Category Archives: Fun

E234 – BOATS with Josh Guttmacher, Andy Schmidt & John Fritz



Josh Guttmacher, Andy Schmidt & John Fritz are boat fans who also like to bicycle.  We discuss, in this long awaited #boatmonth podcast, how boating and bicycling are similar, transporting your vessel by bike, and adventures in getting marooned or racing past “secret” racecourse markers.  Never thought we’d be on a boat.

A few links: Seattle’s Center for Wooden Boats, Portland’s Lincoln Street Kayak & Canoe Museum, Boston’s Community Boating, and their universal access program.

Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers, and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!

Note: When Tammy and Logan came in to Clever Cycles they “were very polite” and apologized to the customer for the interruption.

Also: Inspired to Ride film was awesome, Brock rode De Ronde PDX, and Aaron is testing his newly home-built wheelset.

Mail
Thanks to new donors Anna Olsen, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, and Krista Skucas!

Sustainable Joes documentary is in the works!

University of Washington Press published Bike Battles, a book by James Longhurst on the struggle for bicycle access on American roads.

Phil B in AK writes an editorial on access in Anchorage.

JohnnyK writes some fan fiction & explains wheel taco makers.

John in Goldendale mentions Team Rubicon’s wish list item, the Montague Paratrooper Folding Bike and accessories.

Kathy enjoyed last weeks show!

Gabriel wants us to talk about Friends of Trees.

Robert shares a school bus/bike incident in the other Portland.

Sir Bikes A Lot offers a contender for best transit city: San Antonio, Texas!

Tim mooney is riding amtrak!

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)
beverage sponsor: The Beer Mongers

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 Olsen, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Krista Skucas


E233 – Erin Kelley: Just Listening In



Erin Kelley just wanted to see how the podcast was made, and ended up chatting with us about Brock’s bike camping weekend, Aaron’s plans to adopt a new bike with someone special, and her own time off from work and how that gave her time to sort and declutter her stuff!  And it turns out she was a fascinating guest!  Aaron also googled the highest point in PDX.

Here’s the video Brock made about suburban scale after he forgot his sleeping bag.

Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers, and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!

Also: Inspired to Ride film is coming soon & the trailer is now available (4/18 in Portland).

Headlines
bikeportland.org: Man issues citizen citation after police decline to investigate red-light collision

bikeportland.org: Petition launched to strip Portland of ‘Platinum’ bike-friendly status

humantransit.org: San Francisco: A world-class transit map unveiled

Mail
Thanks to Sebastien for his generous donation & for sending in a book about Ed Ricketts!

Thanks also to new donors Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, and Andrew Alderson!

Drew the Welder reminds us that De Ronde PDX is coming next weekend!

JohnnyK found bluetooth cycling communication kits – one from Cardo and anothercheaper option.

Maren Souders sends in this article about the Amtrak Cascades line’s uncertain future. Funding is drying up.

Jason asks about how to find cities with good public transit services.

Scott Morgan sends in this week’s “My Bike Won’t Fit Here!”

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 Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer, Sebastien Poule, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew Alderson, Drew the Welder


E231 – The Benson Twins: #boatmonth



Leah Benson is the proprietor ofGladys Bikes, a bike shop catering specifically to the needs of women in Portland, Oregon, and one host of the newly created podcast Snack Parade!
Brian Benson
is the author ofGoing Somewhere, a book based on his crosscountry bicycle trip from Wisconsin to Oregon, and is working on creating The River Signal, an audio drama podcast, which will begin production this summer!

We talk about kayaking the Columbia River, sea lions, wearing pants, philosophy around bicycling, and more.  We also unwittingly created #boatmonth on the show!

Maren Souders Skypes in to update us on the petition to provide vegan meal options aboard Amtrak dining cars.

Also: Spinlister credit contest: “When did you most need a bike but not have one?” Inspired to Ride film is coming soon & the trailer is now available (4/18 in Portland).  Rolling Oasis grocers is launching an expansion Kickstarter and hosting an event at Community Cycling Center this thursday!

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

Headlines

Tom Allen is working on a new film project!

Aaron Green’s We Were Like Sons is funded!

Mail

The stickman’s son takes his first bike ride.

John from Goldendale finds a news story on LA’s newly legal free public gardening.

Gerald offers reverse psychology for angry motorists.

Ethan Georgi deals with parent drivers in school zones and makes an effort to maintain a zen-like calm.

Jim Goodin eschews earbuds while riding his bike and cranks the iPhone speaker.

Harm in NZ shares an awesome cycling/skating documentary.

Maren Souders sent us some car-sharing news.

Peanut butter jar Matt shares a few links on voluntarily limiting your technology.
Wired: Artificial Light May Be Harmful
Good Reads: 4 Arguments for the Elimination of Television

Glenn from Marrowstone Island has a suggestion for more compassionate automobility.

Path Less Pedaled met a Sprocket listener in Alabama!

Marcus Graham is shining up an old bike for a touring event!

Bicycle-towed tiny home gypsy wagon, found on Facebook & shared by David Griffiths

JohnnyK comments on the cost of living and says we’d better step up our game to compete with #YEGbike!

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 Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Matt B., Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer, Sebastien Poule


E230 – Glenn Kubish & Darren Markland: #YEGbike Pocket Sprocket



Glenn Kubish is a longtime listener and supporter of our show.  He’s well connected in the Edmonton, Alberta bicycling community, and when he recommended a guest, we knew that we’d never make it up to Canada in time to interview him, so we asked, “would you be willing to do the interview?” A resounding positive answer meant that we now get to deliver this gem of an interview with a man who, in Glenn’s words, has “the spirit of the @SprocketPodcast” in him. “Plus,” he adds, “he’s a doc, built abamboo bike, roasts his own coffee.”  Darren Markland also sports a wicked ice beard in the winter!

We’re grateful for this little window into the #YEGbike community!  Many thanks to our friends up north, and here’s to hoping there will be a new podcast on the horizon.  Who knows? With enough friendly encouragement, they might just do it…

If you enjoyed this Pocket Sprocket format and feel like you know someone interesting in your town, be sure to get in touch.  We want your positive vibes to spread, and would love to help bring someone’s story to the rest of the world if you’d like to help us find it.  See below for our contact info!

We’ll be back next week with more Portland-produced episodes! See you then.
(oh yeah, and there was that time we met Glenn at Filmed By 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, 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, Matt B., Patrick Archain, Gabriel Trainer


E227b – Aaron Aaron Aaron Brock



Aaron Delani is a recent Portland inductee, taking the admonition of “welcome to Portland, now go ride your damn bike” very seriously.  As a webmaster, he codes in coffee shops, and then looks for places to explore and people to ride with.  We discuss his downsizing process as he moved here, a misjudgment of #coffeeoutside, and secret commuter racing, among many other things.  He’s at aarondelani.com

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

Mail

Many thanks to new donor Christi!  And all of our previous ones.

Matt sends in the saga of a motorcycle cop & a man on a beach cruiser.

Logan mentions CEO of Japan Airlines who took a pay cut and rides the bus to empathize with workers who were forced to retire early.  Reminded us of José Mujica, Uruguayan president who lives small and picks up hitchhikers.

A friend reminds Brock of Tom Allen’s beer can stove.

This week’s shift list: Halley Weaver explains bike-resistance from potential employers:
illegal = “do you have a car” unless the job specifically requires driving.
legal: “Are you able to get to all four counties for your job?” “Do you have reliable transportation?”
If they ask about reliable transportation; you say yes. If they ask for elaborate then you can say something like, “I prefer to travel by bike but have a Plan B in adverse weather conditions.”

Josh G: Which president was a big-time cyclotourist?  Woodrow Wilson! AlsoPresidents’ Day used to be Bicycle Day!

Daniel drops the gauntlet to Alaska with Fraser Cunningham’s -10º Cincinnati commute.  He also mentions the YMCA San Antonio, TX Siclovia, March 29th 10am to 4pm.

Anna shares a question from Oregon’s drivers’ license test.

Eric Iverson (& Paul from yesterday) mention quiet zones for rail crossings: there’s gonna be a lot fewer trains on the show.

JohnnyK is our Google king, and found us foot warming solutions.

Eric recommends a wheelbuilding library of knowledge from Mike Tech Info & Sheldon Brown.

Dave asks about the safety of listening devices while riding on the roads.


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 Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Matt B.


E227a – Aaron M. Green: We Were Like Sons



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


E226 – Paul & Caroline Zavitkovski: The Honeymooners



Paul & Caroline Zavitkovski are perhaps the biking-est couple in Portland.  They had a bicycle honeymoon of epic proportions, transport their pug Rando in a specially built bicycle sidecar, and are cheerfully dialed into the bicycle culture here in town.  We discuss the best Pug ever, a bikey wedding, and a honeymoon across the northern tier of the continental US, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, & Maine.

Also: Aaron has his fancy hub on order, and Brock saw a mischievous sea otter at the zoo.

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

Headlines

The Oregonian: TriMet bus driver saves girl from getting hit by impatient driver in NE Portland

bikeportland.org Biking would win big under Oregon Climate carbon tax plan

bikeradar.com: Things you should never say to your bike shop mechanic

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


E225 – Stephen Szucs: #RETHINK Tour



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.

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