Category: Podcasts

Interviews with other tourists, bike makers, and interesting personalities. Usually but maybe not always bicycle related.

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Podcasts

Around the World on a Bicycle; An Interview With Leana Niemand

Leana Niemand has ridden her bike in more countries than most people will ever visit. She started in South Africa seven years ago and as she says “..once you’re on the road, there’s just no reason to stop” Bike Touring News caught up with her in Boise last week and recorded our conversation to create the podcast which you can listen to by clicking the player icon at the bottom of this post.

We were impressed with Leana’s unassuming and relaxed demeanor and were a little surprised by her uncomplicated approach to touring. Hopefully we asked the questions other tourists and would be tourists might have about traveling in other countries and about what it’s like to travel alone. This episode is about 40 minutes long. By the time you read this I hope to have this and other podcasts in the iTunes directory so it will be easier to listen to on other devices. The iTunes podcast channel will be called “Bike Touring News Podcast”.

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Advocacy/Awareness Podcasts

Use Your Bicycle!

Paul and Jim on couch
This was the studio for the Bike Hermit’s interview of Paul L. Paul is the handsome one.

On a recent overnight bicycle trip to Burgdorf Hot Springs I sat down with Paul to ask him about bike commuting…when he began, what logistical challenges he faced and about what he perceives as the benefits of riding a bike to work. We were “sponsored” on this trip by McCall Brewing Company in that they provided a keg of their Wobbily Man Smoked Scotch ale and we needed to finish the interview before things became too, shall we say, wobbly.

I read this thread the other day on bikeforums.net and there are some good replies to the original post. The one I try to remember most of the time is “Always ride like you are invisible to drivers”. Ride defensively, be predictable and assume drivers don’t see you. One exception to my rule about being predictable is a trick I learned from reading Grant Petersen’s book Just Ride . Before a car approaching from behind reaches you, do something erratic such as wobbling a little or a quick zig-zag. It’s amazing how that gets their attention and how wide of a berth they give when passing you.

With a little bit of planning and care, using a bike to get to work and to run daily errands can be enjoyable and rewarding. It can be a little nerve wracking in traffic, but statistically is still relatively safe as long as a person pays attention and follows some basic principals and local ordinances. Boise Street Smart Cycling is a great resource. I’m always interested in other tips and experiences…so please use the comments.

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Living Vicariously Podcasts

Bike Touring to South America and Across Siberia

Canada to Argentina on Surly Long Haul Truckers
Randy and Cheryl had been living their dream for two weeks when they arrived in Boise to stay with us for the night. Starting at the Canadian border they pointed the handlebars south and started riding, with the aim of eventually making it to Argentina. When I mentioned that I would have difficulty wrapping my head around a trip of that length and duration their response was reassuring. Before taking on the breathtakingly empty, desolate and beautiful Nevada desert they took time to let me record this rambling, background noise filled, (put the mic on a tripod, Mr. Hermit) interview.

Randy and Cheryl stopped at Bike Touring News on their way to Argentina.

Cycling Home From Siberia
A reader sent a link to a video of this talk by Rob Lilwall recounting his three year trip by bicycle across Siberia and Eastern and Central Asia. Rob’s an entertaining speaker and his tale is inspiring. Thanks for the link Yanyan!

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Living Vicariously Podcasts

Preparations For A European Bike Tour

One of the great things about being involved with Bike Touring News is the opportunity to live vicariously through the people we meet. Soon (next month), Asa will fly to Europe with his bike for a year long “literary pilgrimage”. We got a chance to talk to him first about his planning and preparations.

Find out how the Schengen Agreement gave shape to the tour itinerary. How does a person get their bike and gear across an ocean? A trip of this duration might require a different solution than a trip of a few weeks. What about phone service? I’m getting stressed out….we should just listen to the podcast.

I hope we will get updates on how the trip is going and some good stories we can share here with the focus on the logistics of pulling off a trip like this. Maybe we can Skype it up when Asa is on the road and do podcasts off those if we can figure out how to record them. If you have pointers and tips for Asa and others who might be interested, add them in the comments.

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Podcasts Touring Bicycles

NAHBS 2012 Wrap-up

This is the final installment of our coverage of the 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show, and we have two,count em, two, interviews. First up is Deb Banks talking about her new saddle making venture; Rivet Cycleworks

Mitch Pryor made the trip down from Portland, OR with bikes he makes under the moniker MAP Bicycles. I have long appreciated his attention to detail and the way he can make simple look easy.

Map touring bike

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Advocacy/Awareness Podcasts Touring Bicycles

Craig Calfee and Bamboosero at NAHBS

I caught up with Craig Calfee before the waste encountered the air handling device on the second morning of NAHBS 2012 in Sacramento. One of the pioneers of the use of bamboo for bicycle frames Mr. Calfee uses bamboo sourced in Africa and the tubes are joined by laying up sheets made of local tree bark with resin, similar to fiberglass or carbon fiber.

The Bamboosero bamboo touring bicycle.


A very clever integrated kick stand and enclosed chaincase.

This is the material used in the joint or lug construction process. It comes from African tree bark

Categories
Event Coverage N.A.H.B.S. Podcasts Touring Bicycles

It’s A Fat World, Joseph Ahearne Interview

The theme for the 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show is fat-bikes! At least in the bike hermit’s feeble mind. First up is Joseph Ahearne’s take on the genre. I was able to squeeze in this interview when he wasn’t bombarded with customers and we talked about this bike as well as the other off-road tourer he brought to the show.


Inner tubes stretched over custom fender frames.

Carry All

Joseph Ahearne's Off Road Touring Bike

The double top tubes make the bike more rigid when loaded while still providing the desired ride qualities.

The rack suports the fender, the fender supports the rack. Integration of parts makes for a more reliable touring machine.

Stay tuned. More to come.