Month: April 2025

Spring Break

It’s spring break at Pedalshift, but we’ve got three fun bike adventures for you:

A Game of Chance – Pedalshift 260 & 261

Clean Up Tour – Pedalshift 265 & 266

Filling in the Blanks Tour – Pedalshift 221 & 222

See you with all new episodes in June!

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The Pedalshift Project 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes [Live]

Four hundred episodes into this project, we gathered together on April 11, 2025 for a live show to celebrate the occasion. On this edition I revealed a new tour, announced a short spring break (with episodes, never fear!), and did some Ask Me Anythings!


The Pedalshift Project 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes [Live]

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes [Live].

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Pedalshift 400 Live

Hey check out the video if that’s your bag…

 
Introduction
•Tim kicks off Episode 400 live with listeners in the chat
•Reflects on 10+ years of podcasting, over 1.3 million downloads
•Expresses gratitude to listeners and the broader bike travel community
 
Shout-Outs & Tributes
•Listener shout-outs:
•Forrest from Whitehorse on the GAP Trail
•Byron and the Sprocket listener crossover poll (results were a 50/50 split)
•Tribute to The Sprocket Podcast:
•Final episode recently released
•Strong influence on Pedalshift’s creation
•Encourages new listeners to explore the Sprocket back catalog
•Shared values and crossover episodes remembered fondly
 
Tour Reveal: Circumnavigating Lake Ontario
•Dedicated to Tim’s late father; the lake was important to him
•Starting in Western New York, likely near Tim’s mother’s home
•Full loop around Lake Ontario
•Using the e-bike with a second battery for extended range
•No camping: entirely hotel or Airbnb lodging
•Expected duration: under a week
•Part of 2025 goals: new route, international travel, expanded e-bike touring
 
Pedalshift Spring Break
•First planned break in podcast history (show remains weekly)
•Begins April 24, 2025
•Through May, rebroadcasting selected past mini-tours:
•Game of Chance Tour
•Cleanup Tour
•Fill in the Blanks Tour
•New content returns in June with:
•Los Angeles Metro Bike Adventure (Episode 401)
•Lake Ontario Tour coverage begins with Episode 402
 
Ask Me Anything (Live Chat Q&A)
 
Tour Planning and Equipment
•Uses RideWithGPS, Google Maps, and Street View for route planning
•Recommends overlays like RideWithGPS heatmaps for checking route popularity
•Apple Notes is the go-to tool for organizing transit and fast-forward trips
•Safari and Brompton are the most used bikes for local/urban riding
•Gravel/dirt touring is appealing, especially with proper gear; has done C&O and Erie Canal
•Tour terrain preference: tie between forested and coastal routes
 
C&O Canal Guidance
•Cumberland to DC is a favorable direction due to logistics and parking
•Recommends Harper’s Ferry to Shepherdstown segment for beginners
 
Tour Ideas and Alternatives
•Florida ride likely to be retired after repeated versions
•Considering Arizona desert rides, Florida Keys, or San Diego to Phoenix
•Airline logistics (especially Southwest policy changes) influence decision-making
•Possibility of international touring (Europe later in 2025, Australia someday)
 
Fun Pop Culture AMA
•Favorite Prince songs to bike to:
•Let’s Go Crazy
•Seven (all-time favorite)
•Raspberry Beret, Purple Rain, 1999 also mentioned
•Brief discussion of cycling music and personal playlist choices
 
Future Travel Hints
•Canada’s Lake Ontario loop is Tim’s first true international bike tour
•Possibility of a short European ride in late summer 2025
•Dreaming of riding in Australia during shoulder seasons
 
Closing Remarks
•Gratitude to listeners and live show participants
•Encouragement to get out and ride, share stories, and connect with community
•Next live show planned for later in the year
•Spring break content begins April 24, new episodes resume in June
 

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes [Live] appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 399: Cycling in US National Parks in 2025

It’s planning season for spring and summer tours! But if you’re in the US or planning a bike adventure here, there’s some real question marks about our national park system. From budget cuts to layoffs and reinstatements to ever-increasing demand… is this the right year to consider a trip through Yellowstone or Shenandoah? 


The Pedalshift Project 399: Cycling in US National Parks in 2025

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 399: Cycling in US National Parks in 2025.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Pedalshift 400 Live

Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET – 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well?

What’s Happening with US National Parks in 2025?

•Brief overview of the budget situation: potential closures, service reductions, delayed seasonal openings

February firing of a category of federal employees

Buyout offer to some employees

Just recently a court order led to reinstatement of them

Still a huge gap in the staffing needed for the increasing demand

•Types of services at risk: ranger programs, campground availability, road maintenance, shuttle systems, water access

•Examples of parks most likely to be affected – Yosemite, Yellowstone and most of the majors that are on bike routes.

Impacts on Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

•Common bike routes through or around National Parks (e.g., Skyline Drive, Natchez Trace, Blue Ridge Parkway, Yellowstone Loop, etc.)

•How closures or reduced services complicate trip planning

•Campgrounds unavailable or unmaintained

•Fewer refill spots for water/food

•Riskier road conditions due to lack of maintenance or ranger presence

•Potential increase in car traffic on fewer open roads

•Implications for car-free or low-impact travelers

Tips for Bike Travelers Navigating These Changes

•Research and plan ahead: how to track park-specific updates

•Use apps and websites that reflect real-time closures (NPS.gov, iOverlander, RideWithGPS updates, ACA forums)

•Be prepared for self-sufficiency: water filtration, food storage, backup shelters

•Consider alternative routes: National Forests, state parks, BLM lands

•Join or support advocacy efforts for bike access and funding for parks

 

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 399: Cycling in US National Parks in 2025 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Best of Pedalshift 287: Gift Ideas for a Person on Bike Tour

We’re often asked what you should get someone into bike touring… but what about a gift for a friend or loved one who is literally in the middle of a bike tour? Inspired by a Reddit thread, but not one of *those* Reddit threads… some fun ideas that would really help make someone’s tour! Originally podcast July 21, 2022.

The post Best of Pedalshift 287: Gift Ideas for a Person on Bike Tour appeared first on Pedalshift.