Podcast

RBR Owner – Rob Gentry Up Close & Personal Transcript

Published on April 26, 2016

Narrator: Welcome to the National Bicycle Greenways Mountain Mover podcast series. Here, you will get up close and personal with… read more

CruzBike and the MD Who Makes Them So Very Fast!

Published on August 26, 2015

Today we talked with Jim Parker, the MD who is behind the amazing Cruzbike that he, his wife Maria Parker and… read more

The New Leader at Rans, a Fun Force to be Reckoned With!

Published on July 13, 2015

We spent some time on the phone today with a man who has some pretty huge shoes to fill. As… read more

The Winning Ways of Race Across America legend, Pete Penseyres

Published on June 21, 2015

Today we got to visit with a true legend, the man whose Bob Beamon-like Race Across America record stood for… read more

Ellen Fletcher Passes Away but Her Powerful Efforts for Cyclists Will be Felt Forever

America’s pioneering bike activist and arguably it’s most effective, succumbed to the cancer she has been battling for the last several years yesterday. Ellen Fletcher whose podcast and Busycle bike boulevard gratitude ride you saw me remaster here just a few days ago passed away yesterday (RIP 11-7-12). An amazing lady, Palo Alto is on the national bike radar as one of its bike friendliest cities due in large part to Ellen’s work. A modest woman and a World War II Holocaust survivor, she inspired a whole generation of bike activists.

Indeed, I feel honored to have been able to record a little bit of what has made her so great in this interview she gave to me:

Thanks Ellen for the example you set and for a life so well lived. The world is a better place because of your tireless work on behalf of cyclists everywhere.

2007 Ellen Fletcher Bike Blvd Gratitude Ride
in Palo Alto, CA

Ellen taught me how to ride safe and also basic bike maintenance during my 8th grade gym class. She will be missed.

Max Chen – Bike Art & Podcast with NBG

NBG Scout, Engineer, Blacksmith, Bike Artist

The San Jose Mercury Story

IN depth with the Palo Alto Daily News

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, the Father of Traffic Calming

Published on June 16, 2011

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, one of the early political champions of traffic calming, talks about how taming automobile traffic has… read more

DON LOOMIS: WHY HE BICYCLED AMERICA

January 29 2011, 3:05 PM by Martin Krieg

Don Loomis, an 18 year IBM veteran, present day Apple engineer, and father of four, talks about why his 2004 bike trip across America was cause for renewal.

Podcast

Mayors’ Ride Bios -Don Loomis

1. Which Relay link do you want to ride?

San Jose to Chicago (then to Washington DC on my own)

2. How you found us

I first heard Martin speak at Almaden Cycle Touring Club in 1998. Went on the first part of the ride in 2000, crossing most of Califonia. Attended the Santa Cruz NBNG Bikefests.

3. Why you want to do this ride

I enjoy cycle touring and will enjoy experiencing and promoting it with others.

4. Tell us about your touring experience- if little or none, indicate many miles have you ridden over the last year:

Bought a 10 speed in 1974 with the goal of someday going across the country. Have been on many weekend and longer trips. Took a trip with the family 9 years ago down the west coast, biking with them until Oregon and the rest of the way by myself.

5. Tell us about your bike

I plan to get a recumbent bike before this trip. Currently I have a 21 speed touring bike and two Bike Fridays. I have a B.O.B. trailer which I plan to take.

6. Describe your training regimen

I usually commute and take a bus to work, biking 8 miles per day. Haven’t done that for a while but will get back into it. As it gets closer to the trip I plan to bike the entire way to work (about 20 miles each way), and take weekend trips. After I purchase a new bike I want to take it on overnight trips with the camping gear.

7. How are you making time for this

Using vacation time from work and taking a couple weeks extra off.

8. What are your fears about doing this ride

I have no doubts that I can do the ride and know that I will enjoy it. I have learned through experience the importance of drinking plenty of water and eating well.

9. Do you have any special skills that you feel would benefit the Mayors’ Ride?

I will be bringing my camcorder to take pictures of the ride. I’ve had experience planning routes and logistics for a bike trip. I also use a computer for notes and communicating.

10. Do you have any personal contacts that you feel could help the National Bicycle Greenway or the Mayors’ Ride? If so, please list them here.

I am telling friends and relatives about it, and inviting them to join me on parts of it.

11. If you are involved with other non-profit organizations, please tell us about them:

Almaden Cycle Touring Club (ACTC)

11. Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I am really looking forward to the ride and I think this will be a great experience. This will also be a good time to reflect on things.

Name: Don Loomis

E-mail: dloomis@mac.com

Follow Don’s adventures at Bikepacker.org

LAUGHTER FILLED PODCAST WITH RIDE SPONSOR, BICYCLE MAN, ONE OF NATION’S BIGGEST BENT DEALERS

February 26 2011, 3:42 AM by Martin & Virginia Krieg

Listen as we have great fun with Peter Stull at his huge bike shop in Alfred Station, NY. In the words ahead you will hear how Peter wanted to be a bike shop owner from the time he was 11 years old. And about Willy, the harmonica player pictured in the slide show below, who inadvertently helped him make his dream real. Along the way, Peter will also tell you about the odds he overcame to become the owner of one of the nation’s biggest recumbent dealers, the Bicycle Man, as well as the manufacturer of the Linear Recumbent!

Here is his LinkedIn profile:

“I founded Pedal Pusher with two donated relics in 1969. Using a buy-repair-resell business model I established production facilities in my parents basement with a sales office in their front yard. I grew Pedal Pusher into a powerhouse that dominated a 5 mile square market area encompassing a population of over 500. I relocated the business to a dorm room in 1974 and again in 1975 to a rent free (and utility free) house that had last been painted in 1920. I managed a staff of myself and overcame challenges like reading by kerosene lamp, rebuilding decrepit chimneys and transporting firewood 1/2 mile on an old Schwinn. My capstone project here was building “Bikezila.” With 5 speeds and a rear disk brake it was one of the first mountain bikes outside Marin County Ca. In the fall of 1976 I was recruited by Social Services for position “recipient” but refused because their offer to pay my rent if I moved to an apartment with plumbing required that I give up and close Pedal Pusher. I was evicted from the rent free location at the insistence of a building inspector in early 1977 and founded Bicycle Man that spring with rent subsidy from my parents. Thanks Mom and Dad!”