Category Archives: Travel

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

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

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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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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

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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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E219 – Beth Hamon: Leaving On A Jet Plane

January 20, 2015Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Simpler Living, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Beth Hamon is a cantorial soloist on a circuit to synagogues in various parts of the USA, sharing her talents of music and spiritual direction with the people she has made connections with there. She joins us to give an update on her most recent work, discuss the environmental impact of air travel, and consider ethical living in transport as well as the rest of life.

Some of the resources Beth shared:
NYT: The Biggest Carbon Sin?
Wikipedia: Environmental Impact of Air Travel
Ivan Illich: Energy and Equity (Ideas in Progress)
Slate: Driving vs. Flying

Look for Beth’s music at CDbaby.com!

Also: Brock & Aaron take a trip to Stubb Stewart State Park

Mail

Tim Mooney is dismayed by the possible leverage of fees on the C&O canal. In particular, from $0 to $20 in the time it takes a congressperson to sign a document.

Alvaro is rocking our sticker (the old school one!) and says “give me 3”

Brandon Rhodes sends us a story about a dog that rides the bus to the park by itself.

Chris Gonzalez says “not the cable!”

Logan Smith sends us a fundraiser for “smart grips.”

Gerald got some polyester pants.

Eric Iverson:
“@SouthEastGrind also serves delicious 24 hr food! And I also don’t like Dave Matthews or his band or any combo thereof.”

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E217 – Branden Shelby & Daniel Harkins: Summer Tour 2014

January 6, 2015Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Mechanics, Mountain Biking, Touring, Travelsprocketpodcast

Branden Shelby & Daniel Harkins come in to tell us about their epic wilderness tour last summer. They took a turn through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and lived to tell about it, including negotiations after a stealth camping bust, a difficult fix on the side of a road, and midnight attempts for tacos at a fast food drive-thru.

Also: it’s Boston month (interviews), Brock went to Boston, and Aaron went to Missoula.

Headlines
BikePortland: For a slumping cycling city, there are reasons for optimism in 2015

Mail

Richard TX shares Glympse, a great option to link group rides in addition to Bike Fun Finder.

Tammy Strobel: “Every time I listen to The Sprocket Podcast, I want to move back toPortland. I miss our friends, the cycling culture, and the amazing coffee shops.”

Josh G: thinks we’d dig this weather wonkery.

Glenn Kubish helped to rally people in YEG to support suicide prevention.

Logan shares the Seatylock, a bicycle saddle that doubles as a lock.

Doug says our scatalogical emergency reminded him of this TED talk, and thinks bicycling can make people more compassionate. Glenn said that it needed a “soiler alert.” [wah wah] Richard shared his similar experience, and recommends imagining a farther-off destination.

Eric has a picture of a car that was driven into a ditch across a cycletrack in Portland.

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E215 – Ed Hanna: The Leaving Is The Hardest Part

December 16, 2014Adventure, Air Travel, Bicycling, Cargo, Downsizing, Mechanics, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Ed Hanna was having beers at the Landmark Saloon in SE Portland, Oregon, when Brock locked up his bike in front of the place. Ed asked him a few questions about his bike setup, and eventually they decided to share Ed’s European bicycle tour stories on the podcast. Spoilers: it’s tricky getting started!

Also: Hi, Jason in Eugene who got Brock’s free bus tickets. Brock breaks his grandpa’s tandem seat post, may or may not have used Uber, and has a scatalogical emergency. Aaron makes toaster granola.

Headlines

Former interview Laura Moulton from Street Books subject of a documentary film and aNY Times article.

Former guest Christopher Delaney interviewed in long form on Radical Personal Finance.

Trimet transfer times have gone from 2hrs to 2.5 hrs. woot!

Mail

Apparently none of our listeners mind the train horn in the background.

Alison Wiley wants an Aaron-centric social media episode.

Glenn in YEG has a witty suggestion.

Jeremy in PDX has been going car-lite!

Richard tips us off to press in Bicycling magazine on Leah Benson of Gladys Bikes!

Orange & Purple share their Brompton plane stowing technique:

Eric shares a fat tire longtail:

and asks what this is (answer – it’s a speeder!):

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E213 – Alison Wiley: Rich In What Matters

December 2, 2014Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley blogs at Diamond Cut Life on simpler living for better quality of life; we can’t get enough of her common sense advice on matters like cold winter house heating, living like a salmon for an epic life, and using transit to break away on your vacation, and her recent discovery of ethical clothing company 541 Threads inspired her to get back in touch for another show. Plus: we swear less when we talk to her!

Also: Brock rents a Prius through RelayRides, and Aaron takes a folding bike onto theworst airline ever. We also briefly discuss curling, the mysticism of the morning hours, and mention the Better World Shopping Guide & Alison’s novel, Revelle!

Headlines

via Bike Portland, The NY Times: Finding a Salve for His Depression on Two Wheels

Mail

Jim in NY made some music by bike!

Drew’s cape isn’t our bag, but he’s hoping his Showers Pass jacket will be.

Dan’s hibernating bike in MN:

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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E210x – Rachael’s Pink Huffy

November 23, 2014Adventure, Bicycling, Travelsprocketpodcast

We ended up capturing some conversation after our interview with Rachael Pecore-Valdez that seemed interesting enough to share; we talked about Rachael’s old trusty Huffy, and a little about the Columbia River & its scenic areas.

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E210 – Rachael Pecore-Valdez: Tracking Wolves by Bike

November 22, 2014Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, History, Mountain Biking, Travelsprocketpodcast

Rachael Pecore-Valdez is a storyteller and educator from the Wolf OR-7 Expedition, a venture of several curious adventurers to follow the path of a radio collared wolf through eastern Oregon and into northern California, where it became the first documented free-roaming wolf there in about 90 years. She tells us about some details of the project and its subject, the team’s use of cyclocross bikes during its travels, and learning about different kinds of people on all sides of the wolf conservation issue by meeting them in person. Thanks to Jonathan at BikePortland for turning us on to this story last spring!

Rachael also wants to thank Methow Cycle & Sport in Winthrop, WA for their assistance in making their Kona bikes a reality for the expedition!

Also: Brock & Aaron discuss the unusual cold weather, and Brock issues a call to action around Michael Andersen’s recent proposition for better urban development.

Headlines

Bikecommuters.com: Veloloop (via Marcus in Chicago)

Mail

Todd the Truck Driver: “The grocery getter snowed in, in Oakdale WI”

Listener Jim thanks us for the book recommendation from E197: Going Somewhere by Brian Benson; he liked it!

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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