Our July commuting podcast: Arguing over martinis with Portland’s top bike booster
Rob Sadowsky, director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, was born to podcast.
At least, that’s the opinion of Brock Dittus, co-host of the great local Sprocket Podcast. The Sprocket guys have hosted Rob twice. I can’t blame ‘em.
In Portland Afoot’s latest monthly commuting podcast, I describe Rob as one of Portland’s most expert bike experts. He’s also smart, unflappable, wily and opinionated – as Lily and I discovered when he joined us for this month’s conversation about news that matters to low-car Portlanders.
We discussed:
- Bikesharing, why it’s going to be so great for transit commuters and carpoolers, and the challenges of making it useful to low-income folks.
- Driverless cars, which seem to be on the road to legalization in California. Will they be good for low-car life? I think so. Rob and Lily are much more skeptical.
- GlobeSherpa, the exciting local company that says it’s about to let you buy valid TriMet fares with your phone – even by text message. No cards, coins or cash required.
Sticking a little gin in all of us might have helped, too. Rob designed the recipe for the “transportini” himself:
“The Transportini is not just a drink – it’s a contemplation of responsible production and transportation and therefore must be tailored to each city for local drinkers. To make the Portland Transportini, begin with 3 oz. of Aviation Gin. This ingredient is believed to be older than the wheel. Aviation Gin is exclusively made in small batches at the House Spirits Distillery located in the up and coming Distillery District in Southeast Portland, OR requiring less transportation costs than imported gins.
“Mix with 1 oz. of imbue Vermouth. This vermouth seeks inspiration from the classic old world style but adds bountiful Northwest flair. Each batch begins with fine Oregon Pinot gris, the white varietal for which the Willamette Valley has become best known. After many months spent in American and French oak barrels, imbue is macerated with a collection of botanicals and finished with a touch of artisan Oregon brandy.
“Shake or stir and serve on the rocks for stationary enjoyment or in a flask for easy transport. Garnish with a pickled walla walla onion or califonian olive if you like to balance your sweet with a little salty. If you must travel after drinking, please walk or take public transit.”
Lily and I liked the concoction so much that she’s considering name an entire podcast interview series after it.
As always, we finished the podcast with a transportation tip of the month, some funny tweets about TriMet and a crazy story from the MAX.
Finally, I want to single out this month’s adorable music, which was written by future TriMet employee John Kellermann back when he was a bike-riding country singer in Birmingham, Ala., in 1980. The lyrics and tabs are on his website; prepare to be charmed.
If you don’t use iTunes, you can download the full audio file here, subscribe to our monthly commuting podcast by RSS here, or even get an email notification each time we upload a new one.
Post by michael at 4:48 pm July 30th, 2012. Like what you see? Get future posts by email.
