Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 412: Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1.

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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 at local market

The Mechanical Crisis

• James’s left crank arm completely falls off while riding to market
• Discovery of tiny pin mechanism in Shimano crank arm
• Initial DIY repair attempts fail spectacularly
• Kind local offers help but problem proves beyond field repair

Professional Intervention

• Bike shop discovery 470 feet away in Cannon Beach
• Ian at local rental shop (also starting bike repair services)
• Diagnosis: stripped internal teeth, unrepairable in field
• Shop closing at 7:30 PM but Ian stays to help

The Damage Assessment

• Left crank arm completely stripped internally
• Cannot be field-repaired
• Options: Replace single crank arm or entire crankset
• Potential multi-day delay due to Sunday/Monday shop closures

Contingency Planning

• Morning departure to Seaside bike shops (two available)
• Transportation options: Uber (surprisingly available) or bus service
• Multiple backup plans if repair takes longer
• Flexibility to modify entire tour routing if needed

Technical Details

• Equipment failure: Shimano crank arm with pin retention system
• Daily mileage: Approximately 30 miles completed
• Terrain: Two moderate climbs for Oregon Coast standards
• Upcoming challenge: Arch Cape Tunnel (uphill tunnel on Highway 101)

Local Insights

• Cannon Beach: Block-by-block character variation
• Seaside: Extremely crowded July 5th weekend
• Tourism impact: Half of Portland/Seattle metro areas visiting simultaneously
• Bike infrastructure: Limited bike parking in tourist areas

Lessons Learned

1. Try DIY first – But know when to seek professional help
2. Rental shops can be repair shops – Ian’s dual business model
3. Community support – Locals willing to help stranded cyclists
4. Flexibility is key – Every PedalShift tour goes sideways at some point

Tour Philosophy Discussion

• Expectation that something will go wrong on every tour
• Value of riding companions with compatible problem-solving approaches
• Benefits of building in extra days and flexible routing
• Options to modify tour scope based on circumstances

Looking Ahead

• Immediate goal: Get James’s bike repaired in Seaside
• Backup plans: Shortened tour, bus connections, or complete rerouting
• Distance flexibility: 20-30 mile days vs. 55-mile days depending on circumstances
• Route options: Continue south vs. return north via Portland

Notable Quotes

• “All bike tours in the PedalShift universe go sideways at some point”
• “There are worse places in the world to be stranded”
• “It depends on the block you’re on” (describing Seaside)
• “We expect something to go sideways at some point, and you just deal with it”

Statistics

Miles biked 30

Percentage of crank arms that did not fail 75

Distance in feet from Ian’s Cannon Beach bike rental -slash- shop 475

Cumulative nights spent in Cannon Beach (so far) 1

Flats zero

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 411: Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Preview.

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

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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

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

•Prioritizing Oregon’s legendary hiker/biker campgrounds.

•Watching for options to split up tougher days if needed.

•No hotels booked mid-ride… but maybe one after.

Health & COVID Precautions

•Recent exposure to COVID before departure.

•Testing negative but traveling with:

•N95 masks

•At-home test kits

•A solid commitment to not being “that guy” on the coast

Gear and Bike Setup

•Bike: The classic Safari (not the e-bike — those batteries don’t fly)

•Derailleur hanger fixed after some Oregon baggage trauma last year

•Bags and Packing:

•Rear panniers only (probably no front rack)

•Dry bag strapped to handlebars

•Possibly a rack-top bag or extra dry bag for groceries

•Tent & Sleep Kit: Same trusty gear as usual

•Clothing:

•Two sun hoodies, maybe a few tees

•Minimal civilian clothes

•One pair of riding pants, maybe a second pair

•Hat, gloves (maybe), sleep clothes

•Kitchen:

•Might skip the stove — James likely bringing one

•Planning to mooch hot water as needed

•Hydration & Nutrition:

•Bringing water cube + personal bottle

•Salt/electrolyte tablets recommended by a listener

•Stroopwafels as ride fuel (solid choice)

 Weather Forecast

•Classic Oregon coast summer: mid-60s highs, mid-50s lows, mostly dry

•Tailwinds expected

•Perfect conditions for coastal touring

The State of Touring

•Fewer cyclists seen in recent years — why?

•Aging of the boomer “bikecentennial” generation

•More folks opting for trail or gravel rides

•General safety concerns on roadways

•ACA is selling its HQ in Missoula and going fully remote — a sign of shifting tides?

•This ride may be another data point in the evolution of bike touring

What to Expect

•Conversations and stories with James

•Challenges, route decisions, campground reviews, and food stops

•A mix of reflective commentary and classic on-the-road storytelling

Coming Up…

•Next episode kicks off the Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 tour proper

•Get ready for on-the-ground updates, audio postcards, and the real-time unfolding of the adventure

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 410: Lake Ontario 2025 Takeaways.

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

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 issue that couldn’t be initially diagnosed. If you’re planning to tour with an e-bike, invest time in learning the electrical components and common failure points. Carry backup magnets, electrical tape, and basic electrical tools.

3. Weight Distribution Matters More on E-bikes The combination of heavy batteries, chargers, and touring gear created concerns about spoke and wheel integrity on a bike not designed for that load. Consider front panniers or other weight distribution solutions when carrying substantial battery backup systems for longer tours.

4. International Border Crossings Require Flexibility International bike touring adds layers of complexity that can derail plans. Without vehicle backup, a cyclist would have been stranded when the expected ferry crossing wasn’t running. Research multiple crossing points and have contingency transportation options for international routes.

5. E-bikes Excel at “Twice the Speed, Half the Effort” Consistently maintaining 20+ mph with moderate effort effectively doubles your range compared to acoustic cycling. This opens up longer day rides and different touring philosophies – you can cover more ground in less time or take more time to explore without distance pressure.

6. Shoulder Season Has Trade-offs Riding in late May meant fewer crowds and cooler temperatures, but also meant many seasonal services weren’t yet operational. Consider what matters more for your trip: solitude and cooler weather, or full service availability and guaranteed open businesses.

7. Battery Management is Both Psychological and Practical Having two batteries completely eliminated range anxiety and changed the entire riding approach. The faster-charging newer battery became primary, with the backup providing peace of mind. Invest in quality charging equipment and understand your system’s charging capabilities and timing.

8. Vehicle-Supported Adventures Have Merit While purists might prefer self-supported touring, hybrid approaches can still deliver meaningful bike experiences while providing important safety nets. Sometimes adapting your adventure style is better than canceling entirely when plans go sideways.

9. Memorial or Meaningful Rides Can Evolve Despite not completing the original circumnavigation plan, the spiritual goal of honoring family through cycling around meaningful places was still achieved. The intention and connection to place often matters more than perfect execution of your original route.

10. Equipment Confidence Takes Time and Experience The relationship with the e-bike evolved from skeptical to confident over the course of the trip. Don’t expect immediate comfort with new bike setups – allow for a learning curve and consider adventures like this as extended shakedown rides for future longer tours.

Bonus Insight: Toronto Island proved to be an unexpected highlight, demonstrating that some of the best bike touring moments come from unplanned discoveries when you maintain flexibility to explore interesting detours.