Category Archives: Downsizing

E308 – Aubrey Anderson: Runcible

July 26, 2016Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Technology, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Today a remote conversation with Aubrey Anderson, the designer/developer ofRuncible, the circular “anti-smartphone.” What do you do when you’re tired of seeing people stare down blankly at a rectangle? Reinvent the darned thing. Runcible is a legacy electronic, designed to last and constructed of quality & socially responsible materials, and it’s specially calibrated to enahnce your interactions with the world around you, not distract you from it. And you can carry it on a stylish chain! Visit the IndieGoGo page for more info, or the theMonohm site.

Also: Aaron is pretty sure he’s not concussed (at least that’s what he’s saying).

Calendar
July 30: Pie-a-Thon 2016
August 11: Pam Nichols Art Show at Western Bike Works Tigard 6pm
August 14: Bike Scout Scavenger Hunt

Headlines
From the verge.com via Logan Smith
These ultra-tough socks almost stopped me wearing shoes

Biketown contract forces users to waive their legal rights – unless they act quickly

And also This Musical Double Negative

Mail
From Cristi : Vernors is the best ginger ale!

From Todd T in Helena, MT: Vernors is a cure-all!

From Aqua D in PDX: E204 is full of cute interactions between two star-crossed lovers.

Fine Print
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast
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, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Christi Caister, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder, Anna, Krista, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Shelly & Troy, Kingof Division, Josh Zisson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Christopher Barnett, Branden Shelby, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Kathryn Minchin, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory Closz, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen

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E303 – Joe Kurmaskie: Too Metal Cowboy

June 15, 2016Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Hair, Handcycling, Health, Simpler Living, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Joe Kurmaskie, famously known as bicycle touring storyteller The Metal Cowboy, joins us to tell some stories from the road, update us on his hereditary genetic disorder he recently discovered he was living with and what he’s doing to help others it affects, and discuss some local politics and social responsibilities. Expect the rich and entertaining style you’ve come to expect from the cowboy – he brings it!

Visit ironitout.org to learn more about Hereditary Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload).
Find Joe and his new book Falling Down In Public at metalcowboy.com

Also: Brock had an epic weekend with Grilled By Bike and Aaron and Anna almost missed the Prince/Bowie ride

Calendar
June 15: Biking Vikings!
June 18: The 3rd Annual Bike Mechanic Challenge! (SOLD OUT!)
June 21: The Pollen Ride! (NEW DATE)
June 24: The Little Lebowski Urban Achiever Ride (NEW DATE)
July 16: Brompton Urban Challenge!
August 11: Pam Nichols Art Show at Western Bike Works
All Summer: Outer Rim Bicycles + Gateway Brewing – Fridays & Saturdays 12-6

Mail
Whoa! iTunes review describes us as “Sriracha sauce for my brain!”

Mark still has our Team Sincerity spoke card!

Mac-Nurse David passes along “Where are my pants”

Logan from shows us an all wheel drive bike

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E300b – Heinz Stücke Travels The World for 50 Years

May 27, 2016Adventure, Beer, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, History, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Touring, Travel, Weathersprocketpodcast

For part of our 300th episode gala, how could we possibly avoid sharing the many stories and perspectives of one Heinz Stücke, especially when he came to Portland?

Heinz is promoting his new book, Home Is Elsewhere, as he cycles across America. He’s been everywhere, man, and has some wisdom to share on nearly every aspect of living on the road. He’s been sponsored by Brompton, everyone’s favorite folding bicycle company, since 2009, who has helped bring his book to the presses and on to the public!

Thanks to Clever Cycles in Portland, Oregon for hosting this informal session. Like we said, he’s been everywhere, so this Q&A lasts for almost two hours. Our recording got the whole room so it’s a little echo-y. But it’s all good stuff! We hope you enjoy hearing from this legendary icon of bicycle touring.

Oh yeah, Shawn Granton did a write-up on this event too!

And if you want even more Heinz, former Sprocket Podcast guests Travelling Two also did an interview with him back in 2010!

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E300 – THE BIG ONE

May 24, 2016Adventure, Advocacy, Beer, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, History, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Well, this is it. We made it to 300 episodes, and, rather than go big with a live event like we have for previous milestone episodes, we decided to go small and dive into our own internal process on bicycling, the simpler life, and our relationship with you, the listener. Brock & Aaron do a little intro banter, and then both of us recorded monologues that we hope are enlightening, encouraging, and express our grateful attitude toward your repeat visits to our little show every week.

Thanks so much for listening! We wouldn’t be here without you.

also: Brock hiked in central Oregon and tried to help a phoneless guy, and Aaron saw lifetime bicycle tourist Heinz Stucke. Look for audio from his appearance atClever Cycles in our feed soon!

Thanks to our generous sponsor The Beer Mongers and our Patreon donors that keep us going!

Calendar
June 10: The Little Lebowski Urban Achiever Ride
June 11: The Last Bowie/Prince Ride
June 11: Grilled By Bike!
June 15: The Pollen Ride! Comisserate with fellow allergen-sufferers
June 18: The 3rd Annual Bike Mechanic Challenge!
July 16: Brompton Urban Challenge!

Headlines

Columbia Gorge Express opens up bus service to areas east of Portland for carless people!

WBUR covers move by bike in Portland! Thanks for the link, Josh G.

Mail

Tim from Pedalshift shares the can opener hack.

Jim in NY talks about getting into a collision, observing a grief and our influence on his thought process.

Chris in Denver shares his self-defense strategy: pepper spray, mounted on the handlebars.

Swiftly, a classy transit app, is launching in Portland.

Fine Print
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast

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, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Christi Caister, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder, Anna, Krista, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Shelly & Troy, Kingof Division, Josh Zisson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Christopher Barnett, Branden Shelby, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Kathryn Minchin, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson

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E298 – Mariana Goes Beach Camping

May 10, 2016Adventure, Beer, Boats, Camping, Downsizing, Fun, Touring, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Mariana Mo from Thursday Night Ride and other Portland bike scene events took a backpacking trip to the beach after finishing college, and camped out for about three months living the good life, thinking deep thoughts and meeting great people. We ask what it takes to have such a compelling adventure!

Also: Brock bicycle camped over the weekend again & Aaron went to Filmed By Bike.

Thanks to our generous sponsor The Beer Mongers and our Patreon donors that keep us going!

Calendar
May 15 and throughout the summer – Sunday Parkways needs volunteers!

May 18: Music + Bikes: Guilty Pleasures (the ride returns!)

May 19: 5-7pm at Clever Cycles, Hug Your Dog Tour: Meet Bixby and her Human: a 6yr old rescue dog and her human travel throughout the US and will be talking at Clever Cycles

May 20: 6-7pm at Clever Cycles, Heinz Stucke will be promoting his book 50 Years Around the World by Bike, books will be available for purchase as well as an opportunity to have Heinz sign your copy.

June 10 The Little Lebowski Urban Achiever Ride

June 15 – The Pollen Ride! Comisserate with fellow allergen-sufferers

6:15pm at the Vera Katz Statue

The 3rd Annual Bike Mechanic Challenge!
Saturday, June 18, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM at velo cult

Headlnes

From Streetfilms via Anikwenze Ogbue: The Pulaski Bridge Protected Bike Path Is (Finally) Open!

From David Robinson: Overnight sleeper bus service is a reality!

Musician Ryan J Lane is the face of Gresham Bike Month!

Mail

Ethan Georgi went bike camping!

Tim Mooney on Transit-bike Touring

Fine Print
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast

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E296 – David Talks Tech

April 27, 2016Adventure, Beer, Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Technology, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Mac Nurse David stops in to talk about how we think about technology in a fast-paced age. He used to be a customer support representative before he entered the medical field, but a few years ago he got tired of machines intruding on his life. We ask what he did about it and how he feels now. He also gave us some government issue pens!

Also: Brock & Aaron did Ronde PDX!

Thanks to our generous sponsor The Beer Mongers and our Patreon donors that keep us going!

Calendar

5/6,7,8/16 Filmed By Bike at the Hollywood Theatre with (off) Street Party at Velo Cult bike shop on Friday 5/6 5-9:30pm

June 15 – The Pollen Ride! Comisserate with fellow allergen-sufferers

6:15pm at the Vera Katz Statue

The 3rd Annual Bike Mechanic Challenge!
Saturday, June 18, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Headlines
From OPAL.org: The Oregonian is Wrong on YouthPass

From theverge.com via Johnny K This bicycle has 4GB of RAM: and lasers too

Mail
Kathryn is a new donor!

Fine Print
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast

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E279 – Joe Biel: Good Trouble

January 28, 2016Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Downsizing, History, Simpler Livingsprocketpodcast

Joe Biel has been running Microcosm Publishing, an independent book and ‘zine publishing organization, for twenty years in many locations and iterations, starting with a milk crate he took to music venues that hosted punk shows. Now he has released his memoir, Good Trouble, about his experience building that history and how it was influenced by his adult diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome. We’re glad he’s kept at it, and joined him at his house to chat about his perspective on the world through the lens of simpler living!

Several anniversary events for Microcosm are planned – a reading on February 11 2016 at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne (Joe’s guest post on their blog here, too!) anda party at Velo Cult Bike Shop & Tavern on February 12 2016!

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E272 – Leah Benson & Jocelyn Gaudi, & a Pizza

December 22, 2015Adventure, Air Travel, Bicycling, Downsizing, Fun, Housing, Mountain Biking, Simpler Living, Touring, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Today we’re joined by two of Portland’s bike legends: Jocelyn Gaudi joins us to update about her trips with womens’ cycling adventurers Komorebi Cycling Team, Leah Benson talks home ownership, and we attempt to eat a pizza while recording.

headlines
from bikeportland.org: Advocate! Tell the city how to change residential infill rules

Madi Carlson: Urban Cycling book signing party at Clever Cycles

TriMet.org: Celebrate Safely with TriMet for New Year’s Eve

Brock Dittus/The Sprocket Podcast
℅ IPRC
1001 SE Division St
Portland OR 97202

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, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder, Anna, Krista Skucas, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Shelly & Troy, Kingof Division, Josh Zisson, Richard G

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E269 – David Robinson Hs D

December 2, 2015Adventure, Beer, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Simpler Living, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Get your mind out of the gutter. Let us put it there instead. While we attempt to kill fruit flies.

This week, our friend David Robinson returns to chat about rural adventures on bicycles, lane splitting and vehicular agression, maintaining positivity on a group ride full of mechanicals, et cetera. Oh, yeah, and we discuss the best ways and places for h***ing d*** around the Portland area!

Also, Brock goes to Venersborg! #allVenersborgallthetime

Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers, presenting Kimmy Cross at the shop dec 6 noon! By alleycross!; and, as always, thanks to our generousPatreon donors that keep us going!

headlines
from bikeportland.org: 80 percent of Portland’s top-ranked restaurants have one thing in common

from oregonlive.com: Students return to Western Washington University after racial threats close campus

also from oregonlive.com: Was infamous hijacker DB Cooper a Michigan grocery store manager? Author thinks so

mail
comments
from E268
from Tim in DC: RAM whoop!

from Scott M.: imperial converted to metric for our convenience

from E268x
from Tim Mooney: RAM on the way for our dinosaur computer! (our hero)

email
from Chris R.: Community buys car for man who biked 14 miles to work: I’m ‘at a loss for words’

Brock Dittus/The Sprocket Podcast
℅ IPRC
1001 SE Division St
Portland OR 97202

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, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder, Anna, Krista Skucas, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Shelly & Troy, Kingof Division, Josh Zisson, Richard G

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E268 – Cranksgiving, Century Attempts, Moving

November 25, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Brock & Aaron take a week just to catch up on the “haps” (as the kids say) of the recent season. There’s the time they volunteered to help Cranksgiving happen! There’s the time Brock attempted a century with some friends! There’s those classy pants tie-downs! And there’s an IMPENDING MOVE! You won’t believe your ears, and neither will your Nana.

Also: The Beer Mongers host a benefit Alleycross event on December 6, the first of three! Many thanks for their sponsorship, and to the continued donations of our fine donors!

mail
Physical Mail!
Caleb sends Crap Cycle Lanes: 50 Worst Cycle Lanes in Britain!

Scott Macs sent us a card!

tweet:
from Andre Johnson: Fred and Barney

from Eric Iverson: foaming about being on our soundboard. Beermongers is full for Timbers games!

Comments
E267
from Johnny K: definitions, tumbleweed history, and truck uses

from PBJ Matt: minimum wage woes, Subaru design

from Sebastien Poole: Speaking of feet and bike space. Also, metric countries.

from Tim Mooney: truck costs, LFO woes

from Richard W.: truck owners should be ready to be the friend with a truck.

email
Mac Nurse David clears up averages.

Brock Dittus/The Sprocket Podcast
℅ IPRC
1001 SE Division St
Portland OR 97202

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, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder, Anna, Krista Skucas, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Shelly & Troy, Kingof Division, Josh Zisson, Richard G

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