Category Archives: Downsizing

E146 – Beth Hamon: Music, Bikes and Slowing Down

August 27, 2013Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Music, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

Beth Hamon is a musician who plays “Jewish music for the rest of us,” and is a big supporter of Portland’s bicycle culture and the utility of bicycles in general. She joins us today to share some stories, songs, and heartfelt spirituality.

Beth mentioned these reads:
Energy & Equity, by Ivan Illich
The Jaunt, by Stephen King

Brock, Aaron & Brandon also discuss dental problems, stream cleanups, and weight loss.

Mail
JohnnyK writes in on several episodes with his take: E143 with Dan Flores: “This has got to be one of the funniest episodes ever!” and E144 with Cory Poole and the legality of street skating.

Cory responds with an upbeat take on the skateboarding as transportation trend.

Phoebe writes in to comment on Tim Mooney’s episode, in which we mention Washington DC’s bikeshare program; her experience with bikeshare changed her outlook on the city!

Steve in WY clears up the german tire company’s pronunciation for us.

Rance wrote: “Here is a video for the Follow Me Tandem that you guys talked about.”

Aaron’s brother Tito was highly amused by E143, as was their mom.

Oh, and Marcus, that egg/avocado recipe bakes at around 425º!

Headlines
Cycle Wild: new website offers more resources to discover Oregon camping options
BikePortland: Opening day fire causes serious damage at the Bike Farm
And lastly, Brandon Rhodes finds the Noomad!

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)

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E142 – Adam Leyrer: Co-Creative Pruning

July 30, 2013Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Downsizing, Forestry, Gardening, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Adam Leyrer from Co-Creative Pruning is truly car-free and runs his arborist business on a fantastic bike trailer from Seattle’s Haulin’ Colin. We discuss becoming an arborist, certification, why no cars, the bike & trailer setup, hand powered tree care, partnership with a beekeeper, and Forest Park Conservancy donations.

Brock is a witness to a hit-and-run, and Aaron attends a bike move and a repair clinic (gallery below). Listeners Marcus & Beth from Chicago are in town and sit in on the taping as well as generously providing our drinks!

Mail
Chris in Arcata writes in about improved accomodations for touring cyclists in his town and bike access in the area. A Facebook post about camping and his site,http://completestreetsadvocate.org.

Josh in Cully, Portland:
a 5 min video on private buses in Detroit, and
Dan Christensen’s guide to bus seats

Rance found a keg trailer on facebook!

Tim Mooney calls in from the road about kindness from strangers on the road!

Kath Youell from twitter:

Sipping an iced coffee, knitting, listening to @SprocketPodcast while the kids play and (sort of) watch Mary Poppins. #NiceSaturday

Headlines
BikePortland: forthcoming “Nimbler” app helps plan “bike + transit” trips
Tiny House Blog via Marcus: Portland now has a tiny house hotel!

On the right is Bill who works for B-line. Guess who’s drinking Mate? Me. I’m drinking Mate.

This is Tyler, a recent grad from Bike Repair Institute. Someone give this guy a job.

I was calling this guy frank all day. Turns out his name is Fred. Oops.

That is a couch on a tomscargo #9. Just to show off, norm strapped a chair to the couch.

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E141 – Chris & Heidi Hershberger-Esh: Cyclical Simplicity

July 22, 2013Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Downsizing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Chris & Heidi Hershberger-Esh took the opportunity of being young and in-between life stages to bicycle across the continent at their own pace and choosing their own course. What happens when these two Mennonites expand their commitment to bicycling to a national scale? Lots of fun and practical lessons for life, that’s what. Guest host David Heddy joins us to make the connection and help bring their great journey to the Sprocket’s studios. You can find in-depth writing about the trip atcyclicalsimplicity.com and find out how the experience ends.

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E140 – Tim Mooney: Pedalshift

July 18, 2013Bicycling, Business, Communication, Downsizing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Tim Mooney is working on a concept we like: how can you have a “grown-up job” and still pursue bicycle travel? While he hasn’t found the magic solution yet, he createdPedalshift to begin the conversation among those of us who are interested. We also discuss Portland’s changes over time, the World Domination Summit, and Tim’s bicycle tour down the West Coast.

Tim is also a podcast producer for Kimberly Wilson’s Tranquility Du Jour, blogger,twitterer, and, of course, a loyal Sprocket Podcast listener.

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E136 – Emily Finch!

July 1, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Doin' It, Downsizing, Familysprocketpodcast

Emily Finch is a success story of transitioning herself and her family from auto-dependent life into simpler transport thanks to the genius of the bicycle – specifically, the bakfiets. Her amazing story has been featured by BikePortland, broadcast to the masses on Ricki Lake’s television program, and also passed around Reddit. Today she shares her story with us!

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E134 – The Blounts Move to Portland

June 17, 2013Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Joshua & Melissa Blount are recent transplants to Portland (and Cascadia) who are simplifying their daily rhythms of life and giving low-car life a fair shake. We talk about their transition and their experiences with the new paradigm. Joshua also podcasts atinternetpodcasts.com with three culture-related shows and documents their Portland move at joshplusmelissa.com with a video blog.

Melissa wanted to inform our listeners of an opportunity to support a local non-profit through a bicycle tour this summer. In July ten riders will pedal from Portland to Crater Lake and back to raise funds for The Cupcake Girls as part of the Sweet Ride Tour. Riders are attempting raise $10,000 to cover their costs and fund operations for The Cupcake Girls for six months. The Cupcake Girls bring resources, empowerment, and delicious cupcakes to men and women in the local adult entertainment industry. All donations are tax deductible.

Brock & Aaron also discuss moving by bike and a myriad of pedalpalooza rides, with shouts out to listeners we met on the rides: Max, Vince, Sarah, and Josh!

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Logan references Business Insider’s article on a novice bicyclist’s experience with Citi Bike share system in NYC; he also recommends Darn Tough Socks out of Vermont and the Find Friends app for meeting up with friends out in the field.

Derek tells us about SwapServe, “a place where people can sign up to volunteer with local non-profits and get free stuff from local businesses as a thank you.” He also offers to do a handstand.

Conservative listener Alisa writes in as requested to detail her take on our coverage of those from differing political backgrounds. (for those interested, her full letter is here)

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E131 – Tomas Quinones: Renaissance Man

May 27, 2013Bicycling, Business, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Mountain Biking, Technology, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Tomas Quinones has many things to discuss! He is an artist, tiny house dweller, employee of Velo Cult, founding member of Cycle Wild, works with the 55th Cascadia Scouts, and, if all the above was not enough, an independent adventurer in his scant free time. We also discuss the Path Less Pedaled and their Portland rain shirt, bicycling beginnings & the move to Portland, Kael’s Cargo Flyer bike, wool clothing, adventures to Ape Cave & Mt. Hood. You can find Tomas’ coloring and activity books at Bikeasaurusif you’re in Portland.

Co-host Aaron Flores will be in Hawaii this week on vacation, the lucky bastard. He will resume his standard duties in two weeks, and be sorely missed until then.

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Richard from the UK donates (thanks!) and inquires for advice on an upcoming ride that will be his longest yet.

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E130 – Will & Lea Vanlue: Suburban -> Urban

May 20, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Skateboarding, The Law, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Will Vanlue is a bicycle advocate who began commuting out of practicality, but has developed a great passion for transport on two wheels. He writes a blog entitled The Prudent Cyclist, and is also a communications staffer for Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance and a member of the utility bike collective TRANSPORTland. Will’s wife Lea Vanlue also joins us to add her perspective and commentary!

Headlines
Oregonian via Brandon: TriMet prepares to offer mobile ticketing for smartphone users
Oregonian: Oregon City police investigate pellet-gun shooting of skateboarder

Mail
Alexis recommends a seminar on skateboarding as transportation at Portland State University on May 31!

Phoebe from Boston remembers Orbitz, the beverage!

Caminando al DF walked 60 miles to Mexico City and says that it went great!

Dan from MN appreciated the coverage of cancer and uses patriotism as a shield.

more mail coming next week…

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E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures

March 30, 2013Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Touring, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Deanna Adams is a cycle touring adventurer who we spoke to earlier in our show’s history about her minimalist vegan fixie tour through Mexico. After some additional adventures in Europe, she encountered some health challenges and had to postpone plans for a worldwide tour in the works while dealing with those; we speak about her struggle to enjoy life at home and the lessons learned while waiting it out.

We reference This American Life’s “Self-Improvement Kick” episode which contains the story of Daryl Watson, who aspired to be the next “peace pilgrim.”

Deanna also mentions learning to fuse plastic to create new inexpensive gear out of discarded grocery bags.

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E122 – Alison Wiley: Diamond-Cut Life

March 24, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley writes about simpler living in its many forms through her website, diamondcutlife.org, tackling the many challenging yet rewarding aspects of “chiseling our focus down to what really matters.” We chat with her about her philosophy of life, work for the state in transportation, food and energy approaches, and her new book,Revelle: A Novel.

If you’re in Portland, drop by Rain OR Shine Cafe on SE 60th & Division on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 for a reading from Alison’s novel!

Brock & Aaron also discuss Hillstomp’s concert last weekend & his crowd management experience, as well as Brock’s trip to Bend.

Headlines
Urban Adventure League: Ultra-Moderate Touring!

Mail
We get some iTunes reviews, Nick shares a song inspired by Hing Kong’s MTR underground transport system, and Jack tweets us regarding a recently observed irony.

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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Downsizing

E146 – Beth Hamon: Music, Bikes and Slowing Down

E142 – Adam Leyrer: Co-Creative Pruning

E141 – Chris & Heidi Hershberger-Esh: Cyclical Simplicity

E140 – Tim Mooney: Pedalshift

E136 – Emily Finch!

E131 – Tomas Quinones: Renaissance Man

E130 – Will & Lea Vanlue: Suburban -> Urban

E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures