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I first came across gravel rider Marley Blonksy via one of her many posts on Instagram in which she was slugging it out on a gravel race–not sure which one–but it doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that her positive spirit of encouraging others to get out on bikes no matter what your size or ability is infectious. It’s one of the main reasons she eventually became the co-founder and Executive Director of the now national group All Bodies on Bikes.

Because of her efforts in All Bodies on Bikes, other groups have popped up around the country and she’s become a spokesperson for major brands like Cannondale, Ride With GPS, Pearl Izumi, and Shimano, to name a few. all highlight that indeed, all bodies should be on bikes and shouldn’t be shunned for doing so. The non-profit also holds gravel races, sells plus-size clothing and has a great podcast.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. If you’re listening from far away or close by, let me know. You can also send me a tip via Venmo–Ian-Stewart-82. Thanks! And if you’re a sponsor who’d you know, like to sponsor this show, then let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap production.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles.

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A million trail users per year —that’s the number of visitors the Capital Trail in Virginia gets. It’s a paved, multi-use trail that runs just over 50 miles from the Richmond Capital to historic Jamestown. Along the way, you see beautiful farm lands, historic markers and some really cool businesses.

But contrary to what non-trail users may think, the path is not just for lycra clad bicyclists. Many people use parts of the trail for transportation to get to work or school; and there are skaters, walkers, and more who use the trail. I’ve biked it dozens of times and have done multiple stories on it.

Virginia’s Capital Trail took years to build and millions of dollars to fund it. I get into all of this with Executive Director Cat Anthony as well as how the foundation is feeling as federal funding for many things are getting cut.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also send me a tip via Venmo (Ian-Stewart-82), I’d love a cup of coffee. This podcast is solely done by me, w/ no help from a corporation or anything like that, so please consider subscribing.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. If you’re listening from far away or close by, let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out.

The Mechanics of Transportation is a Big Soap production.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles.

Send us a text

For this story, I met up with Chad Powers of Powers BMX in Richmond, Virginia. Not only does he have a BMX bike shop, but he is one of only a handful of people who run a BMX bike museum. He’s got over 300 bikes in his collection, plus jerseys, ramps, bike parts and a huge magazine library. Bikes in his collection have come as far away as the United Kingdom.

He is a die hard fan of BMX. Plus, he has a track in the backyard of his shop.

If you like the Mechanics of Transportation and want to support my efforts here at Big Soap Productions, then please consider subscribing to it by clicking the link in the show notes. You can also send me a tip via Venmo at Ian-Stewart-82. —I’d love a cup of coffee. This podcast is solely done by me, w/ no help from a corporation or anything like that, so please consider subscribing.

If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. Thanks!

Be sure to rate the show, leave a comment and share with your friends. If you’re listening from far away or close by, let me know.

Speaking of checking things out, if you like world music and other tunes, be sure to check out my weekly streaming show called Ian’s World O’ Music, found on MixCloud. For 17 years, I had a two-hour, weekly wms on a public radio station, so I know how to groove. And, I have another podcast, called History Reinvented, which is about the history and future of Mayo Island and Bridge in Richmond–go check it out.

Support the show

Follow my bike adventures and transportation stories on Instagram or Threads @just_ianstewart or Twitter @IanCycles.