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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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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James Sloan
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John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
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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!

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

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 298: Empire State Trail – Day 1 – Part 1 (mp3).

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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]

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 296: Thanks a Million [LIVE] (mp3).

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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

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 295: Making Your Tent Stealthier (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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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.

Music

September 1, 2022

Best of Pedalshift 172: Bicycling Italy

What’s it like bicycling in Italy? Are bikes even allowed in Venice? (spoiler: um, no). On this episode, Pedalshift “Goes Italian” with some thoughts on bicycling in Italy, even if it’s just in a bunch of circles on top of a really old Italian walled city.

Originally podcast July 25, 2019.

August 25, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 294: Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour

We talk a lot about pack lists for a traditional camping tour, with our panniers stuffed to the brim with tents, sleeping bags and stoves. But what about the non-campers and the minimalists who don’t need to haul their shelter with them? On this episode we talk about must-carries for the inn-to-inn and credit card tourists!

The Pedalshift Project 294: Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 294: Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour (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.

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?
AMA
Summer to Fall tour preview
pedalshift.net/live

Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour

Tool kit/multitool

Spare tube and/or patch kit

First aid kit

Snacks

Water – bottles? bladder system?

Phone/GPS/Camera

Small battery bank

Clothes – amount depends on tour and what you have

2 days of riding clothes (or maybe only one?) – sink wash every night

1 set of “camp clothes”

What to contain it in?

MJ and I ran into that viola player years ago and he had a tiny handlebar roll

One pannier?

Bikepacking frame and saddle bags?

Waterproof > Not

Music

August 18, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 293: A Summer Off the Bike

This summer has been unusual compared to past summers… I haven’t been on an actual honest to goodness bike tour yet! So what have I been doing? Would it surprise you to know all of it ends up having a fair amount to do with bike touring?

The Pedalshift Project 293: A Summer Off the Bike

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 293: A Summer Off the 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.

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?
AMA
Summer to Fall tour preview
pedalshift.net/live

A Summer Off the Bike

Helping with my partner post-surgery

Interesting insight into how our bodies wear out
Hips and knees man, hips and knees. And shoulders!
Recovery time and PT
The resilience of the human body

Prep for the next tour

Mostly new, some I’ve done before
A lot of question marks toward the end of the trip – may be stealth camping a lot, may be in hotels?

Dealing with my foot issue

Trying to get to a doctor before I go
Treatment on plantar fascitius is all over the place
RICE
Ibuprofin
Night splint
It is improving, but how will that be after 60 mpd?

Getting to fighting weight

Didn’t follow my usual plan so I’m heavier than I’d like
Have a decent shot at getting down to a reasonable weight before the tour
That’s also helping with the mental game and the foot for some reason? More confident.

Music

August 11, 2022

The Pedalshift Project 292: Touring Bike Essentials

I ride three different bikes for touring, and each one has plusses and minuses depending on what kind of ride I’m looking for. But if you’re new to bike touring or looking for another bike, what should you be thinking about? On this episode, the things I look for in a touring bike!

The Pedalshift Project 292: Touring Bike Essentials

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 292: Touring Bike Essentials (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.

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?
AMA
Summer to Fall tour preview
pedalshift.net/live

Touring Bike Essentials

Prime directive

There is no such thing as a touring bike (in a way). Sure there are things that make some bikes better at it, but you do not need all or even some of these things. This is less true for bikepacking where you do need to have some things to be able to handle non-pavement riding.

Longer wheel base

The longer the distance between the hubs of your two tires, the better your bike will be at handling loads.

More important for “fully loaded” touring

Less important for bikepacking

Frame

I’m a steel is real kind of guy.

It’s strong

It has some flex to handle road vibration and the occasional jarring bumps

Does that mean aluminum and carbon are out? Not necessarily, but most of the time we roll with steel.

Wheels

The more spokes, the better particularly in the back

I have had unusually great luck with stock tires

Most don’t

If you have a great wheel builder at your LBS, it might be worth the bucks to get a 36 spoke wheel set if you ride heavy

32 spokes is often enough

Wheel Size

I’m agnostic on this. I have 700c, 26″ and Brompton clown bike sized tires

Some say 26″ is better for global expedition touring because the tires are easier to find

There are more exotic sizes particularly for gravel bikes… check out Path Less Pedaled for more on those

Tires

I’m all in on Schwalbe Marathon Plus guy for puncture resistance

Be sure to examine said tires before every tour, because when they wear they are not bulletproof anymore!

I’m a tube guy, but I’m not opposed to tubeless… study up on those if you’re interested.

Gearing

Check out episodes 015 and 049

gear inch calculators are your friend

More climby, less speed… truuuust me.

I like:

44/32/22 crank set

11-34 cassette

BUT tech changes all the time and I would probably not get a triple next time

Brakes

Agnostic… most bikes do disc over rims.

I’ve never had issues with rims but likely will get discs on the next bike

Pedals

I’m a flats guy but clip-ins and strap folks, you do you

Handlebars

I strongly prefer multiple hand positions or very ergonomic grips

Upright vs. drops

Saddle

I’m a stock saddle guy, but many people need something special

Talk to your LBS and if they are enlightened like Gladys Bikes in PDX, check out the saddle library!

Fittings here are a decent idea

Accoutrements

Lots of brazons to attach things

Fenders I think are really really helpful if not musts

Racks or bags? If I were starting now I might be doing a bikepacking setup… but don’t dismiss traditional pannier and rack touring.

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

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

Housekeeping

Making a Tent Stealthier

The old tent – ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2

The newer tent -ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 (again)

What am I going to do?

Takeaways

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

Housekeeping

Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour

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