The Sprocket Podcast

The best day of the year! Matthew Hoselton and Carrie Leonard join Joan to talk about their new bikes, a Breezer Doppler for Carrie, a Soma Wolverine for Matthew, and a Bluejay Premier ebike for Joan. Check our social media for more bike photos! Thanks to our listeners, supporters, and guests for your patience during … Continue reading E599 – New Bike Day →

In this weeks show, an announcement, talk of topics (and just a feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew more things to boot) – We had a LOT of fun with this one, hope folks enjoy! NEWS Japanese police seize 5,800 bike seats, arrest man in theft case from Kyodo News Osaka prefectural police have seized about 5,800 bicycle seats from a … Continue reading E598 Topic Talk →

  At Long Last! – We chat with Mike Cobb of The Disaster Relief Trials, occurring this weekend!   Portland Disaster Responder Stats Responder Ratio Stats 14,418 professional first responders 652,503 Portlanders Ratio: 1:45  FEMA says over 95% of major disaster victims are rescued and assisted by ad-hoc citizen volunteers. FEMA Community Response Program Cargo … Continue reading E597 Mike Cobb & The Disaster Relief Trials →

In this episode we catch up with THREE TIME award WINNING guest, Megan Ramey! Covering cyclocross, transit, family biking, maps, adventures, and more! https://www.bikabout.com/ Bikabout inspires 2-wheeled tourism in North America's best biking cities. In the news: “Crazy bike lady” helps kids walk and roll in Hood River   Megan is Mobility Director for Anson's Bike Buddies, a … Continue reading E596 – Megan Ramey →

Join us as we chat with Roo Albisurez, photographer, athlete, extraordinaire. Mentions https://www.instagram.com/roo_media https://www.instagram.com/warpaintmag/ https://www.ralbisurez.com/ https://www.warpaintmag.co/ Jessa the surfer: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaAwDVtujoA/  Bike Instructor Certification Program https://icp.bike/bicp-certification-usa/ Courtney Williams highlights BIPOC bike folks at @thebrownbikegirl    FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines) graphic design: Marcus Norman web: … Continue reading E595 – Roo Albisurez →

When we say all bikes are good bikes, do we mean exercise bikes too? Guthrie, Joan, and Armando tackle the big questions in our latest episode, with a discussion of stationary bikes and trainers, with lots of comments from listeners. Plus, we consider some new directions for the podcast… Mentioned in this episode: Shiey train … Continue reading E594 – Indoor Bicycling →

Architect Iain MacKenzie joins us to talk about his mom's bike trip to Scotland as well as zoning, urban design, and indoor bike parking. Iain on Twitter: @maccoinnich Iain's blog: NextPortland Discussed in this episode: Bike Portland Wonk Night News The Sprocket Podcast will be releasing new episodes every other week, after 10 years of … Continue reading E593 – Zoning & Bike Parking with Iain MacKenzie →

This week we catch up with recent Reed grad, Devery Sheridan. Can better marketing save us from our transportation woes? Stay tuned to find out. News: The Sprocket Podcast will be releasing new episodes every other Monday, after 10 years of (mostly) weekly episodes, this balance lets us keep the show going and keep the conversations … Continue reading E592 – Devery Sheridan →

  It's our January Reboot! Mail: From Josh Guttmacher: POINTLESSLY SHIFT YOUR BIKE'S ELECTRONIC GEARS LIKE A MANUAL CAR From Anna: Biking and Birding Across The Great Divide As an American politics professor, I always encourage my students to drive across country at some point in their lives to better understand these United States—the immense … Continue reading E591 – January Reboot →

In this Episode, join Guthrie & Player 2 on a cycle around Portland playing… Biketag! That's right, you've heard it on the show and now you can join us on a night of discovery. This episode is one in a series of each Sprocket member doing something a little different… a little… creative? We hope … Continue reading E590 – Biketag! →

Armando, Aaron, and Joan are joined by Tim Mooney of Pedalshift for a new round of Bike Draft, a sportsball-inspired draft game where we each attempt to assemble a bicycle for touring. Who wins the game? That's up to you to decide! Let us know via the episode post or stories (while it lasts) on … Continue reading E589 – Bike Draft 2021 →

We asked, you answered! We discussed some of the more inane ways to finagle life on a bike and other little known bike facts. (Or maybe you know em', but we'll have some fun anyway!)   FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines) graphic design: Marcus … Continue reading E588 – Little Known Bike Facts →

Joan & Aaron are joined by friend Kimber to watch part of the installation of Portland's new Congressman Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. We chat with a few fellow spectators, project our own fears and anxieties onto the crane operators, and admire Earl's aubergine bike from afar. FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: … Continue reading E587 – Earl's New Bridge →

Jenna & Sofie join us to talk about their motivations and experiences working in bike shops in Portland, and a bit about what they like to get up to when not wrenching around. Mail Mr T sent us this posting from Craigslist: Peugeot 5 speed with lawn mower FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: … Continue reading E586 – Jenna & Sofie Talk Bike Shops →

Micah Bishop from Neighbors for Clean Air joins us to talk about diesel pollution, environmental justice, and just transitions. Aaron and Joan are horrified to learn that our home, Multnomah County, has some of the worst diesel pollution in the country.    Discussion References: Purple Air WhatIsInOurAir Oregon Just Transition Alliance Sunrise Movement PDX, Youth … Continue reading E585 – Micah and The Air We Breathe →

As we dig out our rain pants and bike lights, Aaron, Armando, Guthrie, and Joan gather outside in person on a drizzly night to chat about the best of summer and discuss future bike dreams and adventures. Plus we share adventures and plans from listeners Brian, Hami, Emily, Brock, and @blackrtea. Check out this video … Continue reading E584 – Summer Adventures & Bike Travel Dreams →

Jenna Phillips is glamorizing the everyday bicycling life with her charming TikTok videos. Joan dubbed these romantic portrayals of running errands by bike “glorious bike propaganda,” and that's what Aaron and Joan chat with Jenna about in this week's episode. Find Jenna on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (she re-shares some TikTok videos on the other … Continue reading E583 – Jenna's Glorious Bike Propaganda →

Ramon Martinez joins us from the city of Independence, Oregon to let us know how he's helping to turn this small Willamette Valley city into a big cycling destination. “Drop the Hammer” weekends offer short or long road or off-road rides that include some competition (if you want). Best thing about these rides? Your own … Continue reading E582 – Ramon Martinez Chats Bike Indy →

Spokesmama Lisa Corriveau is keeping busy in Vancouver, BC! She chats with Joan and Guthrie about bicycling with her kids, being a car-free family, volunteering with Cycling Without Age, and her job as a cycling instructor for HUB Cycling, teaching kids and adults how to ride a bike. She also shares how arthritis has impacted … Continue reading E581 – Biking in Vancouver, BC with Spokesmama Lisa Corriveau →

Navigate without an app? What kind of shenanigans are we up to now? Aaron, Armando, Guthrie, and Joan discuss wayfinding in new and familiar places without relying on mapping software. Thanks to Maria Schur for the topic suggestion!   FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines) … Continue reading E580 – Wayfinding with Guthrie, Joan, Armando, & Aaron →

Aaron and Joan chat with Cassie Wilson, a climate justice and disability activist, about the service and transportation challenges of living in a rural area, the freedoms and frustrations of having a driver's license, the high costs of owning a car, and how we're managing our climate grief and anxiety. Instagram: @SunrisePDX Twitter: @SunrisePDX & … Continue reading E579 – Fighting Climate Grief with Cassie Wilson →

  We talk with Mateen Richey, an 18 year old racer from right here in Portland, about how he got started racing bikes, why it's easier when you fall in cyclocross, and his plans for college this fall. And Aaron and Joan feel old.  Find Mateen: teen503 on Instagram Mateen Richey on Facebook Teen503 ! … Continue reading E578 – Racing Bikes with Mateen Richey →

We talk with William Hsu, a recent transplant to Portland who has jumped into Pedalpalooza by volunteering with them on their social media campaign. How is Pedalpalooza going now that it's Bike Summer?  Mail In response to our bike commuting episode and how to clean up at work, Richard Wezenky commented, “Witch hazel works as … Continue reading E577 – William Hsu & Bike Summer →

  Hami Ramani is a neurologist who has a big interest in making biking safer and reducing the usage of cars. He's now in Portland and seems to be leading a resurgence of active transportation advocacy in the area. Mail Jason Aufdenberg says, “Dear Sprocket Podcast, I enjoyed the discussion on bike commuting in EP … Continue reading E576 – Hami Ramani – Cycling Advocate →

Guthrie and Joan went to the Portland waterfront to chat with a few folks about e-scooters. Future, here we come? FinePrint 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 … Continue reading E575 – Scooting Around with Joan & Guthrie →

Guthrie, Aaron, and Armando loaded up the mobile recording equipment and headed out to Gateway Green, the first bike park in Portland, Oregon. Gateway Green is located in East Portland and offers an asphalt pump track as well as single track trails. Our hosts chatted with users about recent upgrades and how they're using the … Continue reading E574 – A Visit to Gateway Green →

The Sprocket Podcast gets to catch up with Darrell Shines of The Blackstage Pass! Darrell has spent time cycling and living the commuter life in NY, Italy, and many others abroad. A recent resident, we chat about the “Portland” experience, and what it's like to have fresh eyes on the city we call home. Check … Continue reading E573 – Darrell Shines & The Blackstage Pass →

The Sprocket Podcast goes for a bike ride! We convinced some folks to ride with us on a blazingly hot Portland evening, and we recorded an episode along the way. Listen to podcast listeners and friends chat with us at Irving Park, Colonel Summers Park, and Ladd's Addition Park about their bicycling pet peeves, common … Continue reading E572 – Sprocket Ride! →

The pandemic bike boom and shifts in working life may mean more folks will be commuting by bicycle as remote workers return to the office. Experienced bike commuters Armando, Guthrie, and Joan chat about bike commuting to make this episode a helpful resource for new bike commuters. We discuss common questions from folks new to … Continue reading E571 – Commuting By Bike! →

Joan and Armando talk with Kailey Kornhauser about her fantastic new film, All Bodies on Bikes, and fatphobia and size discrimination within the world of bicycling. Kailey is a PhD student and bikepacker based in Corvallis, Oregon. She and her collaborator Marley Blonsky are advocates for size-inclusivity in bicycling, consulting with vendors and leading webinars … Continue reading E570 – All Bodies On Bikes with Kailey Kornhauser →

  We take a moment to catch up with Ashley, Katya, and Arley about their experiences riding together, and creating space to ride as “The Chingonas” in PDX! What we talked about Everybody Climbs FinePrint Produced at home thanks to: music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines) graphic design: Marcus Norman web: … Continue reading E569 – The Chingonas! →

Trevor joins us to chat about the Swift Summit, the spirit of a well tuned event, and aspirations for the future. From the race: Join those who are looking to dig deep for an event like no other: part brevet, part gran fondo, part self-supported endurance road race. Riders are provided a cue sheet, a … Continue reading E568 – Swift Summit with Trevor →

Tony Jordan is the co-founder and president of the Parking Reform Network. He's been an advocate for parking reform for more than a decade. He talks with Joan, Armando, and Aaron about parking, why it's so bad, and how it could be so much better. The Stuff We Talked About What is parking reform?  Tony's … Continue reading E567 – Tony Jordan, Parking Reformer →

  Marc Schlossberg and Rebecca Lewis from the University of Oregon talk about their new open access book, Rethinking Streets During Covid-19, part of the Rethinking Streets project, and how cities around the world changed streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, and more during the pandemic. The Stuff We Talked About Rethinking Streets Sustainable Cities Institute Bicycle … Continue reading E566 – Rethinking Streets During COVID-19 with Marc Schlossberg and Rebecca Lewis →

This week we catch up with the Bike for Good Baja Divide Ride Border Angels Fundraiser group, type 2 fun, all the way! The Stuff We Talked About Bikes for Good: https://bikes4good.org/ Baja Divide Blog: https://bikes4good.org/trip-blog GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/paula039s-campaign-for-border-angels Photos week 1: https://www.funatakecyclecraft.com/baja-divide-in-pictures-week-1/ Photos week 2: https://www.funatakecyclecraft.com/baja-divide-in-pictures-week-2/ Headlines Where's the Beef? As electric vehicles become more … Continue reading E565 – Baja Divide →

Do helmets protect our heads in bike crashes or make it more likely we'll get into a crash? Do high viz clothes and gear actually make us more visible to people driving cars? Why do we spend so much time talking about helmets when better infrastructure would make us safer than helmets ever could? We … Continue reading E564 – Helmets & Hi Viz →

David Plotz, podcaster extraordinaire, joins Joan and Armando to talk about bike commuting in Washington, DC, his new podcast venture, City Cast, and how we can explore the world without making it worse. Or can we? Plus, David threatens to start a rival bike podcast! Follow David on Twitter and learn more about City Cast … Continue reading E563 – David Plotz, Podcaster & DC Bike Commuter →

  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 … Continue reading E562 – Henry Grabar Talks Parking, Infrastructure, and Secretary Pete →

  This week we catch up with the folks @BikePOCPNW, Will Cortez, Sukho Viboolsittiseri, and Silas Sanderson about their experiences in the Portland and PNW cycling community. HEADLINES No headlines this week. EVENTS No events this week. MAIL No mail this week – send us something fun to read perhaps? If you let us know … Continue reading E561 – BikePOC →

  This week we catch up with Polly Bledsoe, bikepacker, polar bear dodger, and pdx ride extraordinaire! Keep up with the rides in Portland at pdxunityride What's a microaggression? (link) Off The Chain Anchorage Momoko Saunders HEADLINES All Bodies on Bikes “Kailey Kornhauser and Marley Blonsky are on a mission – a mission to change … Continue reading E560 – Avoiding Polar Bears with Polly Bledsoe →

Tools! Outside house tools, inside house tools – everything inbetween. In this episode we cover our approaches to home and on the road mechanicking, as well as wisdom and advice hard won over the years. Whether novice, apprehensive, or a complete expert we think this episode will have a lot for everyone! HEADLINES No headlines … Continue reading E559 – Tool Time with Guthrie and Aaron →

We take a moment to chat with Adah and Malina, former Harriet Tubman students, and youth leaders and activists at Grant HS about the ODOT Freeway widening, and life in general. LEARN MORE No More Freeways PDX Oregon DOT Freeway Expansion Project HEADLINES Air quality soars in school streets that banished cars From the Times … Continue reading E558 – Adah and Malina Talk Climate Justice and The Importance Of Working Together →

We take a moment to chat with Peter Flax, Peter Flax is a journalist and lifelong cyclist. As the editor in chief of Bicycling magazine, he got to cover the Tour de France and ride more than 500 different bikes. He has ridden with Eddy Merckx, Greg Lemond, Miguel Indurain—and has maintained a complicated relationship … Continue reading E557 – Peter Flax →

We take a moment to mark the transition of Brock out of his role of co-co-co-co-co-host, making time for the young ones and living the good life. In retrospect, it's been an amazing 10 years and we look forward to his occasional appearance from The Attic(TM) studio as he sees fit. HEADLINES – EVENTS Free … Continue reading E556 – Old Endings and New Beginnings (or, Brock Pulls His Own Plug) →

We take a moment to catch up a year in 10 minutes, and then talk about the next 10 years to come. Join us as we learn about #boatmonth2020, proper hitchhiking etiquette, and how magic can happen when you put trikes, builders, and great ideas together. (Book Bikes anyone?) HEADLINES Bay Area Begins to Roll … Continue reading E555 – Book Bike Trikes with Ryan Hashagen →

Cohost Guthrie Straw took a very responsible, very intense and very isolated bicycle tour across Oregon last summer in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.  How do you stay separated from others, avoid stores, and carry all your food while riding across the state?  We talk about this.  And a LOT about food. See Guthrie's … Continue reading E554 – Guthrie's Adventures in 2020 →

Our friend Kimber joins Joan and Armando to chat about biking in Germany, recovering from bike wrecks, and bringing life to gardens and death to invasive plants! Also, as always, thanks to our nationally recognized “top beer bar in Oregon” beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers on SE12th and Division, now open for more than 4,000 … Continue reading E553 – Crashes & Blackberries with Kimber Peterson →

Sam Balto is a physical education teacher and an advocate for active transportation.  Especially now that kids are attending school from home, how do we encourage them to get into their 60 minutes of physical activity per day?  He also shares his story of putting a picture of Tom Brady on a crosswalk and setting … Continue reading E552 – Sam Balto, PhysEd Teacher and Active Transportation Advocate →

Today, we speak with Jen Powis from Houston, Texas on air pollution and bicycles and measuring air pollution by bicycle.   We discuss her experience with Sampling The City and Air Alliance Houston, Dr. Robert Bullard, (father of writing on environmental racism), Bike Houston, Houston's Bayou Greenways, and her part in the Rules of the Game … Continue reading E551 – Jen Powis & Air Quality Monitoring By Bike →

OMG people!  It's been 10 years since The Sprocket Podcast started dropping mp3s on the internet full of bicycle talk with a conscience.  So grateful for your presence with us in this made-up imaginary space that in which nonetheless we've cultivated productive and challenging conversations about real issues and inextricably woven them into complete bullshit. … Continue reading E550 – TEN YEAR PODSTRAVAGANZA →

Whoa! Check out that helmet cam! Shawne Martinez joined us on the show to talk about cargo bikes, riding in Washington county and benefits of electrical assist motors!  Follow Shawne on twitter at @RescueEwe Also, as always, thanks to our nationally recognized “top beer bar in Oregon” beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers on SE12th and … Continue reading E549 – Shawne Martinez will @RescueEwe →