387: Ask Us Anything with Mysterious James
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 12/12/2024
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
So the ebike is a brick in the back of my Rav4, but it still works like a normal bike, so let’s keep going! But a sudden realization may provide the solution to unlock all the battery goodness, just as another stunning discovery makes me realize, this trip’s Plan B was all meant to be. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3 Hotel pack-up & quick diagnosis Morning in Oswego, NY. Realizes the motor cut-off is just a loose brake-lever magnet. Simple electrical/duct-tape fix brings the e-bike back to life. Route planning & launch Scraps the closed Cape Vincent ferry idea decides to drive...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Episode 404? Isn’t 404 a website error? Well part 2 of the Lake Ontario adventure corrects for the very serious 404 we had with the ebike. Still a mystery, but we’re recovering and adventuring by bike in amazing towns like Sodus Point and Oswego, exploring apple orchard memories and historic nuclear power plants in between. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2 Abandoning the E-Bike Dream (For Now) The electric bike project is benched due to reliability issues Reflections on bike trust, touring logistics, and rethinking the approach New trip plan: use the RAV4 Prime to support bike day rides...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Folks, if you've followed this pod for any length of time you know my bike adventures usually have a component that goes sideways. But has it ever happened before a single pedal stroke? Can the Lake Ontario adventure survive something like that? Lake Ontario 2025: Part 1 Packing anxiety: two batteries, 90+ mile days, and a lot of unknowns My ride strategy: charging on the go and treating watts like water Leaving from my parents’ home—why this ride had emotional weight First day jitters: range, elevation, and pannier paranoia The moment everything stopped working: my e-bike breakdown in...
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402: Lake Ontario 2025 Preview
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
After years of circling this ride (pun intended) it’s time to do a lap of the lake that I’ve lived near for a big chunk of my early life. Would it have been easier to pick a smaller lake? Sure. But Lake Ontario truly is a Great Lake in the sense it is surrounded by diverse and interesting places we’ll discover together. Lake Ontario 2025 Preview The basics About 540 miles Two countries, two border crossings Ferries galore All roofed lodging Rural stops and big cities Driving ebike to WNY that is the beginning and end of the loop The weather Warm days and cool nights Mixed bag for rain...
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401: LA Metrobike Adventure
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
What happens when you’ve only got one day in Los Angeles, a conference that demands your physical presence, and a red-eye flight back home? You grab a Metrobike and explore, of course! On this edition, it’s a whirlwind bike share adventure from the hilly streets of Westwood to the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk and a race for that flight home. Los Angeles Metrobike Adventure Intro: •Location: Westwood, California •Reason: Quick trip for an AI conference •Game plan: Metrobike adventure from UCLA to Venice Beach and eventually towards LAX The Plan: •$5 Metrobike day pass –...
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Spring Break: Filling in the Blanks Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Part 2 of 2. My three day weekend tour was about to be washed out by the remnants of yet another hurricane rolling through the area. And since the C&O isn’t exactly the best trail in a soaker, it was a good idea to reverse course and head back to my cabin. But would the tropical gusher wipe me out or would my “special” river crossing be impossible to traverse?
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Spring Break: Filling in the Blanks Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
They say you only live once and some people shorten that up to YOLO, turn that into a verb and make questionable decisions. Sometimes that’s a pathway to adventure. And sometimes, it’s a convenient excuse to do things you aren’t supposed to. On my first day to complete a full ride of the C&O in 2020, I YOLO’d more than I typically YOLO.
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Spring Break: Clean-Up Tour Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
I'd ridden an ok amount that year, but to be honest, as the year was winding down I realized there were two spots I always hit that I haven't been to yet. So I needed to play a little clean up and get wheels down on those two gems! In part 2, I revisit one of my favorite campsites… maybe one of my single favorite places I can get to from home, by bike!
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Spring Break: Clean-Up Tour Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
I'd ridden an ok amount that year, but to be honest, as the year was winding down I realized there were two spots I always hit that I haven't been to yet. So I needed to play a little clean up and get wheels down on those two gems! In part 1, I tackle the big hill on the Cumberland side of the Great Allegheny Passage!
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Spring Break: A Game of Chance - Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
As I said last time… sometimes bad ideas go good, and good ideas go bad. And then there’s the latest bonkers idea of a tour I had… a game of chance. In the final installment, we learn preparation can sometimes be the key to a good tour, or it can mean you carry a lot in your panniers more for show. Originally podcast October 28, 2021.
info_outlineA repodcast of Pedalshift Live from December 6, 2024 featuring special guest Mysterious James and YOUR questions for a big round of Ask Us Anything. Huge shoutout to the folks that came and made this one of the best live shows yet!
1. Top 3 Must-Have Items for Bike Touring
• James: Once considered a cook set essential but now tours stoveless. Values minimal gear and adaptability.
• Tim: iPhone (multi-use tool), foldable backjack chair, and positive vibes for motivation.
2. Best Place for Car-Free Living with Transit and Nature Access
• James: San Francisco for its bikeability, walkability, and access to nature in all directions.
• Tim: Portland, Oregon, for its bike-friendly culture, infrastructure, and scenic options for bike tours.
3. Trail Recommendations
• Greenbrier River Trail (WV): Tim considers it for future e-bike touring despite challenging accessibility and trail conditions.
• Pine Creek Trail (PA): Known but less explored by Tim and James.
• Cowboy Trail (NE): On Tim’s radar, but accessibility challenges persist.
4. Approach to Bike Adventuring
• James: Minimal planning, go-with-the-flow mindset, and preference for off-road routes.
• Tim: Focuses on enjoying the experience rather than completing every mile, with flexibility to adapt plans as needed.
5. East Coast Greenway
• Highlighted as a potential cross-country ride option. Discussed challenges with camping and infrastructure but praised for its connectivity.
6. Tire Preferences
• James: Schwalbe Marathon and Mondial tires for durability and versatility.
• Tim: A long-time fan of Schwalbe tires for touring and e-bike use.
7. Mud Guards vs. No Mud Guards
• James: Initially used mud guards but removed them due to travel difficulties and now prefers to ride without them.
• Tim: Appreciates their value but acknowledges challenges with mud accumulation on trails like the C&O.
8. Motivation on Long Rides or in Bad Weather
• James: Allows trips to end naturally when motivation fades, embracing the experience regardless of completion.
• Tim: Stays motivated by focusing on the overall experience and prioritizing safety, especially in adverse weather.
9. Warm Showers Experience
• James: Prefers camping or hotels due to flexibility and introversion.
• Tim: Values the concept but hasn’t fully embraced it due to similar concerns.
10. Cross-Country U.S. Route Priorities
• James: Interested in rail trail-based routes for safety and scenery.
• Tim: Eastern Express and routes through national parks like the Lewis and Clark Trail.
11. Cycling Southeast Asia
• James: Enthralled by Cambodia’s culture and affordability but wary of heat, rain, and traffic.
• Tim: Intrigued but cautious about climate and road conditions.
12. Cycling Quebec
• Tim: Keen to explore Quebec’s Route Verte and its cultural richness, possibly linking it to U.S. rail trails for a larger tour.
13. Gap and C&O: Pittsburgh to DC vs. DC to Pittsburgh
• Tim: Initially preferred Cumberland-to-Pittsburgh for the downhill experience but now considers both routes equally, emphasizing convenience based on starting point.
14. Bikepacking Regions to Highlight in a U.S. Cross-Country Tour
• Must-see trails include the Great American Rail Trail, Katy Trail, and Northern Tier’s scenic sections.
Special Mentions: Regina Yan (East Coast Greenway), Adventure Cycling Association (route inspiration), and Schwalbe Tires (consistent performance).