Category Archives: Family

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

March 4, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Family, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Tony Deis of Trackers Earth joins us to talk about outdoor education, survival skills, and the value of community, and we make some connections to our interests in simpler living and bicycling. You might be surprised how much talk there is about LARPing, and how telling and participating in stories influences the way we think about the world around us.

Also: Oscars, our upcoming bicycle tour, ring bearers & Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Headlines
How We Roll: new covered bike parking improves transit access in Forest Grove

Urban Adventure League: Shawn gives a rundown on traveling with a bike

Mail
Newest sustaining donors Wayne & Roger join our crew; Roger invites us to drop in when we bike through Santa Cruz!

Former guest Guthrie Straw says that the bike shop equivalent of “Stairway to Heaven” is “Bicycle Race” by Queen.

The Bicycle Film Festival, Portland happens Saturday, March 15 at 6:30pm at the Clinton Street Theater.

Keith in Walla Walla approves of Thunder Island Brewing.

JohnnyK asks: “Would it be possible to post a link to the XRAY.fm version of the show for those of us that are not within range to hear it over the air?”

Drew corrects Brock on his dynamo hub light and shares his ride down the California coast (a post on it on crazyguyonabike).

Jame shares a hilarious story about failed flirtation on light rail.

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

February 11, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Technology, The Law, Transitsprocketpodcast

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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E168c – Can You Buy Happiness?

February 1, 2014Advocacy, Communication, Downsizing, Familysprocketpodcast

After our 2012 fundraising campaign, some rewards were promised to backers. Listener Logan chose the option to have Brock collect man-on-the-street interviews around the question “Can you buy happiness?” Now, somewhat belated, we fulfill the promise to take the cultural pulse on the state of our contentment in life through a public survey of random passers-by. This special edition of the podcast curates some thoughts on what we need, what we can get and how it makes us feel.

Find more of this episode’s sponsor at rowdykittens.com where you can learn about Tammy & Logan’s downsizing and tiny house lifestyle and purchase a copy of the excellent book You Can Buy Happiness (And It’s Cheap).

Thanks to Phillip Roebuck for the use of his fantastic music, including excerpts of “Be My Little Widow” and “Can I Keep You.” Hear more of his music and find his albums online at philliproebuck.com

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E161 – Cathy Hastie: Those Arrogant Bikers

December 10, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, History, Racing, The Law, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Cathy Hastie is a BikePortland lifestyle contributor who has written about comparative car sharing, fashion & clothing on bikes, and an article on “those arrogant bikers” recentlylabeled by Bike Snob as “possibly the smuggest article posted to [Bikeportland] to date.” She’s also a lifelong Portland resident who has been downplaying personal car use her entire life, so if anyone has claim to the right to be smug about transportation, it’s her! We taped more great conversation than you can shake a stick at.

Aaron & Brock also discuss Portland’s poet laureate, cold weather, and, later, the drinking club with a running problem (hashing!)

Headlines
RowdyKittens.com: Tammy Strobel launches A Simple Year: 12 months of guided simplicity
Oregonian: TriMet on the verge of sending vintage trolley cars to St. Louis, MO

Mail
Glenn in Edmonton clarifies #YEGbike, and inquires about GoPro, citing an archive on the topic both here and here.

A text: “Hmm a 40oz and Prince and The Revolution!”

Listener Dion twitters this article about Specialized’s suit against Cochrane bike builder; “but they won’t try that with Fuji, they sell a roubaix road bike”

Beercycling.com sends us their press release for the Ardennes Trappist Challenge – July 2014 will contain bikes & beer!

And iTunes and Stitcher reviews from our listeners!

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E156 – Mychal Tetteh & Rob Sadowsky: Privilege & Choice

November 6, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Family, Housing, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Mychal Tetteh is the CEO of the fantastic nonprofit Community Cycling Center in NE Portland, Oregon. He chats with us about growing up on the slopes of Mt. Tabor and how it contributed to his perspective on life and bicycling. We also chat about the New Columbia and his involvement with the Village Market, his history with the CCC, transit and first/last mile bike access, cultural barriers to bicycling and the nature of privilege & choice, and the CCC Holiday Bike Drive.

Rob Sadowsky is our recurring guest from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance with insights on advocacy and a quick wit.

Aaron & Brock discuss a tallbike/cargo bike swap with listener Drew as well as Aaron’s need for lights and a new computer.

Headlines
BikePortland: bike lane citation in Ashland highlights controversial Oregon law
BikePortland: the Portland Mercury now delivered by cargo bike!
Yahoo Shine via Dan Flores: Young lady’s bike is stolen, but replaced by a kind person

Mail
Tim from DC donates and recommends rain capes.

Jack from Apex, NC seconds the cotton balls with petroleum jelly as fire starter, as well as 35mm film canisters to hold them in; also magnesium!

Marcus shares a link to exciting statistics that show bicycles outselling cars in Europe! Also he is “Always glad to hear of Aaron and your adventures around Portland.” Rob references the similar american statistic from BikePortland.

Aaron’s coworker shares the video of the guy who stays in the bike lane no matter what.

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E155 – Christopher & Erin DeLaney: Carless in Casper WY

October 29, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Family, The Lawsprocketpodcast

Chris & Erin DeLaney are two people out of roughly ten in Casper WY who choose bicycling as a mode of transportation (and the only ones they know of who voluntarily don’t own a car). We talk about the upsides of simpler transport in a rural community, a few tips and tricks to make it a little smoother, and the value of a well-placed flag (ashighlighted recently by the Portland Afoot podcast).

Aaron & Brock discuss burdock, name changes, creme brulee stout, a snapped chain and some new bike work Aaron had done.

Mail
Listener Rob talks up bike travel and wonders what to wax one’s leather boots with.

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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!

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E145 – Anna Brones: The Culinary Cyclist

August 20, 2013Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Family, Gardening, Kitchensprocketpodcast

Anna Brones is the author of The Culinary Cyclist and runs the websitefoodieunderground.com, and was kind enough to stop by to chat about some of this, including guiding us through a “test kitchen” type of experience. Our topics included:

pinterestfail.com
Brock’s shame eating & perilous fast food
making baked eggs in avocados
Anna tells a sad tale of pigeons nesting in her kale plants
bicycles & food transport, bicycling in Paris, and the possibility of a tumblr based on bikes & baguettes.
Our feelings on the television series Portlandia
slowing down our pace of food and keeping it simple
Elly Blue Publishing & Taking The Lane
and much, much more…

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E144 – Cory Poole Skates to Salem

August 13, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Family, Skateboarding, Touring, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Cory Poole from the NW Skate Coalition undertakes a long-distance longboard trip to work between Portland and Salem! We’re hoping he crosses the entire state of Oregon someday. He returns to the show with some updates on the local skate scene, and also talks about his experience at the Fiets of Parenthood event.

Brock stayed up far to late for work this weekend, and passed Aaron in a school bus earlier today, who removed part of his finger unintentionally. Cory mentions the Rob Thompson bicycle phone charger that an amateur electrician could probably make themselves.

We also include an interview Brock taped with TriMet trainer Ken Jenson at the OMSI sustainable transportation event that neighbored the Cascadia Cargo Bike Fair in July!

Mail
Aaron’s friend Sean who is crossing the country by bike found a podcast sticker still affixed to the Twin Bridges bicycle camp.

Headlines
Fast Co. via Marcus: Smart handlebars give any bicycle a brain transplant

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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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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Family

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

E168c – Can You Buy Happiness?

E156 – Mychal Tetteh & Rob Sadowsky: Privilege & Choice

E155 – Christopher & Erin DeLaney: Carless in Casper WY

E146 – Beth Hamon: Music, Bikes and Slowing Down

E145 – Anna Brones: The Culinary Cyclist

E144 – Cory Poole Skates to Salem

E136 – Emily Finch!