Monthly Archives: April 2021

E563 – David Plotz, Podcaster & DC Bike Commuter



Close up photo of David Plotz, a white man with glasses, bald head, and salt and pepper beard, in an orange t-shirt and blue jacket

David Plotz, podcaster extraordinaire, joins Joan and Armando to talk about bike commuting in Washington, DC, his new podcast venture, City Cast, and how we can explore the world without making it worse. Or can we? Plus, David threatens to start a rival bike podcast!

Follow David on Twitter and learn more about City Cast (and listen in Chicago and Denver).

Headlines
‘The pandemic trade-off’: Some parents are reassessing which kids’ activities feel safe
From the Washington Post: “With most kids’ team sports suspended or restricted because of concerns about covid, parents have been reassessing which activities feel safe and which seem risky. It’s led to some unorthodox trade-offs, as people turn away from traditional team sports and start looking at alternative sports in a new light. Skateboard sales jumped 75 percent last year compared with 2019… mountain bike sales increasing by 75 percent in 2020. Baseball and softball equipment sales dropped 17 percent, and soccer and football equipment fell more than 10 percent. Hordes of new skateboarders and cyclists may be a bright spot in the decades-long trend of declining physical activity rates among kids. Some wonder whether the shift will become part of a broader trend away from highly structured team sports and toward more free-range forms of physical activity.”

Pedalpalooza is on! Organizers announce three-month festival to start in June
From BikePortland: Portland’s favorite free fun festival of bike rides and events will make a big return in 2021… Organizers of Pedalpalooza announced Thursday this year’s fest will last three months — from June through August. Since Covid-19 and its variants are still very much circulating in the community, the emphasis this year will be on smaller rides.

 

FinePrint
Produced at home thanks to:

music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & Instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, dudeluna, Emma Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.


E562 – Henry Grabar Talks Parking, Infrastructure, and Secretary Pete



Headshot of Henry Grabar. Shows a man with short brown hair and white skin wearing a gray tshirt and blue blazer against a dark background.

 

Parking geeks and non-parking-geeks rejoice! Slate staff writer Henry Grabar gives us the deep dive on parking, along with insights on bike lanes, gentrification, city street changes during the pandemic, Biden’s infrastructure plan, Secretary Pete, his high school bike commute in New York City, and more. Henry is writing a book on parking, and you can follow him on Twitter.

HEADLINES

‘Hill killerz’ trend has managed to make climbing hills fun
Armando and Joan are killing hillz this spring, organized by Maria Schur, Bicycle Kitty. BikePortland has a great write-up.

Cycling across Europe in the pandemic
Thanks to J. Leko for sending us this BBC World Service video! “Over a billion euros has been invested in cycling across Europe since the start of the pandemic. Some of the continent’s biggest cities are being transformed as people seek alternative, safer, greener ways to move around. Anna Holligan travels across Europe to see how people are getting on their bikes and asks if the surge in cycling is the start of a much bigger change in the way we travel.”

EVENTS

No events this week.

MAIL

Thanks to Tim Mooney and J. Leko for sending us questions for Henry! J. also has some tool suggestions and questions for Guthrie, which we’re holding til he hosts next.    

 

Fine Print
Produced at home thanks to:
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Rory in Michigan, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Emma Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, @Five.Oh.Three, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.


E561 – BikePOC



 

BikePOC PNW

This week we catch up with the folks @BikePOCPNW, Will Cortez, Sukho Viboolsittiseri, and Silas Sanderson about their experiences in the Portland and PNW cycling community.

HEADLINES

No headlines this week.

EVENTS

No events this week.

MAIL

No mail this week – send us something fun to read perhaps? If you let us know your address Guthrie will send you a handwritten letter with a special drawing.  

EVENTS
Free bike education every 4th Wednesday with Courtney Williams at 6pm Eastern, NYC Bike Mayor, via Zoom – find out more on Instagram at @thebrownbikegirl

Fine Print
Produced at home thanks to:
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Rory in Michigan, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, @Five.Oh.Three, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.


E560 – Avoiding Polar Bears with Polly Bledsoe



 

Polly Bledsoe

Polly In Alaska Wilderness with bike Polly Bikepack Stealth Camp Polly Near Denali Polly Near North Pale

This week we catch up with Polly Bledsoe, bikepacker, polar bear dodger, and pdx ride extraordinaire!

Keep up with the rides in Portland at pdxunityride

What’s a microaggression? (link)
Off The Chain Anchorage
Momoko Saunders

HEADLINES
All Bodies on Bikes

“Kailey Kornhauser and Marley Blonsky are on a mission – a mission to change the idea that people in larger bodies can’t ride bikes. The duo aims to make cycling more inclusive, beyond just inviting people of all sizes to ride bikes, but by changing the entire idea of what it means to be a cyclist — not just on screens, but on trails and in people’s minds.” This is a new short film from Shimano. 

EVENTS

Biking for Big People Webinar, April 13 & April 22, 5:30pm PT, led by Marley and Kailey, covers issues of concern to bigger folks on bikes, including gear like types of bikes that work for larger bodies, seat choice, and clothing, and has practical tips for shopping at bike shops, shifting, gears, building endurance, bike fit, pain while riding, and much more. 

Would also be great for folks who lead bike clubs and groups, to think about making your events inclusive to a range of folks. 

MAIL

No mail this week – send us something fun to read perhaps? If you let us know your address Guthrie will send you a handwritten letter with a special drawing.  

EVENTS
Free bike education every 4th Wednesday with Courtney Williams at 6pm Eastern, NYC Bike Mayor, via Zoom – find out more on Instagram at @thebrownbikegirl

Fine Print
Produced at home thanks to:
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Rory in Michigan, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, @Five.Oh.Three, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.