365: C&O But Slow - Part 3
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 06/06/2024
383: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Starting from Fargo and driving clear across North Dakota, I had little to prepare me for what awaited on the western edge of the state. But would I see the bison that I low key really wanted to see, and would some discovered damage on the Brompton scuttle the bikey part of this bike adjacent adventure? Housekeeping We’re shifting the schedule around a bit here as we close out the year… we’re going to delay the final best of for 2024 so we can go straight through to finish the NoDak Adventure with no interruptions. But also… Live Show! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT - topics TBA,...
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Best of Pedalshift 174: Bicycle Touring Etiquette
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
We all want to do the right thing, hopefully, and within any community there’s an unwritten code of conduct for proper behavior so we can all get along. On this episode, we cover some of those rules of bicycle touring etiquette! .
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382: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
On this episode, we start the long journey to bike in the badlands of North Dakota… it turns out, perhaps the biggest reason I haven’t had a chance to visit North Dakota before is because it is tucked out of the way in the US northern plains. Maybe its remote nature is a part of its draw? Its largest city of Fargo is the gateway to the adventure… would it surprise me from the start? NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1 Statisitics Miles driven 249 Miles biked 0 States visited 49 Number of campers in camp 1 Number of bikes in camp 1 (Mine!) Dashed expectations for a cowboy bar because...
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381: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Preview
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
I’m going to North Dakota and I am unreasonably excited about it! For years I have been stuck at 48 states visited (and for real, not just airport states) BUT the final two were ND and Alaska, and no disrespect to North Dakota but Alaska needs to be my 50th. But the opportunity to get there was shattered ten years ago when my original ride on the Northern Tier route was scuttled by a heat wave I wasn’t interested in riding through. But now… I’m doing it. With a bike. And buffaloes. The Adventure Heavily car aided. Very heavily. Like, mostly. Starting and ending in MSP...
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380: eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
So, the ebike works… and my confidence is up! What were my takeaways from the shakedown ride and what are the kinds of rides I’m considering for 2025 and beyond for my electric wonder? Housekeeping Live Show! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT - topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at . We have a new adventure lined up in a totally new to me state! Preview episode next week! Takeaways The bike works and I might be a better mechanic than I thought I may have underestimated the...
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379: eBike Project - Shakedown Ride
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
On this episode, I take my new ebike on its first shakedown ride to test its capabilities, from battery life to chain tension to, well… does this thing work? It’s a 40 mile round trip from my cabin in West Virginia to a campsite outside of Hancock, MD on the C&O towpath complete with terrain, headwinds, hills and riverside overnight! Housekeeping Lael Wilcox’s ride is weeks old now but shout out to listener and former guest Cyrus Fairivar for not only meeting with Lael, but getting an unnamed shout out on her pod! Live Show announcement! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm...
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Best of Pedalshift 137: Fall Touring (Live)
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Originally recorded live from Hedgesville, WV, this episode of the Pedalshift Project includes the (semi-doomed) 2018 fall tour reveal and gear tips for your fall bicycle touring. Plus banter with you… because it was live! .
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378: E-Bike Project - Shakedown Preview
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
On this edition, we preview a short but momentous little overnight adventure on my brand new ebike… we’ll discuss goals and strategies, plus recharge options and… hey, we’re getting back on the C&O again! eBike Project - Shakedown Preview The basics ebike full charged battery Two panniers and maybe the sleep kit on the handlebars No food, no stove Sleep clothes only (no additional clothing) Rain gear only if rain ends up being possible extra tools - chain breaker, master link breaker, more The route Road route from cabin to Hancock’s city park, then onto one of the closer...
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377: eBike Project - The Build
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
In this episode, follow an in-depth, step-by-step journey of transforming a surprisingly decent Ozark Trail mountain bike into the first Pedalshift e-bike (n=3 or 4 if you’re counting). This mega-pod takes you from the initial setup to final tweaks, including component replacements, brake and pedal adjustments, and install of a mid drive motor. I’m hardly a bike mechanic, so will things to go sideways at least once like my typical bike adventures? eBike Project - The Build Hey I got an ebike! Where did I end up? Decided on build over buy - more flexibility Decided on new over used -...
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376: Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
The remix is in the rear view mirror, but as always I like to look back and discuss takeaways from every trip. On this edition, ten takeaways from the Oregon Coast Remix, celebrating ten years of the pod! Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways Don’t Rush Tent Setup: I experienced a rough night at Bastendorf Beach County Campground due to improper tent setup. I had to get out of the tent at 12:30 AM to stake it properly, improving airflow and reducing internal condensation, which kept me awake as large drops of water hit my forehead. Every Trip Is Unique: James and I reflected on how each of our trips...
info_outlineAfter leaving you all with a bit of a cliffhanger, the decision is made – my (formerly) slow and chill C&O ride now gets another 18 miles of riding to some sweet sweet roofed lodging at my cabin. But that means I cross into West Virginia where I encounter something I’ve never dealt with before. Explicit tag earned for this episode…
Celebrate 10 Years of Pedalshift Live 6/8
- The march to the ten year anniversary of the show commences… Live show to celebrate things June 8th, at 8pm ET. It will be podcasted the following week but always down for some live banter. It'll be on the YouTube channeland here at pedalshift.net/live.
- ALSO, if you aren’t subscribed to and listening to the fantastic Lael Wilcox’s podcast, I can’t recommend it enough. She’s trying to break the world record for cycling the world and is audio journaling it every day. She’s recently completed her eastern US leg and by the time you hear this will be in Europe working her way east. It’s so good - laelwilcox.net for the details. She is a legend and this is elite level stuff!
C&O But Slow - Part 3
Introduction
- Riding to the cabin due to favorable weather conditions
Travel Plans and Preparations
- Description of the route and challenges ahead
- Discussion on safety measures and time management
- Strategy for avoiding bad weather and deciding to ride immediately
On the Road Experiences
- Reflections on the ride: pain, headwinds, and dealing with a truck that rolls coal
- Encounter with challenging road conditions and gearing issues
- Insights on energy management and navigating difficult climbs
Scenic and Safe Routes
- Decision-making on route choices to avoid hazards
- Progress update and estimated distance to the destination
Final Leg of the Journey
- Description of the last few miles and expected challenges
- Nearing the end: checking distance and anticipating weather
Arrival and Reflections
- Arrival at the cabin and initial feelings
- Immediate plans and reflections on the day's ride
Zero Day
- Announcement of a zero day due to bad weather
- Observations on the weather conditions and impact on the trail
Closing Thoughts
- Strategy for the upcoming ride to the train station
- Gratitude for making the right decision and empathy for those still on the trail
Statistics
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Miles biked 18
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F bombs tossed 1
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Zero days 1
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Heavy rain storms dodged 2
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Flats 0