The Pedalshift Project 302: Empire State Trail – Day 4

Day 4 suggested to be a true test of wills on the Empire State Trail. Not only was this a longer-than-usual mileage day through central New York, but heavy rains made for a race to Syracuse and beyond. Would I need to rely on a fast forward, or could I bang out the miles to my hotel oasis on the other side?

The Pedalshift Project 302: Empire State Trail - Day 4

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Empire State Trail – Day 4

Statistics

Miles biked 72.8

Skunks 1

Skunk sprayings 0

“My Dude”s yelled at oblivious operator of a motor vehicle 2

Slices of pizza eaten at the Varsity (go Orange) 2

Number of gas station napkins needed to dry my screen enough to use 4

Crossings of Erie Boulevard in the driving rain 1

Number of times I had to rely on 29 year old memories of Syracuse geography because my phone was too wet to use 3

Labatt Blue’s carried 1

Labatt Blue’s consumed in a La Quinta Inn while watch the Bills win 1

Flats 0

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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
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Gary Matushak
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James Sloan
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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
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

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

November 3, 2022

Best of Pedalshift 191: The First Pedalshift Bike Touring Draft

A throwback to pre-COVID times with one of the pods from the month of MJ – the very first Pedalshift Bicycle Tour Draft! I explain the rules at the top, and we kind of make it up as we go along, but the essence is each of us chooses pieces of gear or other elements of a bike tour that the other person now cannot choose, and then you get to choose who wins.
Originally podcast January 16, 2020.

October 27, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 301: Empire State Trail – Day 3

After a rejuvenating zero day with family, it was back to the Empire State Trail for Day 3, which represented the transition between western and central New York. A short day to start, but the short day gets made longer by an unexpected and unwelcome barrier…

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 301: Empire State Trail – Day 3 (mp3).

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Empire State Trail – Day 3

Statistics

Miles biked 49.2

Wegmans visited 1

Bridges blocked 1

Detour miles added 6.2

Melty ice creams consumed 1

Beers had… bit of an upset… zero!

Flats 0

Music

October 20, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 300: Empire State Trail – Day 2

On a special anniversary episode of the pod, we continue our ride east on the Empire State Trail with a shorter day 2 from Brockport to Webster. But will a surprising tire problem scuttle my plans when we’ve barely started?

The Pedalshift Project 300: Empire State Trail - Day 2

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Happy 300th episode to the pod! We won’t dwell on it too much but check out the shownotes if you can’t decipher the thumbnail’s homage to another 300th from days past…

Also, happy 600th to The Sprocket! A happy coincidence we celebrate milestone episodes in the same week!

Empire State Trail – Day 2

Statistics

Miles biked 30.7

Tires replaced 1 (Specialized Hemisphere… big fan!)

Bagels eaten 2

Towns with port in the name 2

Steep hills climbed 1

Flats 0

Note, I cut off the end of the map for privacy reasons… but check out that crazy dip and climb going around Irondequoit Bay!

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Music

October 13, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 299: Empire State Trail – Day 1 – Part 2

After the first part of the day gets me from the Buffalo airport to the Empire State Trail, it’s a day of riding through old canal port towns before ending my day in Brockport. It’s a trip across the great state of New York, and day 1 continues here…

The Pedalshift Project 299: Empire State Trail - Day 1 - Part 2

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Empire State Trail Day 1 – Part 2

Statistics

Empire State Trails begun – 1
Number of towns cycled through with “port” in the name – 5
Bagels eaten – 2
Height of decent from Lockport to the trail below – 70 feet
Flats – 0

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Music

October 6, 2022

Best of Pedalshift 185: Emergency Fixes on Bike Tour

The episode I hope nobody needs to use… emergency fixes if you run into serious mechanicals or sudden cold snaps on your next bike tour.
Originally podcast November 21, 2019.

September 29, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 298: Empire State Trail – Day 1 – Part 1

We kick off my biggest tour of the year with the travel to Buffalo, the escape from the airport and the winding roads leading to the Empire State Trail. It’s a trip across the great state of New York, and it all starts here…

Pedalshift 298: Empire State Trail - Day 1 - Part 1

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Empire State Trail Day 1 – Part 1

Full Statistics for Day 1 coming in Part 2

Airports cycled out of – 1

Runways cycled under – 1

Flats – 0

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Music

September 22, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 297: Empire State Trail Preview

Previewing the epic 9-day, 520-plus mile bicycle touring journey from Buffalo to New York City, including all the pre-ride statistics, how this tour tracks my early years, details on how I’m traveling from the beginning and end of the tour , gear I’m bringing, my camping options and much, much more.

Pedalshift 297: Empire State Trail Preview

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Empire State Trail Preview

Pre-Statistics

527.4 miles

9 days riding

1 zero day

1 low mileage day

Average 58.6 mi/day

Roofed lodging – 3 nights (4 with the zero)

Paid camping – 1

Free camping – 2

Wild camping – 2

Tracks my first 25 years of life (ish)

Buffalo – what could have been (plus sports)

Rochester – Hometown

Syracuse – Go Orange!

Albany – Where Friends Went

Hudson Valley – Law School

NYC – Internship/End of my days in NY (for now)

To and From

Originally was going to fly in and train back

Flying has been such a horror show I reconsidered

One way car rental and gas is more expensive but more predictable

Downside is a mediocre sleep going into day 1 (not sure where that sleep will be just yet)

Drop off is Buffalo Niagara Airport

Ride will not commence at the end of the trail, but I’ll join the canal due north, east of Lockport so I get some new to me canal towpath riding pretty much all the way to the western outksirts of Rochester on Day 2.

Gear

The Safari rides again!

Fully loaded

Stealth tent and hammock (just in case)

Original stock rack is back on

Will keep riding clothing to two sets

One set “camp clothes”

Weather

Low 70s as highs, Upper 50s as lows

Tracking rain, but can handle it if it comes

Foot

Riding shoes

Camp sandles

Inserts in both

Ibuprofin and Electrolytes

A lot of stretching

Icing and elevating foot each night

Roofed lodging?

Yes, family visit plus other reasons that shall be revealed (#priorities)

Also, balances the ride out a bit

Wild camping?

Trail has limited established camping south of Albany

So we need to make some!

Did some Google Maps scouting

Presumed Highlights

Riding new Erie Canal towpath portions

Riding from where my parents live now to my old hometown

Integrating a Syracuse University portion to the ride

If I’m up for it, a casino night in CNY

Revisiting my favorite campsite on the canal (Fort Plain Lock 15)

New to me riding along the Mohawk River around Albany

New to me route all the way south to NYC

Music

September 15, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 296: Thanks a Million [LIVE]

As we close out the summer, we gathered live for a live show celebrating the millionth download of The Pedalshift Project sharing what has the show meant to listeners! We’ll also chat all things bicycle touring, so bring your questions for a big ol’ Ask Me Anything. PLUS I’ll reveal my summer to fall 2022 tour! Recorded live 9/11/2022.

The Pedalshift Project 296: Thanks a Million [LIVE]

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Thanks a Million

Your podcast has provided me with the inspiration to not only get out on my bike but to bring the “ride your ride” mentality along with me. Digital creators like yourself and Russ Roca from Path Less Pedal are a welcome breath of fresh air in the world of lycra and FKTs.

Greg L’Etoile-Lopes

Five stars for your creative content during the 2 years of pandemic which I think will stand alone as something really special. Being an armchair traveller by bike along your American trails has been something special and definitely helped to keep me afloat during these unique times, so a huge thank you.

Jacqui M.

I first heard of the show by word of mouth from someone at the Half Moon State Beach, here in California, a few years ago. The podcast gives me something to look forward to every Thursday: I especially like play-by-play or the tour journals. Here’s to another 1M downloads!

Cyrus Farrivar

I’m not sure when I first discovered your podcast but I have listened religiously since then. I even went back and listened to the previous shows until I was relegated to only once a week content.

I have toured over 30,000 miles so far and I am currently on a break in Cambodia until spring of next year. I spend a lot of time cycling through the temples and the countryside to keep in cycling shape.I look forward to listening more over the next tens of thousand of miles I get to ride in the future.

Scott Sharick

I am a long time listener from Australia. Your podcast has provided me with hours of entertainment over the years and I congratulate you on reaching 1 million downloads.

Your podcast has opened my eyes to touring possibilities in the US, in particular the Pacific Coast and C and O.

Martin Gibson

Congratulations on the 1 million milestone! During a 2018 tour I went back and listened to the podcast from start to the (then) end. I also found the sprocket episode where you sang the sound bite that infamously became their calendar sounder, I will be kind and never reveal it.

Byron Paterson

I do not know how I discovered Pedalshift, but I am very glad that I did. It makes me look forward to Thursdays. I just enjoy traveling with you… and also planning with you and dealing with the various issues that we have to deal with – both on the road and back at home.

Terry Fitzgerald

I also got a kick out of seeing your sticker on the 44 marker in Rockwood, PA during my ride.

Chris in Central VA

Tour Reveal

A little repeat, a lot of new: The Empire State Trail: Buffalo to NYC
530 miles
Fully loaded tour
Mix of paid, free and stealth camping plus a roof or two
Full preview episode on Pedalshift 297 on 9/22
Tour Journals begin with episode 298 on 9/29 and will run (assuming all goes to plan) all the way to the Holiday Spectacular at the end of the year
So excited to tackle this tour and share with everyone. It’s the biggest one in over 3 years, so it’s a long time coming.

Plus… the AMA

Music

September 8, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 295: Making Your Tent Stealthier

Stealth camping is a great skill to develop and a fantastic option to have for emergencies or maybe even your main overnight plan on a bike tour. But what if your tent is so bright it can be seen from miles away? On this episode, we talk about what worked for my last tent and what I’m trying on my newer one.

The Pedalshift Project 295: Making Your Tent Stealthier

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Housekeeping

Haven’t been on the bike because I’m playing caregiver at home, but a fun tour on the horizon
Will announce that tour in a few weeks on the next Pedalshift LIVE

Sunday Sept 11 at 8pm ET
Celebrating 1 million downloads of the show – what has the show meant to you?
Special guests!
Summer to Fall tour preview
pedalshift.net/live

Before diving in, wanted to send condolences to Steve Wallis who many of you know from his great stealth camping YouTube channel Camping with Steve. A week or so ago he posted a video saying his wife suddenly and shockingly died in her sleep. I’ve learned a ton from Steve’s channel and this really hit pretty hard. Hope he’s finding peace and healing in these very hard times.

Making a Tent Stealthier

The old tent – ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2

Spray panting the tarp
Tarp was orange so it needed full coverage
Used a matte forest green
Took 3 full cans to cover (more than I expected)
Then covered with a waterproofing spray (think KIWI brand)
Tarp worked like a charm – water beaded off just like before
Was stiffer and heavier than before
Tarp has finally failed at the zippers so it needs to be replaced
Color has also worn off over time, although it still is predominantly well covered

The newer tent -ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 (again)

New tent is blue and very light gray, tarp is mostly the light gray
Better than orange, but still needs stealthification
Redditor recommended Rit dying
I was a bit skeptical but decided to go for it
Got 2 dark forest greens and 1 chocolate brown that was designed for nylon
A lot of boiling water (9 gallons!) and a big bin
Let it get in there overnight and…
It sort of worked. It’s super brown on one side, but perhaps predictably the back of the tarp, not the water repellant side
So, dye job is not recommended

Before, during and after shots:

What am I going to do?

I have one tarp that is forest green but not terribly suitable for heavy rain
I have another tarp that is very light gray and perfect for rain
The reverse side is dark brown and not suitable for anything but dry weather
I’m bringing *both* tarps for my next tour
I can see where a brown tarp and a green tarp could help depending on where I’m tucked in
I need to know I have a good rain option
I don’t always need to be stealth
The lineup
No need for stealth? Use the new tarp in the normal position regardless of weather
Stealth and dry? Use green tarp for tent and brown side out tarp for the bike (or maybe vice versa)
Stealth and rain? Use the green tarp over the proper-side-out gray tarp. This is the least likely scenario in a way… if it’s really storming would people be out?

Takeaways

Folks, best bet is to get a tent with a slealthy tarp. They are weirdly hard to come by
Dye? Not recommended
Spray paint? Effective, but with its flaws.

Empire State Trail – Day 4

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Empire State Trail – Day 3

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Empire State Trail – Day 2

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Empire State Trail Day 1 – Part 2

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Empire State Trail Day 1 – Part 1

Full Statistics for Day 1 coming in Part 2

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Empire State Trail Preview

Pre-Statistics

Tracks my first 25 years of life (ish)

To and From

Gear

Weather

Foot

Roofed lodging?

Wild camping?

Presumed Highlights

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC to Pittsburgh / C&O & GAP

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3: New York State/Erie Canal

Thanks a Million

Tour Reveal

Plus… the AMA

Music