Category Archives: Bicycling

E187 – Ellee Thalheimer: Cycling Sojourner Washington Edition

Adventure, Bicycling, Touring

“This is my first post.” Aaron takes a shot at editing and engineering while Brock steps back before his and Adele’s big sumer trip. We couldn’t have asked for a better guest to have for this experience. Ellee Thalheimer joins us for the third time with stories of traveling through our neighbor state to the north. Listen up! Then go buy her new book Cycling Sojourner: Washington.

Also: It’s Pedalpalooza!! Yes, we talk about the WNBR. Aaron went on some non-nude rides because he’s got body-shame. Also stay tuned for an exciting conclusion to Aaron’s Cedar Pointe anecdote. Or don’t. Listen to Brock instead as he guests on our friend, Tim Mooney’s, new podcast: The Pedalshift Project.

Mail: Brock’s friend, Ben sends us a cool vid of a tree house with a bike elevator. Bike-evator?

Shelagh “YEG-babe” Kubish sends us a graphic that just about sums up our ethos.

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E186 – Kath Youell: Cargo & Kids

Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Cargo, Communication, Family, Transit, Urban Design

Kath Youell is excited about cargo & family bike-fietsing, and is the caretaker at thePortlandize.com website.  We talk with her about her bicycling induction, the move from Sacramento, and helping to coordinate a cargo bike gang around town!

Also: Brock forgets to time his transit trip correctly, but finalizes his move out of the apartment, and Aaron does an “endo” when his pannier slips into his spokes!  Along with Kick Ass Oregon History’s summer road trip & Pedalpalooza!

Headlines
BikePortland: Preparation tips from a Pedalpalooza veteran
Gizmodo: SF police use high-tech solutions to track bicycle theives
     (sent in by Mark the Hammock Guy)
BikePortland: Project 529 uses high-tech solutions to track bicycle theives, and more!

Mail
JohnnyK writes about french-pressing his coffee by bike.

Ethan from Energy Cycle shares “an event at Hardywood Brewery where we had two spin sessions (40 cyclists total) on our energy producing bike trainers. We harnessed the energy to provide power to the beer brewing equipment. Fun times!  The beer we created was called “Amperage Ale”, and was quite tasty.”

Former guest Diane from TriMet shares:
“Comto Oregon is putting on this bike safety event on June 18.”

Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is the nation’s only multi-modal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry. COMTO is in a unique position to be involved to speak on behalf of minority professionals and businesses on the cutting edge of transportation issues that are sweeping the nation.

“The PDX Bicyclist’s Commute”
Wednesday, June 18th
11:30am – 1:00pm
ODOT Region 1 Building Conference Rooms A&B
123 NW Flanders Street
Portland, OR 97209
(registration required)

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E185 – Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith: Tiny CA

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Family, History, Housing, Technology, The Law, Touring, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walking

Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith share a tiny house parked in rural northern California.  We spoke with them just as they were moving there from Portland a few years ago, and now they return to fill us in on the experience as it has shaped up over time.  Tammy writes at RowdyKittens.com, and Logan blogs at loganblairsmith.com

A few links of interest to things in our discussion:
the Caravan tiny house hotel in Portland, OR
the Recode Oregon project working on code issues with alternative dwelllings
the Phone Bloks project for modular mobile technology

Also: Brock & Aaron talk about their weekends, and a freight train passes.

Mail
Tim in DC shares a soggy episode, and the ranking of bicycle cities.

Kirk twitters about our similarities to Sound Opinions.

Brandon shares the IKEA electric bicycle (available only in Europe, presently).

Bob shares the news about  Wash Cycle Laundry!

Tour De Clack is coming June 14!

Phoebe from Boston does a write up of her visit to Portland.

Pat writes in to comfort Aaron on his experience of eating fried baloney.

Roger sends in an update on the case of the lady suing a dead bicyclist’s family.

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E184 – Brandon Rhodes: Rolling Oasis

Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Gardening, Kitchen, Technology, Urban Design, Walking

Brandon Rhodes, besides being one of the show’s founding cohosts and an all-around good guy, is the proprietor of the new sustainable (and replicable) local produce delivery service Rolling Oasis.  He had a vision for a business that would connect his neighbors to healthier food options while he aimed to connect with his neighbors, and thus a great idea was born.  We get the skinny from him on how his model works and what it’s been like to launch the venture!  Steph Routh fills in as cohost in Aaron’s absence.

Also:
Brock & Adele’s bike move
tickets now available for Aftermass
Kick Ass Oregon History’s summer road trip
Pedalpalooza! it’s June 5th – 28th this year.

Headlines
BikePortland: Something has gone wrong in Portland
c|net: the inventor of Palchohol explains how it works (via Logan)

Mail
Mark sends us links to AAA roadside support for cyclists, and some posters from the “golden age of bicycling.”

Dan (whom we convinced to move to Portland…  kind of) weighs in on snippy attitudes between cyclists.

So, who would YOU like to see as guests for our big 202 epic live episode? We wanna hear your top fives!

Sebastian shares: “I’ve occaisionally heard the phrase “bandit camping” in your podcasts. This fellow artfully takes the practice to new heights.”

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E183b – Joe Biel talks Amtrak & Aftermass

Adventure, Bicycling, Communication, The Law, Train Travel

Brock dropped into Microcosm Publishing’s offices to chat with Joe Biel, the filmmaker behind the new documentary Aftermass.  It surveys a history of the activism & advocacy behind Portland’s bicycle culture, and explores the history of Portland’s Critical Mass ride and what it can tell us about the city we live in today.

Joe’s dog Ruby joined us for the interview, and we began with some discussion about Amtrak and passenger train travel before getting into the film!

If you live in Portland, the film premiers at the Clinton Street Theater on May 23, 2014 at 7pm for just $7.  If you don’t live near Portland you might be able to catch the film with the Dinner & Bikes Tour 2014 down the eastern seaboard!

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Audio Player

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E183 – Diane Goodwin: Transit On Tap

Advocacy, Bicycling, Brewing, Car Ownership, Communication, Racing, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Design

Diane Goodwin coordinates the Transit on Tap events for TriMet, allowing the interested public and transit experts to interact about important issues concerning public transportation.  We chat with her about the event series, her own personal history with transit, and many other things related to Portland’s regional transit provider!

Also:
tickets now available for Aftermass

Headlines
BikePortland: Ashland OR man cited for leaving bike lane found guilty
Thunder Island Brewing: Bicycle Eclectic Portrait Exhibit now on display at the brewery
Jan Heine from Bicycle Quarterly: Pro-joy instead of Anti-racing

Mail
Phoebe writes in on women’s safety in transportation options, and cheering for running bus riders.

Timo writes appreciation for Madi & Katie’s episode and comments on the laws around cell phone use pertaining to bus drivers.

Mark shares a great summary of the Idaho Stop Law.

Neighbor Kelly found this Sprocket Beer:

and Tim in DC found ”the OG cargo bike:”

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E182 – Jerry Zelada: Advocacy is Easy

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Technology, The Law, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walking

Jerry Zelada is an optometrist by day, and an advocate by night.  Actually, he’s always an advocate and an activist, because that’s how changes get made at the levels that matter.  We talk to him about how bicycling runs in his family and his touring adventures in an earlier decade, the infrastructure debate surrounding Portland’s NE 28th Avenue business district, and how the state of Oregon provided a place at the table for nonmotorized road users in all areas of the state through the ODOT ACT.  Jerry’s website is: zelada.com

Also:
Gladys Bikes move-by-bike
tickets now available for Aftermass
No Tech Magazine shares an 8 wheeled cargo hauler

Headlines
BikePortland: Skamania Transit offers bike-friendly weekend service starting May 1

[Also, UrbanTurnip offered on twitter: “i thought #skamania was going to be a music festival or a checkered bike lane”]

TriMet: Ride around Washington Park FREE! Line 83 weekend service begins May 3

Mail
Eric from Portland wants to know what bike shorts and chamois creams we prefer.  We respond by encouraging the use of leather saddles.

Doug on Surly snobs & custom details.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E181 – Boaz Frankel & Phillip Ross: Pedal Powered Talk Show

Adventure, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Walking

photo by Clay Nowak

Boaz Frankel is the host of the Pedal Powered Talk Show, a short form series that features interesting and unique personalities from around Oregon; he also once set therecord for the most high fives given in an hour, and took a non-motorized “un-road trip” across America.

Phillip Ross is the owner and founder of Metrofiets, the company that designs and builds classy US made cargo bikes for utility and fun.  He’s the power behind the pedals for the Talk Show!

We discuss the Pedal Powered Talk Show, now in Season 3!  A little about the Metrofiets Desk Bike, how the show works (or doesn’t, in the case of their recently revealed crash story), traveling to Eastern Oregon and an appeal to Portlandia!

Also:
Pedal powered talk show season three launch party
tickets now available for Aftermass
Gladys Bikes is moving by bike!

Headlines
BikePortland: Domino’s Pizza gets a cargo bike
I Love The Bus: A Lesson in Letting Go

Mail
Justin is our newest regular donor, thanks a bunch!

Bryce is listening to the backlog and sends a link to Ron Dickinson’s tour blog.

Roger shares Tom Allen’s new Guide to Cycle Touring!  For all the “gear heads” out there.

Phil from AK: Fatbikes!

Glenn from YEG taped our show intro outside the Clinton Street Theater, and made a nice little wrap up video of his trip to Portland!

Shadowfoot found a picture of a tallbike.

Eric had an #ELF sighting in DC during this morning’s ride to work.

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:

Logan Smith
Shadowfoot
Kathrina Mellemgaard
Roger Grigsby
Wayne Norman
Doug Robertson
Ethan Georgi
Justin Martin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E180 – Dan Kaufman & Nathan Jones: Fatbikes & GPS

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Mountain Biking, Racing, Technology, Touring, Trail Riding, Train Travel, Travel

Dan Kaufman runs CrankMyChain Cycle TV & pdxk productions and has a deep love for bicycles and their implications for culture & conservation (and this time around, we didn’t make him come on the show while he lost his voice!)
Nathan Jones is the proprietor of Ride Yr Bike and has had numerous inspiring adventures in nature using bikes, including Tour Divide, the Oregon Outback, and his inspired TransAmerica touring race.

Both of them also are enthusiastic supporters of the Salmonberry Corridor project to renovate a derelict rail line into a multi-use path from Washington County to the Oregon coast; so much so, in fact, that they rode self-supported to one of the public input meetings in Wheeler, OR to add their voices.  We talk about all of this and more!

Also:
tickets now available for Aftermass
Pedal powered talk show season three launch party

Headlines
OregonLive: a name is chosen for the new transit bridge!

Mail
Steve in WY feels for Aaron & his donut shop conflict, and is glad that the small towns he lives in are bike friendly places.

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:

Logan Smith
Shadowfoot
Kathrina Mellemgaard
Roger Grigsby
Wayne Norman
Doug Robertson
Ethan Georgi

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E178 – Two Dudes & Some Palindromes

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Camping, Communication, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel

Brock & Aaron engage in a little more tour recap, including:

Mission Bicycle Company & The Lumen, the retroreflective bike (Kelly & Peter from theDope Pedalers) collaborated on by our friend Josh Zisson with Halo

Roger & the Bike Through China Book

Kevin at Carmel Starbucks & the Financial Engines water bottle, & escape from Hurricane Carmel

free boxes

the places we didn’t go

communication difficulties & touring dynamics

Why pay 50 dollars for gloves?

A few notable things:
Twitter trend: #ReplaceBikeWithCar  (and a roundup of the best)
Aftermass documentary!
Filmed By Bike!
Lenny Anderson’s records

Also: New studio rumblings & underwriter possibilities

Headlines
BikePortland: The Orange Line might secretly be Portland’s biggest bike project ever

Mail
Jame on bike shops & jargon.

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 our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith
Shadowfoot
Kathrina Mellemgaard
Roger Grigsby
Wayne Norman
Doug Robertson
Ethan Georgi

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More