This episode is intentionally shorter and has better sound quality than the previous. I’m going to try to keep these things to around 20 minutes apiece.

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This is the first episode of the RocBike Review I’ve produced, and let me warn you that the sound quality from the interview is TERRIBLE! The “Good” setting on my audio recorder should be relabeled “Crappy.” But Dan has so many interesting things to say about his experiences on the road that I have to share it. Expect all future interviews to sound much better!

Jason Crane interviews Jenn Clunie, program manager of the New York Bicycling Coalition, about Bike Month in New York State. NYBC is sponsoring activities across the state, including classes in basis cycling skills, urban and mountain bike rides, Bike To Work Day, the Ride of Silence, and the annual Legislative Breakfast.

(Theme music provided by The Magnetic Fields. The song is “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side.” Find out more at The House of Tomorrow.)

Jason Crane interviews the man known only as Bike Snob NYC. Since launching his blog in June 2007, BSNYC has become hugely popular for his biting wit, fearless parody and willingness to look at thousands of ugly bikes to find the best few to eviscerate. In this interview, he tackles the tough questions, including:

• What’s up with top tube pads?
• Where have all the Aerospokes gone?
• Is Fixed Gear Gallery evil?
• How do you find a bike that looks like Molly Ringwald?
• Does appearing in Bicycling mean BSNYC has sold out? (Hint: No.)

(The theme song for The RocBike Review is “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side” by The Magnetic Fields. Visit them at The House Of Tomorrow.)

Jason Crane interviews Eldon “Fatty” Nelson, impresario of FatCyclist.com, one of the most popular bike blogs on the Web. Fatty started the site as a way to lose weight by publicly humiliating himself, but his quick wit and strong writing have turned FatCyclist.com into a vibrant online community for cyclists of all kinds. Readers have followed his trips to the Leadville 100, his humorous quiz questions, and his generous giveaways. He’s even used the site to turn a difficult family struggle into an uplifting chance for everyone to do the right thing. Recently, he became the humor columnist for BikeRadar.com. And he lost the weight, too.

(The theme song for The RocBike Review is “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side” by The Magnetic Fields. Visit them at The House Of Tomorrow.)

Jason Crane interviews Kevin J. Hayes, author of An American Cycling Odyssey, 1887 (University of Nebraska Press, 2002). The book tells the story of George W. Nellis, Jr., who pedaled a high-wheel bicycle from upstate New York to San Francisco in 1887, setting a new transcontinental record. Nellis chronicled his adventures for several local and national newspapers and magazines, which Hayes uses as the foundation for this funny and exciting story. If you think touring on your high-end bike is tough, imaging riding more than 3,000 miles on a bike with hard rubber tires and a seat more than 4 feet off the ground. Oh, and no gears. (The theme song is “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side” by The Magnetic Fields. Visit them at The House Of Tomorrow.)

You can get your own copy and support RocBike.com at the same time with this link:

This photo of me (courtesy of Bruce from Scenic Route) inspired a helpful advertisement from your friends at RocBike.com:

The RocBike Review #1: Genesee Riverway Trail. Team RocBike members Adam Durand, Jack Spula and Jason Crane go on a nighttime adventure from Rochester to Lake Ontario. Over the course of a 30-mile ride, Adam, Jack and Jason talk about the Genesee Riverway Trail, cycling in Rochester, and why they all chose to switch from cars to bikes. (The theme song is “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side” by The Magnetic Fields. Visit them at The House Of Tomorrow.)