Category Archives: Travel

E240b – Peter Rice: Spandex Optional Bicycle Touring

June 6, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Downsizing, Fun, Simpler Living, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Peter Rice wrote the book on how to get out there on your bike without a bunch of expensive equipment. That means he’s right down our alley on philosophical matters of travel: do what you want to with what you already have! We talk about his new release together with Eric Iverson & Krista Scukas, whom you may be familiar with already. Find the author at PeterBRice.com for all your simpler touring needs.

Find the book Spandex Optional Bicycle Touring here!

Fine Print
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast
mail things to:
Brock Dittus/The Sprocket Podcast
℅ IPRC
1001 SE Division St
Portland OR 97202

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, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson

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E238 – Jocelyn Gaudi: Team Komorebi

May 19, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Boats, Fun, Mountain Biking, Touring, Transit, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Jocelyn Gaudi is another one of our many-hat-wearing friends. We talk about her new project with the Komorebi Cycling Team which takes women into the woods and off-road. We also chat about her role on the KBOO Bike Show and her employment with Portland Design Works, also known as PDW!

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

Also: The River Signal is up and running, Brock has finally arrived as part of the Portland bicycle crowd, and Aaron has a new dynamo hub!

Headlines
the oregonian: Portland’s worst street for bike-car crashes? SE Division
portland transport: TriMet Orange Line “First Ride” – Interviews

Mail
JohnnyK found legos + bicycles!

Sysfail & crew have been building rafts too!

Ed fills us in on the new Quaxing trend.

Fine Print

music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
twitter: @SprocketPodcast

mail things to:
Brock Dittus/The Sprocket Podcast
℅ IPRC
1001 SE Division St
Portland OR 97202

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, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson

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E237b – Brian Benson Lives On A Boat

May 17, 2015Adventure, Boats, Communication, Downsizing, Fun, Housing, Simpler Living, Travelsprocketpodcast

Brian Benson has been a guest on our show before when he talked about his book,Going Somewhere; now his project The River Signal is about to launch on a summer adventure down the Mississippi River during which he and his crew produce a fictionalized audio drama!

After the live broadcast of the pilot episode from a shipyard in north Portland, Oregon, and live music from many artists, including Those Willows, Brian was kind enough to give Brock & Adele a tour of the ship that he calls home, an old warship that is being restored into a haven for artists. We’re pleased to share this exploration of alternate dwellings with you, and also to extend #boatmonth just a little farther.

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E234b – Inspired To Ride, Portland Premier Q&A

April 24, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Racing, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

You’ve heard us talk about Inspired To Ride, the documentary about the Trans Am Race invented by our friend Nathan Jones of Portland’s Ride Yr Bike. Now, here’s the question and answer session featuring many competitors from the race & corresponding film addressing the audience’s curiosity. The film was great, and we recommend it highly!

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

April 21, 2015Adventure, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Boats, Camping, Cargo, Fun, Racing, Rafting, Sailing, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

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

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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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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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E229 – Jenn Dederich: Portland Pedal Power

March 17, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Cargo, Kitchen, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Jenn Dederich is the CEO of Portland Pedal Power, a bicycle delivery service that is focused on delivering local goods to hungry people. We talk about the mechanics of the operation, the value of working with local businesses, and a few adventures that Jenn’s had when not running the company.

Also: Spinlister credit contest: “When did you most need a bike but not have one?”Inspired to Ride film is coming soon (4/18 in Portland), Brock had beers with a few listeners and got yelled at on Foster Road, and Aaron’s posterior is sore.

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

Headlines
Oregonian: Portland’s rents rose at nation’s sixth-fastest rate, study finds
realtor.org: NAR Study: Accelerating Housing Costs Have Renters Feeling the Squeeze

Mail
Ed in Phoenix wants to stick up for his city!

Matt B shares overnight oats.

Andrew shares good news about Colorado’s Ski Train.

Patrick takes his first commute of the year on the east coast.

Logan shares a map of reported bike thefts in Portland.

Marcus thinks this Toronto Blue Jays pitcher is pretty awesome. He lives in a van.

JohnnyK points us toward a human powered ferris wheel.

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!

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.

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”