Category Archives: Simpler Living

E236 – Will Vanlue: Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

May 6, 2015Bicycling, Brewing, Building, Camping, Car Ownership, Cargo, Downsizing, Gardening, Simpler Living, Technology, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Will Vanlue: former advocacy organization official, now a hauler of soups and freelance urban sustainability engineer. He made some sweet rain barrels, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg! He brews, he builds, he landscapes… and no, that’s not his real twitter account.

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

Also: Brock took a bike camping weekend trip, and Aaron wants to haul his unboxed frame around town for photos.

Headlines
citylab.com: How the Microtransit Movement Is Changing Urban Mobility
willamette week: Portland’s Last Affordable Bike Neighborhoods

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Josh G. says that, yes, the Thousand Island dressing probably has roots in the Thousand Islands.

PBJ Matt shares sad 9% fare hike from NJ Transit.

Speaking of sails on bikes: JohnnyK found a Pterosail trike.

Brian Benson’s project The River Signal is up!

Logan sent us a NYT article: cargo bikes are the new cars.

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

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E233 – Erin Kelley: Just Listening In

April 14, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Mountain Biking, Simpler Living, Train Travel, Transitsprocketpodcast

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!”

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

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E232b – David Griffiths: The Cascadian Ministry of Transportation & Mobility

April 9, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Handcycling, Simpler Living, Touring, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

David Griffiths took a trip to Colombia with his handcycle for the World Bicycle Forum after his first visit to our studio, and returns to share some of his experiences there, as well as some new ideas on transportation and mobility! Also Brock tries to come up with a way to tie this into #boatmonth.

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

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E232 – Brandon Rhodes, Mychal Tetteh, Scott Davison: Rolling Oasis Expansion

April 7, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Cargo, Communication, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Brandon Rhodes is The Sprocket Podcast’s former cohost, and founder of the bicycle-based local organic produce delivery business Rolling Oasis Grocers.
Scott Davison createdVocoform, an organization that helps people with barriers to advancement find their calling in meaningful work, and powered the startup of Rolling Oasis.
Mychal Tetteh is CEO of theCommunity Cycling Center, a Portland nonprofit with the goal of “broadening access to bicycling and its benefits” that is partnering with Rolling Oasis to expand grocery delivery service to other Portland neighborhoods, particularly those with less access to affordable produce.

This week we discuss how to put the heart and soul back into local business to help people thrive. Hint: It involves bicycles! Find the Rolling Oasis Crowdfunding page here.

We’d like to welcome our new beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers! Many appreciations to Sean Campbell for keeping us socially lubricated. And as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!

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).

Headlines
copenhagenize.org: Make Life Shine – Yes, You Volvo
Lovely Bicycle: The Bicycle Safety Check: from Mnemonic to Automated Ritual
bikeportland.org: Dear everywhere else: This is how to do a detour. Sincerely, Multnomah County

Mail
Logan finds Volvo Lifepaint, a spray-on reflective for your clothes and bikes.

Twitter thread: James suggests alternate names for private combustion engine vehicles: “carcoon,” “carcophagus;” Orange & Purple add “Sensory Deprivation Chamber.”

Lisa Nims checks in from the field with taxidermy in a bike shop.

Dion sends in some ol’ bullshit from ABC news.

On Overnight Oats, PBJ Matt & Jeremy Mendelson.

On Ski Trains, Jeremy.

On infrequent bus service, Matt.

My Bike Won’t Fit Here: Ethan Georgi photographs “limited” bike parking.

JohnnyK weighs in on oldies & alternate transport.

Update: Path Less Pedaled met a Sprocket listener in Alabama! His name is Dan!

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

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

March 23, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, History, Simpler Living, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

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)

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

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E227b – Aaron Aaron Aaron Brock

March 4, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Racing, Simpler Living, The Law, Touring, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

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!

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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.

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.

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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”

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E226 – Paul & Caroline Zavitkovski: The Honeymooners

March 2, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Family, Fun, Simpler Living, Touring, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

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

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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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E224 – Alex Reed & Kari Shlosshauer: Bike Loud PDX

February 24, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Family, History, Simpler Living, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Alex Reed helped to launch and coordinate Bike Loud PDX. Kari Schlosshauer is a concerned and involved bikey mom who lives near SE Clinton street. We talk about starting an advocacy movement, the case study of Portland’s first neighborhood greenway, the nature of advocacy vs. that of activism (and are they the same thing?), and innovative experiments such as Better Block.

Want to support a Safer Oregon? Buy some Clinton Street swag inspired by Bike Loud PDX!

Also: Brock takes an 80 mile pub crawl ride & borrows a Bike Friday, Aaron rents a fatbike.

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

Headlines

OregonLive.com: Modest Mouse releases music video shot on MAX

Mail

Logan shares the xtracycle megarack that converts standard frames to longtails!

Antonio shares a map made by EEG-enabled helmets of Manhattan

Tim Mooney shares Brock & Adele’s tour journals from 2012 on Pedalshift Project

Harm in NZ shares Portland news: sustainable electricity harvested from city water utility pipes

Zoe asks: ”We want to ride from Portland to the coast this summer so I’m looking for the best, most beautiful route with the lightest traffic.” Brock likes Oregon’s highway 6 to Tillamook, but Alex prefers the idea of the Nestucca River Road (Path Less Pedaled did this a while back)

Gerald likes chemical handwarmers in his gloves.

Not mail but from the shift list: Tall Bike Tour!

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