103. Tyler Young - September 18, 2016

N. Tyler Young
Photo by Jim Snyder

Local cyclist, Tyler Young, is the leader of the Great Ride Series bike rides from Stockton's Performance Bicycles in Lincoln Center. More than just a cyclist or ride leader, Tyler is one of the most well known cyclists in Stockton. His dedication to his riders is unparalleled. He started cycling again just a few years ago and used it to lose weight and get back in shape. Since then, he has used his passion for riding to encourage people all over Stockton to get out on their bikes.

Every Saturday, Tyler leads a ride from the Performance store. A family-friendly ride that often gets up to 50 riders, Tyler takes his fellow cyclists through north Stockton neighborhoods and on to the Calaveras bike path before heading to University of the Pacific and the turn-around point at Starbucks on the Miracle Mile. 

“He doesn’t care if you’re slow or fast, he just wants you to be there.”

— Kiel Penrod, local cyclist

To get an idea of what Tyler means to local cyclists, I spoke with a few of his riders, Kelly Rose, Kiel Penrod and Karen Jordan, during a recent Saturday morning ride. 

“I push myself to show up because of Tyler. This has become a big part of my life.”

— Karen Jordan, local cyclist

Tyler's impact on local cyclists is clear. Talk to any of his riders and they will tell you he is the reason they continue to get out on their bike. 

Tyler has a ride for all cyclists, no matter what "tribe" they belong to. His Saturday rides have every level of cyclist, from families riding with small children to die-hard lycra-clad road cyclists. He also leads a weekly mountain bike specific ride and a Sunday road bike specific ride of varying distances.

Be sure to check out his ride schedule on Meetup and look for him and the rest of his riders on Strava. Here's a video from a recent Saturday ride.

Follow Tyler on Instagram, @roguefreeman.

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The music for episode 103 is "Calaveras Super Highway" by Michael Klooster & Ernest B. Mancuso, featuring Justin Anderson. 

There is a new podcast in town, Fat City Establishment. Their first episode was released last week and focuses on Stockton politics. Stockton needs more independent voices and we are excited to have a new show in town. Congratulations to Fat City Establishment on their inaugural show. Listen and subscribe on Soundcloud and iTunes.

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101. Deacon Stephen Bentley - August 21, 2016

Stephen Bentley, a deacon at Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Downtown Stockton recently opened HUB, Helping Urban Bicyclists. A lifelong cyclist and twenty-year resident of Stockton, Stephen has spent years helping the homeless and near homeless members of our community. 

Episode 101 of Podcast Stockton is hosted by Susan Spracher and Rod Villagomez. 

HUB's Deacon Stephen Bentley at a recent Full Moon Riders ride around Downtown Stockton

Before opening HUB, he would occasionally help people in need by fixing a bike chain or flat tire but he had bigger goals. He set out to open a bike shop downtown that would serve the often forgotten members of our community. 

HUB opened in April and, with the help of volunteers and generous donations from the community, he has been able to provide people in need with bike repairs and, in some cases, their own bikes. 

Stephen talks with Podcast Stockton's Matt Beckwith about why he started HUB and what it means to be able to provide this service to the people of Stockton. 

HUB is always accepting donations of bikes, bike parts and cash. They are located at 131 E. Miner Street, just east of El Dorado Street. It is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM to 4 PM and on Wednesdays from 1 PM to 4 PM. Get more information on HUB and read some of the stories about the people they've helped on their Facebook page facebook.com/STOCKTONHUB.

Stephen is also a very talented comic artist and write the daily comic strip, Herb and Jamaal. Matt and Stephen talk about the work involved with hand-drawing and lettering a daily comic strip and if Stephen identifies more with Herb or Jamaal. You can read the daily comic strip at gocomics.com/herbandjamaal.

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The music for episode 101 is "Lakeshore Drive (Guitar Jazz Version)" by Stockton based band, Pushers & Thieves. Find them on Facebook and ReverbNation.

80. Michael Caponio, San Joaquin Bike Coalition - February 24, 2014

In today's episode, Matt talks with Michael Caponio, the chairman for the San Joaquin Bike Coalition.

San Joaquin Bike Coalition

Michael Caponio

Michael talks with us about the San Joaquin Bike Coalition and their goals of promoting bicycle safety and improving the means to use alternative transportation in San Joaquin County.

He explains how after his discovery of cycling and then eventually building his first bike from the frame up, he felt there was a need to improve the cycling culture here in Stockton.

The SJBC was formed about 3 years by a group of friends that came together and began organizing rides and have been advocating for cycling throughout the San Joaquin region.

 

Wednesday Night Ride

The Wednesday night ride is a free event and takes place every week on Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm. They meet behind the Empresso Coffeehouse. All riders that have basic bike-riding skills are welcome to join in.

Discover more about bicycling in the San Joaquin region and get more information on the SJBC's upcoming events by visiting facebook.com/SanJoaquinbike and their group page facebook.com/groups/sjbikecoalition or visit their website at sjbike.org

To learn more about the Tuolumne River Trust, visit their website at tuolumne.org.