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400: Celebrating 400 Episodes [Live]

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Release Date: 04/17/2025

Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 2 show art Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 2

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Day two and three of the Oregon Coast tour evolve into an epic quest for an elusive bicycle part. Is this a mere repair mission or a saga worthy of Greek mythology with adaptive problem-solving, multiple contingency plans, long-distance bus adventures, heat stroke avoidance, and kind bike shop professionals who go above and beyond?   Day Two Morning - Plan Multiplication  Late wake-up due to flexible schedule Pig and Pancake breakfast at classic Oregon Coast institution 10:30 AM: First Seaside shop call - negative result 12:00 PM: Multiple plan permutations discussed off-mic...

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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1 show art Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Day one of an Oregon coast adventure - what could possibly go wrong? As Mysterious James and I began our journey from Astoria after navigating July 4th rental car details, we encounter (because of course) the first of many issues we’ll encounter on the most mysterious of Oregon Coast adventures ever. Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1 Morning, Turned Afternoon Departure 1:00 PM start time after bike assembly and hotel checkout Bikes transported in rental car not designed for two bikes TSA inspection didn’t damage  gear (deraileur hanger protection removed) Successful bike reassembly...

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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Preview show art Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Preview

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

We are so back.... on the Oregon Coast with the Mysterious James for another round of two-wheeled mayhem. Ten days, 360 miles, zero expectations, and maximum potential for randomness. The Safari's ready, MJ is in, and we're about to find out if bike touring is really dying or just hiding. Spoiler alert: it's gonna be a wild ride. Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Preview Route Preview •Start: Astoria, OR (mile marker 0 or 360, depending on your perspective) •End: Crescent City, CA (for Tim); James continues on to the Bay Area •Duration: 10 days with a flexible buffer day •Notable overnight...

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Best of Pedalshift 321: East Coast Greenway show art Best of Pedalshift 321: East Coast Greenway

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Despite living on the east coast, we spend a whole heck of a lot of attention on bicycle adventures on the west coast, right? Well, it’s time we changed that! On this episode, we chat with Regina Yan about the East Coast Greenway, her epic trip and how she and the East Coast Greenway Alliance is making this route a contender for all of our future cycling adventures! Originally podcast April 28, 2023.

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Lake Ontario 2025 Takeaways show art Lake Ontario 2025 Takeaways

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Six days, two countries, multiple ferries, and one very stubborn e-bike brake magnet later, the Lake Ontario circumnavigation attempt has wrapped up in ways both expected and completely unforeseen. What started as an ambitious 540-mile loop around one of the Great Lakes became a masterclass in adventure adaptation, international border logistics, and the reality of shoulder season touring. On this episode, takeaways from a trip that delivered lessons extending far beyond the original route plan. Lake Ontario 2025 Takeaways 1. Plan for Ferry Contingencies Ferry schedules can be unreliable,...

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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 7 show art Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 7

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

What was supposed to be a triumphant border crossing and final push from Niagara Falls back to the starting point became something entirely different when family health concerns required an immediate pivot. But sometimes the best laid plans need to be set aside for what actually matters, and day six became about completing the ride in the way it was always meant to end - with a proper beginning and a proper finish, both by bike, both connected to the places and people that made this whole adventure meaningful in the first place. Lake Ontario 2025: Part 7 Statistics  Miles biked:...

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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6 show art Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Transitioning from from the peaceful Toronto Island back into the  urban sprawl of southern Ontario is a bit of a record scratch I’ll more thoroughly experience when I eventually ride this ride, but a fast forward to a stunning Niagara Falls hotel leads to an extensive e-bike exploration of the Niagara River and Falls area. But plans always have a way of changing and this day was no different. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6 Toronto Island Farewell Final morning walk through the quiet island community Observations on the unique housing stock and lifestyle Discussion of waiting lists and the...

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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5 show art Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

Toronto! The biggest city in Canada beckoned with its record shops, high energy and criminally underrated cycling on the islands off shore. With a basketball arena parking spot and my kind of weather, TO was ready to welcome me with open arms… Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5 🚗 Parking + Arrival in Toronto •Parking garage setup with EV charging — 24 hours for 24 CAD, prime downtown location. •Thoughts on Cybertrucks (spoiler: not a fan). •Quick record shop detour before rolling out. 🚲 Urban E-bike Sprint to the Ferry •Navigating Toronto traffic to make the ferry in time....

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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4 show art Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

This portion of the trip was always going to be a question mark - what kind of biking will there be? Will it be fun? Will I be looking too much ahead to more obviously notable places like Toronto and Niagara Falls? Wolfe Island once again answers the call! Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4 🚲 Ride Overview •Starting the day from Wolf Island, Ontario •A late start, but with a scenic route west to Sandy Point •Focus on a relaxed e-bike ride due to a tight ferry schedule 🌞 Weather & Ride Conditions •Sunny and pleasantly warm, a bit hotter than ideal •Wind off the lake keeping...

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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3 show art 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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More Episodes

Four hundred episodes into this project, we gathered together on April 11, 2025 for a live show to celebrate the occasion. On this edition I revealed a new tour, announced a short spring break (with episodes, never fear!), and did some Ask Me Anythings!

Pedalshift 400 Live

Hey check out the video if that's your bag...

https://www.youtube.com/live/EJfDdaQDgeE?si=NruP9cvgb0mgY8ip

 
Introduction
•Tim kicks off Episode 400 live with listeners in the chat
•Reflects on 10+ years of podcasting, over 1.3 million downloads
•Expresses gratitude to listeners and the broader bike travel community
 
Shout-Outs & Tributes
•Listener shout-outs:
•Forrest from Whitehorse on the GAP Trail
•Byron and the Sprocket listener crossover poll (results were a 50/50 split)
•Tribute to The Sprocket Podcast:
•Final episode recently released
•Strong influence on Pedalshift’s creation
•Encourages new listeners to explore the Sprocket back catalog
•Shared values and crossover episodes remembered fondly
 
Tour Reveal: Circumnavigating Lake Ontario
•Dedicated to Tim’s late father; the lake was important to him
•Starting in Western New York, likely near Tim’s mother’s home
•Full loop around Lake Ontario
•Using the e-bike with a second battery for extended range
•No camping: entirely hotel or Airbnb lodging
•Expected duration: under a week
•Part of 2025 goals: new route, international travel, expanded e-bike touring
 
Pedalshift Spring Break
•First planned break in podcast history (show remains weekly)
•Begins April 24, 2025
•Through May, rebroadcasting selected past mini-tours:
•Game of Chance Tour
•Cleanup Tour
•Fill in the Blanks Tour
•New content returns in June with:
•Los Angeles Metro Bike Adventure (Episode 401)
•Lake Ontario Tour coverage begins with Episode 402
 
Ask Me Anything (Live Chat Q&A)
 
Tour Planning and Equipment
•Uses RideWithGPS, Google Maps, and Street View for route planning
•Recommends overlays like RideWithGPS heatmaps for checking route popularity
•Apple Notes is the go-to tool for organizing transit and fast-forward trips
•Safari and Brompton are the most used bikes for local/urban riding
•Gravel/dirt touring is appealing, especially with proper gear; has done C&O and Erie Canal
•Tour terrain preference: tie between forested and coastal routes
 
C&O Canal Guidance
•Cumberland to DC is a favorable direction due to logistics and parking
•Recommends Harper’s Ferry to Shepherdstown segment for beginners
 
Tour Ideas and Alternatives
•Florida ride likely to be retired after repeated versions
•Considering Arizona desert rides, Florida Keys, or San Diego to Phoenix
•Airline logistics (especially Southwest policy changes) influence decision-making
•Possibility of international touring (Europe later in 2025, Australia someday)
 
Fun Pop Culture AMA
•Favorite Prince songs to bike to:
•Let’s Go Crazy
•Seven (all-time favorite)
•Raspberry Beret, Purple Rain, 1999 also mentioned
•Brief discussion of cycling music and personal playlist choices
 
Future Travel Hints
•Canada’s Lake Ontario loop is Tim’s first true international bike tour
•Possibility of a short European ride in late summer 2025
•Dreaming of riding in Australia during shoulder seasons
 
Closing Remarks
•Gratitude to listeners and live show participants
•Encouragement to get out and ride, share stories, and connect with community
•Next live show planned for later in the year
•Spring break content begins April 24, new episodes resume in June