I’m not a public radio junkie, but public radio does have a special place in my media consumption habits, even though it becomes a love-hate relationship during election seasons when the wonderful on-air personalities and producers political leanings tend to become a bit more obvious. Don’t get me wrong, it’s far more balanced than the more obvious infotainment networks that I refuse to look to for “news”; thank goodness for NPR and BBC America is all I’ll say. But, the recent elections were not the catalyst for this entry. Instead, I was moved to “pen” this entry by the passing of Tom Magliozzi a couple of weeks ago.
While I wasn’t a Car Talk addict who listened every Saturday, I collected every episode on Podcast and would pull those Podcasts out when we made our 12-hour road trips to Pennsylvania twice a year. Yup, it was those hours of back-to-back Car Talk that has made those trips seem faster than they were as time would fly by while being entertained by Tom & Ray Magliozzi, aka, Click & Clack… the Tappet Brothers. For those who listened to Car Talk, you’ll no doubt understand what I’m talking about. To those who don’t recall or truly never heard them, here’s a very nice remembrance from Car Talk’s home station, WBUR, that our friend Dr. Gabe Mirkin brought to my attention is his weekly update. Gabe used “Tommy’s” passing due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease to educate readers about dementia and what they can do to reduce their risk of becoming afflicted; it’s a very enjoyable watching experience:
Other public radio programs that are regular staples in my Podcast diet include “A Prairie Home Companion”, “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me” and our friend Diane Lees show “The Outspoken Cyclist”.
I’ll confess that I’m drawn to Diane’s show when they feature builders more so than the other wonderful subjects and guests who shared thoughts on advocacy, health, competition, politics and a myriad of other topics. I’ve previously shared a few lists of favorites here in the blog that I will confess that I revisit from time to time. Some of my favorite of favorites include:
- 04/18/2014 @ 30min: Dwan Shepard – Co-owner of Co-Motion Cycles in Eugene, Oregon. Co-Motion is best-known for their tandems (but they also make great single bikes) and their awesome, color-fade paint work. In today’s era of mega-conglomerates and growth-is-king mentality, it’s nice to find a company like Co-Motion that still focuses on making the type of high quality bikes their customers want. Play in new window | Download
- 12/21/2013 @ 5min: Richard Schwinn, great-grandson of Ignaz Schwinn, who founded the eponymous bicycle company. Richard is a frequent flyer on The Outspoken Cyclist, and we always look forward to his insights and opinions (of which there is no shortage). Richard of course, is the proprietor of Waterford and Gunnar, and has recently been busy making frames for a new bicycle company called Shinola (which bought the name from the now-defunct shoe polish company). Richard holds forth on this and many other topics, including the dubious benefit of disc brakes on road bikes. Play in new window | Download
- 05/18/2013 @ 6min: Grant Petersen – He eschews clipless pedals, he thinks handlebars should be level with the saddle, and he’s convinced that steel is the “realest” material you could use in building a bike frame. Some would call him a retro-grouch, but he’s actually the very friendly owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works. On this week’s Outspoken Cyclist, we’re treated to a conversation between Grant and Diane on a wide range of topics, including bicycles! Play in new window | Download
- 04/13/2013 @ 37min: Lennard Zinn joins us. Lennard is one of the most knowledgeable people in the area of bike tech, and the fourth edition of his book Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has just been released. He is also the longest-running columnist in VeloNews. Listen and learn about his journey from physics major, to racer, to framebuilder and technical guru. Play in new window | Download
- 08/25/2012 @ 34min: Dave Bohm. Dave owns Bohemian Bicycles, Acel Tubing and Joining Products, and a framebuilding school. That’s right, if you have 10 days and some cash, you can build your own frame and fork with Dave’s expert guidance. A heckuva lot more useful than that bird house you built in shop class! Play in new window | Download
- 03/24/2012 @ 31min: Bruce Gordon is the founder, owner, and resident curmudgeon of Bruce Gordon Cycles, where he makes (and sometimes even sells) extremely durable, gorgeous frames, racks, and other components. He’s also the Benevolent Co-Dictator for Life of SOPWAMTOS, whose website contributed to the 90 minutes I vaporized writing this post. Perfect browsing material while you’re listening to Bruce and Rich! Play in new window | Download
- 01/28/2012 @ 5min: Patrick Brady, editor and publisher of Red Kite Prayer, recently named the #1 bicycling blog by Outside magazine. Patrick is a veteran cyclist and cycling journalist who has been involved with such notable publications as Bicycle Guide and Asphalt. His ‘mind, body & machine’ approach to cycling news, along with additions of Charles Pelkey and John Wilcockson, and others have vaulted RKP to the top of the heap. Another reason Patrick deserves to be on top: his desire to be successful enough to pay his staff and contributors fairly. Play in new window | Download
- Ron Burzese, Bicyclingblind.org; Bina Bilenky, BCW & Maynard Hershon – 10/29/2011: We have three guests who are simply wonderful people, each with a great story to tell. Ron Burzese is a competitive cyclist who has raced in numerous Texas state championships, a world championship, and nearly qualified for the Athens Paralympics. And he achieved all this without eyesight! Ron is a blind tandem stoker who works as a certified travel instructor for other blind people. Along with a few other like-minded people, Ron started the U.S. Blind Cycling Connection a little less than two years ago. Bicyclingblind.org helps connect sighted captains with vision-impaired stokers, and opens up a whole new world for folks whose legs and lungs refuse to to obey the limits of their eyes. We have a short, but fun conversation wth Bina Bilenky, who’s the organizer of the Philly Bike Expo, which is happening this weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And to wrap up the hour is Maynard Hershon who will bring us an amazing story that also happens to be 100% true. Not to be missed! Play in new window | Download
- Interbike Interviews: Peter Enright (Phil Wood) & Craig Calfee (Calfee Design), & Nelson Vails – 9/17/2011: It’s mid-September, and that means it’s time for… Interbike. Diane got to conduct Outspoken Cyclist interviews in the official media booth right on the show floor! So this week’s show is all about the guests, and there are plenty of them, so let’s jump right in: Peter & Garrett Enright, of Phil Wood & Co., makers of legendary hubs, bottom brackets, and other bulletproof components (and even some non-bicycle stuff); Craig Calfee of Calfee Design; Nelson Vails, former track cycling great, and one of Diane’s few true heroes. Play in new window | Download
- Ross Shafer, Six-Nine Design – 8/27/2011: Diane welcomes one of the true Renaissance people of bicycling. Ross Shafer has done a bunch of cool things in his career, including launching and running Salsa Cycles from 1981 to 1997. These days, Ross runs his own design, fabrication and consulting company calledSix-Nine Design from his home base in Petaluma, California. Play in new window | Download
- Richard Schwinn, Waterford Precision Cycles – 8/13-2011: Richard Schwinn, of Waterford Precision Cycles has appeared on the show before, but he always has something fresh, interesting and worthwhile to say. Today is no exception, as Richard and Diane cover frame materials, bike polo and the economics of transportation. Play in new window | Download
- Rob Vandermark, Seven Cycles – 7/30/2011: First up is Rob Vandermark, of Seven Cycles. Diane talks with Rob about his development in the bicycling business, and about how his career has been intertwined with that beautiful silver metal known as titanium. Play in new window | Download
- Richard Sachs, Richard Sachs Cycles – 6/25/2011: You may already be familiar with Richard Sachs, but regardless, I bet you’ll find out something you never knew about one of those most respected framebuilders in the world today after you hear Diane’s interview with him. Play in new window | Download
- Paul Price, Paul Components 6/18/2011: From Redwood City, we head north and east to Chico, California, where we caught up with Paul Price of Paul Component Engineering. Paul and his team design and manufacture brakes, levers, hubs, and other elegant solutions you can’t find anywhere else. ‘Art that can stop your bike’? Play in new window | Download
- Maynard Herson, author – 4/2/2011: First up is Maynard Herson, who has been cycling and writing about cycling for several decades now. His column “At the Back” was a reader favorite in Winning and Velonews for many, many years. He is also the author of two (sadly out of print) books: Tales from the Bike Shop and Half Wheel Hell. Listen as he shares one of his classic stories with us this week. Play in new window | Download
- Craig Calfee, Calfee Design & Bamboosero – 1/22/2011: The world of cycling is full of innovators, and this week we have a long talk with one of the best in the business. Craig Calfee has designed bike frames in both carbon fiber and bamboo. You’ll be amazed at his journey, and what he’s doing for the world today. Play Now| Play in Popup | Download
- Dr. Gabe Mirkin, Nutrition & Fitness – 1/15/2011: First up is Dr. Gabe Mirkin, who is a retired physician, dedicated cyclist, (big time tandem enthusiast) and someone who is passionate about nutrition as it relates to health and fitness. After you hear Dr. Mirkin speak, you’ll want to sign up for his free email newsletter at drmirkin.com. Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
- Richard Schwinn, Waterford/Gunnar – 12/18/2010 This week’s main guest is someone who arguably knows more about all facets of building bicycles than most of us have forgotten, and he’s willing to share his knowledge and opinions freely in a very engaging manner. In addition to being a descendant of Ignaz Schwinn (founder of the Schwinn Bicycle Company), Richard Schwinn is co-founder of Waterford Precision Cycles, and we’ve got him on today’s show. Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
- Steven Bilenky, Bilenky Cycle Works- 10/9/2010: Join Diane as she speaks with Steven Bilenky of Bilenky Cycle Works about frames and the upcoming Philly Bike Expo. Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
- Ben Serotta, Serotta Cycles – 9/4/2010: The Outspoken Cyclist with your host, Diane Lees makes its debut on WJCU. Diane interviews Ben Serotta of Serotta Cycles. Play Now | Play in Popup| Download
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We met Diane Brian at the Philly Bike Expo earlier this month and had a great time talking about the radio show, bike fit, frame material, and cycling in general.