Category Archives: Writing

E562 – Henry Grabar Talks Parking, Infrastructure, and Secretary Pete

Commuting, Infrastructure, Urban Design, Writing

Headshot of Henry Grabar. Shows a man with short brown hair and white skin wearing a gray tshirt and blue blazer against a dark background.

 

Parking geeks and non-parking-geeks rejoice! Slate staff writer Henry Grabar gives us the deep dive on parking, along with insights on bike lanes, gentrification, city street changes during the pandemic, Biden’s infrastructure plan, Secretary Pete, his high school bike commute in New York City, and more. Henry is writing a book on parking, and you can follow him on Twitter.

HEADLINES

‘Hill killerz’ trend has managed to make climbing hills fun
Armando and Joan are killing hillz this spring, organized by Maria Schur, Bicycle Kitty. BikePortland has a great write-up.

Cycling across Europe in the pandemic
Thanks to J. Leko for sending us this BBC World Service video! “Over a billion euros has been invested in cycling across Europe since the start of the pandemic. Some of the continent’s biggest cities are being transformed as people seek alternative, safer, greener ways to move around. Anna Holligan travels across Europe to see how people are getting on their bikes and asks if the surge in cycling is the start of a much bigger change in the way we travel.”

EVENTS

No events this week.

MAIL

Thanks to Tim Mooney and J. Leko for sending us questions for Henry! J. also has some tool suggestions and questions for Guthrie, which we’re holding til he hosts next.    

 

Fine Print
Produced at home thanks to:
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Rory in Michigan, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Emma Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, @Five.Oh.Three, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.

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E548 – Caroline Burrows, Poet By Bike

Adventure, Bicycling, Camping, Cargo, Communication, Contemplation, Family, History, Touring, Travel, Writing

This episode we talk to the bicycling poet, Caroline Burrows!  We talk about bicycle touring around the UK, and France, her family connection to touring and her grandfather’s influence, and how, since lockdown, she has been exploring her own area.  Also, is Bristol a nexus for generating famous people?  Find Caroline Burrows, VerseCycle, on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 

The family tandem sidecar bicycle mentioned:

We also get into a lengthy discussion of pets at the end of the show.

Also, as always, thanks to our nationally recognized “top beer bar in Oregon” beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers on SE 12th and Division, now open for more than 4,000 days consecutively. They have a patio outside the place and, if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some sports with sound.  The big stick remains indoor on the ceiling.  And, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!

WINTER BIKE LIGHTS
We are keeping the calendar on hiatus for now, but please do take some photos of how you are lighting your bike this winter. In line with local laws and regulations, we encourage you to add some more festive lights. If you do, take a photo, and share it with us on any of our social media, on Facebook at Sprocket Podcast, or Twitter or Instagram @SprocketPodcast and use the hashtag #sprocketwinterbike. Bring a bit of cheer to our days without much daylight.
of course we encourage you to follow any and all locally applicable regulations when riding your bicycle on public roadways.

Headlines
How New Yorkers Want to Change the Streetscape for Good

Covid Showed Us Ways We Can Make Our Cities More Liveable

Fine Print
Produced at home thanks to:
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Rory in Michigan, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy, Mayra M, Oso, Isaac M, David C, @Five.Oh.Three, Byron Paterson, Kurstin Graham, Erinne G, Rachel Moline, and Jimmy Diesel.

Find Caroline Burrows, VerseCycle, on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 

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E492 – How Oregon Got The Idaho Stop Law with Ray & Bjorn

Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, The Law, Urban Design, Writing

Bjorn Warloe & Ray Thomas both worked on some very important legislation here in Oregon, and they return to the studio (graciously, after attempting a recording a few weeks ago that got dumped by a bad machine) to discuss pitching legislative concepts, persistence, and timing.  The “Idaho Stop Law” allowing bicycle riders to proceed without stopping through a signed intersection was passed in Oregon this year, and will take effect soon!  

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

Calendar:
2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis
1st Friday of every month SF Bike Party
2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party
Also, 2nd friday of Every Month Indianapolis Bike Party
Also, Also, 2nd Friday of Every Month East Bay Bike Party
Last friday of every month: Baltimore Bike Party
The 1st Saturday of every month Civil Unrest Ride
Every 2nd Sunday of every month in PDX: Corvidae Bike Club Ride

UPCOMING Filmed By Bike TOUR DATES:
Pittsburg, PA – November 20
Ashland, OR – Dec 4
Bendigo, Aus – Dec 4
Seattle, WA – Feb 28th
Pittsburg, PA – March 22nd

MAIL:
Mac Nurse David calls in after awhile

From Nathon Poulton – “Where has the front mech gone?” https://twitter.com/mrcycology/status/1194980264566546433/photo/1

From ChillyWeatherChillyHeather: Listening to you all talking about figs when I just went on a fig scavenging group ride yesterday! Super fun.

Fine Print
Produced at STREAM PDX thanks to Open Signal
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing), Venmo (one time) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien,Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Todd Parker, Dan Gebhart (who’s a time traveler), Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory in Michigan, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G, Adam D, Go Dig A Hole, Beth Hamon, Greg Murphy

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E454 – Doug Walsh, “Tailwinds Past Florence”

Adventure, Bicycling, Touring, Travel, Writing

Doug Walsh joins us to explain why the last thing the world needs is another travel memoir, and why he didn’t write one.  Doug authored Tailwinds Past Florence, a fresh take on a bicycle travel story.

Calendar
Every 2nd and 4th Monday 10:30am from now through March at Clever Cycles: Storytime with Kidical Mass
2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis
2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party
Also, 2nd friday of Every Month Indianapolis Bike Party
Also, Also, 2nd Friday of Every Month East Bay Bike Party
Last friday of every month: Baltimore Bike Party
Every 2nd Sunday of every month in PDX: Corvidae Bike Club Ride
Feb. 16 Slough Country Ramble
March 2: Not-So-Noisy Bike Ride
March 9 Dead Freeways Ride
March 18: Four by 3000
March 28: From doctor something, another debut of a transit center song! Thursday 9pm at Kellys Olympian
April 2 Bikes of Wrath @ Regal Fox Tower Stadium (tba)

UPCOMING Filmed By Bike TOUR DATES:
Arcata, CA – March 15
Bendigo, Australia – October 4

Headlines
From Curbed, Wash. DC, via Tim Mooney: D.C. moves to keep cars, including Ubers and delivery trucks, out of bike lanes

From the Oregonian: Orange is the new bus: TriMet goes retro with new bus colors

Mail
First, Tour Update from Patty and Andrew

From Keith in Indy

Fine Print
Produced at STREAM PDX thanks to Open Signal
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Todd Parker, Dan Gebhart (who’s a time traveler), Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory in Michigan, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Derek Waggoner, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, Jimmy Diesel, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G

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E452 – New Old Talk with Shawn Granton

Adventure, Bicycling, Infrastructure, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Writing

Shawn Granton is a well known icon of Portland retro-cycling and urban adventure, and joins us to talk about his recent trip to San Francisco, his approach to cartooning with his panel New Old Stock, and vintage 3-speed bicycles.

As always, thanks to our drink sponsor The Beer Mongers & our generous Patreon donors.

Calendar
2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis
2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party
Also, 2nd friday of Every Month Indianapolis Bike Party
Also, Also, 2nd Friday of Every Month East Bay Bike Party
Last friday of every month: Baltimore Bike Party
Every 2nd Sunday of every month in PDX: Corvidae Bike Club Ride

Feb. 16 Slough Country Ramble
March 9 Dead Freeways Ride

UPCOMING Filmed By Bike TOUR DATES:
Hood River, OR – February 12
Arcata, CA – March 15
Bendigo, Australia – October 4

Headlines

In love with cycling, Carolyn Jen now wants to bring more women along for the ride by Ashley Baker via Bikeportland.org

In surprise change, ODOT will extend I-5 Rose Quarter comment period to 45 days via bikeportland.org

Fine Print
Produced at STREAM PDX thanks to Open Signal
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Todd Parker, Dan Gebhart (who’s a time traveler), Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory in Michigan, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Derek Waggoner, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, Jimmy Diesel, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale, Bike Initiative Keweenaw, Sarah G

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E439 – Lightning In A Saddle (by Joe Kurmaskie)

Adventure, Bicycling, Health, History, Racing, Touring, Travel, Writing

Joe “The Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie has a new book coming out: Lightning In A Saddle, an incredible true story of Evelyn Hamilton.  BikePortland refers to it as “the untold, unbelievable but true story of cycling’s female Jackie Robinson meets Saving Private Ryan.”  We check in with Joe for his 5th visit to our show and get the scoop.

As always, thanks to our drink sponsor The Beer Mongers & our generous Patreon donors.

Calendar
2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis
2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party
Also, 2nd friday of Every Month Indianapolis Bike Party
Also, Also, 2nd Friday of Every Month East Bay Bike Party
Last friday of every month: Baltimore Bike Party
Every 2nd Sunday of every month in PDX: Corvidae Bike Club Ride
Nov. 19: Oct 29th’s P-town Scooter Throwdown
November 22: PDX Thanksgiving Dead Streets Ride
Nov. 24: CRANKSGIVING!
Nov. 27: Bike to Winter Woderland “Bike the Lights”
Nov. 29: Brompton Storytime (Minneapolis)
Dec. 2: Reed Ravine Ramble
Dec.15 and16 Bike Craft
Jan. 8: Bowie Birthday Ride

UPCOMING Filmed By Bike TOUR DATES:
Hood River, OR – December 7
Bendigo, Australia – November 30
Phoenix, AZ – November 17
Boise, ID – January 18
Los Angeles, CA – January 27
Arcata, CA – March 15

Headlines
Tim Mooney wants your voice on his show! Help others learn as you learn about your first bicycle tour!  pedalshift.net

From bikeportland.org: Tired of leaves in bike lanes, this Portlander made a pedal-powered sweeper

Mail
From Anna in MSP (actually Dallas at the time of recording) re: our “dead” wifi router

Fine Print
Produced at STREAM PDX thanks to Open Signal
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Ethan Georgi, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Todd Parker, Dan Gebhart (who’s a time traveler), Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Andre Johnson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory in Michigan, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Derek Waggoner, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, Jimmy Diesel, dudeluna, Matthew Rooks, Marshall, Lillian Karabaic, Paula Funatake, Spartan Dale

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E397 – Andy Writes on Transit

Bicycling, Car Ownership, Commuting, Transit, Urban Design, Vegan, Writing

Andy Anderson has done a lot of transit riding on Portland’s MAX Light Rail system, enough so that they wrote a book of poetry about the experiences on and around it titled “Hello, My Name Is Andy.” (low supply, but more being printed!)  The book is available in a very limited run from Powell’s Books!  We also talk more stolen bikes, Aaron’s strange diet, and more!

Also Thanks to our drink sponsor The Beer Mongers for generously providing our libations, and our generous Patreon donors for underwriting our operating costs!

Calendar
2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party
Also 2nd friday of Every Month Indianapolis Bike Party
Every 2nd Sunday of every month Corvidae Bike Club Ride
Feb 1-3: Portland Winter Light Festival
Feb 3: Caddyshack! Ride
Feb 11: Worst Day of the Year Ride*
Feb 24: Menagerie in Motion Kinetic Derby Gainsville, FL
April 8:  Pedal Pursuit
April 14: Ladd’s 500
May 19: DC Bike Ride
June 23: Petal Pedal*
August 19: Portland Century*
Sept 2: Tour de Lab*
Sept. 22: Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race Lowell, MA

UPCOMING Filmed By Bike TOUR DATES:
Boise, ID – February 8, 2018
Aarhus, Demark – March 3, 2018
SXSW, Austin, TX – TBD around March 9-12, 2018
Copenhagen – March 10, 2018
Albany, NY – July 22, 2018
Seattle, WA – TBD
Vancouver, WA – TBD
Arcata, CA – November, 2018
Bendigo, Australia – October, 2018

Headlines
From bikeportland.org via superfan aqua:
“I’ll be your correspondent in front of that infamous furniture store while construction begins!”
SE Foster road diet finally out to bid: Construction will start in May

From TheLily.com via Laura Crawford
“Y’all got a nice shout-out as a resource for others wanting to bike across the country. :)”
Biking cross-country helped this woman feel empowered and at peace — so she did it twice

Recovery In the Columbia River Gorge

Mail
From Ashley Lance: a discount code for any of the Axiom Event Production 2018 rides: Sprocket18
It’s good for $5 off any adult ride registration!

Also from Mac-Nurse David
Found at Fred Meyer: “Presented without comment.”

Chris in CO: on bike lights, headphones, and a “welcome to Guthrie”

Voicemail from Tim Mooney

From Tomas Skadow: “This episode (394) should be renamed Laughter is the Best Medicine. Joan is awesome.”

Fine Print
Produced at STREAM PDX thanks to Open Signal
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)
graphic design: Marcus Norman
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
phone/SMS: 503-847-9774
Twitter & instagram: @SprocketPodcast
Donate: Patreon (ongoing) or Square Cash (one-time)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Eric Weisz, Todd Parker, Dan Gebhart (who’s a time traveler), Dave Knows, Chris Smith, Christi Caister, Caleb Jenkinson, JP Kewley, Peanut Butter Jar Matt, Marco Lo, Rich Otterstrom, Andrew in Colorado, Drew the Welder, Anna, Jon Wasserman, Andre Johnson, Josh Zisson, Richard G, Guthrie Straw, Kampcite, Aaron Green, Mac Nurse David, Nathan Poulton, Chris Rawson, Rory in Michigan, Michael Flournoy, Jeremy Kitchen, David Belais, Tim Coleman, Mr. T, Harry Hugel, E.J. Finneran, Brad Hipwell, Thomas Skadow, Keith Hutchison, Ranger Tom, Joyce Wilson, Ryan Tam, Derek Waggoner, Jason Aufdenberg, Microcosm Publishing, David Moore, Todd Groesbeck, Chris Barron, Sean Baird, Simon, Gregory Braithwaite, Ryan Mauro, Jimmy Diesel, dudeluna

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