Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 07/24/2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
info_outlineTransitioning 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 appeal of island living
- Apple tree sightings continuing the Lake Ontario apple theme
Hotel with a View
- Check-in at a dated but perfectly positioned Niagara Falls hotel
- Room with an "outrageous" view directly overlooking Horseshoe Falls
- Plans to bring dinner back to the room due to the unbeatable vista
- Discussion of off-season pricing and business travel perks
Vehicle Talk
- Introduction to the new Toyota RAV4 plugin hybrid
- Upcoming camping drawer system installation
- Comparison to previous vehicle setups
- Teasing of a major summer adventure
Navigation Adventures
- Challenges finding the proper cycling route to Niagara Parkway
- Discovery of abandoned rail right-of-way
- Multiple elevation changes due to the Niagara Escarpment
- Eventually finding the correct riverside path
Hydroelectric Discovery
- Learning about the Niagara Tunnel Project - 10.2 km underground tunnel
- Understanding how power generation works 40 meters below the river surface
- Observing the transformation from calm upstream waters to rushing rapids
- Multiple spillways and control structures
Falls Experience
- Cycling directly along the Niagara River as it approaches the falls
- Walking the bike through crowded tourist areas
- Experiencing mist from both American and Horseshoe Falls
- International tourism observations
- Discussion of why this isn't a national/provincial park
Family Matters
- Mid-episode phone call requiring attention to family health issues
- Decision to return home earlier than planned
- Reflection on how circumstances aligned properly for the situation
Looking Ahead
- Announcement of a "proper" Day 6 episode
- Plans to complete the original intended route from mother's former home to current home
- Postponement of international border crossing for future adventure
Statistics
Miles biked 6
Number of Superman II references 3
Outrageous parking cost at the hotel 45 CAD
Length in seconds of the full color cycle of the falls lighting at night 69 (nice)
iPod dockable clock radios in the hotel that are so vintage as to be worth way more than the hotel probably thinks 1
Flats 0