Category Archives: Adventure

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

March 4, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Family, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Tony Deis of Trackers Earth joins us to talk about outdoor education, survival skills, and the value of community, and we make some connections to our interests in simpler living and bicycling. You might be surprised how much talk there is about LARPing, and how telling and participating in stories influences the way we think about the world around us.

Also: Oscars, our upcoming bicycle tour, ring bearers & Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Headlines
How We Roll: new covered bike parking improves transit access in Forest Grove

Urban Adventure League: Shawn gives a rundown on traveling with a bike

Mail
Newest sustaining donors Wayne & Roger join our crew; Roger invites us to drop in when we bike through Santa Cruz!

Former guest Guthrie Straw says that the bike shop equivalent of “Stairway to Heaven” is “Bicycle Race” by Queen.

The Bicycle Film Festival, Portland happens Saturday, March 15 at 6:30pm at the Clinton Street Theater.

Keith in Walla Walla approves of Thunder Island Brewing.

JohnnyK asks: “Would it be possible to post a link to the XRAY.fm version of the show for those of us that are not within range to hear it over the air?”

Drew corrects Brock on his dynamo hub light and shares his ride down the California coast (a post on it on crazyguyonabike).

Jame shares a hilarious story about failed flirtation on light rail.

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)
Thanks to sustaining donors Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby & Wayne Norman for supporting our show costs.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E168 – Guthrie Straw: Tours Near & Far

January 28, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Guthrie Straw grew up in Oregon and leads bicycle tours with Cycle Portland Bike Tourswhen he’s not enjoying longer bicycle tours of his own. After he and Brock met during the Filmed By Bike jury screenings, they decided to record a show together, which also led to some interesting discussion about Ketchikan, Alaska and outdoor leadership dynamics.

Also: fossil fuel divestment (OPB & Alison Wiley), former co-host Brandon’s new businessRolling Oasis, pedestrian assumptions & motorized vehicle proliferation.

Headlines
Multimodal Alaska Adventures: some poetry, a bus story, and ruminations on privilidge

Bike Safe Boston: a field guide to predicting vehicle driver behvior

BikePortland: Travel Oregon needs your input on bicycling in the Columbia River Gorge!

Mail
Robert explains why the London elevated cycleway doesn’t make sense.

Card from Richard in TX!

JohnnyK says “You can force sound into a persons ear but you cannot make them a listener.”

Dan in MN will bike to Portland someday.

Ginny twitters about #RAGBRAI.

Ethan Seltzer from Pedal Power & E049: saw this article and thought of us.
Tim chimes in: “Now THAT’s a cool recumbent!”
Stay tuned for our interview with Organic Transit’s Rob Cotter and ELF owner Lorraine later this week!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E165 – Mr. Bob Crispin: Making a Mountain Bike

January 7, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Building, Car Ownership, History, Mountain Biking, Train Travelsprocketpodcast

Mr. Bob Crispin lived near some sweet singletrack in the seventies and wanted a bike that was up to the task; since one wasn’t available, he put one together himself. We chat with Bob about making a little bicycle design history. It currently on display at Velo Cult Bike Shop & Tavern in Portland, OR.

Mr. Bob’s Tankagnolo is extensively documented, and he was kind enough to share some of the photos and press about this bicycle. Click here for an archive, and enjoy the gallery of photos below:

Aaron & Brock also discuss Brock’s most recent crosscountry Amtrak journey, books on the future of reading, and stripped out saddle parts.

Headlines
BikePortland: Marilyn Hayward, owner of Coventry Cycles, tries to rebound from serious crash
The Verge via The Stickman: Architects propose 136 miles of elevated cycleway in London

Mail
A Donation from Logan! Thanks!

Gus shares the innovative recyclables-for-transit-fare trade option available in Bejing.

Christopher in WY shares the heartwarming story of the 66 year old man who won the race across Sweden after being barred from official entry due to his age.

Former guest Sally on twitter:
“Caught up with a few back episodes of the @SprocketPodcast kinda like binge watching The Walking Dead.”

Daniel on Elly Blue’s Amtrak kerfuffle & Texan travel advice for bicyclists.

Patrick in Davis CA wishes us a happy new year and compares Thunder Island Brewing toBerryessa Brew Co. wishing both the best of success.

Nick on twitter shares a tallbike with tandem chain setup, cable steering, adjustable height and disassembles for travel.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E164 – Thunder Island Brewing, Cascade Locks OR

December 30, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Brewing, Business, Camping, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Who would have thought that some of the best beer available in Oregon was accessible to hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and touring cyclists in the Columbia River Gorge? And who would have thought that it would be possible with a simple trail project to make it an easy day’s ride from Portland by bike?

We talk with Dave & Dan from Thunder Island Brewing about adventure, business, and brewing, and do some tasting of their fine beverages! Cascade Locks, Oregon just got a whole lot cooler, and you should take a weekend camping trip to figure out why!

Happy 2013, all, and a happy 2014 as it dawns on us! All the best,

Brock & Aaron

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E160 – Michael Andersen: The Real Estate Beat

December 3, 2013Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, History, Housing, The Law, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Michael Andersen is a writer for BikePortland.org who covers a wide variety of low-car lifestyle topics, including his Real Estate Beat which aims to explore how property owners are making it easier to live without a car in the city’s rental market. We discuss presidential microphones and bike rides, low-car buildings & economic difficulties, how inclusionary zoning could help the situation, and the new micro-apartments being planned in the downtown and Hollywood districts.

Aaron & Brock also discuss the Critical Transit podcast, Bikecraft, renting a Prius, and dynamo lighting.

Headlines
BikePortland: the Oregon Outback gets organized
Diamond Cut Life: subtraction for the holidays

Mail
Tim in DC updates us on the Frontier Airlines bicycle policy.

Glenn in Edmonton on twitter has “become a big fan of the vibe of @SprocketPodcast” and links to a video of his snowy commute featuring birds! also, what does #yegbikemean?

Dan from MN texts in to say he enjoyed the show on bike moves!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E159 – Steph Routh: How To Move By Bike

November 26, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, The Lawsprocketpodcast

Steph Routh helps move people from one house to another by bike, and has helped with 61 of them. Now she’s written a book about it! Funded on Kickstarter and alreadylampooned by Bike Snob NYC (there is no greater praise). We talk to her about how it all works.

Aaron & Brock also discuss Cranksgiving!

Headlines
BTA infographic via BikePortland
Popular Mechanics via Logan: 10 Ingenious Bike Hacks
BikePortland: Organic Transit Velomobiles consider production in Portland

Mail
Listener Dion twitters a great story to us about Tommy Goodwin’s 1939 record for cycling 100,000 miles!

Glenn from Marrowstone Island comments on Ozette Lake & the origin of Kickapoo Joy Juice.

Marcus sends a donation for which we are grateful!

Doug in MN also donates, and knows both Listener Dan & guest Shawn Granton.

Professor Arnold from Stuart Hall School in Staunton VA explains empiricist perspectives on why I might have perceived the tempo of our theme music differently. We love our smart listeners.

Lastly, Dias from Sao Paulo comments on E144 with Cory Poole.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E158 – Shawn Granton does the Pacific NW

November 18, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Touring, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

Shawn Granton is the adventurous individual responsible for the Urban Adventure League and many exciting events relating to bikes, fun, and travel. He joins us this week to share some stories about his recent travels to the San Juan Islands and other spots around the Pacific Northwest.

Laura Recker is coordinating Cranksgiving Portland 2013, an event happening at Velo Cult consisting of an alleycat race & a giving campaign for Outside In! Brock interviews her about Cranksgiving & other alleycat races, moving to Portland from Minneapolis (and the difference in those cities’ weather systems), and Coalition Brewing’s Imperial Stout.

Aaron & Brock discuss Aaron’s stolen bike, Lance & Becky Poehler’s bike move. Brock shares Purple & Orange’s song from our fundraising rewards at the end of the show – get the bike songs EP here!

Headlines
Streetsblog: Delaware drops “share the road” from signage
[the controversial sign design will be replaced with these two:]

Mail
Dan Flores sends in a TEDx talk from Kent Frankovich of Revolights, an innovative lighting method that illuminates forward and rearward from your wheels.

Albany Tweed Ride is inspired by early morning coffee rides.

Robert from Ocean Shores WA donates to us – thanks! He wants to tour, got a cargo trike for hauling his kids around, and shares the “invisible” helmet solution.

Marcus from Chicago redesigned our podcast icon! It’s awesome.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E157 – Chris & Kelley: Sunrise Coffee Club

November 11, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Brewing, Camping, Kitchen, Racing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Christopher & Kelley of the Sunrise Coffee Club talk about early morning coffee-making rides, touring, and food, including eggnog! Kelly brought cookies, too – and they were good.

Listeners Phoebe & Dave from Boston were also in the room and provided beverages! Phoebe chips in on our discussion of hauling laptops by bike, and Dave adds to our consideration of plantains.

Cranksgiving Portland 2013 is an event happening at Velo Cult consisting of an alleycat race & a food drive for those in need! We’ll have a little interview with Laura Recker who is coordinating this event in next week’s show.

Aaron & Brock discuss rides to restaurants around town, the anniversary of Montana’s statehood, and mystery rides. Also, we were unusually plagued with microphone & cable malfunctions this episode! Sorry, and we’ll get on that to make it nicer in the future.

Headlines
Tom’s Bike Trip: a review of a USB charger & some thoughts on electronics & travel
BikePortland: new bike-friendly micro-apartments – 200 square feet and no car parking

Mail
David from Thunder Island Brewing was pleasantly surprised to find our show, offers a pint next time we visit Cascade Locks, and can also help us find a better place to stay than next to the train tracks.

Timo notes to our Portland-area listeners who want to hear more from Mychal Tetteh that he will be the presenter at this month’s Bicycle Brown Bag. Thurs, Nov. 21, Noon to one pm at City Hall.

Dan Flores wrote “Aaron, wear a helmet!!!”

And a new iTunes review from scottmacs – thanks!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E154 – Franklin Jones: b-line & world touring

October 22, 2013Adventure, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Franklin Jones from b-line Sustainable Urban Delivery comes back to the studio to chat about the new press on his company that was recently in the New York Times as well as his world travels by bike.

Franklin also mentions the innovative Vermont Sail Freight Project!

Aaron & Brock discuss another ride to Cascade Locks.

Headlines
Pgh. Post-Gazette via Tim: Amtrak tests bicycle roll-on service on the Capitol Limited!
All Aboard: 10 tips for sleeping overnight in Amtrak’s coach seats

Mail
Thanks for a donation from JohnnyK! He mocks our intolerance of temperature extremes.

Also a donation from Patrick in CA, thanks!

Former Co-host Brandon sends in a Kickstarter page for the FlyKly Smart Wheel, a power assist rear wheel that fits on practically any bicycle!

Drew in Portland, who Brock met at the Lab2Lab cargo bike ride last summer, suggests rain capes and waxed leather shoes for rain resistance.

And we read some iTunes reviews.