Monthly Archives: December 2011

E057 – Pedal Powered Family

December 25, 2011Bicycling, Downsizing, Family, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

A Happy Christmas to all, and to all another great archived interview. The Pedal Powered Family consisting of Reuben, Heidi, Eden, and Harper have been on the road now for some time, giving their children a unique opportunity to discover the world while taking hold of a personal dream themselves.

With them we discuss British Columbia, warmshowers.org, the route (and their progress on a map here), website and blog, Voodoo Doughnuts, their bikes & setup (including a genius DIY sun/rain cover), their Portland visit, interruptions, employment – being self employed and leveraging an extended leave of absence, email, facebook & twitter, traveling with kids and listening to their schedules, less time working hard & going fast, routine is good, heading south into Mexico & South America, then to the east coast, other modes of transport: rental car & train, simple living: finance & reducing expenses, minimalizing

Brock & Brandon discuss their own holiday traditions, what counts as a Northwestern state, TriMet free rides on New Year’s Eve before the interview. Also Brandon suggests sharing Brock’s Xmas Mixtape.

Mailbag
JohnnyK sends his comment to E54, as does Logan.

Fine Print
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
twitter: @SprocketPodcast
phone in or SMS: 503-847-9774
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)

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E056 – Jena Robinson

December 19, 2011Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Gardening, Kitchensprocketpodcast

This week we talk to old friend Jena Robinson, who currently lives in the Nashville, Tennessee region, about her work with food reclamation and helping to meet needs. We discuss: Nashville Greenlands, the Lents neighborhood of Tennessee, a work cooperative arrangement, dumpster diving, Nashville Food Project, garden management, meal delivery, working yourself out of business, primitivism leanings, accounting for non-financial costs, ethnic diversity in the community, etc.

While trying to connect with Jena, we weren’t sure if we’d connect with her and in a panic invited our wives to sit down with microphones and BS a bit. It REALLY is a little rambly, due to the hosts’ ill-preparedness, and not to be ascribed to our wives. Topics include bicycling accidents, coffee overnighters, new helmets, etc.

We also discuss regional Pacific Northwest accents, and also historical ones a la Daniel Day-Lewis. And Brock is looking to have coffee or beer with Boston area listeners in the last two weeks of December.

Mailbag
Street Books is hosting a book drive. By this week it’s already happened but you can check their wish list and make donations here.

Logan sends us an article on the Oregon Trail game from Dave Knows Portland!

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Stickers are now available!

December 16, 2011Advocacy, Bicycling, Businesssprocketpodcast

Just in time – perhaps a tad late for Christmas, but for personal holiday of the heart, we’ve received our first run of bike-sized stickers from Bike Punk and want to make them available to you if you want one. Here’s what the stickers look like (they are about 4 inches in width):

Here’s the deal: we’d like to send these to anyone who wants them for a minimal donation. The stickers cost about 50 cents to make, these days a stamp is about 50 cents, and PayPal’s fees are about 30 cents plus a small cut of the donation amount. So if you can send us a donation of $1.50 we can send you one sticker; add another 50 cents for each additional sticker you would like sent to you. Remember to specify which color scheme (black background or white background) and amounts you wish for, and above all, include your address so we know where to send your sticker!

Portland residents can message us and arrange cash for the stickers at just 50 cents each, and Brock or Brandon might be able to deliver them personally! Or say hello if you see us in public and ask if we have some on us.

Bike Punk prints on USA-made vinyl with eco-conscious ink using renewable energy and a really neat printer! They also have a delightful assortment of their own sticker designs, among other things.

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Brock + Brandon

E055 – Alex Roth: The Pepper Peddler

December 13, 2011Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Brewing, Cargo, Coffee, Communication, Kitchen, Technology, Travelsprocketpodcast

This week we’re privileged to interview Alex Roth, founder of a Davis, CA based business that roasts and distributes coffee around a bicycle-based infrastructure. Learn more at thepepperpeddler.com We discuss: misconceptions about The Pepper Peddler, roasting peppers, inspired by Burlingame Pizza, Davis mayor names the unofficial coffee of the city, Trek in the Park, he’s like a drug dealer, Four Loko drives regulation, HUB’s 7-Grain Coffee Infused Stout, the roasting setup with cycle mechanism and propane heat, business flux, roasting as a team and the Post-Roast Toast, delivery and pre-sales, coffee politics and economics, the “milkman” model of delivery, the kids that deliver the coffee and the fleet of bikes, rain pay (!), coffee origins and fair trade/organics, regional taste, describing flavors shouldn’t cause insecurity, a rough sketch of coffee economy, local food sources, seasonal orders, the special dark roast, the roaster’s blend, Fox 40 news spot, and lastly Alex’s bands The Mad Cow String Band and the West Nile Ramblers.

Mailbag
from David Heddy: “Very important discovery today…Brandon has talked about this several times.”

from Logan: “Whoah! Big news! Alan and Michael are closing up shop at EcoVelo! ‘Times they are achangin‘’ to quote Bob Dylan.” (we also mention this atrocious song from Dylan’s xmas project)

from Radimar: Portland is near the top of the list of Cities With Strangest People. True.

From StreetBooks: a book drive happening December 15th in Portland

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E054 – Franklin Jones: B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery

December 5, 2011Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Technologysprocketpodcast

This week we talk with Franklin Jones, founder and visionary for Portland-based B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, the company that delivers cargo to businesses by electrically assisted tricycle. We discuss the difference between a courier service and established route delivery, their delivery radius, Dave’s Killer Bread, working for David Evans & Associates, B-Line’s beginnings and the Boston-based company (MetroPed) that helped inspire it, contracting with the city’s office suppliers, the re-opening of the Morrison Bridge, Cycles Maximus Trikes and the Stites Design Truck Trike, bridge problems, B Corporations as a new business movement, working with nonprofits like Sisters of the Road, etc.

Brock talks about getting his saddle stolen and his new security configuration, And Brandon briefly describes his insomnia while enjoying a candy cane.

Mailbag
Gus gave us the whole quote: “”Lies, damned lies and statistics” -Mark Twain

Filmed By Bike says: “Thanks for talking about Filmed by Bike Lounge at Bike Craft! Hope to see you there. Come hang out in The Lounge with us. BTW – you should have Amos on more often. Your threesome was hilarious.”

Carl sends a care package of links: picture of a bike for 10, and some great bike stickers at http://peacesupplies.org/; and in response to Brandon’s turkey stuffing photo: “I am not even going to look at a grown man “stuffing” a turkey. Aren’t there laws in Oregon about that kind of behavior? Isn’t he married now? I am saying that now but perverted curiosity may get the best of me….”

JohnnyK comments: “You guys rock! I think I am going to post something for every show now. Something totally off subject and useless. It’s not like I am going to offend anyone since I am the only one that is posting on the website. BTW is your mailbag a pannier, messenger, or backpack?”and also gives some posterior boil advice. Then he donates enough for two growlers, so I guess we have to read his comments 😀

The Belle Starrs send us their sexy, sexy new calendar as a Christmas gift along with a sweet note. If you’re interested, you can get one here.

Headlines
Portland Transport: TriMet considers Bus Rapid Transit options
REI via listener Blayne: a great article about Merino Wool and how to choose yours
TriMet Diaries: what to do when a fare inspector boards your MAX train
BikePortland: Pedal Powered Talk Show begins production in Portland
BikePortland: historic and legendary “Bike Swarm” in solidarity with Occupy movement