Category Archives: Train Travel

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!”

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

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E231 – The Benson Twins: #boatmonth

March 31, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Boats, Business, Camping, Car Sharing, Fun, Kayaking, Skateboarding, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

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!

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

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E228 – Adron Hall: Transit Sleuth

March 10, 2015Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Family, History, Housing, Technology, The Law, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Transit Sleuth is on the case; he’s been following sustainable transit modes and reporting on them for some time here in Portland OR! We chat about the state of transportation in our town, along with Adron’s youth near trains and his eventual disenchantment with sweating in traffic. Read the latest updates at transitsleuth.com

Also: TriMet’s annual report is available, Inspired to Ride film is coming soon (4/18 in Portland), Brock dug some dirt out of Will Vanlue’s yard and is sore, and Aaron ran into Jeff on the street.

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

Headlines

Human Transit: How do I find a hotel near good transit?
and How do I find a hotel near good transit? Not (yet) via google!

BBC News via Logan: Ford Motor Co. experiments with e-bikes

bikeportland.org: Half of Portland car2go vehicles now have rear bike racks

Mail

Many thanks to new donors JP Q-lee, Matt B, Patrick, & Gabriel! And all of our previous ones.

Tim Mooney sent us news on the possibility of c&o trail camping fees – it’s still gonna be free! Also, he’s pro-pug.

Josh G sends us a non-bikey writer’s review of biking in Vancouver WA.

Tomas Q. is working with Ride With GPS on their Ambassador Program.

Nurse David explains how to clean a peanut butter jar.

Dan in Bemidji: Fatbikes race in MN! Also Aaron mentions a Cyclofemme event.

Richard finds an article about Hub Powderworks from Gizmodo!

Anna sent in the TED talk about why buses represent democracy in action.

Glenn in YEG had #coffeeoutside!

John from Goldendale has a very “Portland” moment that reminds him we’re all human beings.

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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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E221 – Maren Souders: Open Ears, No Car

February 3, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Vegansprocketpodcast

Maren Souders has never, ever owned a car. That’s an achievement even for those who’ve tried! She brings us some inspiring stories and thoughts on low-car life, the value of listening, and trying to eat vegan while taking Amtrak trains across the country. Notably, she’s spent some time on a multi-city listening tour, sitting in public places with a “free empathy” sign! Her webistes:dreamintochange.com & happytolisten.com

click here to find her petition for easier access to vegan meals for Amtrak passengers.

Also: Brock explored the wilds of SW Washington; Aaron rides to Boring.

Join the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Headlines

Copenhaganize: Climaphobia and Vacuum-packed Cities

bikeportland.org: Kidical Mass PDX invites biking parents to join family ride planning for 2015

Lovely Bicycle: Finding a Winter Wander-land (and Other Coping Strategies)

Mail

Organic Transit shares a story of a man who rode an ELF trike from Canada to Florida.

We got a letter from Mike in Midland, GA!

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

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E220b – Greg Hum: Drumbiker

January 29, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Fun, Music, Technology, The Law, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Greg Hum is a drumbiker. What is that, you ask? Well, take some rhythm and add it to your transportation. That’s where it starts. Brock speaks with him at his apartment in Cambridge, MA about sound and motion, bike fun, and the delicate line along which an event organizer walks when dealing with sensitive authority figures. Watch his videos on YouTube, especially the film “Making a Splash in Miami” that he submitted to last year’s Filmed By Bike, and join in on the fun with Boston Bike Party if you’re near the Boston area!

We mention Portland buckets ‘n slide blues band Hillstomp, who also make use of buckets (and are one of Brock’s favorite bands). Here’s the death metal washing machine, too, and the video where metal music was paired with the sound.

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E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

January 22, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Fun, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Phoebe Sinclair lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and has a great sense of connection with the world around her. We appreciate her ability to cut the BS and buckle down to a mindful lifestyle, and have been grateful for her comments since she became one of our listeners several years ago. Our discussions rolls through several topics, including food, bicycling, transit, local community involvement, and dancing! Follow Phoebe’s adventures and observations atwholeheartlocal.com and keep an eye peeled for her forthcoming book in the future!

“May you be happy, may you be safe, may you be at peace.”

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E206 – Timo & Esther: Sweet Bike Love

October 28, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Family, Fun, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Timo & Esther are established figures in the Portland transportation scene, Timo as a part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation & Esther with Sunday Parkways events. We chat with them about how bicycling (and breakfast on the bridges) brought them together, a bikey wedding near Silverton, OR, and a honeymoon of epic proportions through southern Europe!

Our musings on bicycle music brought these mentions: Johnnyrandom’s “Bespoken”, Frank Zappa, and the Portland Bike Ensemble.

Also: Brock rides through the hardest rain of the season to check out the new Type 5 MAX light rail cars, meets listener John from Maine; Aaron is off drugs! He also ran into Greg and Sarah from Funemployment Radio, who are having a live show soon. TheTransportastic studio opener was awesome.

Mail

Zoe is our newest monthly supporter (and also a vocal one)! Thanks! JohnnyK has been donating forever and somehow never made it into the credits. Bad, Brock, bad!

Chris in Chico climbs 3000 feet at Lassen Volcanic National Park’s car free day, and Meets His Maker at a Paul Components event.

Dan Christensen shares this photo of a man’s recumbent bike/inflatable raft combo! The website Adventures of Greg is a human powered adventure log!

Dan in MN looks pretty damn awesome in his raingear.

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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E195 – Lenny Anderson, Touring Old-School

July 28, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Touring, Train Travel, Travelsprocketpodcast

This week we bring back Lenny “the King of Swan Island” Anderson to tell us about the days of touring without all the fancy gadgets you kids have these days. The last time we talked with Lenny we didn’t get any of his touring stories. He did not disappoint this time. Though he was not impressed with my choice of beverage.

Also with us is Dan B. who comes to PDX from the Volunteer State. Dan will be starting a podcast on sustainability with his siblings and wanted to see what podcasting Sprocket-style looks like. God luck, Dan!

Oh, and Lisa’s back! She has a funny anecdote that turns into a plug for Gladys Bikes (take a drink Krista S).

Mail

We got physical mail From Mark in San Jose!

We got Voicemail from Tim Mooney

From Johnny K. in FLA: Aaron got the intro, hates clowns, and wants breakfast on his commute.

From Josh G. in Concordia: “I vote Eilif your most entertaining guest.. up there with brewmaster Dan Hynes from Thunder Island Brewing.”

From Brock Dittus in Lake Chelan
“I only took two pictures! But here they are. No. 2 is a sunRISE, even though it looks like a sunset.”

News

From Gizmodo via listener Mark V: How Cyclists on Fixies Saved California’s Mail Service 120 Years Ago

From TriMet: an open house on the new Orange Line

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

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E183b – Joe Biel talks Amtrak & Aftermass

May 16, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Communication, The Law, Train Travelsprocketpodcast

Brock dropped into Microcosm Publishing’s offices to chat with Joe Biel, the filmmaker behind the new documentary Aftermass. It surveys a history of the activism & advocacy behind Portland’s bicycle culture, and explores the history of Portland’s Critical Mass ride and what it can tell us about the city we live in today.

Joe’s dog Ruby joined us for the interview, and we began with some discussion about Amtrak and passenger train travel before getting into the film!

If you live in Portland, the film premiers at the Clinton Street Theater on May 23, 2014 at 7pm for just $7. If you don’t live near Portland you might be able to catch the film with the Dinner & Bikes Tour 2014 down the eastern seaboard!

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

Audio Player

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The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Train Travel

E233 – Erin Kelley: Just Listening In

E226 – Paul & Caroline Zavitkovski: The Honeymooners

E220b – Greg Hum: Drumbiker

E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

E206 – Timo & Esther: Sweet Bike Love

E195 – Lenny Anderson, Touring Old-School

E183b – Joe Biel talks Amtrak & Aftermass