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.

Besides my spring allergy update, you might want to know who’s on The Outspoken Cyclist this week. Well I’ll tell you…

First up, we have Jenn Dice , Vice President of Government Relations at Bikes Belong. Jenn directs Bikes Belong’s  Bohm Strategy Center and leads Bikes Belong’s lobbying team and government relations program. She’s also a bonafide adventurer, having completed the Leadville Trail 100 on several occasions, and climbed up and biked down Mt. Kilimanjaro!

The second half of today’s show is dedicated to electric-assist, or E-Bikes. In the automotive world, we have the Toyota Prius as the best known example of the hybrid car, and now the “hybrid bike” is beginning to get attention in the United States. Larry Pizzi of Currie Technologies is on hand to give us a thorough and insightful explanation of what E-Bikes are, and why they may fill a gap between fully-motorized and fully-human-powered transportation. A device that provides a constant tailwind? Yes, please!

We start with Rob Copolillo, who has written a new book called Holy Spokes!: A Biking Bible for Everyone. But Rob isn’t just an author, he’s a twin and a father of twins, a skier, rock climbing guide and bicycle enthusiast. He’s also served as a guide for Andy Hampsten’s Cinghiale Bicycle Tours. With experience that broad and deep, a book was inevitable!

In the second half of the show, we learn about Bikes Not Bombs from communications director Sarah Breaker. Bikes Not Bombs is based on Boston, and they use the bicycle as a tool to  effect social change. Trust me, it’s way cooler than it sounds; just listen to Sarah’s excellent explanation.

Wrapping up, we welcome back Sarai Snyder to the show. Sarai is the driving force behind Girl-Bike-Love and CycloFemme. CycloFemme 2013 is coming up on May 12th, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever with over 150 rides celebrating women on bikes in 37 U.S. states and 22 countries!

Bike Snob NYC and his alter ego Eben Weiss have a new book out called Bike Snob Abroad, and Eben will be visiting our fair city next Saturday for a Q&A, signing, and bike ride (assuming we can defrost the Cleveland freezer by then). Listen to Diane’s interview with Bike Snob NYC right here, and then see him live on April 27th at 1:00 pm at the Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City.

Dropping in after the news is Red Kit Prayer’s Patrick Brady, making us all jealous by reporting from the Sea Otter Classic. Always ready with commentary on a diverse array of subjects, Patrick also tells us about his plans for an upcoming book crowd-funded via Kickstarter, called Why We Ride.

As Bob Roll put it, back in the 1980s Andy Hampsten “cracked the chest of European road racing and feasted on its heart.” Andy went on to win the Giro d’Italia, and a stage at the TdF, among other accomplishments. These days, he owns Hampsten Cycles with his brother Steve, and he combines his passion for Italian food, wine, and riding as proprietor of Cinghiale Tours. Andy checked in just before getting ready to head over to Italy for the Giro, and his own touring season.

After the break and some news, 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.

It would be easier to describe what Les Earnest hasn’t done than what he has done, but suffice it to say that you’re reading this on a computer because of at least one of Les’ many discoveries. He also happens to be a walking encyclopedia of the history of competitive cycling governance in the U.S., and an active participant in organizations such as the USCF and USA Cycling. His efforts have focused on improving racer representation in the sport’s governing bodies.

Shannon Galpin is a National Geographic 2013 Adventurer of the Year for her work with women in Afganistan. Specifically, Shannon runs an organization called Mountain 2 Mountain which is helping put women on bikes in a country where the culture prohibits it. And these women aren’t “just riding around” they’re training and racing with the goal of fielding an Olympic team.

Lastly, we meet Ben Sarrazin of Yuba Cargo Bikes. Ben grew up in France, and was inspired by seeing people using bikes for transportation. During summer kayaking trips to the U.S., he saw an opportunity to create and sell transportation and cargo bikes here in the ‘States. From cupcakes to kayaks, a cargo bike can help you get it (and you) where you want to go.

First up is an interview with Gillian Klempner Willman, who directed and produced a new film entitled The New Woman. It’s a documentary about Annie Londonderry’s journey around the world on her bicycle in 1894. The New Woman will be screening locally in April as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival.

For about 120 years, one constant about the bicycle has been the chain. We love them, we hate them, we lube them, but (so far) we haven’t been able to live without them. The Gates Company is attempting to change that with their Gates Carbon Drive. Joining us this week is Paul Tolme, Brand Evangelist for Gates to enlighten us on what it is, how it works, and why you might want one.

Rounding out the show this week is a look into one of the biggest bike race/festivals in the country: The Sea Otter Classic, which is coming up in mid-April in Monterey, California. We’ll hear from Jeff Frost, who is the Sea Otter Athletic Director about what’s happening in addition to bike racing at this year’s event.

A couple of weeks ago, Jody Dzuranin and Jeannie Martin of the Columbus advocacy organization Consider Biking were part of the Ohio delegation to the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. The report this year is quite optimistic, with one of the main themes being “we’ve earned our seat at the table; it’s time to sit down and get to work.” Listen as Jody and Jeannie give their impressions of the Summit.

A couple hundred miles closer to home, Diane connects with Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog and RustWire. Angie is based on the near west side of Cleveland and writes about biking and walking issues, with a focus on the industrial Midwest. She and Diane talk about some of her recent articles that explore interesting angles on how motorist privilege impacts cyclists and pedestrians.

In the racing department, there is a new professional stage race in North America this year: the Tour of Alberta. This UCI-sanctioned event will start in Edmonton on September 3rd, and end on September 8th in Calgary. Although no teams have been announced yet, the expectation is that more than a few elite pros from the TdF will be at the start line. Race Director Duane Vinneau is on the show this week to tell us all about it.

Finally, as part of the NAHBS report series, Diane talks with Toni Smith, who owns and operates Baileyworks Bags up in New Hampshire. Toni is a multi-faceted individual who is dedicated to making high-quality, functional products right here in the U.S.A.

If you’ve ever been on a long ride and had your toes go numb, or experienced a “hot foot”, Dave and Jennifer Simmons have the answer for you. Simmons makes fully-custom, all-carbon cycling shoes based on a plaster cast of his customers’ feet. After listening to Dave, and checking out the website, the word that best describes these shoes is “want!”

Returning to Earth, we wrap up this week’s show with a conversation with Caeli Quinn, Ride Director for Climate Ride. Climate Ride is a non-profit organization that sponsors two week-long rides each year, with the aim of raising awareness and activism around sustainability, bike advocacy, and environmental causes. Think of it as a rolling, human-powered green symposium!

From the practical to what some would say is the extreme, in the second half of the show Diane welcomes solo RAAM finisher Dex Tooke and his wife and crew chief Joni Tooke. Dex and Joni hail from Del Rio, Texas, and in addition to being a 60-some-year-old ultra-distance racer, Dex has written a book about RAAM, entitled Unfinished Business. He also directs a 32-hour race in west Texas called No Country for Old Men. While it’s true that Dex was the one turning the pedals for 3,000 miles to complete RAAM, read a bit of his book and you’ll see that it never would have happened without Joni’s fanatical planning and discipline.

To get us in the mood for this evening, Diane chats up Josh “Too Tall” Symonds from Velocipede Salon. Always irreverent and unpredictable, Josh will be one of those holding court at tonight’s event.

There is lots of news in this week’s show, followed by a deep dive into the world of bicycle racing memorabilia with Brett Horton. Brett is the curator of the Horton Collection, an outstanding, um, collection of jerseys, posters, bike and other physical artifacts from bicycle racing’s golden age. Brett is a former racer himself, who has honed the art of finessing top pros like Eddy Mercx out of some of their prized memorabilia.

And in the tradition of listener-focused radio, we have a great show for you this week. Rod Hutton and Joe Florian stopped by the WJCU studios to talk about their new business: Buckeye Country Road Bicycle Tours. Hutton and Florian are experienced cyclists who are now offering fully supported, multi-day tours in our fair state. Their first tour, the Amish Country Adventure, rolls out in late July, and there is still time to register.

After a bit of news, Diane welcomes a return visit to The Outspoken Cyclist from Willie Weir. Weir and his wife Kat just returned from three months of cycling around southeast Asia, including Myanmar. Willie gives us his account of the highlights of the trip, and you can see (and hear) more at Yellow Tent Adventures.

Thanks for your support; let’s get on to this week’s show:

The annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show is just a couple weeks away. We caught up with show director Don Walker in a rare moment of calm during his pre-show frenzy to talk about NAHBS, ‘Cross Worlds, and life in general.

Richard (Dick) Pound has a C.V. as long as your arm, including Olympic swimmer, attorney, university chancellor, and IOC board member. But the role for which we know him best is as one of the founders and president of the World Anti-Doping Agency. For the past several years, Mr. Pound has been swimming against the prevailing tide with regard to doping in cycling. Recent revelations have vindicated him, and he was gracious enough to join us from Toronto to share his thoughts on cycling’s ugly past, and his hopes for its future.

Finally, a little closer to home, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming ultra-distance racing season, and one of the premier events is right in our backyard. Larry Graham, co-director of  Calvin’s Challenge brings us up to date on the 22nd edition of this iconic race set for Saturday, May 4th, in Springfield, Ohio.

In the second half of the show, Diane welcomes John Pucher and Ralph Beuhler, who have edited a new book called City Cycling. Pucher is Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the Bloustein School of Planning and Policy at Rutgers University, and Ralph Buehler is Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. City Cycling is a deep dive into all aspects of the dynamics of non-motorized urban transportation.

In the second half of the show, Diane talks with nutritionist and author Matt Fitzgerald, whose book Racing Weight is now in its second edition. Weight is on many peoples’ minds this time of year, as we assess the toll our holiday indulgence has taken on our body mass. Matt has many practical tips on how to increase the quality of your dietary intake, and avoid “brain hunger”.

After the news, we take a welcome break from the LA Circus, and talk with transportation planner for Metro Plan Orlando, and the president of the Florida Bike Association, Mighk Wilson. The FBA is planning a colloquium for February 23rd and 24th. More details here.

According to our first guest Patrick Brady of Red Kite Prayer, the rumor is that Lance will confess…to being a really successful bike racer. You’ll have to listen in order to hear what else Patrick has to say about the upcoming train wreck interview.

After a bit of news and a break, we bring you an interview with Micah Rice, who is the Vice-President of National Events for USA Cycling. We caught up with Micah on Thursday, as he was preparing for the start of the 2013 U.S. Cyclocross Nationals, going on right now in Madison, Wisconsin.

Closing out the hour is Henry Gold, director of Tour d’Afrique, which runs global bicycles adventures on 6 continents, visiting over 60 countries. When we talked with Henry he was getting ready to depart for Africa to ride the Cairo to Capetown tour. Tour d’Afrique is not only a tour provider; it has a philanthropic arm that aims to give something back to the countries in which they operate.

So celebrate safely, enjoy another edition of The Outspoken Cyclist, and be sure to come back for more in 2013.

First up this week is author Michael Vitez from Philadelphia. Michael is a Pulitzer Prize winning human interest writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s also the author of several books including his latest, The Road Back. It’s the story of collegiate triathlete Matthew Miller, who not only survived a horrific car-bike crash, but recovered to complete an Ironman, and enter medical school.

After a break and some news, we welcome Jeff Archer, who owns First Flight Bicycles in Statesville, North Carolina. First Flight is a Bicycling and Bike Retailer Top 100 shop, and the home of the Museum of Mountain Bike Art and Technology (MOMBAT). With so many hats to wear, Jeff naturally has lots of great stories to tell about his involvement in cycling.

It’s an all-girl show this week with Kelly Refer, who teaches yoga in Seattle, and has written a book called Pedal, Stretch, Breathe (the Yoga of Bicycling), and the return to TOC of Elly Blue from Portland, whose latest offering is entitled Everyday Bicycling. Two energetic and informed voices promoting better cycling and better health for us all.

We bid you happy and safe holidays, including, but not limited to: Festive Yule, Merry Christmas, and Peaceful Kwanzaa. We’ll be back at you one more time before the end of 2012.

Today we begin with an interview with Dave Wages, custom framebuilder and owner of Ellis Cycles. Dave worked for both Serotta and Waterford before launching his own shop in 2008 in Waterford, Wisconsin. His artistic eye and the exquisite details of his frames are stunning.

Rounding out the hour is a chat with Dave Smith, who coaches athletes in many sports including running, biking and polo. Dave’s company, Flow Funktional Fitness is based in Staffordshire, England, but his clients come from all over the world. He has coached Olympic Medalists and TdF stage winners as well as amateurs of all levels.

First up is Ira David, who is the producer and host of a TV series on cycling called Pedal America. The show is starting its second season on PBS, and the premise is to showcase various locations in the U.S. from the perspective of an everyday, or casual cyclist. Ira tells us how he came to produce Pedal America, and gives us a few insights into the second season.

After a break and a bit of news (including a couple of gift ideas for the eccentric cyclist on your list) we welcome back Joe Friel, who has written a new book called The Power Meter Handbook. Joe explains how a bicycle power meter works and why power is an excellent measure of performance.

Four years ago, John Burke‘s father Dave Burke (founder of Trek Bicycles) died after complications from heart surgery. What started out as a private memoir intended for John’s two children has become a book called One Last Great Thing. John Burke joins us today to talk about the book, his dad, and their shared history in the bike business.

While the Burkes were building Treks in Wisconsin, a company up in Connecticut by the name of Cannondale was also innovating with aluminum tubing in bicycle frames. Production of Cannondales has moved offshore, and the tubing equipment  was purchased by our second guest this week, Wade Barocsi of Acel Tubing and Joining Products. Wade is also owner of Cycle Design USA, and a framebuilder and instructor. If you want to know about shaping and joining metal, Wade’s your guy.

This week’s Outspoken Cyclist features interviews with husband and wife mountain bike racers Mary McConnelough and Mike Broderick of Team Seven-Kenda-NoTubes, Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong, and Drew Guldalian of Engin Cycles.

Aside from the good holiday wishes, we have a great show for you this week. Journalist, author, and former pro road racer Paul Kimmage joins us from Dublin, Ireland to talk about his wild ride in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal. Kimmage is another example of someone who has paid a heavy price for trying to expose the corruption in a sport he loves.

In the second half of the show, we head out to northern California to talk with Chris Chance, the man behind the iconic Fat City Cycles, which still claims a large and loyal group of owners and enthusiasts. This interview will clearly illustrate just how much the bicycle business has changed over the last 30 years.

1. (verb) To ingest banned substance(s), or engage in medical practice(s) designed to artificially enhance athletic performance. Activity engaged in by many professional athletes, including professional bicycle racers. See also: UCI, Lance Armstrong, Dr. Michele Ferrari.

Doping in professional cycling affects not only the riders, but their families and the sponsor companies that provide the money that makes the sport possible in the first place. This week, The Outspoken Cyclist serves up interviews with two folks who fall into this second category:

• Jamie Fuller is the CEO of Skins International, a maker of performance-enhancing compression garments. Skins is heavily invested in sponsorship of a number of endurance sports, including cycling. The company has also taken great care to protect its brand and image from ethical tarnish. In the wake of the recent Lance Armstrong/UCI scandal, Skins has filed a $2M lawsuit against the UCI. Hear the full story from Jamie Fuller himself in the first half of today’s show.

• Betsy Andreu is married to former U.S. Postal racer Frankie Andreu. She’s also the person who witnessed the Lance Armstrong “hospital room” conversation where he admitted to using PEDs. As a result of going public with this accusation, Betsy was vilified and intimidated for many years. Now that others have come forward, she’s been vindicated, and she talks with Diane this week about how this ordeal has affected her and her family, and her perspective on where the sport needs to go from here.

In the meantime, we have a great show for you with two great guests. If they weren’t both so self-effacing, they’d wear shirts that say, “I’m kind of a big deal.”

Dave Scott is a six-time Ironman Triathlon champion, who has continued to compete and coach triathlon. Dave was in Cleveland this week as part of the 2013 Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Summit. As you listen to his conversation with Diane, you’ll get a full appreciation for the depth and breadth of his knowledge of sports physiology, and how willingly he shares it.

Chris Alvarado‘s C.V. reads like a who’s who of Cleveland’s grass roots (Board President of Bike Cleveland and Board Secretary for EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, member of the Bicycle Advocacy Council at NOACA, and past Board President of Tremont West Development Corporation). His current challenge is as a Fellow in the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Strong Cities, Strong Communities program.

Two great conversations with two very passionate people, plus news and pontificating from Diane and myself. We hope you enjoy!

This week, The Outspoken Cyclist checks in with framebuilder, cyclocross racer, and opinionated observer of all things, Richard Sachs. Richard has a perspective that is unique and sometimes controversial, but always ‘atmo‘.

After a survey of the cycling news, including the announcement of a collaboration between Bianchi and Gucci, we welcome author T. J. Murphy, who has written a new book about CrossFit. Murphy’s book, Inside the Box: How CrossFit Shredded the Rules, Stripped Down the Gym, and Rebuilt My Body tells of how he went from a limping 47-year-old former marathon runner to the best shape of his life, all by using the nutritional and workout techniques of CrossFit.

Two quick programming notes:

• After this TOC episode was recorded, the UCI announced it has suspended its suit against journalist Paul Kimmage, pending the outcome of an indpendent management review.
• If you’re looking for the online raffle to benefit the family of the late Stan Bugarcic (the man who drowned in the 2012 Greater Cleveland Triathlon), here’s the link: http://www.imathlete.com/donate/Campaign.aspx?fCID=1607&fb_source=message

Ernest Gagnon is a big guy from New England on his way to being a smaller guy from New England. Two years ago, a combination of depression and a sedentary job in the tech industry helped him tip the scales at 570 pounds. Now, over 200 pounds lighter and several thousand miles later, Gagnon has both a different body, and a different outlook on life. This week we get the whole amazing story from Ernest and two of his cycling buddies, Steve Lachance and Zach LaBry.

The expansive website slowtwitch.com is ostensibly about triathlon (and there is a ton of excellent tri content there) but it’s so much more than multi-sport. This 13-year old site is the brainchild of Dan Empfield, who has a deep passion and understanding, not only of the sport itself, but of the athletes as well. This week Dan tells us how and why he started Slowtwitch, and also offers a bit of advice for first time competitors.

What do you get when you cross beatboxing with cello playing and bicycling? Cello Joe, of course: the “wildest beatboxing cellist in the west.” Joey “Cello Joe” Chang has toured the U.S. and Mexico on his bicycle, with his cello in tow, playing a unique brand of classical-inspired music. Today Diane brings you a conversation about his adventures, along with a sample of his music.

Over the summer, there’s been a hive of activity in Cleveland’s Broadway Avenue neighborhood. Fast Track Racing, along with volunteers from the Cleveland cycling community have been busy constructing Ohio’s only velodrome. This week we welcome back Brett Davis, board president of the Cleveland Velodrome board to talk about the first couple months of operation, and what they have planned for 2013 and beyond.

Wrapping up, we check in with Bina Bilenky, who is busy putting the final touches on the Philly Bike Expo, which drops on October 27th and 28th. This year’s theme is “Artists, Activists & Alternatives”. Should be a great chance to see lots of cool cycling stuff in the freedom city.

Joining us in the studio is Daniel Coyle, co-author with Tyler Hamilton of the book The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs.  Coyle conducted extensive interviews and research with Hamilton and many others to paint an enlightening and  sometimes disturbing picture of the culture of doping in professional bike racing.

Perhaps no other city in the U.S. has so radically transformed its street infrastructure than New York City. Where Portland streets seem almost ready-made for bicycling, NYC has gone from allowing cars in Central Park (!) to being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country. Paul Steely-White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives joins us from Brooklyn to update us on how NYC has pulled this off, and what’s on the horizon for the Big Apple.

Wrapping up the hour, Diane speaks with Doug Selee, Executive Director of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). NICA’s mission is to start mountain bike racing leagues at the high school level around the U.S. With two leagues in California, and eight in other states, NICA is on a mission to get kids active and to create lifelong cyclists. See, it doesn’t take balls (literally or figuratively) to play high school sports!

Irish journalist Paul Kimmage is being sued by the UCI for his 1990 book Rough Ride, which deals with doping in professional cycling. Lesli Cohen of Cyclismas.com & Andy Shen of NYVelocity.com have started a Chip-In fund to help raise money for Kimmage’s legal expenses. Lesli and Andy have a lot of great info about the book, the lawsuit, along with some strong opinions on the current state of the UCI.

In the second half, we meet up with Ingo Lou, whose To Catch a Bike Thief project takes a rational and objective approach to what is almost always an emotional experience: the theft of one’s bike. Turns out, there are simple reasons why bikes are frequently stolen, and a few things you can do to deter bike theft.

• Jock Boyer and Kimberly Coats from Team Rwanda
• Ed Rae from Brompton Bicycles
• Mike Demme and Winona Bateman of Adventure Cycling
• Fred Clements, president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association

• Carolyn Szczepanski from the League of American Bicyclists
• Karen Brooks of Bicycle Times magazine
• Micah Rich from USA Cycling
• Richard Schwinn of Waterford/Gunnar Bicycles.

She actually recorded more interviews than we have time for on this week’s radio show, so look for more from Interbike coming up in the near future.

Cycling renaissance man Richard Fries was about to board a plane for the Netherlands (where he’ll be announcing the World Championships) when we caught up with him to talk about the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival, coming up in Rhode Island October 6th and 7th. As Richard says, “in New England, ‘Cross is racing; everything else is just warmup.”

Billed as “Washington State’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride for Women”, Women’s Living the Dream Ride debuts in Snohomish, Washington May 11, 2013 (time to start planning that spring cycle travel). It’s a benefit for Snohomish Community Kitchen thru Living the Dream Foundation, and guys are welcome, but the event’s focus is on being woman-friendly. Ride organizer Tina Kuna joins us to talk about all the details.

After some news (including a riveting micro-analysis of traffic light and intersection dynamics) Diane welcomes journalist, author, and bike commuter Jeff Mapes. Jeff has authored a book entitled Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities, and he’s in town this weekend to speak at the Natural History Museum as part of the Ride for Miles activities.

In the second half of the show, we get a chance to hear from a guy with simply amazing tales to tell, and a way of telling them that conveys his sense of adventure and fun. Willie Weir is a world cycle tourist, author, columnist for Adventure Cycling, and a heck of a fun guy. Diane’s conversation with him is sure to brighten your week.

First, a chat with Rails-to-Trails president Keith Laughlin. Not only is Rails-to-Trails working hard on our behalf to respond to a changing political climate (in the wake of MAP-21 passage) but they’ve got some great new resources to make finding a trail near where ever you happen to be easier than ever.

In the second half, we welcome back attorney, cyclist, and journalist Charles Pelkey,  who is the perfect person with whom to discuss the Lance Armstrong doping allegations. Charles has the facts, along with a calm and insightful opinion on one of the most controversial topics in cycling today.

Our first guest should have his picture in the dictionary next to the entry for altruism. Bob Lee and his Ride for 3 Reasons have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research, ALS, and hospice funding. Because Bob covers his own expenses, all donations go directly to his designated charities. He’s headed out on the road again in September, so listen for all the details, including how you can contribute.

In the second half of today’s show, Diane chats with artist and framebuilder 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!

Hans Rey is a mountain biking legend who has a new coffee table book entitled A Life of Mountain Bike Adventures: 25 Years of Riding the World. He also runs a charity dedicated to providing bikes to people who need them in developing countries. Wheels 4 Life reflects Hans’ passion and integrity by maximizing the direct impact of every dollar donated.

Mike Magnuson is a writer, musician and cyclist, not necessarily in that order. He’s been a contributor to Bicycling magazine for many years, and his latest book is Bike Tribes: A Field Guide to North American Cyclists. Beyond all that, he’s a hell of a fun guy to shoot the breeze with, which is exactly what Diane did this week.

We found a lot of variety in the cycling news which ranges from triathlete deaths to Metroparks sharrows to 13-year old hit and run drivers to trail funding to Route 66. Grab something cold and wet, kick off those cleats and join us for a wild ride on this week’s Outspoken Cyclist.

First, April Streeter talks about her new guidebook, Women on Wheels. April is a writer from Portland, Oregon, with an emphasis on environmental and women’s issues.

In the second half, Diane talks with adventurer, author and force of nature, Frosty Wooldridge. Frosty’s new book is How to Live a Life of Adventure: the Art of Exploring the World.

Finally, we send our condolences to the family of Stan Bugarcic, a local triathlete who died this week as a result of complications from a near-drowning at a race in Mentor, Ohio last Sunday. Plans for a memorial fund-raiser are pending. Keep listening to The Outspoken Cyclist for details on how you can help.

How appropriate then, that our first guest today is IronMadMan Ryan Schneider, who also writes for LAVA Magazine, (and has a day job in the video game industry). Ryan describes himself as the world’s least likely triathlete, and he maintains that anyone with the right motivation and dedication can complete an IronMan. Great stuff!

After the break and some news, Diane welcomes back Steve Magus, the Ohio Bike Lawyer to the show. In addition to his legal practice based in Cincinnati, Steve analyzes bicycle fatalities to see what really happened and if the law enforcement agencies got the story right. Steve also has great statistics that you can use to reduce your risk on the road.

Richard Goodwin joins us to talk about Hutchinson, one of the oldest surviving makers of bicycle equipment. Hutchinson is still manufacturing tires in France, and they are one of the leaders in tubeless technology for bicycles.

The Richmond Cycling Corps is just a couple years old, but their motto “Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop.” is a testament to their determination to use cycling to get kids from Richmond, Virginia out of public housing. Director Craig Dodson is one of the most passionate people you’ll ever meet, and we’ll hear from him about what Richmond Cycling Corps is doing, how, and why.

We know that framebuilders build bike frames, but who builds the tools that framebuilders use? One of the people who makes those tools and fixtures is Don Ferris of Anvil Bikeworks in Golden, Colorado. Besides being a helluva toolmaker, Don is a really interesting guy with a knack for explaining complex concepts in a way even I can understand.

Should women be encouraged to ride bicycles? We don’t need the LAB’s Carolyn Szczepanski to tell us the answer to that one is “yes!” But we do need her and the National Women’s Bike Summit to help us figure out how to bring more women into cycling.

Does Indiana get more hours of daylight than Ohio? Does it rain more in Indy than in Cleveland? No and maybe, and you can find out for yourself by riding across Indiana in one day on the RAIN ride. Get all the details from RAIN Ride Director Jim Schroeder.

Workplace rules or unconstitutional witch hunt? You be the judge as Diane and I kibitz on the validity of the USADA investigation into Lance, Johann, and the Disco/Postal machine.

Should everything on your bike be made of carbon fiber? Only if it’s designed and made in the U.S.A. by Enve Composites. Get the stiff yet light scoop on this ubiquitous material from Enve CEO Jason Schiers.

But you came here to talk cycling, so let’s dive right in. First up is a return appearance by Chuck Harmon and Rachel Apple and their group of students from the Bronx Lab School, who are cycling around Ohio this week as part of the school’s innovative “Explore Weeks”.

If you’ve ever wanted to maintain or repair your own bike, Daimeon “Daimo” Shanks can help you with that. A former pro tour mechanic and co-owner of The Service Course (a repair-only bike shop) in Boulder, Colorado, has written a new book called Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair. The book targets the DIYer, and includes anecdotes from Daimo’s days wrenching on bikes in the pro peloton.

Finally, if you’re a mountain biker looking for a bucket list challenge, consider the TransRockies Challenge, coming up in late July. It’s a 3, 4, or 7-day mountain bike stage race in the Canadian Rockies with full nightly camp support. On the line from Seattle and Vancouver, we have Aaron McConnell & Simon Parker to tell you about this unique event, and how you can enter.

We start off by welcoming Bicycling.com editor Daniel McMahon, who gives us his take on the array of disarray heading into the 21012 Tour de France. Who’s out, who’s in, who was out, and is now back in: Daniel sorts it out for us.

Rounding out the first half is a conversation with Salon.com columnist Will Doig. Will writes a regular column called Dream City, which often focuses on transit, and the surrounding social and political pressures that shape the debate about transportation. Recommended reading as well as listening!

To get a first-hand impression of the impact of the wild files currently raging in Colorado, we check in with Jim Rutberg of Carmichael Training Systems. Because of the fires, the air quality in the Colorado Springs are has degraded to the point where it’s unsafe to train outdoors. So Carmichael has opened its facility free of charge to anyone in the area who wants to ride or run indoors.

Wrapping up, we head for Berkley, California to speak with Ozzie Zehner, visiting scholar at UC Berkley, and author of a new book entitled Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism. More recommended reading and listening, especially if you think you’re living a ‘green’ lifestyle.

• Patrick Brady (Red Kite Prayer)
• Carlton Reid (Roads Were Not Built for Cars)
• Katherine Fuller (International Mountain Bike Association)
• Carla Hukee (Niner Bikes)
• Avelino Rivera (NuVinci Hubs)
• Jimmy “Mac” McIlvane (Mountain Bike Action Magazine)

After some news and a mini-rant from yours truly, we get down to business with master mechanic Merlyn Townley. Merlyn has been a neutral support and team race mechanic for over 2o years. He also builds some of the most beautiful and durable custom wheels you’ll ever ride. Check out his shop online at Merlyn Mechanics.

Finally, follow our favorite RAAM racers, Cassie Schumacher/Wheels 4 Change, and Andre Husain/Team Hope at RaceAcrossAmerica.org.

Are you an “advanced cyclist”? Our first guest, Hunter Allen can quickly help you answer that question. If you are, or if you want to be, his new book Cutting Edge Cycling: Advanced Training for Advanced Cyclists will show you how. Even if you’re ‘just a guy or gal on a bike’ (like me), Hunter’s discussion of power meters and the various metrics and training zones is really interesting stuff. If and when you’re ready to train with power, Hunter is the go-to guy.

There is more than one way to be an advanced cyclist, and another way is to become proficient and comfortable riding on the roadways as a a vehicle (“I’m not riding in traffic; I am traffic.”). Joining us in the second half of the show to talk about riding safely and effectively on the road is Keri Caffrey. Keri is the woman behind Cycling Savvy, a 9-hour course designed to help anyone from a beginner to an advanced cyclist confidently and safely negotiate all types of urban and suburban traffic situations.

Ian Dille has written a new book with and about Marty Nothstein, entitled The Price of Gold. Nothstein is a former World and Olympic track cycling champion, who was known as a terror both on and off the track. Dille talks about the process of writing the book, and provides a few tidbits to whet your appetite for a good summer read.

After some news and a break, Diane welcomes Tour of Utah President Steve Miller. The Tour of Utah is billed as “America’s Toughest Stage Race”, and is poised to attract some of the top pro teams in 2012. Situated in early August between the TdF and the Vuelta, the Tour of Utah should deliver a treat for racing fans with TV and live streaming coverage.

If you’ve ever wanted to do a triathlon, but didn’t know how you could fit all that training into your already packed weekly schedule, Joe Friel has the solution for you. The second edition of his book Your First Triathlon: Race Ready in Five Hours a Week is out. Check out Diane’s interview with Joe, and then check out the first chapter of the book here.