Author: timmooney

October 1, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 220: Stealth Camp Scouting on the Delmarva Peninsula

A few weeks ago I set out to do some on-the-bike stealth camp scouting for a future tour of the Delmarva Peninsula. Is the eastern shore a good bet for some sneaky no-impact camping?

Pedalshift Project 220 Stealth Camp Scouting on the Delmarva Peninsula

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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

Image credit: rebelwithoutacar.com

Upcoming Bikey Events

Follow the Underground Railroad Ride… I’m in touch with the folks behind it and trying to get them on the show, but they are just about ready to roll so we might be checking in down the line. Do follow them on instagram for this ride of activism, adventure, protest, resistance and hope… We load a lot of things into that hope bucket for Black Americans these days, but one of those things for me is to see more representation in adventure cycling so I want to make sure you all are aware of this.

Support the ride and check out the teaser video.

Scouting The Delmarva Peninsula

plenty of opportunities, not all of them great
further north may have more limited opportunity as a lot of the wooded areas are cleared for ag use
May be a good option for a mixed paid/stealth tour
Spring or fall would be best… lots of traffic and humidity in summer

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.

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
Stuart Buchan
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields is back in the studio AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen!

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September 24, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 219: Rebel Without a Car

A chat with Mary McGowan is the Rebel Without a Car. She’s a Delaware native now in South Carolina who went from a car-free bike commuter to bike tourist and has discovered a ton of adventure along the way.

The Pedalshift Project 219: Rebel Without a Car

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Image credit: rebelwithoutacar.com

Upcoming Bikey Events

Support the ride and check out the teaser video.

The Interview

Mary McGowan is the Rebel Without a Car. She’s a Delaware native now in South Carolina who went from bike commuter to bike tourist and has discovered a ton of adventure along the way.

Quick sidebar… our audio gets a little garbled here and there but it’s a really fun conversation so stick with it and you’ll be rewarded like one of those long climbs that pay off with a view at the end. Check Mary out on Insta too.

You’re the Rebel Without a Car, which speaks to so many of us (even those of us who sheepishly have access to a vehicle). Do you feel like the Rebel Alliance is making some inroads on the Empire car culture?

What got you started in bike touring?

You’ve done some pretty great tours I’m jealous of. What was your favorite part about touring in Canada and is poutine in the top 5?

Your ACA North Lakes tour looked really interesting – my family on my mom’s side is from Michigan but despite that I never got to the Upper Peninsula yet. What’s it like cycling amongst the Yoopers?

Your most recent ride was up in Vermont, featuring our 2020 sidekick COVID. How did COVID impact your ride?

Music

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September 16, 2020

Best of Pedalshift 109: The Path Less Pedaled

Russ Roca joins the Pedalshift Project to talk about his work on The Path Less Pedaled and using photography, video and storytellng to advocate the joys of bicycle travel. Originally podcast March 1, 2018. Also be sure to check out our livestream over on Path Less Pedaled’s YouTube channel live at 8pm 9/16/20 or catch the replay anytime.

Best of Pedalshift 109: The Path Less Pedaled

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September 10, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 218: Filmed by Bike

With our… shall we say… unusual touring season this year, a lot of folks haven’t been able to have as much bike goodness in their life. And ordinarily, a cool bike film festival isn’t plopping down in your living room. But 2020’s edition of Filmed by Bike is! Ayleen Crotty joins us on this edition to chat all things bike fun, plus previews the bike adventure film in this year’s offerings.

The Pedalshift Project 218: Filmed by Bike

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 218: Filmed by Bike (mp3).

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Image credit: 2020 entry, “I Just Want To Ride – Lael Wilcox and the Tour Divide” Rugile Kaladyte + PEARL iZUMi – Louisville, Colorado

Upcoming Bikey Events

FOTS Analisa van den Burgh is the organizer behind the Cycling With Summit September 18-20. It’s a great lineup of speakers including Pedalshift friend Jasmine Reece. Go check it out at milesofportraits.com/cycling-with

The Interview

The 18th Annual Filmed by Bike is happening virtually this year September 10-13. I’ve wanted to check this out for years but could never coordinate my Portland travels or check out any of the roads shows. But this year, I’m in. Check it out at filmedbybike.org.

On this episode of the pod, I’m excited to chat with Filmed by Bike’s founder Ayleen Crotty. If you’re a bike Portlander, you’ve consumed some of the stuff she’s been in on the ground floor of. Midnight Mystery Ride, Pedalpalooza, Shift to Bikes, the KBOO Bike Radio Show? Yeah Ayleen’s legit.

We chat all about the film festival, including the bike adventurey entry this year plus more about the bike industry, diversity and more.

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 218: Filmed by Bike appeared first on Pedalshift.

September 3, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 217: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 4

Day 4 of the 4×44 GAP Loop came too quickly, but featured the ultimate payback for a day and a half of climbing… the giant downhill to the finish line.

The Pedalshift Project 217: GAP 4x44 Loop - Day 4

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 217: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 4 (mp3).

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Upcoming Bikey Events

The GAP 4×44 Loop

It seems hard to believe I hadn’t bike toured on anything except the C&O in six months. SIX months! I love me some C&O, but if you’re like me variety helps keep me sane. So in August 2020, still in the midst of a global pandemic that was sticking around the US longer than any of us wanted, I figured out a safe and responsible way to roll on a different trail…. the Great Allegheny Passage. And due to some lucky happenstance, I could do a loop where each day was a convenient and Syracuse University numerology-friendly 44 milles (#GoOrange).

Check out Day 1.
Check out Day 2.

Check out Day 3.

Day 4 of the 4×44 GAP Loop came too quickly, but featured the ultimate payback for a day and a half of climbing… the giant downhill to the finish line.

Photos

Check out Pedalshift on Instagram!

Statistics

Miles biked 44 (GO ORANGE!)
Bagels eaten like, 6
Food resupplies 0
Rattlesnakes 0
Big ass hills 1
Flats 0

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 217: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 4 appeared first on Pedalshift.

August 27, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 216: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 3

Day 3 was sneakily the toughest of the 4×44 GAP Loop. Sure the hill wasn’t as steep as day 1, but this one was the full 44 miles long. Would the heat get the best of me?

The Pedalshift Project 216: GAP 4x44 Loop - Day 3

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 216: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 3 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Upcoming Bikey Events

The GAP 4×44 Loop

Check out Day 1.

Check out Day 2.

Day 3 was sneakily the toughest of the 4×44 GAP Loop. Sure the hill wasn’t as steep as day 1, but this one was the full 44 miles long. Would the heat get the best of me?

Photos

Check out Pedalshift on Instagram!

Statistics

Miles biked 44 (GO ORANGE!)

Food resupplies 1

Minutes spent with two feet in the Cassellman River 20

Rattlesnakes 0

Less crowded Ohiopyles 1

Arguably semi-chilly beverages at camp earned 2

Flats 0

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 216: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 3 appeared first on Pedalshift.

August 20, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 215: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 2

Day 2 was, at least on paper, the most chill of the 4 segments—all downhill and the coolest of the remaining days. But with an unexpected state of affairs in Ohiopyle, will my chill day become the most stressful of the tour?

The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4x44 Loop - Day 2

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 215: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 2 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

The GAP 4×44 Loop

Check out Day 1.

Photos

Check out Pedalshift on Instagram!

Statistics

Miles biked 44 (GO ORANGE!)

Food resupplies 1

Ounces of ice cream eaten 16

Rattlesnakes 0

Overcrowded conditions 1

Inactive water fountains 0

Big tunnels 1

Chilly beverages at camp earned 3

Flats 0

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 215: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 2 appeared first on Pedalshift.

August 13, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 1

The GAP 4×44 Loop tour begins with some question marks about heat and hydration, and oh yeah… a 24 mile climb to the eastern continental divide. With no climbing in my bicycling since 2019, could I haul me and a fully loaded bike up that hill?

The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4x44 Loop - Day 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 1 (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.

The GAP 4×44 Loop

The tour began with some question marks about heat and hydration, and oh yeah… a 24 mile climb to the eastern continental divide. With no climbing in my bicycling since 2019, could I haul me and a fully loaded bike up that hill?

Photos

Check out Pedalshift on Instagram!

Statistics

Miles biked 44 (GO ORANGE!)

Food resupplies 1

Rattlesnakes 1

Rattlesnake bites 0

Inactive water fountains 1

Big tunnels 3

Chilly beverages at camp earned 2

Flats 0

Music

The post The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

August 6, 2020

Best of Pedalshift 088: Hot Weather Bike Touring

A look back on a weekend overnight in triple digit heat, plus my top hot weather bike touring tips. Originally podcast July 27, 2017.

Best of Pedalshift 088: Hot Weather Bike Touring

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July 30, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 213: GAP 4×44 Loop Preview

As I round the corner to my next tour of the Great Allegheny Passage, what are my biggest challenges? You know, other than the pandemic thing. The GAP 4×44 Loop tour preview has all the answers…

The Pedalshift Project 213: GAP 4x44 Loop Preview

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 212: Bike Touring in COVID Times (mp3).

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News and housekeeping

Housekeeping

Morning rides on the C&O and WMRT – not seeing a lot of signs of touring in Hancock and I mention this as a followup from last week’s show… I’d expect to see someone in the Hancock area but I’m only surveying one C&O campground on the west side of town and the C&O Bike Shop bunk house. If you’re on the C&O this summer, I’d be curious to get your take on the touring “traffic”

Thanks for the feedback on touring during COVID… seems to be some consensus on cancelling bigger tours and keeping things local. That’s where I’m largely at, although this tour will bring me well outside of my home stomping grounds, but the start and finish is arguably the edge of my home touring neighborhood. Speaking of…

The GAP 4×44 Loop

Considered going lighter and hammock only, but decided to roll full loaded in case tent is a more comfortable solution (which it may be)
Considering a new camping hammock, but bringing my cheap one
Biggest challenge – water. Unlike the C&O, the GAP has very little water on-trail, and I’m going to assume those sources may be shut due to COVID.
Plan on bringing my water tank (4L) plus several .5L bottles to be safe
Heat index has been very high lately, so I’m assuming it may be the same.
Food. Toying with no stove for this trip and cold soaking or eating whole foods (good!) or stuff from cans (bad, but tasty!)
Cold bag – I might attempt some chilled delicacies and use a modified cold bag with frozen water bottle and cold brew for day 1 and buy ice at resupply after day 2 if I’m wanting to keep things cold for day 3 and the final night of camping. It’s easy to say yes to this for the first day and night since I would consume the melt on day 2. Tested it on the Brompton overnighter, so it works ok.
Limiting the clothing. Look, I talk a big game, but I tend to wear the same stuff. My partner may not be excited by this when she picks me up on day 4. I will bring at least 3 masks, 2 of which will be gaiter style. I’ve got one I really like that has elastic on both ends and that makes it ideal for holding above the nose. I have a new ear hook one I may use as my camp-only one.
New ride: the bike rides like a champ now that it’s been reconstructed. New fork is black, so the bike has a decidedly Frankenstein vibe, but that’s ok by me.
I’m glad I’ve done the whole trail before but I think I’ll miss completing the last 62 miles to PGH. Given that I’ve done the whole C&O in pieces this season, I might look to do that western third of the GAP in the fall, depending on how things go.
Next week’s show is the August Best Of, featuring Episode 087 on hot weather touring. You know, in case we get any hot weather ¯_(ツ)_/¯
The GAP 4×44 Loop Tour Journal will start August 13th and get us into Labor Day and the September best of, TBD
Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show!

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 213: GAP 4×44 Loop Preview appeared first on Pedalshift.