Category Archives: Travel

E140 – Tim Mooney: Pedalshift

Bicycling, Business, Communication, Downsizing, Touring, Travel

Tim Mooney is working on a concept we like: how can you have a “grown-up job” and still pursue bicycle travel?  While he hasn’t found the magic solution yet, he createdPedalshift to begin the conversation among those of us who are interested.  We also discuss Portland’s changes over time, the World Domination Summit, and Tim’s bicycle tour down the West Coast.

Tim is also a podcast producer for Kimberly Wilson’s Tranquility Du Jour, blogger,twitterer, and, of course, a loyal Sprocket Podcast listener.

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music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)

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E138 – Tom Allen Returns

Bicycling, Camping, Touring, Travel

Tom Allen returns to talk a little more with us about his film Janapar and the book of the same title, both fantastic interpretations of the bicycle travel experience.  We were also privileged to join him for a meetup discussion and film screening at Velo Cult and were pleased to see such a great turnout.  Watch the film, read the book, and tell your friends!

Both the film and the book are available on Tom’s website.

Brock & Aaron also discuss Marley’s Mellow Mood, Aaron’s crazy ride down the Columbia River Gorge, and Brock’s trip to the woods on Forest Service roads.

Mail
Dan in MN moved to Bemidji MN and works with Active Living Bemidji!

Ethan donates (thanks!) and supports our nerd-out on Dune references, stating that the sci-fi equivalent of fatbikes is riding a sand worm.  He also affirms Ethan Jewett’s recommendation of The Wind-Up Girl.

Marcus also donates! (Thanks!)

Robert enjoyed E134 and plans a move back to Portland with kids on bikes.  He also appreciates our even-handed dialogue about conservatism and hopes to find common ground in that debate.

Headlines
Portland Tribune: Walgreens bike-through access goes national
BikePortland: Vancouver bike shop collaborates with public agencies to combat theft
Los Angeles Times: Seattle public libraries offer “bikemobile” book service
BikePortland: Velodirt hosts a tour through eastern Oregon on unpaved roads

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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)

the meetup crew at Velo Cult
Tom answers questions to a packed room after the Velo Cult screening

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E132 – Lance Poehler, Nathan Frost & Tim Neuwerth: Bike Fun Finder

Bicycling, Cargo, Communication, Fun, Technology, Touring, Travel

L-R: Nate, Tim, Lance, Brock, Adele

Lance Poehler and friends Nathan Frost and Tim Neuwerth are developing a useful mobile app for fans of bicycle fun in Portland (and soon, other cities worldwide)!  They attempt to solve some of the common problems of missing your favorite group ride with phones and GPS technology in the new Bike Fun Finder.  We also discuss camping trips and rain, wool clothing and sock darning, and more.

Bonus Audio: the interstitial conversation on darning socks

Headlines
Design Taxi via Gus: a bicycle coffee shop that’s human powered
BikePortland: Walgreens now “welcomes” people on bikes at outdoor service windows
KGW via Brandon: funeral home offers tricycle hearse

Mail
Tim in DC gives props to Lindsay Kandra.

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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)

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E131 – Tomas Quinones: Renaissance Man

Bicycling, Business, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Downsizing, Mountain Biking, Technology, Touring, Travel

Tomas Quinones has many things to discuss! He is an artist, tiny house dweller, employee of Velo Cult, founding member of Cycle Wild, works with the 55th Cascadia Scouts, and, if all the above was not enough, an independent adventurer in his scant free time.  We also discuss the Path Less Pedaled and their Portland rain shirt, bicycling beginnings & the move to Portland, Kael’s Cargo Flyer bike, wool clothing, adventures to Ape Cave & Mt. Hood.  You can find Tomas’ coloring and activity books at Bikeasaurusif you’re in Portland.

Co-host Aaron Flores will be in Hawaii this week on vacation, the lucky bastard.  He will resume his standard duties in two weeks, and be sorely missed until then.

Mail
Richard from the UK donates (thanks!) and inquires for advice on an upcoming ride that will be his longest yet.

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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)

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E127 – Films, Camping, & Underpants

Advocacy, Bicycling, Camping, Communication, The Law, Touring, Travel

Brock & Aaron recap a few days of fun at Filmed By Bike, camping by bicycle in the Tillamook State Forest, and the Pedalpalooza Mashup Ride during some good weather.

Headlines

NPR via Tyson: Bike built to acheive 100 miles per hour

psfk via BikePortland: the bike-in cafe is here!

BikePortland: a group of Londoners are riding across the US to study urban design

Mail

Dan from MN on bicycles in the Walking Dead.

Logan shares the STOOPIDTALL Bike from LA’s Ciclavia event. (It also madeBikePortland)

Emily Finch’s perspective on Aaron’s lack of clothing, sent by Zed.

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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)

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E125 – Ayleen Crotty: Filmed By Bike 11!

Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, History, Mountain Biking, Technology, Travel

album selections: Aaron has Stevie Wonder, Brock has The Who, and Ayleen has Floyd Cramer

Ayleen Crotty is at the helm of the fabulous Filmed By Bike festival, in its 11th year running.  We chat about this year’s festival, the bike confessional project which will be similar to NPR’s StoryCorps, the historic Clinton Street Theater, connections to iconic personality Rev. Phil, the surprising role Vancouver BC’s bike culture played in that of Portland OR, and the happy intersection of the film festival with NW Documentary.

Brock & Aaron also discuss bicycling adventures along North Portland’s Willamette River shores and its associated pirate cove, and the history and development of the Midnight Mystery Ride.

Headlines

Gizmodo via Brandon: why this smartphone is better as a dumbphone

BikePortland via Miles: new bike clothing boutique opens in Portland

Salon.com via Miles: Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women bicycling

Mail

Tim in DC addresses the difficulties of transporting one’s bicycle by airline.

Phoebe from Boston made a donation to WalkBoston in honor of Brock’s recent walk to work.

Tito shares his amusement and implores Brock to visit Missoula again.

Dan from MN chuckled at Brock’s reference to stealing land from First Nations – he’s studying Federal Indian Law for his future career.

Patrick from Davis CA wrote: “Cool episode, 12 miles does not seem far away but if your only choice is to walk it would take a major portion of your day to get from point A to B. ”

Steve in WY writes on gluten intolerance, and he also mentions that studded tires don’t last as long as he’d like them to; regarding difficult turns while using them, we may be able to attribute that to rutted snow or ice.

 

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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)

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E124 – Dan Christensen: Walkin’

Bicycling, Communication, Housing, Kitchen, Mountain Biking, Transit, Travel, Walking

Dan Christensen returns to discuss his significant gains in healthful eating and walking to work, as well as add his always hilarious commentary on our own stories.

Dan recommends the book Wheat Belly if you’re curious about the diet issues we discussed today.

Brock & Aaron also discuss Brock’s trip to the south, airlines and driving cars, not taking paved shoulders for granted, Recycled America’s presentation at Velo Cult, eating roadkill, and more.

Headlines
Bicycling.com: The Pedal Powered Pope
US Forest Service: Mt Hood freeway corridor gets federal grant for bus service

And stuff we didn’t get to:

Streetsblog via Steph: the federal gov’t wants to bribe you to drive to work
Clean Technica via Miles: tax code won’t reward you for riding a bike
Gizmodo via Brandon: why this smartphone is better as a dumbphone
BikePortland via Miles: new bike clothing boutique opens in Portland

Mail
Jack comments on twitter on civil discourse and Sim City’s urban planning educational benefits.

A voicemail from Jeremy about Chicago.

Rory from Kalamazoo loves Bolt Bus and might move to Portland someday!

Phoebe from Boston comments on unexpected bike crashes, Meeky Blizzard’s poise, and sexism on transit.

Martina writes in to address Steve’s “women in the cycling industry” questions at more length – read the full text of her responses here.

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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)

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E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures

Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Touring, Travel, Walking

Deanna Adams is a cycle touring adventurer who we spoke to earlier in our show’s history about her minimalist vegan fixie tour through Mexico.  After some additional adventures in Europe, she encountered some health challenges and had to postpone plans for a worldwide tour in the works while dealing with those; we speak about her struggle to enjoy life at home and the lessons learned while waiting it out.

We reference This American Life’s “Self-Improvement Kick” episode which contains the story of Daryl Watson, who aspired to be the next “peace pilgrim.”

Deanna also mentions learning to fuse plastic to create new inexpensive gear out of discarded grocery bags.

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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)

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E122 – Alison Wiley: Diamond-Cut Life

Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel

Alison Wiley writes about simpler living in its many forms through her website, diamondcutlife.org, tackling the many challenging yet rewarding aspects of “chiseling our focus down to what really matters.”  We chat with her about her philosophy of life, work for the state in transportation, food and energy approaches, and her new book,Revelle: A Novel.

If you’re in Portland, drop by Rain OR Shine Cafe on SE 60th & Division on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 for a reading from Alison’s novel!

Brock & Aaron also discuss Hillstomp’s concert last weekend & his crowd management experience, as well as Brock’s trip to Bend.

Headlines
Urban Adventure League: Ultra-Moderate Touring!

Mail
We get some iTunes reviews, Nick shares a song inspired by Hing Kong’s MTR underground transport system, and Jack tweets us regarding a recently observed irony.

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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)

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E121 – Transit Is Relative

Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Technology, Transit, Travel, Walking

Michael Andersen is the force behind the Portland Afoot, the city’s quintessential magazine on commuting and low-car life.  Doctor Jeff is a psychologist who once had a commute by transit of four hours a day and still propagates a highly entertaining twitter feed.  Together, we attempt to better understand how we deal with our automobile-dependent relatives and friends when we come for a visit, but not before we discuss hangovers, bike mishaps, and movies.  Then we assure ourselves of the security of Michael’s bicycle and describe our drinks, which leads to a shared commiseration on the disappearance of the classic drive-in restaurant.  Shit gets real when we turn to economic theory and find out who is or isn’t a Marxist, but we have a good laugh about how old we are while diving straight into the future of driverless vehicles (like in Vancouver, BC).  Then, finally: family relationships.

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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)

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