Category Archives: Touring

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith
Shadowfoot
Kathrina Mellemgaard
Roger Grigsby
Wayne Norman
Doug Robertson
Ethan Georgi

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E174 – Path Less Pedaled: Oregon Scenic Bikeways

March 10, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Camping, Communication, Touring, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Russ Roca & Laura Crawford from Path Less Pedaled are back to talk Oregon tourismand scenic bikeways after some long, hard work on promotional videos that show off the bounty of beauty that our state has to offer.

Join Russ & Laura at the screening party for their promotional video series on March 20 at Chris King Precision Components in Portland, Oregon! Bikes. Beer. Food. Free. No excuse not to! (RSVP on Facebook here)

Also:
USFS maps free for download!

AFTERMASS, a film by Joe Biel has its Portland premiere on May 23 at Clinton Street Theatre at 7 PM; how advocacy and activism coalesced to create Portland’s bicycle network over the last 40 years. Tickets are $7 and the event will feature Q&A with the director as well as the world premiere of the short film The Greatest Gift, about Emily Finch, the car-free mother of six.

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New sustaining donor Wayne writes in on transportation planning and seemingly illogical routes (likely laid out by drunken lemurs). We reference the Critical Transit podcast that addresses some of the intricacies of how it all works.

JohnnyK comments that Trackers Earth brings important focus to a sense of community, and that it’s hard to find in the big city.

TopHat writes from Oakland on carsharing. We found that one-way carsharing is illegal in SFO right now! But Getaround has a few cars in Oakland and there are “hella” Zipcarsthere as well.

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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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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

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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.

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E172 – Leah Benson: Gladys Bikes

February 25, 2014Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Communication, Racing, Technology, Touring, Transitsprocketpodcast

Leah Benson of Gladys Bikes in North Portland, Oregon tells us a little about running a bicycle shop that’s a little different than the norm! Her business focuses on helping non-male customers find bicycles and accessories that suit their bodies best for the task at hand, including the operation of a saddle lending library that lets anyone borrow a number of them to find the one that feels best!

Also: Public transit to Mount Hood, rides on Sauvie Island, and how laziness shapes Aaron’s laundry situation.

Headlines
Diamond Cut Life: Tips for riding Amtrak & intercity bus enjoyably.

Mail
Christina writes in to let us know about free legal clinics for bicyclists hosted by the BTA & law firm Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton. The dates are March 26th, May 21st, June 25th, August 27th, and November 19th from 6-7:00 PM at the BTA Headquarters, 618 NW Glisan Street #401, in downtown Portland. They will cover Oregon bicycle and pedestrian laws, insurance policy coverage, and what to do if you’re in a crash; all attendees receive a free copy of attorney Ray Thomas’ book, “Pedal Power: a Legal Guide for Oregon Cyclists.”

JohnnyK loves last week’s show with Bojun, and is a new sustaining donor! We express our immense thanks to everyone who has signed on so far.

Jame also loved the interview with Bojun and wants to see better messaging about bicycles.

And more entertainment from the space bike comment thread on episode 165.

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 for supporting our show costs.

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E168 – Guthrie Straw: Tours Near & Far

January 28, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Guthrie Straw grew up in Oregon and leads bicycle tours with Cycle Portland Bike Tourswhen he’s not enjoying longer bicycle tours of his own. After he and Brock met during the Filmed By Bike jury screenings, they decided to record a show together, which also led to some interesting discussion about Ketchikan, Alaska and outdoor leadership dynamics.

Also: fossil fuel divestment (OPB & Alison Wiley), former co-host Brandon’s new businessRolling Oasis, pedestrian assumptions & motorized vehicle proliferation.

Headlines
Multimodal Alaska Adventures: some poetry, a bus story, and ruminations on privilidge

Bike Safe Boston: a field guide to predicting vehicle driver behvior

BikePortland: Travel Oregon needs your input on bicycling in the Columbia River Gorge!

Mail
Robert explains why the London elevated cycleway doesn’t make sense.

Card from Richard in TX!

JohnnyK says “You can force sound into a persons ear but you cannot make them a listener.”

Dan in MN will bike to Portland someday.

Ginny twitters about #RAGBRAI.

Ethan Seltzer from Pedal Power & E049: saw this article and thought of us.
Tim chimes in: “Now THAT’s a cool recumbent!”
Stay tuned for our interview with Organic Transit’s Rob Cotter and ELF owner Lorraine later this week!

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E166 – New Year!

January 14, 2014Bicycling, Car Ownership, Communication, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

Aaron & Brock discuss sodas, beers & kombuchas, planned rides for the year, the future of reading in an electronic age, and traffic in Portland these days.

Headlines
The Mail Tribune: Psychologist convicted of Mt. Bike sabotage returns to practice(submitted by listener Dion)

Oregonian: Pantless MAX ride took place again!

Mail
Listener Chris donates (thanks!) and wants us to watch Riding Bikes With The Dutch.

Albany tweed ride would deliver coffee & tea to astronauts with a bicycle in space.

JohnnyK adds some detail on re-entry from the moon and its bicycle physics.

The Stickman comes up with “a quick improv to tow a shopping cart for my fiancé. Connected by two key clips. Not a bad trailer for 30 bucks.”

Doctor Jeff twitters nice things about us, and Jim agrees on facebook.

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E164 – Thunder Island Brewing, Cascade Locks OR

December 30, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Brewing, Business, Camping, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Who would have thought that some of the best beer available in Oregon was accessible to hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and touring cyclists in the Columbia River Gorge? And who would have thought that it would be possible with a simple trail project to make it an easy day’s ride from Portland by bike?

We talk with Dave & Dan from Thunder Island Brewing about adventure, business, and brewing, and do some tasting of their fine beverages! Cascade Locks, Oregon just got a whole lot cooler, and you should take a weekend camping trip to figure out why!

Happy 2013, all, and a happy 2014 as it dawns on us! All the best,

Brock & Aaron

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E162 – Elly Blue: Bikenomics

December 17, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Communication, Downsizing, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Elly Blue is the author of the new book, Bikenomics: How Bicycling Can Save The Economy, and also the star of the now-famous Amtrak incident leading to a broader conversation on bike/train integration. We talk about the benefits of a bicycle lifestyle and multimodalism!

Aaron & Brock also discuss drinking coffee, coffee machine cuisine, Aaron’s new Disc Trucker, Spinlister, and Amtrak: Gangnam Style.

Headlines
Oregonian: new train service added to the Amtrak Cascades corridor
Bicycle Retailer: Specialized makes nice with Canadian bicycle builder
(Listener Dion also sent us the video of Specialized’s Mike Sinyard & Dan Richter getting along in person.)

Mail
Dion shares Martyn Ashton’s Road Bike Party videos – some sweet jumps and tricks!

Martyn later suffered a significant injury after falling backward during a demonstration.

Jeremy from Critical Transit twitters:
I never used studded #bike tires before last week but I’ve become a believer.

Logan sends us a TEDx video from Tall Bike Bobby!

Marcus sends us some info from Streetsblog on how unused parking can cost seattle renters a lot of extra cash.

Jack comments on Steph Routh’s move by bike episode and relates a story about a uhaul.

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E158 – Shawn Granton does the Pacific NW

November 18, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Touring, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

Shawn Granton is the adventurous individual responsible for the Urban Adventure League and many exciting events relating to bikes, fun, and travel. He joins us this week to share some stories about his recent travels to the San Juan Islands and other spots around the Pacific Northwest.

Laura Recker is coordinating Cranksgiving Portland 2013, an event happening at Velo Cult consisting of an alleycat race & a giving campaign for Outside In! Brock interviews her about Cranksgiving & other alleycat races, moving to Portland from Minneapolis (and the difference in those cities’ weather systems), and Coalition Brewing’s Imperial Stout.

Aaron & Brock discuss Aaron’s stolen bike, Lance & Becky Poehler’s bike move. Brock shares Purple & Orange’s song from our fundraising rewards at the end of the show – get the bike songs EP here!

Headlines
Streetsblog: Delaware drops “share the road” from signage
[the controversial sign design will be replaced with these two:]

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Dan Flores sends in a TEDx talk from Kent Frankovich of Revolights, an innovative lighting method that illuminates forward and rearward from your wheels.

Albany Tweed Ride is inspired by early morning coffee rides.

Robert from Ocean Shores WA donates to us – thanks! He wants to tour, got a cargo trike for hauling his kids around, and shares the “invisible” helmet solution.

Marcus from Chicago redesigned our podcast icon! It’s awesome.

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E157 – Chris & Kelley: Sunrise Coffee Club

November 11, 2013Adventure, Bicycling, Brewing, Camping, Kitchen, Racing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Christopher & Kelley of the Sunrise Coffee Club talk about early morning coffee-making rides, touring, and food, including eggnog! Kelly brought cookies, too – and they were good.

Listeners Phoebe & Dave from Boston were also in the room and provided beverages! Phoebe chips in on our discussion of hauling laptops by bike, and Dave adds to our consideration of plantains.

Cranksgiving Portland 2013 is an event happening at Velo Cult consisting of an alleycat race & a food drive for those in need! We’ll have a little interview with Laura Recker who is coordinating this event in next week’s show.

Aaron & Brock discuss rides to restaurants around town, the anniversary of Montana’s statehood, and mystery rides. Also, we were unusually plagued with microphone & cable malfunctions this episode! Sorry, and we’ll get on that to make it nicer in the future.

Headlines
Tom’s Bike Trip: a review of a USB charger & some thoughts on electronics & travel
BikePortland: new bike-friendly micro-apartments – 200 square feet and no car parking

Mail
David from Thunder Island Brewing was pleasantly surprised to find our show, offers a pint next time we visit Cascade Locks, and can also help us find a better place to stay than next to the train tracks.

Timo notes to our Portland-area listeners who want to hear more from Mychal Tetteh that he will be the presenter at this month’s Bicycle Brown Bag. Thurs, Nov. 21, Noon to one pm at City Hall.

Dan Flores wrote “Aaron, wear a helmet!!!”

And a new iTunes review from scottmacs – thanks!

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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Touring

E178 – Two Dudes & Some Palindromes

E174 – Path Less Pedaled: Oregon Scenic Bikeways

E173 Tony Deis: Trackers Earth

E172 – Leah Benson: Gladys Bikes

E168 – Guthrie Straw: Tours Near & Far

E166 – New Year!

E164 – Thunder Island Brewing, Cascade Locks OR

E162 – Elly Blue: Bikenomics

E158 – Shawn Granton does the Pacific NW

E157 – Chris & Kelley: Sunrise Coffee Club