Life Behind Bars

Matt Tanner and his coaches are transforming the basics and teaching new riders how to master the skills of riding a bike. With a simple four step process… “We break down riding a bike into easy to follow steps. In each step we build more and more confidence in your child’s abilities. Once each step is completed, the student is rewarded with a progress star and a quick break to get relaxed for the next step.” - Matt Tanner

For more information about @learn2ride.bike & to join a workshop near you, visit: www.learn2ride.us

This is part TWO of the Bike & Pedestrian Advocacy & Infrastructure episode. Now we talk to two city employees about how they advocate and work with the public, other city employees, and stakeholders to increase bike and pedestrian accessibility for their communities. Check out their biographies below.

Kevin Whited, City of Carmel's transportation development coordinator, has great experience and insight about cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. With previous work experience with Indiana University and one of the founding members of IndyCog (now known as Bike Indianapolis). Connect with the City of Carmel today! https://www.carmel.in.gov/our-city/experience/attractions/bike-carmel

Hank Duncan, City of Bloomington's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator has an extensive experience and knowledge of sustainable transportation and creating walkable cities. With a strong background in the public and non-profit sectors, Hank's aim is to contribute to the global movement towards sustainable transportation and urban planning. He is passionate about creating environments that prioritize walking, cycling, and public transit, making cities more livable and environmentally friendly. https://bloomington.in.gov/directory/people/view?username=hank.duncan

This is part one of the Bike & Pedestrian Advocacy & Infrastructure episode. We first talk to two mayors about how they balance and work towards their local goals for bike and pedestrian accessibility for their communities. Check out their biographies below.

Let's talk about bike & pedestrian advocacy & infrastructure at a local level. We with Mayor Matt Gentry (City of Lebanon), Mayor Brandon Sakbun (City of Terre Haute) and Kevin Whited (City of Carmel) about the ins and outs of the background administrative work of creating accessibility and infrastructure for cycling and pedestrian.

Mayor Matt Gentry was elected to his first four-year term in November 2015. At the time of his swearing-in, he was the second youngest Mayor in Indiana; aged 26. Mayor Gentry is a graduate of Purdue University with degrees in Political Science and Economics. After graduating college, Mayor Gentry worked at the Indiana House of Representatives and then as partner in a small business based here in Lebanon. https://lebanon.in.gov/mayors-office/

As mayor, Gentry has emphasized preparing for Lebanon’s bright future. He has worked to improve the quality of life within the city by revitalizing our Historic Downtown square as well as growing and improving our beautiful parks and trails. He has also focused on rehabilitating the City’s infrastructure by making significant investments toward Lebanon’s roads and sidewalks. With the help of the City Council, Lebanon added six additional firefighters and five police officers in Gentry’s first term. Gentry has brought jobs and attracted many businesses large and small under his tenure. These companies include Ken’s Foods, GXO Logistics, MonoSol, NewCold, Continental Tire, and many others.'

Mayor Brandon Sakbun, Born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana, Sakbun also served for years and was deployed overseas in the army as a ranger. Starting his career in public service, Sakbun strives to bring positive change to his hometown and community. IU Grad, Sakbun is an aggressive and accomplished individual who is tackling so many great projects for the City. Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024. https://www.terrehaute.in.gov/mayors-office

On this week's episode we chat with two individuals who are part of the Specialized Outride program. "Riding for Focus is our school-based cycling education program, which uses cycling as a tool to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being in youth. Outride provides research, cycling programs, and funding to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. Since 2014, Outride has partnered with more than 300 schools and granted $2M+ to over 212 cycling programs, impacting over 50,000 youth annually." - Specialized

At Outride, we are striving to empower people to experience the benefits of cycling for cognitive, socio-emotional, and community health. What’s important to be competitive for funding is having a compelling answer to how your program will help your participants, riders, or community “outride” a social, emotional, or cognitive health issue.

The Outride grant committee will assess projects based on their alignment with our mission and research, an organization’s viability and capacity to create impact, and the organization’s commitment to equity and access. https://outridebike.org/outridefund

Colleen New with the South Bend Bike Garage hopes to bring cycling to a variety of school based programs throughout the South Bend area. They are also launching a junior bike mechanic program to help the students continue this life long sport. Connect with the South Bend Bike Garage and their Junior Mechanic Program today. https://www.sbbikegarage.com/

Cord Dorsey, PE teacher with Franklin Community Schools obtained a fleet of bikes to use for this curriculum and after school activities for his students. “We look at, do they have access to a safe storage location for bikes and can we connect them to a local bike shop to make sure the bikes are kept up and sustainable?” Walker said. “We also look at the needs of the school and if there’s a large population of (students receiving) free and reduced-price lunch before we bring it to a community.” says Cord. Creating a fun and safe environment that bring enrichment to his students is what he hopes for. Read the full article here: https://dailyjournal.net/2023/02/01/grant-program-enables-bike-unit-at-franklins-middle-school/

On this week's episode we chat with two mature gentlemen that are still riding at an older age. Exercise is important and these two guys talk about how they maintain their cycling fitness throughout the year. Warren who was part of CIBA for many years before moving to Arizona and Joe a lifetime Indianapolis resident, these two continue to ride and go on many adventures on the bike. From nutrition, e-bikes, and what to do after you ride to recover, these two recommend so many tips and tricks. Spoiler alert: Take a nap!

As we mention on the podcast, we are not medical physicians, we recommend reaching out to your physician to talk about riding and your health on a bike. Connect with CIBA, https://cibaride.org/

In this episode, we chat with Emily Carrico, Little 500 Race Director, Indiana University Student Foundation about the history and legend of the Little 500. Whether you are new or an experienced rider, the Little 500 has a cycling opportunity for anyone. From bike rentals to student support, listen in to hear all the great things IU has to offer. We also have a side discussion with Jim Kirkham, a volunteer Cutters Coach and IU Little 500 Alumni.

Billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” the Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Modeled after the Indianapolis 500, riders compete in four-person teams around a quarter-mile cinder track at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The men’s race is 200 laps (50 miles) and the women’s race is 100 laps (25 miles). https://iusf.indiana.edu/members-students/riders/index.html

Extra audio clips provided by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZ0N7VTDtY

CREDITS: TM & © Fox (1979) Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Cast: Dennis Christopher, Carlos Sintes, Eddy Van Guyse Director: Peter Yates Producers: Art Levinson, Peter Yates Screenwriter: Steve Tesich

Indiana University Fight Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gj1qq7p-YQ

On this week's episode, we interview John Leitzel who is the League Director of the Indiana Interscholastic Cycling League with NICA. Every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community.

The Indiana Interscholastic Cycling League was founded in 2018 as a non-profit (501(c)3) Project League of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). We facilitate the development of high school and middle school teams/clubs for grades 6-12 and provide the education, training, licensing, and insurance for coaches and volunteers. We also produce high-quality mountain bike events and races that emphasize the value of participation, camaraderie, positive sporting behavior, and well-being over competition. The IICL's mission statement is to provide high quality, safe and fun mountain bike programs for Indiana’s youth, exposing students to the opportunity to build strong body, mind, and character through an equal and inclusive scholastic-based program. https://indianamtb.org/

We talk with current President, Marissa Doner and former President, David Palmer about this incredible group of young athletes and passionate parents. Midwest Devo is the largest youth cycling group/team in the State. We also talk about the upcoming OVCX schedule and the ins and outs of cyclocross.

Midwest Devo is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and welcomes kids and their families from the greater Indianapolis region. If you’re willing to drive to join us for practice, we’ll welcome you to the team. The Indy Cycloplex is our primary home and where we spend the majority of practices unless we’re hitting the local mountain bike trails during the spring and summer months.

OVCX, Ohio Valley Cyclocross, for over 15 years, this series has been a great way for first time and experienced CX riders to come out, train hard and hang with other members of our CX tribe. Representing the scenes in Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington, Bloomington and Indianapolis region. https://ovcx.com

Alyn Brown, President of Brown County Mountain Biking is determined to bring connectivity and inclusivity to Nashville and the surrounding areas. We discuss his work with the other local entities to bring new trails and bike safety to the area. Brown County Mountain Biking strives to preserve mountain biking opportunities by building, maintaining, improving, and promoting trail systems in Brown County, Indiana and the surrounding region. Brown County Mountain Biking is a volunteer group of riders, trail builders, sawyers, and advocates for local mountain biking. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Connect with them today, https://www.browncountymtb.org

On this week's episode, we interview two strong leaders part of the Wabash River Cycle Club (WRCC) creating a safe and inclusive cycling culture in the Greater Lafayette Area. Setting and educating the standards and expectations for ride leaders and female riders in Lafayette and surrounding areas. They hope to promote and continue to see the group grow and be the hallmark example of what a cycling club should look like. We also discuss the WRCC Scholarship program.

The Wabash River Cycling Club Women’s Ride began in 2016 as an idea between Laura Furey and Pat Boling to “just get more women out riding” in the community. Tuesday night rides starting from Hodson’s Bay Company evolved into the ride of today which requires not just one, but four, ride leaders to meet the demands of the women and gender minorities in our community. https://wrcc-in.org/page/womens-ride

Over the years this ride has grown into a contingency of strong and independent cyclists who attend our rides for a variety of reasons. Some join for companionship, some for the challenge, and others for building confidence in a judgement-free environment. Despite their original motivation for coming out to ride, they all leave with a renewed sense of community and solidarity.

The Wabash River Ride has a variety of route options for every level and type of rider. All routes start and end at Fort Ouiatenon. There are 16, 33, 47, 67 or 101 mile paved routes and 38, 62, and 100 mile gravel routes through Tippecanoe, Fountain and Warren counties. While we provide recommended routes, loops can be mixed and matched together the day of the event to create the adventure of your choosing! All paved loops are marked with Dan Henry markings. For those of the gravel persuasion, we highly recommend using the provided GPS files for navigation purposes. Gravel loops will NOT be marked. The central SAG at Cicott allows for multiple refueling opportunities, and the Fountain and Hickman Heights SAGs are available for those looking to explore the areas out near Pine Creek and Williamsport.