Category Archives: Technology

E218b – Emily Thibodeau & Josh Zisson: Hub Powderworks

Bicycling, Building, Business, Mechanics, Technology, The Law

Hub Powderworks is the new project from our friends in Cambridge, MA – Josh Zisson, whom we’ve interviewed before, and Emily Thibodeau, the woman behind Hub Bicycle Co. We talk a little about the unique aspects of her shop, and then we discuss retro-reflection and how you get it onto your bicycle frame.

Hub Powderworks is licensed byHalo Coatings to offer their patented retro-reflective powder coat for individual bicycle frames.  Since we recorded the interview, prices have lowered!
$329 for customers local to Boston and $419 for bicycles shipped in & out of the shop from elsewhere.  Visit hubpowderworks.com for details.

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

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E214 – Brad Davis & Jean Abbot: Moving at the speed of Ecology

Adventure, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Fun, Mechanics, Technology, Touring

note: Brock fell ill suddenly and I called on Aaron Delani to fill in. I also panicked and didn’t plug in my ipod to the soundboard. this episode will be interesting from a production standpoint.

Brad Davis and Jean Abbot of EcoSpeed were very good sports with the Aarons’ tomfoolery. EcoSpeed is the leading maker of mid-drive type electric assists for bikes and trikes. Mid-drives give more performance for a given motor and battery weight and, unlike hub motors, don’t create drag when you just want to pedal.

Headlines
from Bikeportland.org:
Holiday Bike Drive turns 300 children into bike riders
Uber’s illegal Portland launch raises question: What if an Uber driver hits you?

Mail

Marcus in the UK wants us to know that people listen in the UK.

Harm in NZ shares Joff Summerfield’s pennyfarthing touring site.  We want to interview him sometime!

Rory who is visiting NZ finds a White Ribbon Month bike ride.

Logan in CA sends us a link to the cheapest shifter ever.

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

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E212 – Bryan Blanc: ORcycle, “a new way to digitalize bread crumbs.”

Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Technology, Transit, Urban Design, Walking

Bryan Blanc is a podcast listener who is studying transportation at Portland State University and collaborating on the ORcycle mobile phone app that aims to collect data for the purpose of improving our local infrastructure (BikePortland article here).  We also talk about his experiences in Connecticut & Oregon on both sides of the transportation choice he made when he sold his car!

Also: Steph mentions an article about bike equity, and Brock hasn’t had any adventures since the last taping.  We mention the Amtrak writers’ residency program.  Happy Thanksgiving if you observe it, folks!

Mail

Rory from Michigan is in New Zealand!

Jim in NY finishes a charity ride he’s been training for, and oh, what a ride it was.

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

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

Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Downsizing, Fun, Mountain Biking, Technology, Touring, Transit, Travel

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!

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, 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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E198 – Phillip Ross: Metrofiets

Bicycling, Building, Business, Cargo, Technology, Transit

Phillip Ross makes cargo bikes!  Metrofiets brings the classic dutch box-bike concept into an American iteration.  We talk about his passion for bicycling innovation.

Phil mentions the atomic zombie’s bicycle builder’s bonanza!

Also: Brock’s bike breaks, a combine demolition derby, and Cory’s summer.

Headlines

dcist.org: Courtland Milloy goes on a bike ride, rethinks bicycling. (from Pedalshift)

Aftermass!
7 PM on Sept 12 at the Clinton Street Theatre with more Q&A afterwards.
also upcoming screenings in Roanoke, VA, Seattle, WA, and Pittsburgh, PA! More info at: http://microcosmpublishing.com/aftermass

Mail
Eric swingbikes to vista house!

Betsy sends us this:
Watch the Portland bike network grow from 1950 until today

Last week’s mystery donor was Kevin!  Thanks, dude.

The mystery burp by text message came from Dan in MN! He also texts about similarities between road guard & “corking.”

Jim from St. Petersburg Russia enjoys a bit of Oregon home while listening to Lenny Anderson’s stories.

JohnnyK sends in a wikipedia article on post-vacation blues and tells Brock to buck up. (LOL)

Roger shares suggested reading:  Kunstler’s “Geography of Nowhere”.    You’ve been “there.”

David from PDX clears up the “eat meat for healing” thing.

Doug feels a little guilty about receiving the postcard Adele bought for someone else, and did in fact hike the entire Appalachian Trail.

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien

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E194 – Swing-Bike Eric and His Amazing Friends

Adventure, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Technology, Touring

A little out-of-the-norm for us cycle-tourists, but who doesn’t like some good old-fashioned fun on bikes? Today we talk about bike fun on bikes that are fun in their own right. Swing Bikes!!! Eric Iverson, now dubbed Swingbike Eric, come to the studio with his friends J.P. and Eilif who introduced me to maybe one of the most fun ways to get from Point A to Point B. It’s possible you’ve already met these three. Anyone remember that whole Grill By Bike ride?!? That was these guys, and you know we’re gonna be talking about that.

mail (btw, this is the 4th time I’ve edited and posted this section)

from Johnny K. in FLA:
secret agent 004 was in the movie Thunderball
Marvin K Mooney will you please go now!

from Wayne Norman
“I can assure you that Roger and I are not ‘together’”

Eric W: hand positions and loss of feeling in fingers

Roger ups his donation amount after being entertained.

News
From Gearjunkie.com, via Brock: (“Holy shit. I’m drunk in eastern wa and this looks amazing”): Triple-Fat-Tire Trike Is Beast Made For Sand And Snow

From Bike Portland: Bike Tourism & Transit

find us on the Internet at thesprocketpodcast.com
send feedback about the program and suggestions for topics or guests –
write us via email, the address is thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
call and leave us a message or text to 503.847.9774
connect with us on Twitter @SprocketPodcast
thanks to Ryan J Lane for providing our theme music
thanks to Hurtbird for our headlines sounder

and thanks to our sustaining donors Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby , Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi,  Justin Martin and Eric Iverson

still working out my page format issues (really!)

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E185 – Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith: Tiny CA

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Family, History, Housing, Technology, The Law, Touring, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walking

Tammy Strobel & Logan Smith share a tiny house parked in rural northern California.  We spoke with them just as they were moving there from Portland a few years ago, and now they return to fill us in on the experience as it has shaped up over time.  Tammy writes at RowdyKittens.com, and Logan blogs at loganblairsmith.com

A few links of interest to things in our discussion:
the Caravan tiny house hotel in Portland, OR
the Recode Oregon project working on code issues with alternative dwelllings
the Phone Bloks project for modular mobile technology

Also: Brock & Aaron talk about their weekends, and a freight train passes.

Mail
Tim in DC shares a soggy episode, and the ranking of bicycle cities.

Kirk twitters about our similarities to Sound Opinions.

Brandon shares the IKEA electric bicycle (available only in Europe, presently).

Bob shares the news about  Wash Cycle Laundry!

Tour De Clack is coming June 14!

Phoebe from Boston does a write up of her visit to Portland.

Pat writes in to comfort Aaron on his experience of eating fried baloney.

Roger sends in an update on the case of the lady suing a dead bicyclist’s family.

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

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E184 – Brandon Rhodes: Rolling Oasis

Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Gardening, Kitchen, Technology, Urban Design, Walking

Brandon Rhodes, besides being one of the show’s founding cohosts and an all-around good guy, is the proprietor of the new sustainable (and replicable) local produce delivery service Rolling Oasis.  He had a vision for a business that would connect his neighbors to healthier food options while he aimed to connect with his neighbors, and thus a great idea was born.  We get the skinny from him on how his model works and what it’s been like to launch the venture!  Steph Routh fills in as cohost in Aaron’s absence.

Also:
Brock & Adele’s bike move
tickets now available for Aftermass
Kick Ass Oregon History’s summer road trip
Pedalpalooza! it’s June 5th – 28th this year.

Headlines
BikePortland: Something has gone wrong in Portland
c|net: the inventor of Palchohol explains how it works (via Logan)

Mail
Mark sends us links to AAA roadside support for cyclists, and some posters from the “golden age of bicycling.”

Dan (whom we convinced to move to Portland…  kind of) weighs in on snippy attitudes between cyclists.

So, who would YOU like to see as guests for our big 202 epic live episode? We wanna hear your top fives!

Sebastian shares: “I’ve occaisionally heard the phrase “bandit camping” in your podcasts. This fellow artfully takes the practice to new heights.”

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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

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E183 – Diane Goodwin: Transit On Tap

Advocacy, Bicycling, Brewing, Car Ownership, Communication, Racing, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Design

Diane Goodwin coordinates the Transit on Tap events for TriMet, allowing the interested public and transit experts to interact about important issues concerning public transportation.  We chat with her about the event series, her own personal history with transit, and many other things related to Portland’s regional transit provider!

Also:
tickets now available for Aftermass

Headlines
BikePortland: Ashland OR man cited for leaving bike lane found guilty
Thunder Island Brewing: Bicycle Eclectic Portrait Exhibit now on display at the brewery
Jan Heine from Bicycle Quarterly: Pro-joy instead of Anti-racing

Mail
Phoebe writes in on women’s safety in transportation options, and cheering for running bus riders.

Timo writes appreciation for Madi & Katie’s episode and comments on the laws around cell phone use pertaining to bus drivers.

Mark shares a great summary of the Idaho Stop Law.

Neighbor Kelly found this Sprocket Beer:

and Tim in DC found ”the OG cargo 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, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Roger Grigsby, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, & Justin Martin

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E182 – Jerry Zelada: Advocacy is Easy

Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Technology, The Law, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Walking

Jerry Zelada is an optometrist by day, and an advocate by night.  Actually, he’s always an advocate and an activist, because that’s how changes get made at the levels that matter.  We talk to him about how bicycling runs in his family and his touring adventures in an earlier decade, the infrastructure debate surrounding Portland’s NE 28th Avenue business district, and how the state of Oregon provided a place at the table for nonmotorized road users in all areas of the state through the ODOT ACT.  Jerry’s website is: zelada.com

Also:
Gladys Bikes move-by-bike
tickets now available for Aftermass
No Tech Magazine shares an 8 wheeled cargo hauler

Headlines
BikePortland: Skamania Transit offers bike-friendly weekend service starting May 1

[Also, UrbanTurnip offered on twitter: “i thought #skamania was going to be a music festival or a checkered bike lane”]

TriMet: Ride around Washington Park FREE! Line 83 weekend service begins May 3

Mail
Eric from Portland wants to know what bike shorts and chamois creams we prefer.  We respond by encouraging the use of leather saddles.

Doug on Surly snobs & custom details.

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