised to learn that all pedestrians are protected in crosswalks, yet very few States have protections for cyclists, wheelchairs, even babies in strollers.
And this is just one issue that my first guest, Dr. Cara Hamann and I talk about in our conversation today.
Cara is an epidemiologist who studies injuries – especially those incurred by cyclists and other road users and she’s got her finger on the pulse of safety.
As we delve into Cara Hamann’s work, we find that she’s got a series of studies relating to safety and injury for vulnerable road users. She an Associate Professor of Epidemiology with targeted interests in Transportation safety, Injury epidemiology, Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicycles, etc.) and Global injury prevention
In the second half of the show, I’ll introduce you to Terry Lansdell.
I’m not sure exactly how to categorize him… he’s both ridden and crewed Race Across America, he’s done Race Across the West on a fixed gear bike, he’s been a triathlete, and now he’s the executive director of WalkBike North Carolina as well as a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission . See… I don’t have a category for that.
But damn – he is interesting, well spoken, and has some great stories to tell and interesting ideas to convey.
.Terry Lansdell is just fascinating and uber articulate. From his advice on ultra cycling – such as riding 1000 in a week to see if you can pass muster for a race such as PBP or RAAM, to remembering your place on a trail, including yielding to pedestrians, Terry doesn’t miss a beat.
And get a load of this… since 2013, it’s been illegal for North Carolina department of transportation to spend money on stand alone bicycle projects. Terry is hoping to change that tool.
I’m not sure how he keeps all the balls in the air at the same time, but damn… he sure seems to.
My thanks to Terry Lansdell for speaking with me. Follow bikewalkNC.org to take the safety quiz, learn about the September Transportation Summit, and all of the other programs and events happening in the state.
The beloved 440 area code is set to run out of phone numbers in the second half of 2024. In response, Northeast Ohio has been granted a new area code, 436, which will be rolled out in the coming months. Learn more about the change in this edition of Heights Now.
My first guest today is Dave Simmons, the executive director of Ride Illinois. In our conversation we talk about bicycle related crashes and fatalities in the state along with some data, or lack of it about eBikes.
I wanted to catch up with Dave because of the Ride Illinois “Bill Tracker” that the organization has made available on their website. It offers you the ability to not only track statewide bills, but also federal legislation as it pertains to bicycling infrastructure and such things as eBike rebates.
Illinois, along with so many other states, is experiencing the horrific consequences of more people riding bikes more often – which is, was, and always will be the goal of all advocacy organizations.
Bike crashes, injuries, and fatalities are up and whether there needs to be more legislation, better enforcement of the rules of the road, or something more comprehensive, is part of my discussion with Ride Illinois executive director, Dave Simmons.
Who knew that a bronze replica cannon would lead to a lifetime of machine work? And, that is exactly what happened when Paragon Machine’s Mark Norstad first realized that you could actually MAKE such a thing in a machine shop.
Taking all the machine shop classes that were offered in high school and on into college, Mark started Paragon Machine Works in his parents’ basement in 1983.
Fast forward several decades and Mark is about to pass the torch to his son Cal as Mark looks at retirement this summer.
As many of you know, I have an abiding interest in urban planning, walkable and bikeable cities, and sustainability. In furthering that interest, I love speaking with folks who are involved in any or all of these areas and today is no exception.
My guests today are Jeff Speck and Chris Dempsey. In the past, Jeff and I have had several powerful conversations about the work he does in assisting cities, towns, and municipalities become “walkable” and “bikeable.” His books, Walkable Cities and Walkable Cities Rules, are nothing short of step-by-step instructions on how to achieve these goals.
Joined now by Chris Dempsey in a just announced new partnership, the impact of their ideas coupled with their backgrounds will serve to transform communities nationwide.
Let me introduce you to Chris Dempsey and welcome back Jeff Speck.
Let’s take a short break and when we return, we’ll talk with Jeff and Chris about the concept of “daylighting” and more. You’re listening to TOC.
We are back on TOC. I’m your host Diane Jenks and we are speaking with Jeff Speck and his partner Chris Dempsey about walkable, and of course bikeable, cities.
Let’s take another short break. You’re listening to TOC. We’ll be right back.
We are back on TOC. I’m Diane Jenks and we’re speaking with Jeff Speck and Chris Dempsey about cities!
My thanks to Jeff Speck and Chis Dempsey for joining me today. As always, Jeff just tells it like it is and I was really pleased to meet his new partner, Chris Dempsey. I know this partnership is going to produce some exciting results and I’m going to be following them. You can also keep tabs on them and their work at speckdempsey.com and on social media.
As you may remember, I was going to include my conversation with Dave Simmons, the Executive Director of Ride Illinois, in this episode.
I should know by now that I fall that down rabbit hole with Jeff and now, with Chris added to the mix, every time we speak, and our conversation went a bit longer than I anticipated.
I will definitely get you back to Dave’s interview in an upcoming episode of the show.
My thanks to you for listening today. I hope you enjoyed the conversation.
Remember that you can find show notes, photos, link, and a written transcript of the show at outspokencyclist.com
Follow us on social media @outspokencyclist and, if you subscribe to the podcast, you’ll never miss an episode!
As we wait out the continuing rain, sleet, and snow, I hope you are finding ways to stay in shape for the upcoming riding season. And, I f you are in a place where it is dry and somewhat warm, I hope you get to go for a ride.
Until next time, stay safe and stay well. Bye Bye
Happy New Year everyone! I’m back for a new season of the show and today we begin with conversations with two guests we’ve spoken with in the past.
First up is John Surico. John’s work is all about sustainability, safety, cities, and transportation. He melds it all up on his Streetbeat blog on Substack and today we’re going to look back at some things from 2023 as well as look forward to his work in 2024.
In his latest Streetbeat newsletter on Substack, John Surico tells us about Hoboken, NJ, where there have been zero – none, nothing nada – traffic fatalities for 7 consecutive years. What? Really? Contrast that with 43 cycling deaths in NYC, just across the river.
We also look at what the Mayor is thinking, with a bit of “NYC can do that too,” and about the expansion of the ECG in all 5 NYC boroughs.
Then, we review a new book from National Geographic by photographer/journalist Roff Smith. Last time we spoke with Roff it was during the pandemic and he created some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking visions for us to gaze upon in a dark and difficult time.
Now, in his new book, 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime, he offers up great options for every level of cyclist- from the novice to the pro. It’s one of those books where you can flip to just about any page and say – “yeah, I want to do that!”
While he’s ridden many of the routes he details in the book, he depended upon seasoned riders to fill in the blanks on rides that he believes fit the description, but which he hasn’t done himself.
The book is definitely a great addition to your cycling library and might just be the ticket for your next adventure.
I’ve also added a photo of his “narrow boat” that will be his home for the next project, as you will hear in our conversation.
15 years ago, the song “Don’t Trust Me” by 3OH!3 introduced phrases like “I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t f***ing scared of him” and “Do the Helen Keller and talk ... Read more3OH!3 Talks About “Don’t Trust Me” Lyrics, Musical Influences
First up is a name that is synonymous with bicycles – I would venture to say that no one who listens to this podcast doesn’t know the name OR hasn’t ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist 8/24/2023
Sometimes I wonder how I ever became so lucky as to be able to have conversations with the people I do, and this episode of the show highlights two of ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist 8/06/2023
Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin from SiriusXM’s Octane and Liquid Metal sat down with the crew from Old Rock vs. New Rock to talk about his love for metal, his Headbang ... Read moreJose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin on Old Rock vs. New Rock
This episode of TOC offers up two very different topics. First up is Matt de Neef. He is the managing editor of Escape Collective, the online presence of independent cycling ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 7/10/2023
In my last podcast, I mentioned my guest – Jenny Graham. In 2018, she embarked upon and completed a round-the-world trip by bicycle. This, however, was not just ANY trip ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 6/23/2023
This is a sort of special episode. Beginning Tomorrow, June 17th, PL And Kristen Meindertsma will begin the first of 5 yearly journeys to raise a cumulative $2.5 for 5 ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 6/15/2023
The crew from Old Rock vs. New Rock sat down with Jonathan Young, who just released a new single featuring Lauren Babic and RichaadEB called “God of Greed.” And check ... Read moreOld Rock vs. New Rock Interviews Jonathan Young
Not too long ago, we spoke with Paul Tolme, the communications director of the Cascade Bicycle Club headquartered in Seattle.
I was so taken with some of the programs this 10,000-member club is developing and implementing, that when Paul contacted me about the Pedaling Relief Project, which is reaching a huge milestone, as well as to update me on some of their legislative initiatives, I thought I’d share his news with you.
Our conversation sort of began before I did the “formal intro” so, I figure we’ll just fade into it… he’s always raring to go!
I always take away such great information from the work Cascade is doing. You can find out more about the Club, read the blog, sign up for any of their events, or learn about their many and varied programs at Cascade.org.
My second guest is the Washington Post’s award winning author Gretchen Reynolds.
Gretchen writes the “Your Move” column for the Post on Wednesdays.
Today, we’re going to talk about what sometimes happens with athletes who exercise at intense levels over long periods of time. In her May 17th article, “When Too Much Exercise Is Bad for Your Heart,” Gretchentalks about a new study of ultra-endurance athletes which showed an unusually high incidence of AFib.
We’ll also discuss the benefits of exercising outdoors in green space. Turns out, it’s the best!
Joe and DJ Gums from Old Rock vs. New Rock sat down with Dorothy ahead of their performance Friday at the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus. Check out their interview here!
As promised the last time we spoke with him, Wayne Stetina, SRAM’s senior field guide, is back to school us on the new SRAM Eagle Transmission system. In fact, you might want to take some notes.
From learning about cassette mapping to the simple installation of the chain, Wayne gives us the details in a clear and precise manner.
The result though is in the riding and according to Wayne, the harder you pedal this new system, the easier it shifts.
I really appreciate Wayne’s thoroughness in explaining the new system. For more information about SRAM’s new Eagle Transmission you can log on to SRAM.com OR… better still, go to your LBS and ask to try one!
In the second half of the show, we welcome back Bike Cleveland’s executive director, Jacob Van Sickle.
Fresh from the National Bike Summit, Jacob fills us in on this year’s legislative asks including the tax credit for eBikes, and catches us up on what has and is about to happen in NE Ohio to improve biking and walking.
When I think back – decades really – to when I first heard about the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath project, it barely registered because it seemed so far away. Yet, here we are! The Towpath project is finished – all the way into downtown Cleveland.
James Hibbard had a shot at being one of the top track and crit riders of his era, except, he wasn’t willing to take that one last step – he wasn’t willing to add a doping regimen to his training.
But that’s only one part of the conversation I had with James about his new book, The Art of Cycling, Philosophy, Meaning, and A Life on Two Wheels.
James is a philosopher – both in education – he has a PhD in th discipline, and in the way he views life, sport, and especially how we behave and think.
He uses cycling as a means to shed light on his beliefs of where we as a society are today. He see us living in a detached disconnected virtual world – and he gives us insight into what living in a world where a tangible pursuit – such as cycling – might give us a new vitality by re-engaging with the world around us.
My thanks to James Hibbard for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed our conversation.
His new book, The Art of Cycling, Philosophy, Meaning, and A Life on Two Wheels, is available for pre-order right now. Publication date is May 2nd, and you can order from any of the usual places.
Our next episode with Wayne Stetina takes us to school – SRAM school – where we will learn all about the new SRAM Eagle Transmission system. You listeners who like to geek out – will LOVE this!
WJCU will Turn Back the Clock on Tuesday when we broadcast from our original clock tower facility for the first time in over 35 years. Bob Lewis, who helped launch what was then WABU while he was a student at John Carroll, welcomed WJCU Promotions/Events Director Zachary Sinutko to his show on WNIR 100 FM in Akron to talk about the event and the long, proud history of WJCU.
For more information on WJCU’s Turn Back the Clock, click here.
My first guest is no stranger to TOC. A couple of times a year, at least, I ask journalist and NYU professor, John Surico to join me and catch us up on what is happening in NYC.
The reason I look to him and to NY is that he’s got his ear to the ground on everything from climate and sustainability to walking, biking, and advocacy plus a lot more. I like the way he thinks and especially what he talks about on his substack pages, Streetbeat.
In our conversation, I ask him what his students might be thinking about the field of journalism as the editorial and reporting landscapes continue to shift and morph – with fewer print papers and magazines, more controversial news outlets, so much misinformation, and the need for focus on relevant problems – like climate, cities, sustainability, and more.
John just completed a year working with the Central Park Conservancy to help explore how to keep the iconic park healthy and relevant while studying the park to see what climate change is doing to the trees, grass, and general environment. He talks about two of the programs he worked on and how they might impact the park going forward.
His insights and observations always give me food for thought as I look at the issues facing NYC and how we mirror them across the country.
In the second half of the show, I welcome Paul Tolme, the communications manager and spokesperson for the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, Washington.
Several years ago, I spoke with a young PhD candidate out in Seattle about the work he was doing along with the Cascade Bicycle Club to have an inequitable helmet law repealed in the city. The initiative worked, the law was repealed, and helmet use didn’t decline – win X 3.
Today, I speak with Paul about the organization itself – its amazing number of club members – 10,000 – and the statewide programs and events it offers.
In addition to the famous rides the club offers – the 44 year old iconic STP Ride (Seattle to Portland) and the RSVP – Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party,) as well as all the programs and tours offered, I don’t think any single fact was more impressive than a 10,000 member club roster. Even though the club is a statewide organization, 10,000 members is mighty impressive.
With that kind of support, it is no wonder that Cascade is able to influence local and state legislators and planners to improve cycling and walking in Washington, develop great educational programs, like the one that is being implemented in schools, and organize one of the most iconic and enduring events in the country – The famous STP – Seattle to Portland ride – that will be held July 15th and 16th this year.
On our last podcast, Caley Fretz, editor-in-chief of the new Escape Collective cycling website, was talking about the then imminent launch of the project and how some of the best journalists would be going in-depth to bring the cycling stories and information subscribers wanted.
Well, Escape DID go live this week and met its initial goal(s) so that they could indeed sign some of the best journalists, photographers, editors, and developers in the business.
A big congratulations to Escape Collective – live long and … well you get the idea.
Meanwhile, this episode of the show features one of these great journalists.
When we spoke, Joe Lindsey, who has been on the show in the past and who does some amazing reporting as you will hear in a moment, alluded to what was coming next for him and, sho’ ‘nuf – he’s the new Senior Editor at Escape Collective and I think it’s a match made in cycling heaven.
Today’s conversation with Joe is the result of some extensive research and reporting.
I don’t know what you think or believe about autonomous vehicles – AKA self-driving cars – or some of the functions that might no longer need a human to make decisions – but, I think you will find my conversation with investigative journalist Joe Lindsey fascinating!
After our break, we speak with the East Coast Greenway’s Dennis Markatos-Soriano.
With more than 1,000 completed miles of the 3,000 planned miles of the Maine to Florida ECG, it’s time to check in with executive director Dennis Markatos-Soriano to wrap up 2022 and dive into what’s happening in 2023 – and it’s a lot!
With a new initiative, Greenways For All, Dennis gives up some insight into the difference between – yes we want to make consequential changes for safer and better walking a biking – and what might be holding us back from seeing it happen.
You may remember in my last episode that I spoke about how so many publications – both print and online – have either ceased to exist, have become shadows of their formers selves, or have laid or and/or fired their very best reporters, editors, photographers, and more.
So, out of the ashes rises the phoenix as they say and that phoenix is called the Escape Collective.
Along with Caley Fretz, who was the editor in chief of Velo News, a slew of these top-notch journalists have come together to offer up a product just for you – not for advertisers, not for clicks or page views – just for you.
This is airing on March 11th, and the full site should launch in the next 7-10 days.
Escape Collective isn’t free – which is exactly the point – since we all know you get what you pay for!
I know there have been other ideas to bring a more cohesive product to the marketplace, but given the stellar players – Caley, James Huang, and others whose names you will recognize from their past work – and the commitment they are making, I think it’s going to be a huge success.
I hope you agree. Go to excapecollective.cc and take a look around. Remember, if you work in a bike shop, you can join for $10 a year. That’s less than a 6-pack of Great Lakes’ Dortmunder. (For those who live, work, drink in NE Ohio… and beyond)
I’ll have a new episode of the show up next week. And, in the meantime, I hope you stay safe, stay well and remember, there is always time for a ride. Bye Bye
Matt Noveskey, bass player for Blue October, stopped by The Heights ahead of the band’s show Friday night at The Agora. He talked with Zachary Sinutko and Emily Davala about Matt’s musical influences, the recording process, his hometown of Detroit, and more. Check out the interview below, and for an extended version check out 808s and Mixtapes Tuesday night on WJCU!
Since this is women’s history month, I had the honor of being interviewed by Traci Berry, the coordinator of Northwoods Trails in Arkansas for the Natural State Bikes Podcast. We chatted for over an hour, and I really appreciated her thoughtful inquiry.
You can hear that episode as well as others highlighting some of the bike world’s most interesting female voices on Spotify – there is a link on our website or you can find it on Spotify at Natural State Bikes – women of biking.
This episode of our podcast features Carolyne Whelan, the editor in chief of Adventure Cyclist Magazine. Carolyne is a poet, a journalist, a cyclist, and has a super interesting background that led her to the position she occupies today.
And, Adventure Cyclist Magazine, unlike many other cycling publications, is not only still standing, but is OUTstanding as it launches a new look for 2023.
After a break, we’ll meet two young people whose passion for safe roads for young people shows up in some very meaningful ways. Daniela Gomez, who lives and works in Bogota, Columbia, and Dilshod Kholmatov, who is in Tajikistan, both represent the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, a program that was launched by YOURS – Youth For Road Safety – a global organization that acts to make the world’s road safe for youth.
Seems that the problems of road safety are no different in Colombia, Tajikistan, or the U.S. Too many young people are being injured or killed on the roads and there is an international initiative that is fervently working on the problems.
From the “claimingourspace.org” website that invites young people to get involved to the YOURS academy, which is offering free modules to get you started on the path to road safety advocacy, Daniela Gomez and Dilshod Kholmatov are two of the spokespeople who are making a difference in their respective countries.
In separate but very impactful ways, both Daniela and Dilshod bring their amazing backgrounds to the table to effect meaningful change in their countries.
Joe Bonamassa is coming to the State Theater at Playhouse Square on Friday February 17. He joined Mort from the Blue Room ahead of the show to talk about his most recent album Time Clocks and his Keeping the Blues Alive foundation.
It is fitting that February is Black History Month as my first guest is author David Goodrich and his newest book, which will be released on Tuesday, February 7th, is titled, “On Freedom Road – Bicycle Explorations and Reckonings On the Underground Railroad.”
David Goodrich is a retired climate scientist, and in the first two books we reviewed with him, we learned about how people felt about climate change as he rode across the country and about the tar sands and their impact on the communities is as oil companies try to extract the “dirty oil” as it is known.
Now, in what might be almost prophetic, David has refocused his attentions on slavery in his new book, On Freedom Road, with an exploration of the Underground Railroad.
From “revisiting highway 61” (Bob Dylan fans will relate!) or the blues highway, all the way up into Canada, David gives us an intimate journey on the route.
In the second half of the show, I speak with Patrick Conlon, advisor and board member to BikeJC – Jersey City.
I have to admit I don’t know much about New Jersey but was really pleased to learn about cycling there from Bike JC’s board member, Patrick Conlon.
Just across the river from Manhattan, Jersey City is a very different kind of cycling community – and Bike JC has had a big hand in helping to expand protected bicycle lanes, institute a Vision Zero policy that actually works, and offer up a community event that everyone can enjoy.
Bike JC began about 13 years ago and, with an all-volunteer organization and advisory board, has grown organically. But the clout they’ve managed to muster has produced some great results and is a model many other mid-size cities might want to emulate.
My first guest is David Stanley and he is a friend Charles Pelkey, arguably one of the nicest guys to ever grace the pages of cycling journalism – along with a lot of other fine attributes.
Every once in a while, a really good guy gets a really bad deal… and in an effort to ease some of that burden, we’re going to see what we can do to help today.
If you ever participated in the Live Update Guy episodes – a mix of running commentary, a Monty-Python like atmosphere, and even some poetry – you will remember the witty and sometimes crazy, dialog between cycling journalists Patrick O’Grady and Charles Pelkey. They were joined, on line, by others who added their commentary to the mix.
If you don’t know about Charles, he was a Democratic State Legislator in Wyoming – okay, the ONLY Democratic State Legislator in the state, an attorney, a stellar and well-respected cycling commentator and journalist, a breast cancer survivor, a father, husband, and just about the nicest guy you would ever want to meet.
Unbeknownst to me, he has been suffering from a series of vascular issues that have required several major surgeries and hours and hours of anesthesia and when I received a message from Patrick this week, I knew I needed to delve into the situation.
My second guest is a professor of history at UVA – in the engineering department. And how those two come together is the topic of our conversation today as it relates to sustainability, mobility, and cycling.
Last week, I saw a Twitter post about the history of the automobile as it relates to pedestrians and how the “car culture” became as pervasive as it has, leading to so many deaths of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users – like cyclists.
The poster referenced a book by Dr. Peter Norton, an Assistant Professor of Engineering at UVA. The book is titled Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City (MIT Press) and Peter teaches history of technology, social dimensions of engineering, research, and professional ethics.
In our conversation, we cover a lot of the history of how the automobile became so dominant that the streets are no longer safe for our children.
I think you’ll find that the intersection of history and engineering explains a lot about how we are finding ourselves in a culture where the car is king and we are less than mere peons. And, please excuse a couple of places where Peter’s audio wasn’t perfect.
Happy New Year to you and I hope you had a great holiday season.
For our first show of 2023, I had the great good fortune to speak with one of cycling’s elite racers about his life, his family, his history in the sport, and his thoughts about the bicycle industry.
Wayne Stetina – in fact, the entire Stetina family – have had a stellar career in not only racing, but also incredibly valued input into what we ride and race today.
Wayne’s phenomenal memory of people, events, and topics will dazzle those who have an interest and curiosity into cycling – me included (and I thought I knew some stuff!)
For 37 years, Wayne was VP of North American Operations for Shimano.
From coining the phrase “never miss a shift” way back when Shimano introduced its first indexed shifting package to his comment that his favorite bike was always his most recent bike, Wayne has seen the evolution of bicycles up close and personal.
I hope you enjoy this extended conversation.
I hope you have had a great holiday – Christmas, Hanukkah, Qwanza, Festivus – and even just staying in and enjoying some down time. Certainly here in NE Ohio we had little choice with below zero temperatures, wicked winds, and blowing snow.
That however did not prevent me from putting together a short podcast for this week.
Despite the weather, sometimes it’s really nice to be living in one of those States that is doing something so right for cycling; and Ohio is one of them.
My first guest today is Jenn Hamelman. She’s the program director for the USBRS – United State Bicycle Route System. We’ve spoken with Jenn in the past and I wanted to wrap up 2022’s USBRS progress.
Turns out that Ohio has done some really cool things to make traveling through the State both safer and easier to follow.
And, the USBR system in just a few miles from crossing the 19,000 mile threshold.
Patrick Greenwood’s passion for Viet Nam and the events that happened in 1975 and beyond inspired his new book Sunrise in Saigon.
Patrick has taken his lifelong interest in the fall of Saigon and what happened in 1975 and incorporated it into a historical fictional story he wrote from what he knew growing up in the 70’s and what he experienced as he rode his bicycle through Viet Nam and on to Cambodia in 2012.
Growing up in the Virginia area in the 70’s, Patrick saw and lived through all the turmoil as soldiers came back, protests were staged, and Watergate and so many other political issues arose.
Patrick joined the military and met many of the soldiers who had advanced from corporal to higher up and heard their stories about the war – only he heard stories that weren’t published in the Washington Post or the NY Times.
Young Jack Kendall is the protagonist of the book, and he pondered many questions about what had happened. As he grew older, he knew that he had to take this journey and that it would have consequences.
What Jack discovers, and what many people at any stage of their lives will come to regret, is not making the journey will come to haunt them.
The story follows Jack Kendall, who is struggling with a failing marriage and poor health, as he embarks on a journey to meet a beautiful Vietnamese woman as well as find out what happened to the Lost U.S. Embassy and the Catholic nuns who helped with “Operation Babylift.”
Over the past twelve plus years, we’ve spoken with many frame builders and today, we have t he privilege of speaking with an American builder who has been living and working in Italy for several decades.
Darren Crisp didn’t start out as a frame builder – in fact, he has a degree in architecture, decided he wasn’t such a great architect, and began building very exclusive stores for an Italian company.
But, there’s so much more to the story and I’ll let him tell it.
I caught up with Darren in between his usual shop-time and home-time, which are separate and the same.
My thanks to Darren Crisp for the great conversation today.
Clearly Darren is someone who thinks deeply about his work, is easily able to articulates his ideas, and has a broad set of interests.
You can find out more at crisptitanium.com and follow him on social media.
Thank you for tuning in to TOC. I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Darren.
This episode is dropping on the night before Hannukah, so for all who celebrate, eat a latke for me and enjoy the holiday.
Next episode, we speak with Patrick Greenwood about his new novel, “Sunrise in Saigon.” It’s a self-discovery story about Jack Kendall as he bicycles through Viet Nam. In addition to the story, all the proceeds of the sales of the book go to a helmet program for the children of Viet Nam. Win-win!
We’re rounding third and heading home – both to the holidays and to the New Year.
2022 has been – um – interesting to say the least. We’ll take a look back at it after the New Year..
Today, we’re going to wrap-up our gift ideas for cyclists with Dan Cavallari. Dan thought about it and, as you’ll hear, has come up with a short list of things NOT to give a cyclist! I had to agree with him as these are items that cyclists tend to want to get for themselves or already have far too many in their stash.
Before we chat with Dan though, I want to introduce you to Madeline Bonsma-Fisher. Or more rightly, DR Madeline Bonsma-Fisher as the day before our conversation, she had her convocation to complete her PhD in physics. It’s apparently similar to what we do here in the States to defend a thesis.
Her work is in data analytics in the field of bacteria and virus interaction. I found it fascinating and would have focused on that, but as you may be wondering, what might THAT have to do with cycling. Well…
It seems that as a bicycle commuter for 10+ years and a member of Bike Ottawa, her data-oriented mind began musing about traffic and the stress of biking and walking and the inequities that occur when planning comes up against the reality of who lives where and the politics that often lead to inequities. She got hooked and pivoted to working on a project that has been funded by the University of Toronto Data Science Institute.
On the next episode of the show, you’ll meet titanium frame builder Darren Crisp. He’s from Texas but has lived and worked in Italy for several decades. His story is different from many of the builders we’ve spoken with over the years, and I think you’ll enjoy it.
This week we dive into part II of Dan Cavallari’s holiday gift ideas with a focus on cool things you might not necessarily need but wouldn’t mind seeing in your stocking or under the tree.
First though, we check in with my friend and colleague, Shannon Galpin. It’s been a while since we talked and much has transpired since our last conversation.
The amazing activist, author, artist, and human rights advocate is still working to evacuate more women, girls, and families from Afghanistan while helping to work with a variety of entities to place those who are stuck in a sort of limbo.
There are also some women who have resettled around the world and still need help – with education, bikes, housing, and most importantly a pathway to feeling accepted in their new countries.
There is still much work to do.
When I log in to chat with Dan Cavallari, he’s sitting in his garage with a microphone and computer, only it doesn’t look much like the inside of a garage. As a rabid product tester for a variety of entities, Dan’s garage actually looks more like the inside of a bike shop. This week, he gives us 5 picks for holiday ideas. Share with friends and family!
Dan Cavallari, The Slow Guy on the Fast Ride, joined me from his garage again. All the products we discussed, the Bivo Bottle, the Pearl shirt, the Endura bibs, the PNW tiny took, and the Tick”r Fit heart rate monitor are linked on our site, outspokencyclist.com.
Next time Dan and I will discuss those things you probably shouldn’t give a cyclist – so, family and friends – listen up. We’ll also speak with Dr. Madeline Bonsma-Fisher. She’s a physicist turned bicycle infrastructure researcher in Canada and her story is filled with fascinating ideas.
In our last episode, we spoke about the Davis Phinney Foundation and all the great work they are doing for folks with Parkinson’s Disease. That immediately turned into an inquiry ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 11/24/2022
As we approach the holiday season, I’ve put together several episodes highlighting charitable gift giving opportunities that relate to cycling. This episode focuses on Parkinson’s Disease and especially the Davis ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 11/12/2022
It’s been over 7 months since I last spoke with Dmitry Nechaev. When we last spoke, he had just left Russia and “fled” to Israel, something he was able to ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 10/15/2022
I want to begin with a question. How many times have you stood at or ridden up to an intersection and waited – and waited – and waited, for the ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 10/4/2022
On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to a young cycling journalist whose professional journey began in college. One thing that he says at the beginning of our conversation ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 9/21/2022
On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to a young cycling journalist whose professional journey began in college. One thing that he says at the beginning of our conversation ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 9/21/2022
Hello and welcome to TOC. I’m Diane Jenks and you are about to listen to episode #611 and, coincidentally, it is also the 12th anniversary of the show. Thank you ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 9/8/2022
On August 15th, the world lost yet another genius bicycle engineer. Although he was almost better known for his work with HPV’s – human powered vehicles that were recumbent bikes, ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 9/1/2022
On August 15th, the world lost yet another genius bicycle engineer. Although he was almost better known for his work with HPV’s – human powered vehicles that were recumbent bikes, ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 9/1/2022
It’s amazing that just a few months ago I was wondering where I would get fresh material for the podcast and now, I can barely keep up with all the ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 8/19/2022
It’s amazing that just a few months ago I was wondering where I would get fresh material for the podcast and now, I can barely keep up with all the ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 8/19/2022
The 2022 Pekar Park Comic Book Fest will take place on Saturday, August 20 at the Coventry library, PEACE Park, and Pekar Park. Suzanne DeGaetano of Mac’s Backs Books on ... Read moreBiblio Radio – August 11, 2022
Old Rock vs. New Rock welcomed Lacuna Coil to their show earlier this month ahead of the Inkcarceration Festival. Check out the full interview here!
Want to tour Italy? Want to tour Italy and learn about the culture, the food, the wine, and some of the areas many tour companies don’t visit? Heather Dowd, who ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 8/11/2022
Hello and welcome to the Outspoken Cyclist. Thanks for joining me today. He’s funny, irreverent, and now he’s FREE to be himself – 100% of the time. Gary Fisher, whose ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 8/3/2022
Today, the question is – What is possible by bike? With a new infrastructure bill, money in the coffers to build protected bike lanes and connect them, and more people ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 7/20/2022
The history of American Bike Racing is actually long, storied, and full of amazing characters. Peter Nye, who has probably forgotten more than any of us might ever have known ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 7/9/2022
Hello and welcome to TOC. I’m your host Diane Jenks; thanks for joining me today. This week, we are going to talk about sailing – and biking – and river ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 6/27/2022
With flowers in bloom and trees in full leaf, we look to put the cold weather behind us and take to the paths and trails. Which takes me to our ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 6/18/2022
Continuing Education Manager Heather Howiler and Technology Trainer Nia Turner introduce listeners to Heights Libraries’ new STEAM Lab.
My first guest is Dave Wiens, the executive director of IMBA – the International Mountain Bike Association. We’ve spoken with Dave in the past and I always learn so much ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 5/25/2022
This week we speak with Noa Bayanan. Noa is the Director of Federal Policy for the People for Bikes, and she helps us unpack the America’s Recreation Act of 2022. ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 5/9/2022
It’s a milestone. Today, is our 600th episode! Yep – 600… and looking back to that very first episode in September, 2010, it just doesn’t seem possible that it’s been ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 4/23/2022
This week, my guest is Paul Sadoff. Paul and I haven’t connected since our last conversation in 2014 and when I saw a post of his come up on FB, ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 4/16/2022
This week it’s a two-fer and I think both guests are well worth the listen! First, I want to introduce you to someone who I believe embodies what it means ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 4/9/2022
The Lake County Captains return to the diamond on April 8 against the Lansing Lugnuts, and WJCU.org and the WJCU app are your home for all the action! Join John ... Read moreLake County Captains Baseball Returns to WJCU April 8!
I’ve spent the last two weeks pondering about inflation, gas prices, transportation, and of course how cycling fits into all of it. When we spoke with Don DiCostanzo from Pedego ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist 3/29/2022
Adult services librarian John Piche introduces listeners to Heights Libraries’ new art lecture series: Impressionism.
This week’s show first takes us way back in history with one of the most decorated cyclists of his time and then brings us up to date with one of ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 3/12/2022
SPECIAL EPISODE Hello and welcome to a special episode of the Outspoken Cyclist. As the war in Ukraine continues to escalate and Vladimir Putin continues on his rampage, many of ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 3/3/2022
This week, I have one very interesting and savvy guest; one who sees his business, eBikes, a perspective from which the bicycle industry might consider taking a page. You may ... Read moreOutspoken Cyclist – 2/26/2022
My first guest is Matt Stoller, the research director at the American Economic Liberties Project. The organization is Non-profit and non-partisan, the organization is part of a growing, cross- ideological movement to combat monopolistic corporations and the systems that entrench their power.
But, what does that mean and how does their work relate to the bicycle business? In fact, it does – in a way that I think may both interest and infuriate you.
Matt’s article titled “The Bicycle Thieves” appeared his newsletter BIG on Substack back in January. In it, Matt calls out those who are trying to build a world without independent bicycle shops.
Over the past few decades, the bike industry has become more and more consolidated.
Where we used to see robust competition and innovation from the likes of Sun Tour and Stronglight, to name just a couple, we now see just Shimano with SRAM and Campagnolo running distant seconds and thirds and a smattering of companies treading water in the bottom of the barrel.
Where we saw independent bicycle shops literally on almost every corner in America, we now see Trek and Specialized “company stores” as the two behemoths buy up smaller independent shops with the intention to either take them over or shut them down.
The bicycle industry isn’t, of course, the only place this is or has been happening – consolidation and “vertical integration” has been going on in pharmacies, groceries, and, with Amazon in the mix, just about every other industry on the planet.
The antitrust laws and regulations that have been on the books for decades have been loosened, ignored, or conveniently disregarded with little political will to strengthen or enforce them.
This begs a big question for me (although there is more than one!) Is this a good thing? And, if so, for whom?
Is it possible that the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other direction and, is there political will to help it along?
In the second half of the show, I’m offering up an encore presentation of another iconic framebuilder – one who influenced our custom bicycle world for years and years. And, since it was his birthday this past week, I thought I’d bring him back.
Tom Kellogg may no longer be building frames, but his contributions to the artisan bicycle world were and continue to be immense. Happy Birthday to him and you can hear our conversation in the second half of the show.
Episode 6: Onward & Upward?
Dave sits down with a panel of historians to examine JCU’s past flirtation with making the jump to Division I athletics. It was a debate that continued from the 1920’s through the early 1980’s. Listen to learn all about the factors and decision-makers over that span, and the legacy and impact that can still be felt to this day.
This week has been really weird… I have guests lined up for the next couple of weeks, but whether it’s due to the weather, schedules, or just an “I’ve had enough” feeling, no new guests this week.
So, I thought I’d offer up a few news stories that have been buzzing around the bike world this week along with an encore presentation of an interview with the one and only Tom Ritchie. Recorded back in February, 2019, we have a splendid conversation!
So first up… the word game that is sweeping the internet – Wordle. If you’re a word-nerd like I am, you’ve probably already tried it. But, when I was growing up, we played a game we called Jotto – exact same premise. Come up with a 5-letter word, put it on the top of your page and fold down the paper so your opponent can’t see it, print the alphabet at the bottom of your paper, and start guessing your opponent’s word. There was no limit to the number of tries in Jotto, which is a bit different from Wordle since your opponent is the Internet.
NOW, it’s the hottest thing since index shifting – and for bike nerds, there’s… wait for it – Bikle! The premise? Find the surname of a cyclist that has 5 letters. Wanna’ play? Type in bikle on a browser… Not sure how many 5-letter surnames there are of past and present pro cyclists, but what the hell? It’s one word per day and you get 6 tries to figure it out.
Probably the most talked about story this week is what Specialized has decided to do – sell director to the consumer, bypassing the usual bike shop experience – and by extension, expertise in my opinion.
Apparently eating his own words from 10 years ago in a statement that went something like “we will never sell bikes over the Internet,” Mike Sinyard, founder and CEO of Speciailized has reversed course.
From letting dealers know to stories in every cycling publication, the announcement that SBI will have a white-glove delivery option directly to your door with a fully assembled bike is just the newest in a series of big changes in the bicycle world.
As you can imagine, dealers’ responses range from expletives to realizing they will just have to deal with it. You can read the options the company is offering in a piece on BicycleRetailer.com from January 27th. The new delivery options went into effect February 1st.
Another story that caught my attention is about America and Britain’s Got Talent Host and Star, Simon Cowell. Seems he might need training wheels as he was rushed to the hospital for a second crash on his eBike in 18 months. His first crash was in Malibu and resulted in a myriad of injuries including breaking vertebrae in his back; this one was in the U.K. and he’s now sporting a cast on one arm. This second crash was a header on slippery pavement – and, apparently, he’s considering wearing a helmet in the future.
For those who have “been around” a long long time, you may remember an apparel company by the name of Kucharik. Fabricating really fine wool cycling apparel since 1980, founder Jon Kucharik passed away in 2008 at the age of 93. He never wavered from his commitment to the natural fabrics.
His son, John Jr. kept the company operating but has decided to close the business saying, I’m going to turn 69 pretty soon,” It’s really sad because I have a lot of customers. But I’ve been promising my wife to travel and to do some stuff.”
Another piece of bicycle history going down in the history books.
And, if you are waxing nostalgic on that story, the incomparable Sheldon Brown was remembered this week. He passed away February 4, 2008. Brian and I met him at one of the trade shows a couple of years before he died. He was a fascinating guy with a crazy smart brain. His site lives on, with all of its amazing content, because of his wife Dr. Harriet Fell and bicycle aficionado John Allen. sheldonbrown.com
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention Egan Bernal. The young talented pro crashed into the back of a bus on a training ride ending up in the ICU and eventually having several surgeries to put him back together.
On February 3rd, he stated that he “almost died but I’m back as he revealed the outrageous injury list describing his last surgery as the most difficult race of his life.
He seems to be thinking he’ll be back though. Sending him healing vibes for sure.
So, let’s take a short break and then it’s our encore presentation of my interview with Tom Ritchey. You’re listening to TOC.
Tom Ritchey says that he owes a lot to his father and, from teaching him to repair tubular tires to brazing a broken frame, Tom learned from his Dad – and did he ever learn!
Probably one of the most prolific idea men in our sport, Tom is credited with “firsts’ dating back to 1974 with his twin plated crown forks and rolling into frames, tubing, bottom brackets, forks, and so many other things.
The following is the conversation we had back in February, 2019. I’ hope you enjoy it.
It is such an honor and a privilege to be able to talk with some of the most interesting, influential, and forward thinking people in our industry and Tom Ritchie is one of them.
Framebuilder Lester Janssen started out as a bike messenger years ago and then found out there were such things as custom bikes – right there in Amsterdam. He never looked back
Starting out with a famous frame builder many years ago and- using just a file and hacksaw as he says, he struck out on his own in 2016 armed with knowledge, skills, and a whole slew of new tools.
Lester builds fillet brazed custom steel bikes, beautifully crafted, one off in a shop that sits in a really cool building right in the port of Amsterdam.
Our conversation today runs from his history, through the pandemic and his experiences with supply chain issues, to what he sees as his future in the bicycle world.
Looking forward to some new places to ride this year? How about the Endless Mountains of NE Pennsylvania?
I knew about the Endless Mountains because my sister lived there for a short time many years ago.
What I didn’t know was how rife the area was for riding options – from a 400 mile bike packing loop that will open up this year to 4 triathlons over the summer and early fall.
The EMHR as it’s known, is 4-couny area of NE Pa.tht covers 2,850-square mile area encompassing Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
Cain Chamberlain, Executive Director, and Donna Ianonne, a board member and county commissioner, give us the background of the area and an overview of what you can do, where you can stay, and some of the great opportunities coming up for 2022.
We begin today with Ash Lovell from People for Bikes. Her official title is Electric Bicycle Policy and Campaign Director and our topic is important and timely.
If you ride an eBike or are considering purchasing one, you will eventually need to consider the disposal of your used-up battery. The estimated lifespan is about 5 years – although I don’t have a good translation of that in hours and/or miles.
During the Consumer Electronics Show a couple of weeks ago, Ash was a presenter at CES and the topic was about a new program for recycling eBike batteries.
Partnering with manufacturers and bike shops, People For Bikes is leading the campaign to make sure these batteries are appropriately recycled so they don’t end up in landfills.
Then, we check in with one of my favorite industry people – Craig Calfee.
Craig and I have known each other for a very long time and I have a heap-o-respect for his work, the way he looks at our industry, and the efforts he puts in to share his knowledge and expertise across the globe.
While carbon fiber has become the “material of choice” among virtually every manufacturer, Craig still pushes the envelope with his ideas and designs.
Today, we talk about the Calfee Nautilus carbon wheelsets, what’s selling at his manufacturing facility, eBike conversion kits, his carbon repair business, and more
Yes – this is a mid-week episode and I really enjoyed the conversation with my guest, Ian Cleverly.
Ian is the executive editor of Rouleur – arguably one of the best magazines about cycling on the market today. With a history of covering racing, the editors changed it up in 2021 and have broadened their topics to include issues on women, people of color, and disabled athletes.
As more and more publications disappear from newsstands, and even from subscription, Rouleur is one lovely magazine that is still not only being published, but is thriving!
In fact, issue #1 of Rouleur is a hot commodity on the market, if you can find one, fetching a tidy sum.
Ian, who is stuck at home like many of us, is a fun conversationalist and I really enjoyed the time we spent chatting. I hope you enjoy our conversation too.
In an unprecedented move (wow – I got to use that word… even though I believe it’s about the most overused word in our lexicon these days…) I am offering up two separate podcast episodes this week.
I had two great interviews and, rather than one really LONG show, I thought two shorter shows, with two extremely diverse topics, would be more interesting AND I get to talk with you twice in one week!
So, the SECOND episode this week will launch on Wednesday!
Today, however, we mosey on over to Lisbon, Portugal (I wish it was in person, but alas, ’tis not possible.)
Scott Shepard is the CCO and CPO of Asistobe, a new-ish start-up with an office in Lisbon. Asistobe is a relatively new start-up company that uses AI to optimize public transport and multimodal systems.
Asistobe and Scott are looking at just that right “nudge” as Scott calls it, that will make it easy, convenient, and desirable to NOT get behind the wheel of your car every time you go out and instead begin to rely on more convenient, less expensive, and cleaner transportation.
We will explore mobility and transportation from the perspective of using digital data to make it easier and more efficient to travel by bike and public transportation.
Our conversation covers much more, expanding on what traditional thoughts might be about urban planning to what Scott called “decarbonization.”
This past week, Las Vegas hosted the Consumer Electronics Show – AKA CES, in Las Vegas – in person as well as virtually.
First held in 1967 in NYC, it was a spinoff off of the Chicago Music Show.
Every year, the event showcases the latest and greatest in technology and this year, I wanted to poke around and see what cycling innovations might be coming up for us in 2022 and beyond.
Leave it to Apple to look for an opportunity and this year, the Apple watch is looking to bring cycling tech to newer riders, eBike enthusiasts, and upgrade some of the features previously available on their wrist wearable.
Lexy Savvides is a tech geek – her words not mine – and her article for CNet, where she is a producer and writer, “How the Apple Watch Could Turn You Into A Serious Cyclist in 2022” caught my attention.
In addition to the Apple watch and its many cycling features, Lexy tells us about a few jaw-dropping products that are in various stage of development – like a BMW that changes colors right before your eyes and a humanoid robot name Ameca.
In the second half of the show, we head out to Albuquerque, NM to speak with Tom Parker. He’s a civil engineer, a rabid cycling enthusiast, and the ride director for what sounds like one of the coolest cycling events for 2022 – The Day of the Tread Ride.
I wanted to hear about something that was different, fun, and WARM!
Loosely patterned on a Day of the Dead motif, this ride has morphed over the years into many in-person ride routes, each with its own fun theme, and several virtual options.
While not everyone wants to don a costume and ride, those who do will be joined my hundreds more at Day of the Tread.
This 15 year old event takes place in Albuquerque right around Halloween and with a plethora of options for ride lengths and some really worth charitable beneficiaries, maybe booking a trip to New Mexico in October could be on YOUR bucket list.
We’re starting the year with a talk about health – what is it, how to get it, and why 60% of people living today will become diabetic if they don’t change their evil ways!
My guest is Dr. Gabe Mirkin, At 87, he’s still one of the sharpest, most well-informed physicians on the planet. In this conversation, we cover everything from how blood sugar works to intermittent fasting to the need to just get up and get moving.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has served as an assistant professor at the University of Maryland, teaching a course based on his book The Sportsmedicine Book from 1976-1980. He served as a teaching fellow at Johns Hopkins Medical School, and an associate clinical professor in pediatrics at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.
When Dr. Gabe isn’t out riding his recumbent tandem with his wife Diana, he’s reading and researching science and medicine and offering his research and findings to you in the form of a free weekly newsletter.
Today, we talk about preventing diseases such as diabetes and dementia and how what we eat and what we do matter.
After the break, I want to introduce you to a fresh voice for women’s cycling. Amy Jones is a journalist who focuses her work on women’s cycling and often from the “human interest” perspective.
In the first half of our conversation, we just talk generally about women’s cycling and how it’s changing – especially on the World Tour.
In the second half of our conversation though, we address the elephant in the room – or should I say the enigma that is Patrick LeFevre.
Amy recently penned an article for Cyclingtips.com that probably made some jaws drop for the sheer guts it took to write it. Titled “Does Women’s Cycling Even Want Patrick LeFevre?” the article explores Mr. LeFevre’s sudden about-face from apparently not giving a damn about women’s cycling to sponsoring a women’s development team. Wait – WHAT?\
It’s quite an interesting topic…
The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating daily – famine, illness, and now a world that seems to be looking away, is making evacuating women – especially women athletes – cyclists – more dangerous and fraught with more complications.
It all begs the question – one that has been asked over and over – what is keeping the cycling community from helping to evacuate, resettle, and protect Afghan cyclists? The ones who are out, or about to be evacuated, are not the entire story – and in fact their stories are ongoing anyway.
If we can perhaps agree that the way the situation in Afghanistan was handled badly in the beginning, it has only become more difficult without the attention and financial support that was there at the start and has since gone away.
This is not a “pretty holiday story” – it is one that I believe should be told and that whatever we can each do – whether it is to donate money or offer help in whatever form works – NOW is the time to do it.
Shannon Galpin joined me from her home in Scotland – Evacuation HQ to be sure! You can find out more about the situation as it continues to unfold and make a donation at fundly.com/support-Afghan-cyclists. Shannon posts updates fairly often. The other organization she mentioned is iProbono – a human rights organization at i-probono.com.
Instead of the usual gift giving product reviews we’ve done for many years, I thought we’d change it up with an idea that has meaning for so many of us – climate change.
Dov Tate is the founder of Parcours – a wheel company in the U.K. As a triathlete he thought wheelsets were too expensive. As an engineer at Oxford, he conducted a groundbreaking study into bicycle wheel aerodynamics with Dr Steve Faulkner at the sports engineering department of Nottingham Trent University. The resulting study produced what is now Parcours – his wheel manufacturing company that offers a variety of models.
Now, Parcours is partnering with Ecologi, a program that offers a variety of options to fight climate change – in particular, Parcours has given each of its wheelsets a “watts saving” number and that, in turn, is the number of trees that will be planted with every pair of wheels sold. Win – win!
Today, we’re going to talk about FAT and why it is important to INCLUDE as opposed to EXCLUDE fat in your diet.
Of course, that doesn’t mean just any fat – there’s good fat and bad fat and Natalie Rizzo, who is a registered sports dietician with a Masters in Science and who recently wrote an article for Runner’s World titled “How Much Fat Should Runners Eat Per Day? will help break it all down.
I figured that if it’s good enough for runners, it’s certainly good enough for cyclists.
Natalie Rizzo is a registered dietician in NYC and her goal is to teach you how to use science-based sports nutrition techniques to feel and perform at your best. You can find out more about Natalie and her work on her website.
There are 5 E’s of a League of American Bicyclist’s “Bicycle Friendly Community:”
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): A Bicycle Friendly America for Everyone
Engineering: Creating safe and convenient places to ride and park
Education: Giving people of all ages and abilities the skills and confidence to ride
Encouragement: Creating a strong bike culture that welcomes and celebrates bicycling
Evaluation & Planning: Planning for bicycling as a safe and viable transportation option
Amelia Neptune is the director of the Bicycle Friendly America Program and recently the League announced 57 new Bicycle Friendly Communities for 2021.
I wanted to know how a BFC title is awarded, how the designations – from bronze to titanium – are determined, and how things have changed since the program was first initiated in 1995.
Episode 5: Towers & Tunnels
We look to confirm and debunk various aspects of the history and reality regarding the Grasselli Clock Tower and a “secret” tunnel system below campus. Come along as Dave and a few friends take you to heights and depths most Blue Streaks have never traveled before!