Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 6
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 10/02/2025
Best of Pedalshift 340: Staying Safe on Bicycle Adventures
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Look, we all know there’s some inherent risk in bikepacking, bike touring and even bike commuting. Between bad infrastructure and inattentive drivers, we assume some degree of risk every time we’re in the saddle. But as with anything, there are things we can do to make our bicycle adventures safer than by doing nothing. On this episode, some thoughts on all the things you can do to have a safer ride! .
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Minimalist California Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
A fun night adjacent to the Happiest Place on Earth, but work to do on the final day of the adventure. A scouted ride to Orange County airport seemed easy, then challenging, then maybe easy again. But there’s been a peculiar lack of drama on this podcast that tends to have unnecessary drama in the trips. I wonder… could we find some? Statistics Miles biked 27 Zippers broken 2 Yards of tape used by SNA TSA to seal the bike bag 3 Futile attempts to repair the zipper in Seattle 1 Flats 0
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Minimal California Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
A flight to San Diego and operation get my bike to Seattle begins! Sunny Southern California lures me in with perfect… wait, what’s that? Rain all day? In San Diego? <sigh> That tracks. Day 1 of the experiment that is Minimal California has a soggy start and a magical finish, because all winter bike trips lead to Disney parks right? Statistics Miles biked 25+2=27 Busses 1 Trains 1 Water bottles needed to wash sand off bike brakes from beach side quest 4 Flats 0
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Minimal California Preview
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Welcome back from Winter Break! I was busy while we revisited some classic adventures, and went off and had a brand new one. On this edition, we preview Minimal California, a pared down adventure with a purpose, a destination, and... would you believe things that went awry? I should have shownotes but I'm still on winter break mode... it's a good episode and you should listen to it!
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The Jalapeño Popper Tour (Feat. Brock Dittus)
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Enough of my tour journals, let’s shake it up and bring in special guest star and longtime friend of the show, Pedalshift Society member Brock Dittus in on a tour of not the Oregon coast! Brock travels solo through some of the steepest riding in the state, fueled by fried spicy goodness. Would that be enough to handle the climbs and our old nemesis, wildfire smoke? Originally podcast July 13, 2023.
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Winter Break: A Brompton Stealth Overnight
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
With my proper trail bike in the shop but a real need to get out for an overnight, I turned to a C&O newbie… my trusty 12″ wheeled, very orange Brompton as my chariot to an urban(ish) stealth camping overnight. Would the trail chew up the Brompton? Would my orange gear prove too, well, orange for stealth camping? If you can’t get your adventure by the liter these days, may as well do it in sips… Originally podcast July 16, 2020.
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Winter Break: Olympic Peninsula Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
In the second of a two-parter, it’s Pedalshift Tour Journals: Vol. 9: Olympic Peninsula! Join me and my trusty Brompton for 4 days of transit-aided bicycle touring from Washington, DC to Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula and wrapping things up in Astoria, Oregon. This week features a more-challenging-than-expected short mileage day, a visit to Kurt Cobain’s riverfront hangout, and a long bridge serving as a finish line. Originally podcast March 29, 2018.
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Winter Break: Olympic Peninsula Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
In the first of a two-parter during winter break, it's Pedalshift Tour Journals: Vol. 9: Olympic Peninsula! Join me and my trusty Brompton for 4 days of transit-aided bicycle touring from Washington, DC to Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula and wrapping things up in Astoria, Oregon. This week features the machinations of getting from DC to a tent in the shadows of the Olympic Mountains (if there were, y’know… sun) and the first very soggy day of riding. Originally podcast March 22, 2018.
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Winter Break: Evolution of Bike Adventure Gear
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Every once in a while it’s nice to look back on where it all came from – on this edition, we explore the evolution of bike touring gear from the beginning of the modern era in the 1970s through today’s high tech enhancements to bikepacking and more. Plus, a nod to what the future might hold with new materials and tech to make bicycle adventuring more fun and accessible! Originally podcast June 22, 2023.
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Adventure Goals for 2026
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
One more episode before we take a little winter break (with some great best of's!) we do our annual setting of goals. This year we mix in one non-cycling goal on top of the others. Hey if I hit all of these it's going to be a great year! Adventure Goals for 2026 Continued fitness upgrades Oh Canada! New bike(s) Ultralight gear and ultralight tours A Brompton adventure Seattle S24Os Big toe dip: backpacking… Hoh Rainforest? A transit-assisted adventure A food and beverage-centric adventure A ferry-centric adventure
info_outlineA 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 originally attracted them
- Yachats exploration - First real visit to Tim's long-desired coast town (population: 800)
- Cape Perpetua finale - Tackling one of the coast's most challenging and scenic climbs
- Tire crisis intensifies - James's rear tire split worsens but limps to the finish
- Eugene revelation - $5 bus ride opens new coast access possibilities
Route Details
Day 1: South Beach to Yachats
- Short, rolling ride through Waldport and Seal Rock
- Classic foggy conditions with seagull air-surfing entertainment
- Hotel night in Yachats for town exploration
Day 2: Yachats to Florence
- 25-mile challenge over Cape Perpetua
- Multiple climbs through "the windiest part of the Oregon coast"
- Cape Creek Tunnel navigation
- Final descent to Florence via Sea Lion Caves
Yachats Assessment
- Population: 800 residents
- Vibe: Full spectrum from blue collar to "bougie-est of bougie"
- Tim's verdict: "Punches above its weight" for a small coastal town
- Accommodation: Ocean view hotel with perfect fog viewing
Mechanical Drama Final Act
- James's tubeless tire split progressively worsens
- Tube begins protruding through tire damage
- Bike shop in Florence (Bicycles 101) permanently closed
- Tire successfully limps final 52 miles to completion
- Post-ride tire replacement arranged in Eugene
Transportation Victory
- Florence to Eugene bus: Only $5 (compared to $17-20 Portland routes)
- Bus rack accommodates James's 29+ tire width with minor deflation
- Direct connection to Eugene's Amtrak station and airport
- Opens new coast access strategies for future tours
Cultural Observations
- South Beach platforms: Composite decking mystery continues
- Book club continuation: Tim's author criticism ongoing
- Charging infrastructure: State park downgrades noted
- Coast tourism patterns: More cyclists spotted this year vs. last
Food & Fuel Strategy
- Yachats: Fresh fish and chips (James's rare fish consumption)
- Cape Perpetua prep: High-calorie loading for big climbs
- Florence finale: Safeway provisions for final night
- Eugene heat preparation: Dramamine procurement
Eugene Transition
- 89-90°F heat shock after cool coast weather
- Travel Lodge fan so impressive Tim orders same model for cabin
- Cold Fire Brewing pit stop with brisket and low-alcohol beers
- Hotel early check-in for heat recovery
Statistics
- Miles Biked Day 1: 25
- Miles Biked Day 2: 25
- Total tour mileage: ~52% of original plan
- Florence to Eugene bus cost: $5
- Eugene temperature: 90°F
- Flats: Zero