Category Archives: Car Ownership

E204 – Anna Olsen & Justin Miles: We’re New Here

Bicycling, Car Ownership, Cargo, Mechanics

Anna Olsen used to be a podcast listener from Oklahoma. Now, she’s a guest!  I guess she’ll never have to listen again.  We’re glad to welcome her to Portland after an education at United Bicycle Institute where she learned to be a bicycle mechanic.  Her coworker Justin Miles joins us as well.

Also: Drew lends the rain cape! Brock gives it a first go; the Transportastic studio opener is on 10/25 6:30pm at IPRC! Aaron’s still on drugs, and does a very frugal thing followed by a rather infrugal thing.

Mail

Chris in Chico sends a link to a creative Latvian demonstration of how much traffic cycling can reduce.

Chris is also a new monthly donor! So is Dan G.!

Kurt, whom Brock met in Copperfield on the OR/ID border, sends in pictures of his full suspension mountain bike.

JohnnyK is freaked out by clowns, maybe because of scooby doo’s ghost clown episode.

Ethan G asks how to best tell meddling, uninvited advisors to your bicycling style to “piss off.”

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, 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

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E199c – Katie & David Proctor: Car Free Lifestyle

Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Mountain Biking, Transit, Urban Design, Walking

Katie & David Proctor live in Portland without owning a car despite having children and enjoying outdoor recreation.  We ask why and how.

Also: e200 live show!, retort to close pass contest, Bike Scout! Oh yeah, and Brock rented a moving truck.

Headlines

Pedalshift: trying Amtrak Express to ship a bike home after tour

Mail

Patreon switches for our donations, including new donor Richard, Tim from Pedalshift, and Orange & Purple!

Richard sent us “bikes allowed full lane” pins! We wore them for Bike Scout.

Uncle Lou asks about shed flats.

Jim in NY joins the listener army and shares his newfound passion for charity riding.

JohnnyK says all routes are flatroutes in Florida.

David in NC writes in.

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, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple

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E199 – Kath Youell & Tessa Walker: Flatroute Your Laundry

Bicycling, Car Ownership, Cargo, Communication, Racing, Urban Design

Kath Youell is a return guest who runs Portlandize.com and participated in the 2014 Disaster Relief Trials in Portland;

Tessa Walker owns a sweet little handmade cargo bike (that has a tumblr!) and also competed in the DRT.

We talk about the experience of the disaster simulation, “flatrouting,” and doing laundry by bike, amongst other things.

Also: Listener Drew welds Brock’s bike back together, drink segment dedicated to Aaron’s niece, retort to close pass contest

Headlines

BBC: cargo delivery by bike hits the news again!

Tom Allen: how and why to WWOOF around the world by bike

Mail

Darren recommends the Vivente World Randonneur.

Harm from Rotorua NZ has a wicked commute in New Zealand!

JohnnyK asks about recumbent bakfietsen.

Dan from MN sponors this week’s episode with a donation!

Tim Mooney from Pedalshift calls in! check out his tour journals. He also sends a picture of a train for us to get hot and bothered about.

Sebastien asks about the warranty on Brock’s broken bike.

Chris in Arcata: Northern CA now has red asphalt for its bike lanes, & a question about glasses

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, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien

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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!

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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)

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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E179 – Doctor Jeff: Top-Level Commuting Expertise

Advocacy, Car Ownership, Communication, Family, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Design, Walking

Doctor Jeff is our perennial transit-loving advocate with a heart of gold, a head full of jokes and a wit as sharp as whatever gave you your last paper cut.  He joins us to hold forth on matters of transit, twitter, family, and vinyl.  It’s been to long!  So, let’s stay in touch this summer, eh?

Here are links to Jeff’s writing on the Westside Tunnel & his morning walk.

Headlines
Reptiles & birds change due to global warming

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Neighbor Kelly catches up on some back episodes.

Jim submits a few more palindromes to Aaron’s chagrin & Brock’s delight.

JohnnyK recommends freecycle.org as a free box alternative.

Mark writes in on his experience with hammock camping – he took a respectable trip to Ionia State Recreation Area north of Ionia, near Saranac, MI!  He now greatly prefers it to traditional tent camping.

Trent explains how to say SLO.

Daniel from San Antonio alerts us to his new blog on bicycling infrastructure and culture in his town!

Chris from Arcata on Devil’s Slide south of SFO (These two articles can tell you some of the story) & the new Redwood Lily Hostel in Arcata, first of it’s kind, here.  Discounts to hostel goers on bicycles!

Congratulations to The Stickman on the birth of his son!

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

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E177 – Maria Schur

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Racing, Train Travel

Maria Schur loves bicycles, lives in Portland, and works for Western Bike Works.  She enjoys gravel rides and doesn’t own a car, and likes pink but doesn’t want to be stereotyped.  She also writes on her blog about the various adventures she gets into.  We talk about all of this and more!

Also: Brock, Aaron & Adele recap their California touring adventures.

Mail
Ethan becomes a new sustaining donor.  Thanks!

Doug in Duluth (another new donor – thanks!) suggests another bicycle shop equivalent of Stairway.

Jolene & The Stickman enjoyed hearing Madi & Katie’s chat on family rides.

Jake enjoyed the episode with Phil B; Phil also fills in the blanks on our gun-toting question.

Nick & Sue from the Bay Area are fans wishing us well!

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

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E175 – Phil B: The Ice Beard Cometh

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Family, Mountain Biking, Technology, Transit

Phil B writes insightfully on his blog Multimodal Alaska Adventures about bicycling, transit, and everyday adventures in the last frontier; we learned during the interview that he is also writing a column for Alaska Commons.  He is far more equipped to deal with the cold than we will ever be, and looks fantastic in a beard of ice.  We discuss Anchorage & The Valley as the grist for his commute, dealing with cold, ice, and how riding the bus can get you some personal time before returning home to the family.

Also: the Bicycle Film Festival in Portland (including the film Boy, featuring actor Timothy Spall), Lucas Brunelle, as well as the shortest and longest midnight mystery ride.  AND:John Malkovich sings on Russian television.

Headlines
BikePortland: Oregon State Parks unveils “bike pod” facility plans for bicycle travelers
Amtrak: recycling facilities are being added to bi-level trains!
OregonLive: Did “Top Gear” go [pause] …too far… with bicycle safety spoofs?
[Steve in WY sent us Top Gear staffer James May’s take on bicyclists some time back, whose primary complaint was simply that bicyclists aren’t friendly enough.]

Mail
real, physical mail from Rory in Michigan! He made a custom tote for six-packs which he mailed to us.  we are flabbergasted and thankful.

Jolene on facebook muses on the pronunciation of “Velo Cult.”

Tim in DC: locking up a bikeshare bike is “like paying to put car2go in a garage.”

Robert C. dispells the notion that Iowa is flat.  In fact, it’s not even in the top 10 flattest states! (The flattest is Florida)  However, Iowa is #13.  He adds a postscript asking about the nature of the term “cross-country.”

Brother Dan enlightens us on the history of daylight savings time.

JohnnyK points us to the Bike Fisherman website!

Jame on bus routing: “Transit map reading should be required to graduate middle school!”

Dan from Tennessee writes in – apparently we influenced his decision to relocate to Portland!

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.

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E170 – Steve Gutmann: Getaround

Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Technology, The Law, Transit

Steve Gutmann is a sustainability genius and regional pointman for the peer-to-peer carsharing service Getaround.  We talk to him about the history of carsharing, beginning with Dave Brook’s Carsharing Portland, and its evolution into the systems that are available today, including the ability to leverage your personal car’s potential into additional income and an incentive to drive it less.  We wrap up with a surprise discussion of self-driving cars and how they might make cities more friendly to people in general (click to read Steve’s article on this subject).

Also: snowpocalypse!  snow anarchy, the sliding truck, and enjoying an unexpected holiday.

Headlines BikePortland: Chicago brings Portland’s bag of biking tricks to Bronzeville’s ‘Black Metropolis’ BikePortland: Brandon Rhodes, Lents’ new bike-powered grocer

Mail Kirk twitters about Iowa & #godshandkerchief

Scott Cohen from the City of Portland writes in to clarify how demand for bike parking works, including a link to the guide to installing bike racks in the public right-of-way.

Chris in Arcata asks about Brooks saddle vendors in Portland.  We mention these options:

• Wallingford Bicycle Parts, in Louisiana, has a 6 month trial guarantee on saddles •Gladys Bikes has a saddle library • Clever Cycles • Velo Cult • Universal Cycles • Joe Bike

And we watched Chris’ film recommendation Riding Bikes With The Dutch.

Bill Lascher finds it, Doctor Jeff predicted it: speed dating on public transit’s “singles car.”

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 for supporting our show costs.

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