Shows
Cowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 68: Main Street 2025Our 8th year talking to everyone we can find on Main Street. Enjoy the start of spring with a trip back to water. And support the podcast directly at Patreon.com/ofsevit; if we get 10 new signups everyone signed up will get branded, novelty cowbells.
2025-04-1852 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 67: Final Race Week info and forecastLast checkin with Ben and with Ketzel, all systems go, but stay warm, especially for the Open Track (which is delayed by one hour). Also, podcast sponsor Pioneer Midwest race wax service: save $5 if you sign up using code "cowbell", and support the podcast directly at Patreon.com/ofsevit; if we get 10 new signups everyone signed up will get branded, novelty cowbells.
2025-02-1817 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 66: Mama Birkie with Caitlin GreggA fun chat with Caitlin Gregg about skiing and parenting an infant and preparing for this year's Birkie. Also, podcast sponsor Pioneer Midwest race wax service: save $5 if you sign up using code "cowbell", and support the podcast directly at Patreon.com/ofsevit; if we get 10 new signups everyone signed up will get branded, novelty cowbells.
2025-02-1433 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 65: We're Hayward Bound!Ben Popp on the decision to go all in on Main Street in 2025. Also, podcast sponsor Pioneer Midwest race wax service: save $5 if you sign up using code "cowbell", and support the podcast directly at Patreon.com/ofsevit; if we get 10 new signups everyone signed up will get branded, novelty cowbells.
2025-02-1120 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 64: Early February weather with Ketzel LevensChecking back in with Ketzel Levens about weather and upcoming snow chances. Fingers crossed! Also, podcast sponsor Pioneer Midwest race wax service: save $5 if you sign up using code "cowbell", and support the podcast directly at Patreon.com/ofsevit; if we get 10 new signups everyone signed up will get branded, novelty cowbells.
2025-02-0618 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 63: Ben Popp on 2024 and 2025Conversation with Ben Pope about lessons from Birkie 2024 and plans for Birkie 2025
2025-01-2126 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 62: Weather check-in with Ketzel LevensFirst weather check-in of 2025
2025-01-1717 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 61: Not Main StreetThe Birkie finish line podcast was a bit different this year
2024-07-0139 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 60: Birkie week weatherBirkie week weather with Ketzel Levens
2024-02-2023 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 59: What's in store for 2024We check in with Ben Popp to get the DL on the 2024 race. There's something for everyone, even if it's not what we're used to.
2024-02-1344 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 58: Hope, Despair and the Birkie: Ketzel Levens from the NWS checks inWeather is interesting as always, and in this sense I mean "interesting" in both the upper Midwest sense and the rest of the world sense.
2024-02-0330 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 57: A very late, and very special, Main StreetOur longest single podcast ever, and worth the wait. For me, at least.
2023-12-151h 21Cowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 56: Wednesday Weather UpdateKetzel Levens joins once again for a last minute weather check-in. You can find the point forecast she mentions at www.weather.gov/forecastpoints.
2023-02-2213 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 55: SNOW STORM UPDATEKetzel Levens joins for an update on the midweek snowstorm. No need to think snow or pray for snow, it's coming!
2023-02-2018 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 54: Trail and Weather UpdatesA two-parter a week before Birkie Day, with updates from Birkie Staff and a weather discussion with meteorologist Ed Liebsch.
2023-02-1830 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 53: Earth Rider's Tim NelsonEarth Rider Brewery's founder Tim Nelson stops by to talk about how they have become the official beer of the Birkie, as well as to give some beer recommendations for your last days of training.
2023-02-1421 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 52: Weather with Ketzel LevensOur staff meteorologist stops by to talk about the weather which has graced the northwoods so far this year.
2023-01-3120 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 51: Winter Preview with Ben PoppBen Popp joins us for our regular-ish winter preview
2022-12-1828 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 50: Julia KernJulia Kern joins to discuss her first WorldLoppet Race in Australia.
2022-10-0618 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 49: Main Street Part 2We're back on Main Street, and the Lake, and the Moccasin. Thanks to Earth Rider for "sponsoring" the podcast. And take the listener survey at tinyurl.com/cowbellfeversurvey
2022-08-0526 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 48: Birkie to BostonHear from a dozen Birkie skiers who are, seven weeks later, running the Boston Marathon. Also, be sure to take the podcast listener survey at tinyurl.com/cowbellfeversurvey
2022-04-0844 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 47: Main Street (Part 1)Relive the Birkie with part 1 of our Main Street podcast.
2022-03-0427 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 46: Final Weather UpdateCowbell Fever Chief Meteorologist Ketzel Levens joins to talk weather.
2022-02-2318 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 45: Birkie Staff and a weather updateBen and Kristy join from the Birkie office in Downtown Hayward for a check-in on race prep, and then Cowbell Fever Chief Meteorologist Ketzel Levens joins to talk weather.
2022-02-1824 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 44: Jessica Yeaton on Beijing to Birkie, and a weather update with Ketzel LevensJoin in to hear from 2020 Birkie Champion Jess Yeaton who is on the Australian ski team in Beijing, and before that a weather update from Cowbell Fever Chief Meteorologist Ketzel Levens
2022-02-0933 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 43: Jeremy Hecker on waxingJeremy Hecker from Pioneer Midwests joins to talk coaching, race waxing for the Birkie, at the Tour de Ski and leading PMW's race wax team this year.
2022-02-0127 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 42: Spencer Pauly on SkiWiseSpencer Pauly joins to talk about his trail report app, SkiWise. Also, a recap of the Birkie's recent Q and A session.
2022-01-1519 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 41: Ian Torchia and Rosie FrankowskiToday we look back to one of the most epic Birkies, last year's classic race, with the race winners.
2021-11-1027 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 40: We're back!After a summer hiatus, the podcast returns to talk to Ben Popp about the summer that was and the winter ahead.
2021-10-3021 min
Breaking the NewsHow an Aviation Emergency Sounds in Real TimeYesterday morning, September 19, an Airbus 320 with 160 people aboard had a hard landing at Boston’s Logan airport. It was Allegiant Air’s flight 2601; it was en route from Knoxville; and it blew out a tire on touchdown and thus was stranded on the runway, temporarily delaying other Boston takeoffs and landings. Fortunately all passengers and crew were safely taken off the plane, via air-stairs brought out to the runway.You can read more of the details here, from Boston.com. The hard landing followed an equipment malfunction, which left the pilots unsure of whether their land...
2021-09-2009 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 39: Birkie Week WeatherMeteorologist Ketzel Levens returns to talk about Birkie Week Weather
2021-02-2317 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 38: Birkie 2021 Staff PreviewBen and Kristy join to talk through the 2021 race. Plus, how you can send in audio files of your 2021 Birkie experience!
2021-02-1920 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 37: Trail Running SkiersWe talk to some fast skiers and runners about trail running some of the oldest routes in New Hampshire.
2021-01-3034 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 36: 2020 Main Street, Part 3: The MoccThe finale of the 2020 Main Street podcast
2020-12-2723 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 35: Meteorology with Ketzel LevensA super-interesting conversation about meteorology with an NWS forecaster and Birkie skier
2020-12-2228 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 34: Pre-season 2021 w/ Ben PoppGetting the latest on what will most certainly be an interesting Birkie.
2020-11-2623 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 33: Main Street 2020, Part 2Part 2 of the drunk Podcast: Main Street and Lake Hayward.
2020-08-0526 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 32: Main Street 2020, Part 1Part 1 of the drunk Podcast: Main Street and Lake Hayward.
2020-05-2533 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 31: Vasaloppet with Team GreggTalking to Caitlin and Brian about their post Birkie trip.
2020-04-1020 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 30: Birkie in the time of COVID-19 with Ben PoppThe Birkie happened. What happens next?.
2020-04-0719 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 29: To be a volunteerThousands of volunteer shifts make the Birkie happen.
2020-02-2116 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 28: DL 2540At least a dozen Birkie skiers were on the 11:40 flight from Boston to Minneapolis.
2020-02-2012 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 27a: FEVERA preview of race week on the Birkie Guide podcast.
2020-02-1905 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 27: Matt LiebschMatt Liebsch talks waxing, training, and racing
2020-02-0828 min2020-02-0520 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 25: Birkie CrosswordWe speak with the constructor of the Birkie crossword puzzle
2020-01-2220 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 24: New York City Marathon preview (with Kikkan! We're not worthy.)Skiing the NYC marathon
2019-10-2925 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 23: Shawn Cheshire and Jesse CrandallRunning blind (and skiing blind)
2019-10-1527 min2019-09-301h 342019-09-2316 min2019-02-1421 min2019-02-0533 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 18: Ben Popp previews the 2019 raceBen Popp previews the 2019 race
2019-02-0519 min2019-01-0621 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 16: 2018 Warriors and IngaA short chat with the 2018 Inga and Warriors.
2018-12-2609 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 15: Main Street Podcast, 2018After a 10 month hiatus, the BirkieGuide Podcast comes roaring back with the now-traditional Main Street drunk podcast.
2018-12-241h 01Cowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 14: Friday Update, 2018Quick update for the drive to Hayward.
2018-02-2306 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 13: Birkie Preview 2018: Ben PoppBirkie Week, checking in with Ben Popp.
2018-02-1916 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 12: John Munger and the Birkie Bridge in MinneapolisJohn Munger of the Loppet Foundation discusses the Birkie Bridge.
2018-01-3116 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 11: Marty HallMarty Hall, USST coach and Birkie Trail designer.
2017-12-3050 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 10: Double Birkie with Tom SchulerTom Schuler discusses the annual 85k+ trek from Hayward to Cable and back.
2017-12-2624 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 9: 2018 Birkie PreviewTalking to Ben Popp about the upcoming Birkie.
2017-12-2515 min
The CodcastThe case for West Station nowIn this week's Codcast, the folks from TransitMatters (Josh Fairchild and James Aloisi) sit down with Jessica Robertson and Ari Ofsevit, two members of the Allston Interchange Task Force (Ofsevit is also a TransiMatters member) to hash out the West Station issue. All of them believe the station needs to be built at the beginning of the development process, so don't expect a point-counterpoint type of debate. What their discussion reveals, however, is how the debate over West Station has become a debate about the future of the T and commuter rail.
2017-12-1832 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 8: Wednesday with the BirkieThe depression edition of the podcast.
2017-02-2312 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 7: Ben Popp, one week to goWe discuss race contingencies with a week to go and weather on the way
2017-02-1823 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 6: Gary CrandallWho are those guys banging the drums on the Power Lines? Find out!
2017-01-2128 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 5.1: Guest Podcast: Sam Evans-Brown goes skiing in ArgentinaProducer Sam Evans-Brown brings us an episode of his podcast, about skiing of course.
2017-01-1919 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 5: Ben Popp, fall editionFind out the latest on the Birkie Trail, the 2017 race, and why if you haven't signed up yet, you should.
2016-10-0936 min
Outside/InAnothah Boston CheatAri Ofsevit is a guy from Boston fueled by an intense, nerdy love for sports. The day after running this year’s Boston Marathon, his face was all over the cover of the Boston Globe and on all of the network news channels, but on the internet, people were accusing him of cheating. This is Ari’s story.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2016-06-0920 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 4: Caitlin Gregg!Caitlin Gregg has won the Birkie four times. That's four times more than you.
2016-05-2742 min
The CodcastAll-night service on the TJames Aloisi, Ari Ofsevit, and Jeremy Mendelson make the case for 24-7 service on the MBTA.
2016-05-0523 min
TransitmattersPodcast 26 - Security, Maintenance and A Plan for Overnight Bus ServiceMany things led to the end of the most recent attempt to extend MBTA service late into the night, and the latest MBTA mitigation proposals don't really solve the problem. But what if, instead of trying to cater to the college entertainment demographic, we designed a comprehensive overnight network focused on people working early or late?Ari Ofsevit, transportation planner and the Amateur Planner (@ofsevit), joins us as we consider (40:22) what a useful and affordable overnight network would look like, and how to finally make it happen. Building on the T's existing but little-known early morning trips...
2016-03-3157 minTransitmattersPodcast 26 - Security, Maintenance and A Plan for Overnight Bus ServiceMany things led to the end of the most recent attempt to extend MBTA service late into the night, and the latest MBTA mitigation proposals don't really solve the problem. But what if, instead of trying to cater to the college entertainment demographic, we designed a comprehensive overnight network focused on people working early or late?Ari Ofsevit, transportation planner and the Amateur Planner (@ofsevit), joins us as we consider (40:22) what a useful and affordable overnight network would look like, and how to finally make it happen. Building on the T's existing but little-known early morning trips...
2016-03-3157 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 3: Sounds of Main Street 2016Talking to anyone and everyone on Main Street about the race.
2016-02-2425 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 2: The Pasta Feed, 2016Interviews at a 30-year-running pasta feed, complete with a live performance of The Ice Beard Warriors of the Birkie.
2016-02-2421 minCowbell Fever: a Birkie PodcastEpisode 1: Ben Popp and Al SerranoWe talk conditions and new features for the 2016 race.
2016-01-2725 min
TransitmattersPodcast 15 - Amateur Planner on BRT, the MBTA report, Allston ...Ari Ofsevit, transit operations professional and the Amateur Planner, joins
us once again to discuss how Governor Baker's MBTA Commission Report (full
pdf) used unfair comparisons and erroneous data to push a specific
right-wing agenda, whether privatization makes any sense at all (and why
certain people argue for it), and a vision to actually stabilize the T and
improve transit in Boston.
We focus heavily on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), with "gold standard" BRT being
advocated in a recent report by the Barr Foundation. We explore what better
bus service could look like in the context of Boston, Cambridge,
Somerville...
2015-08-041h 07TransitmattersPodcast 15 - Amateur Planner on BRT, the MBTA report, Allston ...Ari Ofsevit, transit operations professional and the Amateur Planner (@ofsevit), joins us once again to discuss how Governor Baker's MBTA Commission Report (full pdf) used unfair comparisons and erroneous data to push a specific right-wing agenda, whether privatization makes any sense at all (and why certain people argue for it), and a vision to actually stabilize the T and improve transit in Boston.We focus heavily on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), with "gold standard" BRT being advocated in a recent report by the Barr Foundation. We explore what better bus service could look like in the context...
2015-08-041h 07