Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 07/17/2025
Is Bicycle Touring in Decline?
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Bicycle touring numbers feel like they’re down—fewer loaded panniers on the road, Adventure Cycling Association facing major financial headwinds, and a lot of long-time tourers quietly aging out. But is touring actually in decline, or is it just shifting into something that looks different—like bikepacking, gravel, and shorter, more flexible trips? In this episode I dig into Adventure Cycling’s recent membership and financial update, talk through generational and economic trends, and explore whether we’re seeing the end of an era… or just the end of one version of it. Is Bicycle...
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Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Way back in January - and what feels like ten years ago to me - I set out a bunch of bicycle adventure goals for me in 2025. In a challenging year, I wasn't sure how I'd measure up but as I always like to do, I gave the goals a once over to see how I did. So on this episode we give it a scorecard treatment, but also a sneak preview of the final piece of 2025 adventuring that manages to check one of the boxes! 2025 Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard Celebrating plans already made, and taking care of yourself Sort of? A big ebike trip – maybe two. Taking the bike on a ride only the ebike can do…...
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Best of Pedalshift 249: Solo Touring Women
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
A chat with Sylva Florence, an experienced bicycle tourist and author of many things (including her blog The Sylva Lining) on touring as a solo woman, how people who want to be allies to solo women touring can do that without being creepy, and some of her favorite adventures. .
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The Ultralight Challenge
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge - borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush handles and weigh every gram for the ultralight bikepacking challenge! “What if you could tour with just what fits in your handlebar bag? No panniers. No rack. Just the essentials.” Why: curiosity, simplicity, nimble handling, testing limits for overnighters or credit card touring. Rules: one mid-size drybag (say 10–12L). No extra frame or seat bags. Trip assumptions:...
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A Game of Chance Revisited
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
We're bringing back one of the wackiest ideas in Pedalshift history — the Game of Chance! Using random number generators and the excellent Adventure Cycling Association routes, it's an unpredictable coast-to-coast bike tour from the Pacific to the Atlantic. When every turn is determined by chance the results are... surprisingly awesome? In This Episode: Revisiting the “Game of Chance” touring experiment from 2021 Using randomness to pick routes across ACA’s national network Riding (and re-riding) the Pacific Coast, Northern Tier, Lewis & Clark, TransAm, and more ...
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Best of Pedalshift 295: Making Your Tent Stealthier
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Stealth camping is a great skill to develop and a fantastic option to have for emergencies or maybe even your main overnight plan on a bike tour. But what if your tent is so bright it can be seen from miles away? On this episode, we talk about what worked for my last tent and what I’m trying on my newer one. Originally podcast September 8, 2022. Making a Tent Stealthier The old tent – ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Spray panting the tarp Tarp was orange so it needed full coverage Used a matte forest green Took 3 full cans to cover (more than I expected) Then covered with a waterproofing...
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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
The Mysterious Oregon Coast adventure is in the rearview mirror, but we always like to peek back before moving on. On this edition we marvel at the fun we had on a fairly cursed tour of some of our favorite parts of the Pacific coast! Bike prep is key — but stuff still breaks. Even a tiny crank arm pin can end a day. Know shops and backup transport. Have Plans A–F ready. Flexibility and quick pivots kept the ride alive when mechanicals hit. Buses & rideshares save tours. Coastal transit and surprise Ubers kept us moving. Greatest hits still feel fresh. Cape Lookout, South...
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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 6
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
A leisurely morning at South Beach State Park sets the stage for what should be the triumphant finale, but James's bike has one last surprise in store. Sometimes a cursed bike adventure is the best kind. But with tire splits threatening the final miles and Eugene's punishing heat waiting ahead, will we actually make it to the finish line or become stranded out on the coast? Key Highlights South Beach State Park downgrade - Charging lockers removed, replaced with non-charging metal versions Classic Oregon coast weather returns - Fog, cool temperatures, and the riding conditions that...
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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 5
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
A well-rested morning in Lincoln City spawns what seems like a reasonable plan to salvage the cursed tour, but James's borrowed bike has other ideas entirely. But with tubleless tire disasters forcing yet another major pivot, will this newly condensed coastal adventure finally find its groove or continue spiraling into beautiful chaos? The New Plan (Before It All Changed Again) Today: Lincoln City to South Beach State Park via Newport Tomorrow: South Beach to Yachats for hotel exploration Final day: Yachats to Honeyman State Park near Florence Split: James continues south, Tim...
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Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 4
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
The morning starts strong at Cape Lookout with perfect James and Tim weather, but what begins as a confident push toward Beverly Beach slowly unravels into mechanical mayhem and decision-making paralysis. But with the original plan officially in shambles and multiple escape routes beckoning, will we unleash a suffer fest or pivot to something unexpected? Key Highlights Perfect weather conditions - cloudy and cool, exactly what Tim and James prefer for cycling Hydration revelation continues - Tim credits proper hydration for yesterday's success and focuses on "cameling up" each morning Pacific...
info_outlineToronto! 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.
•First glimpses of the Harborfront Trail and ferry terminal success.
ðŸ›³ï¸ Ferry to the Islands
•On board the William Lingus (insert SNL reference).
•Observations on Toronto Island’s regulars and off-season calm.
ðŸï¸ Exploring Toronto Island by E-bike
•Discovering the island’s unique layout — car-lite, license-limited.
•Big marina views and rear-view cityscapes.
•Moody, Oregon Coast-like weather setting the tone.
☕ Cafés, Birds & Black Squirrels
•Coffee shop scouting and parking time calculations.
•Noticing Toronto Island’s charm: cardinals, fire stations, and disc golf.
📸 CN Tower Skyline Shot of the Day
•Photo stop at a postcard-perfect harbor: ducks, loons, and urban backdrop.
•Tangent on the CN Tower’s claim to fame and photographic techniques.
ðŸŒ§ï¸ Light Rain, Green Spaces, and Island Vibes
•Embracing the drizzle in classic bike touring style.
•Pedal-assist set low to savor the scenery and solitude.
•Disc golf, beaches, and lots of benches — the quiet off-season character.
🎡 Amusement Park Detour
•Riding through a closed kiddie amusement park and petting zoo.
•Peacock spotting and the return of Muppet-inspired names (Kermit Fog, anyone?).
•Funnel cake cravings and childhood park nostalgia.
🕠Center Island + Beer Dreams
•Discovery of the Toronto Island BBQ and Beer Co.
•Harbor views and light snack planning before continuing the ride.
âœˆï¸ Quest for the Airport
•Meandering west toward Hanlan’s Point and the Billy Bishop City Airport.
•Geeking out over planes, windsocks, and off-limits fencing.
•A side of Toronto most tourists never see.
ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆ Historic Discovery: Canada’s Oldest Queer Space
•Hanlan’s Point signage reveals a legacy of LGBTQ+ community since 1971.
•Reflections on inclusivity, history, and the spirit of the island.
ðŸ—ºï¸ Full Island Traverse & Wrap-up
•Realization that the “Toronto Islands” are really one big, bikeable park.
•Rain resumes just in time for the ride back.
•Cozy Airbnb vibes: lilac trees, woodland cottages, and coffee-fueled reflection.
🚨 Day 4 Reflections
•Just 10 miles ridden, but packed with discovery and beauty.
•Looking ahead to Niagara Falls and planning the next cycling routes.
Statistics
Miles biked 10
Closed amusement parks featuring obvious IP theft 1
High temperature in Celsius 12
Records purchased 1
Poutineries visited 1 (a solid 8 stars)
Flats 0