Category Archives: Walking

E142 – Adam Leyrer: Co-Creative Pruning

July 30, 2013Bicycling, Business, Cargo, Downsizing, Forestry, Gardening, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Adam Leyrer from Co-Creative Pruning is truly car-free and runs his arborist business on a fantastic bike trailer from Seattle’s Haulin’ Colin. We discuss becoming an arborist, certification, why no cars, the bike & trailer setup, hand powered tree care, partnership with a beekeeper, and Forest Park Conservancy donations.

Brock is a witness to a hit-and-run, and Aaron attends a bike move and a repair clinic (gallery below). Listeners Marcus & Beth from Chicago are in town and sit in on the taping as well as generously providing our drinks!

Mail
Chris in Arcata writes in about improved accomodations for touring cyclists in his town and bike access in the area. A Facebook post about camping and his site,http://completestreetsadvocate.org.

Josh in Cully, Portland:
a 5 min video on private buses in Detroit, and
Dan Christensen’s guide to bus seats

Rance found a keg trailer on facebook!

Tim Mooney calls in from the road about kindness from strangers on the road!

Kath Youell from twitter:

Sipping an iced coffee, knitting, listening to @SprocketPodcast while the kids play and (sort of) watch Mary Poppins. #NiceSaturday

Headlines
BikePortland: forthcoming “Nimbler” app helps plan “bike + transit” trips
Tiny House Blog via Marcus: Portland now has a tiny house hotel!

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)

On the right is Bill who works for B-line. Guess who’s drinking Mate? Me. I’m drinking Mate.

This is Tyler, a recent grad from Bike Repair Institute. Someone give this guy a job.

I was calling this guy frank all day. Turns out his name is Fred. Oops.

That is a couch on a tomscargo #9. Just to show off, norm strapped a chair to the couch.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E134 – The Blounts Move to Portland

June 17, 2013Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Joshua & Melissa Blount are recent transplants to Portland (and Cascadia) who are simplifying their daily rhythms of life and giving low-car life a fair shake. We talk about their transition and their experiences with the new paradigm. Joshua also podcasts atinternetpodcasts.com with three culture-related shows and documents their Portland move at joshplusmelissa.com with a video blog.

Melissa wanted to inform our listeners of an opportunity to support a local non-profit through a bicycle tour this summer. In July ten riders will pedal from Portland to Crater Lake and back to raise funds for The Cupcake Girls as part of the Sweet Ride Tour. Riders are attempting raise $10,000 to cover their costs and fund operations for The Cupcake Girls for six months. The Cupcake Girls bring resources, empowerment, and delicious cupcakes to men and women in the local adult entertainment industry. All donations are tax deductible.

Brock & Aaron also discuss moving by bike and a myriad of pedalpalooza rides, with shouts out to listeners we met on the rides: Max, Vince, Sarah, and Josh!

Mail

Logan references Business Insider’s article on a novice bicyclist’s experience with Citi Bike share system in NYC; he also recommends Darn Tough Socks out of Vermont and the Find Friends app for meeting up with friends out in the field.

Derek tells us about SwapServe, “a place where people can sign up to volunteer with local non-profits and get free stuff from local businesses as a thank you.” He also offers to do a handstand.

Conservative listener Alisa writes in as requested to detail her take on our coverage of those from differing political backgrounds. (for those interested, her full letter is here)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E128 – Cory Poole & Billy Meiners: NW Skate Coalition

May 6, 2013Advocacy, Cargo, Communication, Skateboarding, The Law, Touring, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Cory Poole & Billy Meiners from the NW Skate Coalition join us to talk skateboarding in Portland. It’s not just a hobby, although it is fun – it’s also a great way to get around town that meshes well with the city’s streets and transit network. Since they are two of the nicest guys in the business, we’re happy to share our conversation with them here! Check out pdxdownhill.com and skatefriendlypdx.com for more details if you’re intrigued, as well as some long distance skate touring from the guys atlongboardtramp.com.

Dr. Brandon Rhodes rejoins for an episode to cover for Aaron who had to work this week during showtime. Brock discusses the Portland Afoot region-wide game he participated in and the release of their new mobile app.

Headlines
BikePortland: Portland Farmers Market introduces the Produce Pedaler

Mail
Marcus donates and writes in about a potential visit to Portland. We recommend a few spots to eat:
Horse Brass Pub
Cackalacks cart
The Big Egg
The Country Cat

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E124b – Brock Walks To Work

April 10, 2013Walkingsprocketpodcast

Brock walked 12.5 miles to work last Friday and kept an audio journal of what he saw, did and thought of during the stroll. This is the most interesting (perhaps) 42 minutes of his ramblings from the 3.5 hour trip. Enjoy this bonus episode until next weekend’s show with Ayleen Crotty from Filmed By Bike!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E124 – Dan Christensen: Walkin’

April 8, 2013Bicycling, Communication, Housing, Kitchen, Mountain Biking, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures

March 30, 2013Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Touring, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E121 – Transit Is Relative

March 18, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Technology, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E118 – Adham Fisher: Tube Challenge

February 25, 2013Communication, Running, Technology, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Adham Fisher attempts to break the records held for visiting every station in urban rail systems in as little time as possible. He has been to many cities in this pursuit including London, New York, Barcelona, Toronto, and Chicago, and while he does not yet hold the current record, he is perhaps one of the most dedicated practitioners in his field. We spoke about the Tube Challenge, his experiences with transit, and cultural perspectives on its use.

Adham’s compilation of transit-themed music, 1000 Stations – Metro EP, can be found on the iTunes Store. Also, see Adham’s kit for these challenges.

Also, Brock & Aaron chat about Little Free Libraries and organized bike rides in the neighborhood.

Headlines
Atlantic Cities via Brandon:Austin develops bike maps based on rider comfort level
The Mail via Logan: Cycle tourists killed in Thailand collision(http://www.twoonfourwheels.com)

Mail
Zed writes from PDXK’s CrankMyChain: “Here is a story on the show from bikeportland.org & one of our favorite shows for Open Bike.”

Thanks to former guest Dan for a generous donation! It’s going to keep us rolling easy.

David Heddy mentions new bicycle travel publication Bunyan Velo!

Dan in MN texts us a burp.

JohnnyK asks how to get your significant other to bike with you if they’re not really that into it yet.

And Jeremy leaves us a voicemail!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E117 – Women & The Cycling Industry

February 18, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Building, Business, Communication, Family, Technology, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Elly Blue & Martina Fahrner are two people we have been wanting to get together for a conversation about the cycling industry and its dealings with a large part of the human race: the feminine part! Martina, from Clever Cycles, and Elly, from Taking The Lane Media, give us their takes on gender dynamics, product design and availability for women, and basic livability issues, as well as many other things.

Also, Brock & Aaron chat about some automobile-based trips over their weekends and bicycle improvements.

Headlines
Adventure Cycling Association: launched an online touring database for past trips!
Portland Afoot: Cathy Hastie compares Zipcar & car2go as alternatives to ownership
Urban Adventure League: Portland’s midnight mystery ride turns 10!
Someone made a map of all the ending locations. Add your info if you want!

Mail
Paul, Tyler and Dave chime in on twitter about Black Hawk, CO. Paul says he wouldn’t ride there, Tyler wonders if anywhere is safe for people what with the mobile phones, and Dave says that safety isn’t an American priority yet.

Glenn the pirate writes in from Port Townsend, WA about a Mario Savio quote from episode 14 and his love for human-powered crabbing!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

E116 – Chris Smith: Comprehensive Plan

February 11, 2013Advocacy, Alternate Fuels, Bicycling, Brewing, Building, Business, Car Sharing, Cargo, Communication, History, Housing, Mountain Biking, Technology, The Law, Transit, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Chris Smith from PortlandTransport.com is a golden god of urban planning and transit. He would never claim that title himself, but there is no person in Portland, Oregon working harder to make active and sustainable transportation a reality for the city’s near future. We discuss the public process of crafting the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides the development and structure of citizen’s daily lives. We touch on equity, gentrification and displacement, sidewalks and neighbor relations, modal hierarchy and freight movement, civic corridors and neighborhood greenways, New York’s High Line, telecommuting, and The Transit Appliance.

We warn you: it will get wonky.

If you’re a Portland resident, please consider joining one of the open house events designed to maximize public input into the process. You can find more info on times and locations at this page: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/58191

Also, Brock & Aaron chat about bike wear & tear, brewery quality, meeting up with Tammy & Logan, and some technical business.

BONUS: after the show closes, we present a short chat with our new webhost Colin, owner of The Podcast Host, and also a fan of mountain biking! We’re happy to have our show on his servers.

Headlines
Denver Post: Black Hawk, CO, famous for its bicycle ban, is corrected by the court

Mail
Dan in MN sends a picture of his new Raleigh folding bicycle.

JohnnyK mentions Burro Bags & Bar, and recommends Adventure Cycling andcyclocamping.com as travel resources.

Anthony says: “I too have been traumatized by growing up in a Florida suburban nightmare. Tampa was a hot mess of sprawl and mini malls.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

The Sprocket Podcast

simplifying the good life

Category Archives: Walking

E142 – Adam Leyrer: Co-Creative Pruning

E128 – Cory Poole & Billy Meiners: NW Skate Coalition

E124b – Brock Walks To Work

E124 – Dan Christensen: Walkin’

E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures

E118 – Adham Fisher: Tube Challenge

E117 – Women & The Cycling Industry