The Sprocket Podcast

Producer Brock pops in to say hi while attempting to lurk unannounced, and we weigh the value of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies to young children.

image by by Richard Pearson Mac Nurse David  is no stranger to bicycles or electronics repair.  He’s been on the show before to discuss our relationships technology and attempted to upgrade our studio computer in 2015 , and this time around we chat about how far you’d go to make an old machine work and where he’s been riding lately. Thanks to our nationally recognized “top beer b...

Brent Hammer joins us to talk about his experiences in ebike delivery, including what happens when you crash in the rain and crush your customer’s burrito (it’s better than you think), and what he enjoys about the sunny season coming up. Thanks to our nationally recognized “top beer bar in Oregon” beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donor...

Pedalshift & The Sprocket Podcast continue getting together for online happy hours in these unusual times.  This is the second, recorded on March 20, 2020, featuring friend of the show Greg in California and former Sprocket guests EJ & Ellie! Stay tuned to the news on our social media feeds for info about the next, or visit pedalshift.net/happyhour to view old video and learn about upcomin...

Pedalshift & The Sprocket Podcast have been getting together for online happy hours in these unusual times.  This is the first, recorded on March 15, 2020, featuring, among others, friend of the show Eric Iverson! Stay tuned to the news on our social media feeds for info about the next, or visit pedalshift.net/happyhour to view old video and learn about upcoming events. Watch the 3/15 rebroadc...

Ponce Christie of Cascadia Courrier Collective spends some time with us in our virtual studio (look how big it is inside!) discussing food delivery and how to be a smart bicyclist in Portland’s traffic.  Get your local orders filled in town using their system at pdxccc.com and stop being hungry.  If you live outside of town, network with your local bicycle couriers, or start your own deliver...

photo courtesy of Gladys Bikes Leah Benson was the proprietor of the iconic Gladys Bikes shop on Portland, Oregon’s Alberta Street.   Cassie Hidalgo is the new owner!  We chat with them about the shop, the transition from one era to another, and whether artisan jello shots will be the next can’t-get-enough trend out of Portland.  As always, visit the shop and its exquisite saddle libra...

Chris Smith is a favorite repeat guest, and while we know he’s an incredibly smart guy, the general public is about to learn how much he can help the Portland region!  Chris is tossing his hat into the ring in the upcoming May election for Metro Councilor in the regional government that helps to regulate transportation, housing, and environmental matter, among other things. There are some times wh...

Armando joins Aaron & Guthrie to chat about the state of bike fun and function in Portland! Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!  Calendar: March 18th – Oregon Field Guide viewing party at Evolution Fitness, 7pm May 9 – Mohawk Valley Metric Century , Armitage Park, Eugene OR June 13 – Hop...

Joshua Force  created mind-expanding puzzles using both ancient and modern symbols and deployed them into the public space.  What a great way to revitalize the streets!  We ask him what he does, how he does it, and how people respond, as well as chatting about the evolution of mobility in the city of Portland.  His instagram:  @ukodus.rocks and story/contributions at gofundme/ukodus ! Calendar: Ma...

John Carter is the Interim Transportation Demand Management / Active Transportation Specialist and  Carrie Cantrell is the Active Transportation Ambassador at Portland Community College .  At an institution of higher learning with four separate campus locations, it can be difficult to imagine getting where you need to be under your own power, but these two are here to make it seem a little more re...

Madi & Joe took the train to the City of Angels, and had several adventures in pursuit of the world’s best tacos.  You know… tacos.  The best food known to humankind.  Intersections with simpler living abounded, and we get the details. Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!  Calendar: Feb 15th &#8...

At long last, we reach the 500th episode of our show, and bring it to you for your enjoyment.  For this momentous occasion, we invited long-time conspirator and friend of the show, Tim Mooney (whose voice is briefly heard on our program nearly weekly), to join.  We love the fact that we can have long conversations about things  other than bikes, and in this episode discuss the long arc of history...

Our friend Patrick Mok returns to talk about E-Bikes and why he’s into them! Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!  Calendar: May 9th – Mohawk Valley Metric Century, Armitage Park, Eugene June 13 – Hop Head Hundred in Independence, OR August 15th – Swift Summit 200/100 V.4 in Lebanon, OR...

Paula & Eric go on an epic backcountry Idaho bike trip, and discover exactly how far you can go down the path less traveled.  We are glad they survived to tell the tale! Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!  Calendar: 2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis 1st Friday of every month S...

Aaron & Guthrie take a minute to rundown their assessment of the turning of the clock, the calendar, and the decade, and give some SPOILER ALERTS for the coming year of bicycling culture in Portland, Oregon. Also, how urban bicycling networks are like a gravity well. #scifi Thanks to our beverage sponsor,  The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous  Patreon  donors that keep us...

Guthrie’s friend Ed Piper goes to Japan and gets a bike!   He lives in the city of Kawagoe. Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going!  Calendar: 2nd Thursday of every month Joyful Rider’s Club in Minneapolis 1st Friday of every month SF Bike Party 2nd Friday of Every Month Boston Bike Party Also, 2nd friday of...

Welcome to another rebroadcast as our hosts take some time off for the holidays.  See you with another studio show soon! Team Grilled By Bike.  The Oregon Outback.  What more needs to be said? Eric, JP, Eilif, & Ross party responsibly across the uninhabited lands of eastern Oregon, encountering mud, rain, fallen trees, and windfall burn barrels, while engaging in the throwing of sharp implemen...

photo credit: Michael Hamann Aaron & Guthrie chat about winter weather and regroup after a season of shows.  New studio, new takes on the roads and traffic when it all goes to hell in the winter. Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going! Beer Mongers will be open Thanksgiving, find your people! Calendar: Dec. 25...

Brock & Brandon celebrate 100 episodes of the Sprocket Podcast by traversing the city for hours using every mode of transport they can get into, including  TriMet , the  Portland Streetcar , the  Portland Aerial Tram , and of course  Car2Go .  Here’s a “lite” version of the 5 hours of audio we taped during the adventure. Fine Print email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com twitter:  @SprocketPodc...

photo credit: Helmuts Rudzītis Aaron broke some bone.  Guthrie heads over to his house to tape this week’s episode!  Recorded at chateau de Aaron, so expect some room tone in the audio this week.  We all wish Aaron the best in his recovery and mending, and get into some of the dynamics of commuting in weather. Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our g...

Last week was the Thanksgiving holiday and the guys took a week out of the studio.  Until the next new show, we’re sharing this piece about gastrointestinal troubles and bicycle commutes featuring Aaron & producer Brock from 2014.  Some of you may have heard about Aaron’s recent injury (he’s OK!) – don’t worry, we’ll fill you in with the next show.  Thank you for...

Aaron’s former housemate  Sean Baird joins the show to discuss trends in the bicycle industry and what kinds of adventures he’s gotten into while riding! Thanks to our beverage sponsor, The Beer Mongers , and, as always, thanks to our generous Patreon donors that keep us going! Beer Mongers will be open Thanksgiving, find your people! Calendar: Dec. 6th @ 7PM – Sprockettes Farewe...

Bjorn Warloe & Ray Thomas  both worked on some very important legislation here in Oregon, and they return to the studio (graciously, after attempting a recording a few weeks ago that got dumped by a bad machine) to discuss pitching legislative concepts, persistence, and timing.  The “Idaho Stop Law” allowing bicycle riders to proceed without stopping through a signed intersection w...

Mariana & Jeremy join this episode to talk about Portland’s Thursday Night Ride (TNR), inspired in part by Mariana’s desire for something like Guadalajara’s “Cyclista Nocturna” and a lack of regular, noncompetitive events in town.  They also explain Tracklocross, an event which is competitive, in which one rides a track bike on rough terrain and has a great time d...