Heights Knowledge & Innovation Center Grand Opening.

She served in the Peace Corps in Africa, and didn’t want to return to the U.S. right away after her assignment was complete. So she decided to tour southern Africa by bicycle, and ended up writing a book about her experience. She is Heather Andersen, veteran cycle-tourist and author of the book I Never Intended to Be Brave: A Woman’s Bicycle Journey through Southern Africa. Heather is our guest in the second half of this week’s show.

The well-worn meme in cycling is that Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-centric cities in the world. And while that’s true, it goes much deeper than that. Pete Jordan went to Amsterdam to visit and was so impressed that he took up residence and wrote a book about the place. In the City of Bikes: The Story of the Amsterdam Cyclist is a deeply-researched work about Amsterdam’s long history with the bicycle, and the unique way people there relate to riding. Diane caught up with Pete during his book tour in the U.S.

Last year about this time, we told you about the National Bike Challenge, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark and Endomondo. The 2012 NBC was a huge success, and it’s back again this year, with even bigger goals and prizes. Rob Gusky, Kimberly-Clark’s cycling ambassador is on the show today to give us all the details. The 2013 Challenge started May 1st, now is the time to sign up and start logging your miles.

Finally, we welcome back someone who has really put his pedals where his mouth is, in terms of cycling advocacy in the U.S. government. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has championed cycling throughout his career in public service, especially during the past  four years in the Obama administration. Mr. LaHood will be stepping down from that post in the near future, and we take this opportunity to say thanks, and get his take on what’s been accomplished, and what may be coming for bicycling infrastructure and programs.