The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Touring Lifestyle

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 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 Wal

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 buses north to Eugene for flight home   The Reality Check James's tubeless rear tire completely fails outside Bike Newport, requiring conversion to tube setup. Tire damage deemed too severe for continued long-distance touring, prompting complete itinerary overhaul.   Key Highlights 5 AM Red Bull run - James's thoughtful breakfast procurement while Tim sleeps in Equipment curse continues - Second bike, same problems for James's bor

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 City pit stop - Tim's favorite Oregon coast town, featuring Stimulus Coffee House for snacks and wifi Mechanical troubles return - James's borrowed bike proves problematic again with rear tire issues Strategic retreat - Quick pivot from camping at Devil's Lake to a tiki-themed hotel in Lincoln City Planning paralysis - Original trip itinerary officially in question with multiple options on the table   Route Details De

Mysterious James and I emerge from our three-night Cannon Beach odyssey to accidentally unlock our cycling superpowers, turning a modest Tillamook target into a shocking 52-mile triumph. It’s the usual stuff: ice cream as performance enhancer, and the stunning revelation that hydration might actually matter. But with tomorrow's weather turning and our schedule still behind, will this newfound confidence carry us forward or set us up for an epic crash? Key Highlights Morning departure from Cannon Beach with sunny weather (rain expected tomorrow) Arch Cape Tunnel challenge - one of the less enjoyable parts of the Oregon coast, but navigated successfully with proper lighting and safety gear Strong riding performance despite variable winds - tailwinds providing good speed, headwinds creating challenges around rivers and inlets Confidence boost as both riders felt strong throughout the day, a marked improvement from their struggles the previous day leaving Beaverton Hydration success - Tim credits focused hydrati

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 Decision to purchase additional campsite night for gear security The Great Plan Cascade Plan A: Dead on arrival (Seaside shop #1) Plan B: Dead at noon (Seaside shop #2) Multiple Portland options considered and analyzed Ian consultation reveals Monday/Tuesday availability conflicts Plan F: Warrenton option with Ed the Legend emerges 50/50 assessment of success probability based on Ed's memory Day Two Leisure Activities Haystack Rock e

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 and adjustment The Ride Begins Largely flat terrain - unusual for Oregon Coast Two notable climbs between departure and Seaside Decision to shorten day from Nehalem Bay to Cannon Beach Use of Perplexity AI to find alternative "off-book" campsite a success Seaside Stop & Food Strategy Delightful lunch that both riders "really needed" Tim's nutrition timing issues affecting performance Plan to shop for breakfast supplies a

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 stops (planned or likely): •Nehalem Bay State Park (newly renovated!) •Pacific City (Webb Campground… maybe) •South Beach State Park (for access to Newport breweries) •Honeyman State Park (newer, flatter hiker/biker site) •Humbug Mountain State Park •Harris Beach State Park •Potential zero day or break-up of the tough Humbug → Harris Beach stretch •No planned fast-forwards, unless absolutely necessary. Camping and Lodging Notes

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.

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, especially early or late in the season. The US-Canada ferry that was supposed to be running for Memorial Day weekend simply wasn't operational, despite being a critical piece of the route. Always have backup plans for ferry-dependent routes and call ahead rather than assuming seasonal schedules are accurate. 2. E-bike Mechanical Knowledge is Essential This adventure nearly ended before it began due to a simple brake magnet i

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: 10.2  Number of times the difference between towns and villages in New York was explained: 1 (and hopefully that's enough)  Conversations with Good Samaritans about unconscious people on bike paths: 1  Root intrusions that could be classified as kidney shakers: 4  Battery anxiety level on a scale of 1-10: 0 Municipalities referenced 4 Flats: 0

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 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 U

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. •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 & Blac

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 things cooler •Reflections on how the late May weather still feels like early spring in Ontario ðŸ› ï¸ Gear & Tech Check •E-bike powered up and performing well •Toolkit left behind—risky move noted •Ongoing commentary on wide tires, limestone trails, and pedal assist levels •Big win: no brake issues from frequent wheel removal 📠Destinations & Detours •Attempt to visit Big Sandy Bay—blocked by entry fee and bike restrictions •Sc

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 the east shore of Lake Ontario, scouting state parks and quieter wildlife areas instead of sticking to busy parks. Lake-side stops Quick visit to Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (too restricted for bikes). Heads north to Westcott Beach State Park for a short beach walk, photos, and a quick battery test run. Drive to Canada Long detour to the Thousand Islands bridge (the only open crossing) because the south-e

Episode 404? Isn’t 404 a website error? Well part 2 of the Lake Ontario adventure corrects for the very serious 404 we had with the ebike. Still a mystery, but we’re recovering and adventuring by bike in amazing towns like Sodus Point and Oswego, exploring apple orchard memories and historic nuclear power plants in between.  Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2 Abandoning the E-Bike Dream (For Now) The electric bike project is benched due to reliability issues Reflections on bike trust, touring logistics, and rethinking the approach New trip plan: use the RAV4 Prime to support bike day rides   Pre-Booked Lodging Dilemma All lodging was pre-booked and non-refundable How that shifted priorities to maximize the trip by driving to each spot The “acoustic” bike becomes the tour hero    Day One Route & Destination Base: North of Webster, NY Original plan scrapped; new mission: mini bike adventures in each locale Exploring route options en route to Oswego, NY    Riding Past a Nuclear Legacy Passing the Ginna Nuclear Power

Folks, if you've followed this pod for any length of time you know my bike adventures usually have a component that goes sideways. But has it ever happened before a single pedal stroke? Can the Lake Ontario adventure survive something like that? Lake Ontario 2025: Part 1 Packing anxiety: two batteries, 90+ mile days, and a lot of unknowns My ride strategy: charging on the go and treating watts like water Leaving from my parents’ home—why this ride had emotional weight First day jitters: range, elevation, and pannier paranoia The moment everything stopped working: my e-bike breakdown in real time How I pivoted the tour and found a way to ride anyway Preview of what’s next: Plan B Statistics Miles Biked 0 Borked ebikes 1 Flats 0

After years of circling this ride (pun intended) it’s time to do a lap of the lake that I’ve lived near for a big chunk of my early life. Would it have been easier to pick a smaller lake? Sure. But Lake Ontario truly is a Great Lake in the sense it is surrounded by diverse and interesting places we’ll discover together. Lake Ontario 2025 Preview The basics About 540 miles Two countries, two border crossings Ferries galore All roofed lodging Rural stops and big cities Driving ebike to WNY that is the beginning and end of the loop The weather Warm days and cool nights Mixed bag for rain and dry The gear eBike - biggest ride yet! Brooks saddle pulled from Brompton for more comfort Rewrapped my bar end extenders to improve comfort Batteries and chargers = biggest weight Riding very light otherwise… 2 days of riding clothes I’ll wash each night plus a set of "civilian" clothes and rain gear Bringing more tools in to handle bigger ticket issues Tightening down everything in advance The highlights Memorial trip for

What happens when you’ve only got one day in Los Angeles, a conference that demands your physical presence, and a red-eye flight back home? You grab a Metrobike and explore, of course! On this edition, it’s a whirlwind bike share adventure from the hilly streets of Westwood to the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk and a race for that flight home. Los Angeles Metrobike Adventure Intro: •Location: Westwood, California •Reason: Quick trip for an AI conference •Game plan: Metrobike adventure from UCLA to Venice Beach and eventually towards LAX The Plan: •$5 Metrobike day pass – unlimited rides, 30-minute increments •The challenge: avoid overage charges by dock hopping •Route: UCLA → Santa Monica → Venice Beach → Marina Del Rey → Playa Vista The Adventure: •First leg: Downhill from UCLA, navigating LA traffic with Google Maps guidance •Observations: •Westwood’s hilly terrain •Santa Monica’s tight bike dock situation •Smooth greenways mixed with sketchy alley shortcuts •A visit to the Bad News Bears park and some nost

Part 2 of 2. My three day weekend tour was about to be washed out by the remnants of yet another hurricane rolling through the area. And since the C&O isn’t exactly the best trail in a soaker, it was a good idea to reverse course and head back to my cabin. But would the tropical gusher wipe me out or would my “special” river crossing be impossible to traverse? 

They say you only live once and some people shorten that up to YOLO, turn that into a verb and make questionable decisions. Sometimes that’s a pathway to adventure. And sometimes, it’s a convenient excuse to do things you aren’t supposed to. On my first day to complete a full ride of the C&O in 2020, I YOLO’d more than I typically YOLO.