Category Archives: Car Ownership

E228 – Adron Hall: Transit Sleuth

March 10, 2015Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Family, History, Housing, Technology, The Law, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Transit Sleuth is on the case; he’s been following sustainable transit modes and reporting on them for some time here in Portland OR! We chat about the state of transportation in our town, along with Adron’s youth near trains and his eventual disenchantment with sweating in traffic. Read the latest updates at transitsleuth.com

Also: TriMet’s annual report is available, Inspired to Ride film is coming soon (4/18 in Portland), Brock dug some dirt out of Will Vanlue’s yard and is sore, and Aaron ran into Jeff on the street.

Donate at Patreon if you’re able to help keep us going!

Headlines

Human Transit: How do I find a hotel near good transit?
and How do I find a hotel near good transit? Not (yet) via google!

BBC News via Logan: Ford Motor Co. experiments with e-bikes

bikeportland.org: Half of Portland car2go vehicles now have rear bike racks

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Many thanks to new donors JP Q-lee, Matt B, Patrick, & Gabriel! And all of our previous ones.

Tim Mooney sent us news on the possibility of c&o trail camping fees – it’s still gonna be free! Also, he’s pro-pug.

Josh G sends us a non-bikey writer’s review of biking in Vancouver WA.

Tomas Q. is working with Ride With GPS on their Ambassador Program.

Nurse David explains how to clean a peanut butter jar.

Dan in Bemidji: Fatbikes race in MN! Also Aaron mentions a Cyclofemme event.

Richard finds an article about Hub Powderworks from Gizmodo!

Anna sent in the TED talk about why buses represent democracy in action.

Glenn in YEG had #coffeeoutside!

John from Goldendale has a very “Portland” moment that reminds him we’re all human beings.

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, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows, Lars V., Chris Smith, Christi Caister, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Matt B., Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer

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E227b – Aaron Aaron Aaron Brock

March 4, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Racing, Simpler Living, The Law, Touring, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Aaron Delani is a recent Portland inductee, taking the admonition of “welcome to Portland, now go ride your damn bike” very seriously. As a webmaster, he codes in coffee shops, and then looks for places to explore and people to ride with. We discuss his downsizing process as he moved here, a misjudgment of #coffeeoutside, and secret commuter racing, among many other things. He’s at aarondelani.com

Also: Donate at Patreon if you’re able to help keep us going!

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Many thanks to new donor Christi! And all of our previous ones.

Matt sends in the saga of a motorcycle cop & a man on a beach cruiser.

Logan mentions CEO of Japan Airlines who took a pay cut and rides the bus to empathize with workers who were forced to retire early. Reminded us of José Mujica, Uruguayan president who lives small and picks up hitchhikers.

A friend reminds Brock of Tom Allen’s beer can stove.

This week’s shift list: Halley Weaver explains bike-resistance from potential employers:
illegal = “do you have a car” unless the job specifically requires driving.
legal: “Are you able to get to all four counties for your job?” “Do you have reliable transportation?”
If they ask about reliable transportation; you say yes. If they ask for elaborate then you can say something like, “I prefer to travel by bike but have a Plan B in adverse weather conditions.”

Josh G: Which president was a big-time cyclotourist? Woodrow Wilson! AlsoPresidents’ Day used to be Bicycle Day!

Daniel drops the gauntlet to Alaska with Fraser Cunningham’s -10º Cincinnati commute. He also mentions the YMCA San Antonio, TX Siclovia, March 29th 10am to 4pm.

Anna shares a question from Oregon’s drivers’ license test.

Eric Iverson (& Paul from yesterday) mention quiet zones for rail crossings: there’s gonna be a lot fewer trains on the show.

JohnnyK is our Google king, and found us foot warming solutions.

Eric recommends a wheelbuilding library of knowledge from Mike Tech Info & Sheldon Brown.

Dave asks about the safety of listening devices while riding on the roads.

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E225 – Stephen Szucs: #RETHINK Tour

February 26, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Housing, Simpler Living, Skateboarding, Technology, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Stephen Szucs is fascinated by more sustainable living solutions that the average Joe can implement. He rode one of Organic Transit’s ELF trikes, Rita, on his #RETHINK tour from Canada to Florida. We also talk about transportation choices such as longboarding, housing choices like Craig & Connie Cook’s earthship, and other kinds of choices we can make to create a better world for people now and in the future.

follow this link to Brock’s ELF trike test ride from a year ago.

Also, this is what a conch shell sounds like.

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows, Lars V., Chris Smith

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E223 – Vivian Satterfield: OPAL Environmental Justice

February 17, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Housing, Simpler Living, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Vivian Satterfield is a representative of OPAL Environmental Justice, an advocacy group in Portland, OR committed to improving the transportation experience of people using buses and light rail to get around town. We talk about her bicycling experience, work around transit, and how being in public connects us to the world around us.

Also: Brock & Aaron led the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Donate at Patreon if you’re able to help keep us going!

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Eric in GA inquires about cold weather cycling gloves; Brock likes Youngstown Glovesand Vivian is sponsored by Cestus Work Gloves.

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E222b – David Griffiths: Handcycling

February 11, 2015Advocacy, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Handcycling, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

David Griffiths is a person on a bicycle using adaptive technology for mobility and transportation, and is playing to his strengths! We discuss all the aspects of that statement in this bonus episode. What is this town like for someone using specialized equipment? And how do people react?

Find David’s fundraiser for his trip to Columbia and the World Bike Forum here andchip in a few bucks if you can!

Read the extensive Friday Profile of David on BikePortland. David also hosts a weekly meetup at Velo Cult on Tuesday evenings for anyone involved in adaptive cycling or interested in learning about it!

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin,Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky,Tim Mooney,Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows

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E221 – Maren Souders: Open Ears, No Car

February 3, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Vegansprocketpodcast

Maren Souders has never, ever owned a car. That’s an achievement even for those who’ve tried! She brings us some inspiring stories and thoughts on low-car life, the value of listening, and trying to eat vegan while taking Amtrak trains across the country. Notably, she’s spent some time on a multi-city listening tour, sitting in public places with a “free empathy” sign! Her webistes:dreamintochange.com & happytolisten.com

click here to find her petition for easier access to vegan meals for Amtrak passengers.

Also: Brock explored the wilds of SW Washington; Aaron rides to Boring.

Join the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Headlines

Copenhaganize: Climaphobia and Vacuum-packed Cities

bikeportland.org: Kidical Mass PDX invites biking parents to join family ride planning for 2015

Lovely Bicycle: Finding a Winter Wander-land (and Other Coping Strategies)

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Organic Transit shares a story of a man who rode an ELF trike from Canada to Florida.

We got a letter from Mike in Midland, GA!

My Bike Won’t Fit Here

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E220 – @dudeluna

January 27, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Family, Fun, Mountain Biking, Technology, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Armando Luna is a twitter genius with his finger on the pulse of the Portland bicycle culture. He’s a mountain bike enthusiast and a fun loving ride participant, a father and a husband, an all-around good guy. Also: he’s a listener! We sit down and wind a conversation through our points of commonality.

Also: Brock got some knee pain (helpful advice from BikePortland) and went to thehorse races; Aaron got seen on the trail by a mystery tweeter, and bought pants. Path Less Pedaled gives a mountain bike review of Columbia County, OR.

Headlines

BikePortland: ‘Recumbent PDX’ opens on SE Hawthorne

Oregonlive.com: Vancouver police looking for hit-and-run driver determined to get away

Listener Gerald: Portland Bike Party is happening!
This Friday, 1/30, 7pm at Jamison Square, 810 NW 11th Ave Portland OR

Press release: Bike Index and Spinlister team up to help Portland’s bike theft victims
see bikeindex.org & spinlister.com

BikePortland: Oregon Senate bill would repeal ‘bike bill,’ mandate bicycle licenses and registration

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Thanks to new donor Andy Brunner! He recommends the Novara safari as Brock’s next bike.

Dan tells us a bike will fit inside a Portland Loo.

JohnnyK recommends to bring TP with you at all times, and likes White Lightning Bamboo Cycle Wipes; explains his nail polish trick when fixing a chain.

Branden Shelby: “Here’s the coffee device that caught my eye.”

Richard says teaching adults to ride bikes is “truly more rewarding than any of the other classes that we teach.”

Phoebe admires the resilience of bicyclists.

Logan corrects Brock’s misunderstanding of his locking skewers: “we use Zefal “Lock’n Roll” skewers” and also use their locking seat post clamp. You don’t have to lock them upside down.” Also, jewelry from Leatherman.

A shout out to Richard in England!

And John in Goldendale shares a poster for a bicycle rack design contest in his town.

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E219 – Beth Hamon: Leaving On A Jet Plane

January 20, 2015Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Simpler Living, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Beth Hamon is a cantorial soloist on a circuit to synagogues in various parts of the USA, sharing her talents of music and spiritual direction with the people she has made connections with there. She joins us to give an update on her most recent work, discuss the environmental impact of air travel, and consider ethical living in transport as well as the rest of life.

Some of the resources Beth shared:
NYT: The Biggest Carbon Sin?
Wikipedia: Environmental Impact of Air Travel
Ivan Illich: Energy and Equity (Ideas in Progress)
Slate: Driving vs. Flying

Look for Beth’s music at CDbaby.com!

Also: Brock & Aaron take a trip to Stubb Stewart State Park

Mail

Tim Mooney is dismayed by the possible leverage of fees on the C&O canal. In particular, from $0 to $20 in the time it takes a congressperson to sign a document.

Alvaro is rocking our sticker (the old school one!) and says “give me 3”

Brandon Rhodes sends us a story about a dog that rides the bus to the park by itself.

Chris Gonzalez says “not the cable!”

Logan Smith sends us a fundraiser for “smart grips.”

Gerald got some polyester pants.

Eric Iverson:
“@SouthEastGrind also serves delicious 24 hr food! And I also don’t like Dave Matthews or his band or any combo thereof.”

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E213 – Alison Wiley: Rich In What Matters

December 2, 2014Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley blogs at Diamond Cut Life on simpler living for better quality of life; we can’t get enough of her common sense advice on matters like cold winter house heating, living like a salmon for an epic life, and using transit to break away on your vacation, and her recent discovery of ethical clothing company 541 Threads inspired her to get back in touch for another show. Plus: we swear less when we talk to her!

Also: Brock rents a Prius through RelayRides, and Aaron takes a folding bike onto theworst airline ever. We also briefly discuss curling, the mysticism of the morning hours, and mention the Better World Shopping Guide & Alison’s novel, Revelle!

Headlines

via Bike Portland, The NY Times: Finding a Salve for His Depression on Two Wheels

Mail

Jim in NY made some music by bike!

Drew’s cape isn’t our bag, but he’s hoping his Showers Pass jacket will be.

Dan’s hibernating bike in MN:

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley

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E212 – Bryan Blanc: ORcycle, “a new way to digitalize bread crumbs.”

November 27, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Technology, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Bryan Blanc is a podcast listener who is studying transportation at Portland State University and collaborating on the ORcycle mobile phone app that aims to collect data for the purpose of improving our local infrastructure (BikePortland article here). We also talk about his experiences in Connecticut & Oregon on both sides of the transportation choice he made when he sold his car!

Also: Steph mentions an article about bike equity, and Brock hasn’t had any adventures since the last taping. We mention the Amtrak writers’ residency program. Happy Thanksgiving if you observe it, folks!

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Rory from Michigan is in New Zealand!

Jim in NY finishes a charity ride he’s been training for, and oh, what a ride it was.

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly,Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna

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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Car Ownership

E227b – Aaron Aaron Aaron Brock

E223 – Vivian Satterfield: OPAL Environmental Justice

E222b – David Griffiths: Handcycling

E220 – @dudeluna

E212 – Bryan Blanc: ORcycle, “a new way to digitalize bread crumbs.”