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_outlineWhat 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: 1–2 nights, shoulder season, mild weather but possible cool nights.
Riding style: paved/mixed surfaces, moderate daily mileage.
Shelter
Options to debate:
Tarp + bivy sack (light, cheap, minimal bug protection).
Minimal trekking pole tarp (if you carry a pole or can use the bike).
Emergency bivy + bug net (super small but spartan).
UL single-wall tent (if you can compress to fit — ~1lb tents exist).
Hammock
Where I land:
Shelter Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp 5.2 oz Dyneema, no floor; packs to fist size
Groundsheet Polycryo sheet (cut to size) 1.5 oz Cheap and super compact
Bug Net Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid (solo) 2.9 oz Optional if mosquitoes likely
Stakes 6 titanium shepherd hooks 2 oz Can share with tarp
Guyline 2 mm reflective cord 1 oz Multipurpose (also for repairs)
Total Shelter Weight: ~12 oz (340 g)
Sleep Kit
Pad: short closed-cell foam (Z-lite cut down) vs ultralight inflatable (NeoAir Uberlite).
Quilt: 40°F down quilt packs to a grapefruit.
Sleep Clothing layering: puffy jacket + base layers to extend quilt rating.
pillow (there are some ultralight inflatables too)
Where I land:
Sleep Pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (small) 6 oz Packs smaller than a soda can
Quilt Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40°F 13 oz Compresses to a grapefruit
Pillow Exped Air UL pillow (small) 1.6 oz Optional luxury
Sleep Clothes Lightweight merino top + boxer briefs 6 oz Doubles as camp wear
Total Sleep Weight: ~27 oz (765 g)
Cooking vs. No-Cook
No-cook: bars, wraps, cold soak jar.
Minimal cook: Esbit/solid fuel stove + titanium mug.
Coffee strategy: instant packets vs small UL brewer.
Space/weight trade-off: ditch cook kit for luxury (camera, extra clothes).
Where I land:
Cold Soak System Plastic PB jar 2oz
Utensil Long Ti spoon 0.5 oz
Mug (if separate) MSR Titan 2.4 oz
Food for 2 days Wraps, instant oatmeal, nuts, bars, jerky, instant coffee ~24 oz
Water 1 L Smartwater bottle (frame-mounted)
Total Cooking/Food Weight (excluding water): ~29 oz (820 g)
Clothing & Tools
No change of clothes on this one… one base layer, puffy jacket layer.
Rain shell = big payoff for little space.
Simple wool hat
Micro tool kit: multi-tool, chain link, tiny pump, patch kit instead of spare tube.
hygiene: Dr Bronner’s in smallest travel bottle, small camp towel, travel toothbrush.
Where I land:
Rain Shell Patagonia Houdini or OR Helium 6 oz Ultralight but reliable
Insulation Layer Montbell Plasma 1000 puffy 5 oz Packs to palm size
Extra Base Layer / socks Wool top + socks 5 oz For camp
Toiletries Toothbrush, mini paste, Bronner’s, wet wipes 3 oz Minimalist hygiene
Headlamp Nitecore NU25 1 oz USB rechargeable
Total Clothing/Personal Weight: ~20 oz (570 g)
Multitool Lezyne RAP II-12 3 oz Compact essentials
Mini Pump Lezyne Pocket Drive 3 oz Mount to frame if possible
Chain link / tape / zip ties / patch kit Small zip bag 1 oz Field repairs
Phone + powerbank 10 000 mAh Anker 6 oz Also powers headlamp
Map / ID / Credit Card — negligible “Ultralight credit card touring” insurance
Total Tools/Misc Weight: ~13 oz (370 g)
Packing Tetris
Bottom: sleep system (quilt/compressed pad).
Middle: shelter/tarp.
Top: food/clothing.
Outside: light rain shell/camp shoes?
Safety & Bail Out Options
Emergency bail plan: credit card, rideshare, motel.
Weather veto: if forecast turns ugly, change trip.
My Packed Total
Category Weight
Shelter 12 oz
Sleep 27 oz
Cooking/Food 29 oz
Clothing/Personal 20 oz
Tools/Misc 13 oz
Total ~6.31 lb (2.86 kg) inside dry bag
Conclusion
Who this works for: weekenders, credit card tourists, fair-weather minimalists.
Who it doesn’t: long winter trips, remote routes with no services, the comfort-oriented
The psychological side of going this minimal: what you gain (freedom, simplicity) vs. what you lose (comfort, margin).