I Ride a Bike

10/29/2024

S5/E5: Patrick Conlon⁠ is a big fan of riding bikes (as you’d expect from a podcast guest!) — but he’s perhaps an even bigger fan of YOU riding bikes. Having spent several decades now advocating for everything from safer bike lanes and better accessibility with organizations like ⁠Bike BS⁠ and ⁠Bike JC⁠, to organizing fun group rides and working as Trail Manager for the Eastern Trail, we had a really fun and informative conversation. Not to mention some great stories about his first bike given to him by his Grandfather (he still has the frame!), transporting his drum kit on a bike while living in New Jersey, and just taking in the world around him from two wheels.

Listen now: iRIDEaBIKE.com/listen-patrick-conlon

10/01/2024

S5E4: Growing up in Rhode Island, a young Ainsley Judge () began riding bikes along side her family — often on fun road trips and camping excursions. But it was when she went to school in Minneapolis-Saint Paul that her true love of cycling took hold. She shares stories from one particularly memorable ride when she and a close group of friends rode around all 5 Great Lakes — finding some hilarious experiences, painful lessons, and an all-out shared love of adventure on two wheels. LISTEN NOW: www.iRIDEaBIKE.com/listen-ainsley-judge

When we recorded this episode in April 2024, Ainsley was the Director of the Portland Gear Hub. She has now begun graduate studies in urban planning at Tufts University, but remains active and a large supporter of this great organization.

The Portland Gear Hub () is a non-profit bike + outdoor gear shop located at 155 Washington Ave that promotes cycling, reuse, sustainability, and outdoor equity as a part of Ketcha Outdoors.

09/29/2024

Todays office. Recording some POV video for a cool company. You might even say I’m a professional cyclist. Ish.

09/17/2024

S5/E3: Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Bob Brown started (as many do) riding hand-me-down bikes in the neighborhood surrounding his home. But as he grew — along with his abilities, confidence, and passion for adventure — it was apparent he was in for a life-long pursuit of discovery on two wheels. He shares some stories of overnight excursions, then week-long rides, and eventually year-long adventures chasing an endless summer. And along with his passion for riding, Bob also found that giving back to his community through bike-related volunteer work would be equally as fulfilling — most recently with organizations like ⁠The Portland Gear Hub⁠. Listen now: iRIDEaBIKE.com/listen-bob-brown

The Portland Gear Hub is a non-profit bike + outdoor gear shop located at 155 Washington Ave that promotes cycling, reuse, sustainability, and outdoor equity as a part of Ketcha Outdoors.

09/03/2024

BIKE SHORTS w/ Leah Day: This past spring, I took another spin down to Lighthouse Bikes to catch up with Leah Day (Season 4, Episode 6). Every year she closes down the shop for a month in order to get some much needed adventure cycling of her own. In this Bike Shorts episode she recounts this years trip to Morocco and Spain, where not everything went as planned. But when you’re as adept at rolling with it as Leah, you still find joyful smiles and exciting stories along the way. A fun little episode, and perhaps the start of an annual adventure recap!

LISTEN NOW: https://www.irideabike.com/listen-bikeshorts-leah-day

08/20/2024

S5/E2: Growing up in an outdoorsy, adventurous family, it’s no surprise that Laura Peaslee (Physical Therapist, SICI Certified Bike Fitter) would end up following a path so connected with the cycling community. We of course start with some early memories — family road trips, losing the training wheels, and first mountain bike adventures. But I especially enjoyed learning about the science behind, and Laura’s focus on helping cyclists ride pain free — and thus, ride safer and happier!

Need to address some issues keeping you off your bike? Check out

08/13/2024

Yay bike lanes!! Portland putting down some fresh paint.

08/06/2024

SEASON 5/ EPISODE 1: I first met Chris Kesney when he randomly stopped by our moving sale in 2023, and after he offered up some interested bike facts, we discussed plans to get him on the podcast. So, after a way-too-long hiatus, I finally got the mics dusted off on a stormy April morning to kick off the season 5 sessions. Through life-experience tangents and old acquaintance shout-outs, Chris weaves fun memories of his beloved Giant Sedona into a great chat — reminding us that life is simply better (and more healthy) on a bike!

07/30/2024

Season 5 launches August 6!

It’s been a much longer hiatus than planned, but I’m finally getting back on track after a wild year. Season 5 kicks off on Tuesday August 6, and to keep this little project a bit more sustainable, I’m going to release new episodes every other Tuesday — with an occasional special episode launched randomly throughout the season.

Do you or anyone you know have some fun, harrowing, wild, or just simply nostalgic bike stories you’d like to share on the podcast? Shoot me a message! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

07/22/2024

Well, that’s a wrap on 49! And what a crazy, exciting, unexpected, and busy year it’s been!! A new job with allowing me to ride bikes all around the country. A new house and subsequent full renovation adding to the DIY skill set. And some fun and wild adventures with my favorite human and favorite fluff ball .

So, now I’m 50. What’s ahead?!

Well, a lot!!! But Season 5 of the podcast is at the top — launching August 6th!

Stay tuned!

07/17/2024

Yes, you can use a photo of my family to illustrate aweosmeness.

Woodhull NY 1987/88.

Me/Alex/Jesse/Sierra/Natasha/Lila.
Best days ever. ❤️🔥🤘🏼

😀😬🤣

06/25/2024

Maine based company, helping keep you safe with a very cool and smart piece of tech! Alert, notify, record, ride safe! Check it out!

3D vehicle detection and course prediction with automatic incident recording enhances riders' safety & reduces incidents with traffic

08/25/2023

S4/E11: On a hot summer day I took a drive to Lewiston, Maine where I met 91-year-young Don Robitaille at his home of 63 years. His darling wife poured me a glass of lemonade over ice as we sat down at their kitchen table to record the final episode of season 4 — where Don primarily shared snippets and stories from his solo ride from Maine to Seattle at the age of 70. Full of great advice and stories of heartwarming interactions, I felt lucky to have had the conversation.

OH, and today (August 25) is Don’s 92 birthday! Happy Birthday Don!! To many more years of pedaling!

Listen now: www.iRIDEaBIKE.com

⁠Click to watch Don’s Channel 8 interview from April 2023: https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-bicyclist-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down-at-91/43590960 #

08/25/2023

Don Robitaille turns 92 tomorrow. He’s ridden 60+ miles in the past 3 days. He called today to ask when his episode is coming out, which we recorded a few weeks ago.

It’ll be out sometime tomorrow. Happy birthday Don!

08/08/2023

S4/E10: I met Tim Bruce while having post-race beers after Rasputitsa⁠ in ⁠East Burke, VT⁠ in April 2023. We were all chatting about the day and sharing our experiences, and then Tim started to share some bike stories from years past. I had him hit pause and asked if he'd like to share them on the mic (which didn't take much convincing) so we reconnected a couple months later to record this episode. There are the standard memories from first bikes and that excitement from the early years, and a great recounting of his recent ride at the ⁠Unbound Gravel⁠ in Kansas. But what really makes this episode special is the story he shares about one particular year at the ⁠Leadville 100⁠, and riding with his dad in an attempt to finally get him his ⁠sub-12hr buckle⁠ and become an "official finisher" after many years attempting this monumental feat.

Listen now: www.iRIDEaBIKE.com

07/25/2023

BIKE SHORTS E5: We had just turned off the mic after recording the final episode of Season 3 when Jordan Parks started in on another story. I immediately stopped her and said “This is perfect for a Bike Shorts episode!” so we sat back down for a few more minutes, where she shares a mysterious tale of being watched by 100 eyes while riding at dusk in Ojai. What do you think it was?!

Listen now: www.iRIDEaBIKE.com

Story-inspired artwork by . BW photos by

07/20/2023

It’s been a while. Wanted to say hello.

Today I met 91yr young Don Robitaille at his home of 63 years. His darling wife poured me a glass of lemonade over ice as we sat down at their kitchen table to record the final episode of season 4 — where Don primarily shared snippets and stories from his solo ride from Maine to Seattle at the age of 70. Full of great advice and stories of heartwarming interactions, I felt lucky to have had the conversation.

I also took a power nap with Louie, and then met my mom for snacks, drinks, and some catching up.

Was a great day. Except for the stye.

More soon(er)

06/27/2023

S4/E9: With ⁠Tira Denny⁠'s race season in full swing (and an energetic toddler at home), I was so appreciative that she shared a bit of her valuable down time to chat bike stories on the mic. We start with an early memory, where a long bike ride and a bit of bribery turned into a brand new bike thanks to her dad. Then we travel across the Atlantic to a time when an ambitious London adventure turned into a less-than-exciting UberX ride. And I particularly enjoyed hearing how endurance racing began with a rather simple goal of self-fulfillment through competition, and how her partner Mike and their daughter Zoey have now honed her focus and determination to the level of a champion.

Listen now: www.iRIDEaBIKE.com

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