Category Archives: Downsizing

E227a – Aaron M. Green: We Were Like Sons

March 3, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, History, Housing, Simpler Living, Touring, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Aaron M. Green is the author of the soon-to-be-published We Were Like Sons, a memoir describing his bicycle tour from California to New York City and how he changed along the way. Help him reach his goal for self-publishing the book on Kickstarter! He’s even offering guided bicycle tours as a reward. We discuss, among other things, the writing process, and the nature of offering or receiving hospitality.

This is part one of a two part conversation with 3 Aarons and a Brock. Catch part two afterward!

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

Headlines (or, “Some Ol’ Bullshit News”)

BBC News Toronto, via bikeportland.org: Canadian ‘freezeway’ could let residents skate to work

bikeportland.org: Oregon lawmaker wants to punish people who bike without reflective clothing

bikeportland.org: Thoughts on lawmakers who “just want to start a conversation”

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, Drew the Welder, JP

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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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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)

Mail

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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E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

January 22, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Fun, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Phoebe Sinclair lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and has a great sense of connection with the world around her. We appreciate her ability to cut the BS and buckle down to a mindful lifestyle, and have been grateful for her comments since she became one of our listeners several years ago. Our discussions rolls through several topics, including food, bicycling, transit, local community involvement, and dancing! Follow Phoebe’s adventures and observations atwholeheartlocal.com and keep an eye peeled for her forthcoming book in the future!

“May you be happy, may you be safe, may you be at peace.”

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E215 – Ed Hanna: The Leaving Is The Hardest Part

December 16, 2014Adventure, Air Travel, Bicycling, Cargo, Downsizing, Mechanics, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Ed Hanna was having beers at the Landmark Saloon in SE Portland, Oregon, when Brock locked up his bike in front of the place. Ed asked him a few questions about his bike setup, and eventually they decided to share Ed’s European bicycle tour stories on the podcast. Spoilers: it’s tricky getting started!

Also: Hi, Jason in Eugene who got Brock’s free bus tickets. Brock breaks his grandpa’s tandem seat post, may or may not have used Uber, and has a scatalogical emergency. Aaron makes toaster granola.

Headlines

Former interview Laura Moulton from Street Books subject of a documentary film and aNY Times article.

Former guest Christopher Delaney interviewed in long form on Radical Personal Finance.

Trimet transfer times have gone from 2hrs to 2.5 hrs. woot!

Mail

Apparently none of our listeners mind the train horn in the background.

Alison Wiley wants an Aaron-centric social media episode.

Glenn in YEG has a witty suggestion.

Jeremy in PDX has been going car-lite!

Richard tips us off to press in Bicycling magazine on Leah Benson of Gladys Bikes!

Orange & Purple share their Brompton plane stowing technique:

Eric shares a fat tire longtail:

and asks what this is (answer – it’s a speeder!):

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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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E209 – Daniel Harkins: Feats of Strength (with Nathan Jones)

November 18, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Downsizing, Fun, Mountain Biking, Technology, Touring, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Daniel Harkins, as the muscle of Team Sincerity, is a certifiable badass due to his many feats of strength. He is the only person we’ve met who once commuted 65 miles in the snow by bike, has completed many adventurous bicycle tours with a bit of stealth camping, and is also a member of the National Guard. He tells us what it takes to be awesome no matter where you are.

We’re also joined by another certifiable badass who’s no stranger to feats of strength himself: Nathan Jones of Portland bicycle shop Ride Yr Bike and the TransAm Bike Race.

A great resource for people on bikes in Oregon is Ride Oregon Ride.

Also: Nathan Jones had a burger jump BBQ, and Brock had some issues with a U-lock, and Minnesota Public Radio’s Pedal Hub is a fantastic show!

Headlines

CityLab: Does Cycling Culture Have a Drinking Problem?

The Wide Path Camper (From Marcus in Chicago), which reminds us of Brian Campbell & the Bike RV project.

BikePortland:
Portland legislators launch effort to put 82nd Ave under PBOT control

Thoughts on “passing chaos” on new Williams Ave bike lane

Why civil disobedience needs more bikes

Mail

JohnnyK asks “where’s Brock’s tiger tail?”, and reminds us that you can charge USB devices in many ways.

Richard from TX adds his support to the use of bicycling mirrors, especially homemade ones from ReBcycle!

Jim in NY assures us he likes public transit as much as we do, but loves not waiting for stalled trains in the subway tunnel when he can be riding his folding bike. Brock adds a link to smarter fare math in NYC.

Marcus goes for a tweed ride in the windy city!

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, 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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E199c – Katie & David Proctor: Car Free Lifestyle

September 10, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Mountain Biking, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

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.

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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E199b – Nathan Jones: TransAm Bike Race

September 1, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Downsizing, Mountain Biking, Racing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Nathan Jones is the owner of Ride Yr Bike who conceived of and organized the Trans Am Bike Race, an unsupported ride from coast to coast in which the participants competed simply for the bragging rights! He tells us about the trip.

Also: e200 live show!, retort to close pass contest, explosions on the waterfront

Headlines

BikePortland: Community bike rally against violence in North Portland

Mail

Dan from MN recommends the Surly Disc Trucker.

Drew clarifies the strength of Brock’s bike repair.

Logan recommends the Soma Saga for its kickstand plate.

Phil in AK corrects Aaron on the origins of the band X.

David joins PDX cargo bike gang!

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E188 – Brock & Aaron talk Camping & Climbing

June 16, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

It’s a little cohost chat about life right before the big summer trip for Brock, and Aaron’s trip to the magic kingdom. We discuss an upgrade/sidegrade to the stove that caused us so much trouble last spring, then encourage listeners to write in for stickers and join Brock’s summer postcard club. Then Brock delves deep into Aaron’s feelings about taking the reigns for the summer on the show, asks about what happens in Portland this summer. We get off on a tangent about moon landing conspiracy theories, but then get back on the wagon with a short mention of Bikes In Space, Volume II! Weariness and “the bonk” get a mention, along with Pedalpalooza stories, then Brock opines on the simplicity of the camping experience. Then we wrap up the show with a discussion of climbing into trees to get away from it all.

Mail
Chris in Arcata has his own coffee club going!

Thanks for listening!

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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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Downsizing

E227a – Aaron M. Green: We Were Like Sons

E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

E215 – Ed Hanna: The Leaving Is The Hardest Part

E209 – Daniel Harkins: Feats of Strength (with Nathan Jones)

E199b – Nathan Jones: TransAm Bike Race

E188 – Brock & Aaron talk Camping & Climbing