Author: timmooney

July 22, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 250: The Green Goblin Retirement Tour

For the sestercentennial edition of the pod, it’s the summer 2021 tour reveal: the Green Goblin retires its west coast life with one last time on the Oregon coast. Learn all about it right here!

The Pedalshift Project 250: The Green Goblin Retirement Tour

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 250: The Green Goblin Retirement Tour (mp3).

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Summer Tour 2021 Revealed: The Green Goblin Oregon Coast Retirement Tour

After 3 weeks back on the east coast, I’m ready to go back to Oregon to do the Oregon Coast with my trusty vintage touring bike… the Green Goblin.

And it’s probably the last time it’s doing the Oregon coast after several rides through the years, living in Portland. It’s time to come to the east coast, wear black socks with shorts, play shuffleboard in the humidity and get mounted in a place of honor at the cabin. No, really, seroiusly thinking about doing that. Like on a wall or something.

The trip

Basic Oregon coast ride, with a border run. This is the classic ride that I’ve CRAVED all through COVID. Tillamook to the border and then…

The curveball

A new way to conclude the trip! Following the border run in Brookings, I discovered there is a (kludgy) 3-part bus ride from Brookings to Medford. From there I’ll fly home.

Fly?

Yes, fly! Alaska Airlines has an excellent bike flying policy

One of the reasons for the Goblin’s retirement is there’s less of a reason to keep a bike in Portland, particularly one that seems to need extra maintenance between trips

ALSO! I finally bit the bullet on FOTS Maggie Lonergan’s suggestion of the super cool Ground Effect Dogsbody bike bag, out of New Zealand (shouts to my Kiwi listeners!)

Allows me to carry a bike bag, scrounge for some rando cardboard in Medford and roll right to the airport. And maybe roll home too (although that will be a little late)

Being able to ride to and from an airport has always been a bit of a missing link and this bag is making this ride easier than scrounging/begging for a bike box in Medford with a few hours to spare.

Details!

Fully loaded ride

Bringing both panniers and two dry bags in my trusty duffel

Duffel and bike bag placement is TBD, depending on the rest of my gear. May be in one pannier each.

Going very limited on clothing this trip…. relying heavily on wool and puffy vest. Probably going with just the rain jacket and crossing my fingers on rain pants. TBD depending on weather forecasts.

Hey I have a new ALPS Zephyr 2 tent! First trip for it… kind of excited for it/

New “warm weather” down bag rated to 41 degrees, which is rectangular, not mummy… should be excellent.

All Oregon state park campsites. May consider wild camping one night (TBD) to avoid one particular site, but honestly being the worst of a great series of campsites doesn’t mean it’s a must skip. Also… shower.

Anything new?

A few things, but not a lot. I’m more interested to see if the route is getting any use… seemed very light traffic by bikes in CA last month.

Found a few new breweries to hit

Mostly this is a nostalgia run… probably the last tour, very likely the last west coast tour, for the Goblin.

Podcast?

Society folks, I’m going to be doing an exclusive dispatch for you – details to come. Want to get that bonus episode? Sign up for the Pedalshift Society by July 24th… that is the Saturday after this episode drops, so get on it!

Pod will be covering this tour basically the remainder of the summer after next week’s show and the best of in August.

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.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields has a new album available NOW, AND Jason has a new solo album coming this year, AND his first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen!

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July 15, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 249: Solo Touring Women and How to be an Ally

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.

The Pedalshift Project 249: Solo Touring Women and How to be an Ally

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 249: Solo Touring Women and How to be an Ally (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Sylva Florence and Solo Touring

Check out Sylva at The Sylva Lining and definitely read her post, Me Myself and My Tent for her tips on solo touring for women (but I also think those tips are good for everyone!)

Next episode – 250!

A SUMMER TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT. (I am all caps excited)

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 249: Solo Touring Women and How to be an Ally appeared first on Pedalshift.

July 8, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 248: Microcamper Takeaways and Bicycling Highway 1

Back from my west coast adventure with 6 takeaways on the microcamper, including how I can see using it for bike touring and how bike touring helped me handle some of the things this trip threw at me. PLUS… a bonus unedited ride with me on California Highway 1!

The Pedalshift Project 248: Microcamper Takeaways and Bicycling Highway 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 247: Brompton Touring Hacks Revisited (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Microcamper Takeaways

1 – Comfort

MVP – the fans

2 – Storage

So much storage, if packed right.

3 – Privacy

Window covers worked great. A little too great.

4 – Any car issues?

Turns out, you need coolant in your car

Caught a flat before it happened.

Otherwise… flawless, considering the punishment we put it under.

5 – The Brompton did a little inside/outside game

6 – Changes and I’d make?

A little more backseat flexibility… designing a platform that transforms?

Modular or foldable mattress

Final tally:

8994 miles!

19 states!

Am I keeping the Lacrosse?

<sigh> Yes. For now.

Bicycling California Highway 1

This summer on Pedalshift

A new and very fun interview with Sylva Florence

A SUMMER TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT for episode 250!

And much, much more.

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 248: Microcamper Takeaways and Bicycling Highway 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

July 1, 2021

Best of Pedalshift 093: Fast Forward Your Bike Tour (With Brock Dittus)

Friend of the show Brock Dittus chats about a past adventure, giving us all tips on how to fast forward your bike tour with mass transit!

Originally podcast September 21, 2017.

Best of Pedalshift 093: Fast Forward Your Bike Tour (With Brock Dittus)

The post Best of Pedalshift 093: Fast Forward Your Bike Tour (With Brock Dittus) appeared first on Pedalshift.

June 24, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 247: Brompton Touring Hacks Revisited

The Brompton is an amazing bike and people are constantly coming up with new hacks that will benefit touring. On this episode, I cover five new things I’ve been seeing. PLUS… Mysterious James and me reunite!

The Pedalshift Project 247: Brompton Touring Hacks Revisited

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 247: Brompton Touring Hacks Revisited (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Brompton Touring Revisited: Hacks and More

Omniwheels

https://www.rotacaster.com.au/shop-product/50mm-omni-wheels/brompton-bike-50mm-rotacaster-2-pack-with-6mm-bushing—specify-hardness–95a–harder-wearing–or-60a–quieter–softer

https://youtu.be/zKsk3aCgzbo?t=152

3D Printing: Game Changer

Luggage mount on toptube!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Brompton/comments/nfem8r/i_designed_and_3dprinted_a_framemount_luggage/gypto19/?context=3

Springs that stop your clamps from spinning

https://ezclamp.co.uk

Schlumpf High Speed Drive

Similar to my ATS… tap the button with your heel and you just doubled (ish) your gear range. Been using it a lot on this trip with the variability of flats vs. hiiiiiilllllllls

Warning: some Brompton folks are really weird about the weight of these. Yes, they’re heavier but maybe a couple hundred grams? Seriously, if you’re touring you know that’s nothing but I wanted to acknowledge the “controversy”

Quick release pedals

There are a bunch of these but FOTS and Sprocket co-host Aaron Flores made me pedal-envious when he detached his.

Front rack over luggage block?

https://www.fahrer-berlin.de/en/fahrer-bags/fahrer-carrier/front-rack-for-brompton/a-1092

—

Mysterious James!

This summer on Pedalshift

Brock Dittus returns in next week’s Best Of, and look for a future brand new episode soon!

A new and very fun interview with Sylva Florence

A SUMMER TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT for episode 250!

And much, much more.

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 247: Brompton Touring Hacks Revisited appeared first on Pedalshift.

June 17, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 246: Exploring the Avenue of the Giants by Brompton

Hey, I’m on the road! And I got the great privilege to explore the Avenue of the Giants in Northern California’s redwood country by Brompton. Listen as I take you along for the ride!

The Pedalshift Project 246: Exploring the Avenue of the Giants by Brompton

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 246: Exploring the Avenue of the Giants by Brompton (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Exploring the Avenue of the Giants by Brompton

Music

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June 10, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 245: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike

A chat with Caleb Werntz, a filmmaker who has overcome homelessness by learning to live on a bicycle for eight years of epic tours alongside a calico cat named Marilyn. We talk challenges, COVID and Marilyn’s origin story.

The Pedalshift Project 245: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 245: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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The Interview: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike

Caleb Werntz is a filmmaker who has overcome homelessness by learning to live on a bicycle. He’s joined on his epic tours by a calico cat named Marilyn, who have collectively ridden over 6,000 miles in the last eight years.

They are preparing for another major tour this summer where Marilyn will take the captain’s chair and Caleb will create video and book content to inspire others to pursue their dreams.

The Pedalshift Project 245: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike

What’s your earliest memories being on a bike?

How did you get started with long distance travel by bike?

How did you and Marilyn end up together?

How do you secure her on the bike when you’re rolling?

Last time I ran into a guy traveling with a cat by bike, he let the cat roam pretty freely in camp… same for you?

What’s the reaction like on the road? Anyone negative about it? How do you handle that?

What was the biggest challenge for you traveling during COVID? What are you looking forward to most as we round the corner out of it?

What’s next for you?

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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

The post The Pedalshift Project 245: Caleb and Marilyn Living by Bike appeared first on Pedalshift.

June 3, 2021

Best of Pedalshift 140: Doing Laundry on Bike Tour

You can’t escape the grime when you’re on a long trip, so on this episode of the Best of Pedalshift we cover many of the different ways to do laundry on bike tour.

Originally podcast October 25, 2018.

Best of Pedalshift 140: Doing Laundry on Bike Tour

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May 27, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 244: Preventing Theft on Your Bike Tour

Avoid catastrophe and think about preventing theft before your next bike tour. On this episode some thoughts and tips on keeping your bike and gear safe.

Pedalshift Project 244: preventing Theft on Your Bike Tour

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 244: Preventing Theft on Your Bike Tour (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Preventing Theft on Your Bike Tour

Hat tip to listener Dimitri for the show idea… email me with episode ideas…

Check out my prior episode on locks (Pedalshift 066)

This is also on my mind as I get ready to roll on the microcamper adventure. Look for a full review of how that works out in early July.

Things to think about

Bike theft

– in camp

– at a hotel or other roofed public accommodation

– from your vehicle

Gear theft

– in camp

– at stops when it’s unattended

Bike theft – all about locks

I tend not to tour in spots that have high security needs, so the locks I use in DC don’t tend to come with me. Still, I like to have the peace of mind to lock up outside grocery stores and other spots when I’m leaving my bike outside.

Some people are good with just cable locks on tour… I used to be ok with them, but I think they’re SO easily defeatable with simple tools that I prefer something more secure.

No lock is foolproof… all can be defeated. The trick is to find the right risk management.

New folding lock styles are interesting. I used to like my Inbike folding lock as a touring lock option. Only downside is TSA sees it as a multitool every time so you should pull it out of your carry on separately or risk the (often lengthy) wait. I found it to be a little difficult to use at times and don’t reach for this often anymore.

Back in ep 066 I spoke about testing the cinch Ottolock. I think this is a good upgrade from a cable lock, but no substitue for a good U lock. On tour though, I think it’s a great compromise considering I’m rarely away from my bike long.

Speaking of… know where you’re going to be! San Francisco and Portland are notorious for bike theft so I bring a u-lock and frankly double lock. Or bring the Brompton and bring it inside.

In camp – I do lock habitually, but it’s probably not always necessary.

In roofed lodging – first choice always is to bring it in the room. If the hotel doesn’t let you or it’s impossible, ask for secure storage (inside if possible). And lock the thing tight as a drum.

What about on or in a vehicle? Huge target if you are going to be away from the vehicle and something I’m extra aware of with this trip. Thule makes a leash that has a hockey puck on one end that you can loop around your rack or your bike and close the puck end inside the trunk. Certainly defeatable but not quickly since it has two steel strands in it.

I won’t be leaving my Brompton unattended ever, but for overnights when we’re in the vehicle with the privacy shades up I’m locking it to itself folded, leashing it to the trunk AND covering it with a tarp. If I sleep through that, they deserve the bike. This is not a challenge.

Gear theft

Only thing I ever got stolen was frankly my own fault… I left a battery charging unattended at Sunset Bay SP in Oregon and it walked.

Not saying you can’t do that (it’s usually safe because lots of people charge stuff in bathrooms) but sooner or later someone’s going to walk with your power bank

Beyond that… I’ve grown comfortable with leaving my loaded bike locked but the bags hanging on it at grocery stores, cafes, etc.

Don’t underestimate the degree to which people think they’re being watched

I carry all important things on me always (wallet, phone, usually computer if I have it… which is way less often these days)

Cable lock for bags? Sure. I don’t but it’s not an awful idea.

Again, know your location

Camp? Hotels?

I always bring gear in with me. All of it.

Always needed? No.

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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

The post The Pedalshift Project 244: Preventing Theft on Your Bike Tour appeared first on Pedalshift.

May 20, 2021

The Pedalshift Project 243: Exploring Assateague by Bike

Exploring Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague, VA by Brompton. I spent a few summers as a kid in this area, and even though it’s grown up from a sleepy hidden gem into a more robust tourist destination, that comes with better bike infrastructure too. Can we bike all the way to the beach?

Exploring Assateague by Bike

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 243: Exploring Assateague by Bike (mp3).

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.

Exploring Assateague and Chincoteague, VA by Brompton

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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

The post The Pedalshift Project 243: Exploring Assateague by Bike appeared first on Pedalshift.