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Touring Brompton specs: “The Pedalshift Touring Brompton”

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<disclaimer> Ok, ok it’s not technically a Pedalshift Touring Brompton in the sense it’s, well… it’s not official from Brompton’s perspective. Like, at all. Ok… </disclaimer>

However… I’ve had a lot of people ask me the specs on the Brompton I recommend for touring, so I thought I’d finally share them here.

Pedalshift Touring Brompton specs

Build: M6R

Oh, you don’t speak Bromptonese? Yeah, me neither… in fact, I had to look this up again! M is for the style of handlebars… they lend to a mostly upright riding position, which I know goes against most bike touring dynamics, but on a Brompton, it’s better in my opinion. I did a bunch of research on this and it seems most people who tour on them prefer the M bars.

6 stands for the 6-speed variety. It doesn’t say it here, but get the -12% gearing (hi hills!). We’ll be doing one more thing later too, stay tuned.

R stands for rear rack. You’ll want this for carrying stuff and things.

touring brompton

Color: Orange

Horror of horrors, I learned from Anna at Clever Cycles that Brompton is suspending orange as a color for bikes in 2016! A true Pedalshift Touring Brompton would be all orange. Yours may have to not be, barring a custom after market paint job or Brompton changing it’s mind in 2017.

Phew! Orange has been restored in 2019… as Flame Lacquer. It’s straight up gorgeous. Drool-worthy, even.

Telescopic seat post

You may be the size of a small giraffe like our friend MJ, or you may be regular sized like yours truly. Either way, get the telescopic seat post for easier removal of the saddle while traveling.

telescoping post

Cushioning: Firm

The softer cush is too soft for handling with weight. Go firm.

Tires: Schwalbe Marathon

But, Tim! Rolling resistance! GRAMS!

Stop. Shake yourself. Say “Schwalbe Marathons.” You’re welcome.

Extras you probably want

Front carrier block

This gives you the option for any number of front bags, including ones you build or hack yourself using the Brompton luggage frame.

Brompton in SLO

Saddle bag & cover

I use these rarely, but when I do it’s in airports. Stealth mode is critical to get past some of the people that would stand in your way to overhead carry-on bliss.

stealth mode brompton

The key extra: ATS Speed Drive

This is a Clever Cycles recommended add on, and I have to say it’s pretty brilliant. ATS makes a gizmawahoo[footnote]technical term[/footnote] that effectively doubles your gears by effectively making a hub not unlike a double chainring. It’s an internal hub that is activated with a tap of the heel on the pedal crank. Remember when I said go for the -12% gearing? Well his helps to get you even lower at the bottom gear, getting you gear inches comparable to a standard touring bike. I’m here to say it’s awesome. I know Clever Cycles can do it… maybe your Brompton shop can too?

Maybes

Brompfication EZ wheels

I almost would leave this one off if you’re torn. I find the rubber “tires” come off a little too easily when the bike is rolled on things like, say, Parisian cobblestone. Perhaps my standards are a little high, non?

Saddle: Brooks

I’m on record as a person who can handle stock saddles. If you spend this much on a bike, many would argue putting anything less than the king (or queen) of saddles on it would be a disgrace. I’ll let you be the judge… I happened to get a Brooks for this one.

detach your saddle while flying with your Brompton

So… there you have it! The completely officially non-official Pedalshift Touring Brompton.

Interested in how I carry gear? Here’s the latest version from my 2018 GAP overnight and 2019 Florida tour…

Pedalshift 057 Bike touring the Oregon coast

The Pedalshift Project 057: Bike touring the Oregon coast and saluting our partners for putting up with us

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I may have only been bike touring the Oregon coast last week, but there’s a lot to say about it! On this episode we also cross over with The Sprocket Podcast 315 to celebrate our partners and how they put up with our antics on and off the bike. Plus… a rant in part 2!

Part 1

Part 2

The Pedalshift Project 057: Bike touring the Oregon coast and saluting our partners for putting up with usHey it’s the direct download links: The Pedalshift Project 057: Bike touring the Oregon coast and saluting our partners for putting up with us (Part 1) (mp3)

The Pedalshift Project 057: Bike touring the Oregon coast and saluting our partners for putting up with us (Part 2) (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 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.

Part 1

The Interview

Saluting our partners: From The Sprocket Podcast, Adele + Brock and Anna + Aaron and my better half, Kimberly.

Part 2

The Journal: Bike touring the Oregon Coast

  • Tillamook County Transportation: The Wave
  • Pacific City and Webb County campground – H/B rate is $19 but it’s all about location
  • Maybe breaking up with Pelican?
  • Relentlessly Oregon dinner
  • Day 2 ride to Beverley Beach SP
  • Beautiful stretch – nice climb and descent to Lincoln City
  • Lincoln City is great for pancakes but not for riding
  • Beautiful vistas and beach access
  • Tsunamis and Earthquakes – The Really Big One (The New Yorker, July 2015)
  • Beverley Beach campground redeemed: great amenities!
  • Shoutout to Tim from Cinci
  • Short day to South Beach SP begins with ride to Yaquina Head lighthouse
  • Newport
  • South Beach SP – a gem
  • Rogue Brewer’s On the Bay
  • An early wake up
  • Lincoln County bus to Albany and train to PDX

A nearly perfect trip: simple, fun and easy. Didn’t need to push and make miles… Got to linger and savor the central coast. Feeling like a full coast trip with transit aided FF return is in the cards next time.

Thanks to everyone for joining for Pedalshift AM – it was a fun experiment to do some live shots on tour. May do some more with that in the future… Go check them out on Facebook!

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 7: Oregon Coast will be available soon in Pedalshift Plus! If you got to listen along with the quasi-live feed and want to hear any previous volumes, check them out in the Pedalshift Plus archives – it all goes to supporting the show!

The Pedalshift Project 057: Bike touring the Oregon coast and saluting our partners for putting up with us

Pics from the trip

The Rant

Seriously, WTF people. Thank you Kevin MacLeod for the Pedalshift rant theme. Again. [footnote]For the curious and, perhaps more importantly, to fully comply with my Creative Commons obligations… the title is Adventure Meme and it’s licensed under CC Attribution 3.0.[/footnote]

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings. A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the Oregon coast talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1 my epic Pacific Coast tour with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2014. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Michael Hart
  • Johnny K
  • Josiah Matthews
  • Keith Nagel
  • Brock Dittus
  • David Kolb

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

The Pedalshift Project 056: Bike touring without camping plus Cat from The Joyride

The Pedalshift Project 056: Bike touring without camping plus Cat from The Joyride

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Bike touring means a lot of things, but it doesn’t mean you have to sleep on the ground or on top of a picnic table (although both can be awesome). On this episode we uncover the world of bike touring without camping. Plus I have a great chat with the host of The Joyride podcast, Cat Caperello in which we talk about her take on bicycle touring and more. Also a few new things to check out in gear talk and connections with you!

Hey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 056: Bike touring without camping (mp3)Pedalshift Project 056 Bike touring without camping

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 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.

The Journal

Recommendation

Recommendation: Listen to the latest Bicycle Story podcast on a 1928 bike tour of 5 African American women who were longing to enjoy the great outdoors. “Their three day ride was about personal pleasure and challenge and calls into question our ideas of who bicycled in history and why.” Great story and thanks to Josh for sharing it with us!

The Oregon Coast Tour

oregon coast 2016 bicycle tour

The Interview

Cat Caperello is a NJ native and the creative force behind The Joyride Podcast and Girl Eats Bike. She started Girl Eats Bike started 5 years ago while on a journey to find fitness and lose weight. 120 pounds later she boldly proclaims the transformative power of the bike, in our personal lives, our communities, and the world at large. Find Cat at the-joyride-podcast.com and on all the socials as well!

Cat Caperello Girl Eats Bike The Joyride

Read more and listen more at girleatsbike.com.

Gear Talk

Strava Heatmap

A cool way to see most used bike routes globally…

Bike Touring without Camping

Example 1: Viola guy from 2012 CA ride

Perhaps the most classic example I’ve personally met for bike touring without camping (although he did do some). No food, no cooking gear. Incredibly minimal bivy on front handlebars, water bottles and minimal toolkit. Paid for most things by credit card… lodging often in hotels, but not exclusively. Ate at restaurants (or wherever he stopped).

Example 2: A “unique approach”

We ride road bikes without carrying any gear other than spare tubes, water, and food. A few days before our trip, we shipped our clothes, toiletries, and gear to each of our two hotels. The boxes included return labels and with one phone call, UPS will later ship them home. This approach allows us to travel light and cover more road. (Bike Overnights)

Connections

Thanks for checking in! You can always reach out at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or hit me up in the comments section or on social media.

Jonathan Rinde

Jonathan shares his #44 from the American Cancer Society Bridge to Beach ride… he’s not only a rider and a fundraiser, but also a chance survivor so good on ya for that. Jonathan and his son are riding the C&O and GAP the week after Labor Day, so if you see them on the trail say hello! THANK YOU Jonathan for listening and sharing this fine #44 with me!
jonathan rinde 44

Greg Towner

Greg tweets out a shot from the Erie Canal in beautiful Pittsford, NY… one town over from where I grew up and training camp home to someday Super Bowl champion Buffalo Bills (dream a little dream). Thanks for the mention Greg and hope the ride was as good as it looked!

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings. A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the Oregon coast talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1 my epic Pacific Coast tour with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2014. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Michael Hart
  • Johnny K
  • Josiah Matthews
  • Keith Nagel
  • Brock Dittus
  • David Kolb

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

The Pedalshift Project 055: Bike touring with kids and dogs

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Bike touring by yourself is awesome, but have you ever thought about bike touring with kids or maybe your dogs? On this episode, we dive into bringing others along for the ride! Also a few new things to check out in gear talk and connections with you!

Hey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 055: Bike touring with kids and dogs (mp3)The Pedalshift Project 055: Bike touring with kids and dogs

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 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.

The Journal

Bike Touring With Kids

Bike Touring With Dogs

My research as I’m seriously thinking about doing a small tour with my new dog Belle Starr:
  • Challenge 1: Conditions and paying attention to safety for your dog
  • Challenge 2: Weight
  • Challenge 3: Reduced mileage
  • Challenge 4: Altered setup – on bike vs. trailer vs. cargo bike
I plan on doing small tune-up rides to make sure Belle can handle being on a bike to begin with (Louis and Mookie were/are not fans)

Resources

And remember… some dogs hate biking.

Gear Talk

Inflatable loungers (aka beach beds) for bike touring?

There are a million of these and they all look the same. Think a giant (and I mean giant) dry bag that you 3/4 inflate by whipping it out and grabbing air, then cinching down the end to trap it in. You end up with something the size of small kayak to lay down in. Would it work for touring?
  • About 2 lbs (not that light). Folds up smaller than most camping pads.
  • Quick inflation.
  • Don’t know… seems like an interesting idea. Paired with a tarp or mosquito netting and it has some possibilities.
  • Prices range 30-200, depending on where you look.
Anyone every try one?

Yet another battery…

Trying out Indiegogo support for the Omnicharge… it’s a 20,000mAh battery with one cool add on… it has a standard North American outlet so it can power anything, computers included. It also has passthrough charging so I can charge the battery while charging it at the same time, which is nice and efficient when you have one outlet and many devices. Assuming this delivers (it’s way, way past its goal) I may have it in time for a fall weekender. More to come.

Connections

Thanks for checking in! You can always reach out at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or hit me up in the comments section or on social media.

Cat from Joyride

says hi! Go check out Joyride… great stuff and awesome to have a podcast geared (ha) towards women who bicycle. I dig the show I think you might too.

Mark Van Raam

has some great stuff to say about the Erie Canal tour
Last week (mid-July) I did the Erie Canal organized and supported ride and a pre-ride to the Canada side of the Niagara Falls.  We crossed into Canada over the Peace Bridge and rode up the Greenway to the Falls.  This was my first time going to the Falls.  I was impressed with nature and not so impressed with all the tourist stuff nearby.  Crossing into and out of the USA was interesting getting my bike through the turnstile (and watching the tandems get through it).  The Canadian authorities helped our group of ~50 riders by opening a gate to led us directly on to a city street in Fort Erie.
—
It rained two of the nights and one afternoon.  Riding some parts of the trail were a little tricky in some muddy parts, but the rain kept the stone dust down. 
Garmin Edge Touring GPS (mixed review)
Showers Pass Double Century jacket.  I liked the way it kept me dry from the rain, but it was wet on the inside from sweat.  Overall, it kept me warm in some pretty heavy rain. 5 out of 5 stars.
My Novara Safari was a great bike to use for this trip.  I changed out the 48mm tires for 35mm tires.
Also a question about what to do with a wet tent on self-supported tours…
A: Let it dry the best you can in the morning (in sun, preferably). Worst case, pack it wet but not in a bag and lash it to the back. If it’s still wet on set up (more rain, no chance to dry, etc.) that’s when I use my pack towel on the inside as best I can.

And… Another 5-star iTunes review from Johnny K!

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the C&O talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1 my epic Pacific Coast tour with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2014. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Michael Hart
  • Johnny K
  • Josiah Matthews
  • Keith Nagel

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

bike touring tent

The Pedalshift Project 054: The perfect bike touring tent

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With one more big(ish) summer bike tour in my sights, it’s prep time for the Oregon coast ride next month. Also, it’s an extended bit of gear talk… what do I look for in the perfect bike touring tent? It’s all in this ep of the pod… now with more unreasonable contractions of words that don’t need them!

Hey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 054: The perfect bike touring tent (mp3)Pedalshift 054 The perfect bike touring tent

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 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.

The Journal

Prepping Oregon

Riding light but bringing a second bike?

Pedalshift Guide to Biking the C&O Canal

I have 25 of the 31 videos up and ready to check out and should have the others ready within a week or so. Next up will be swimming spots and inclusion of star reviews of various elements for the campsites (scenery, flood prone, proximity to amenities,  etc.). Check out the complete guide (work in progress).

Gear Talk

Tire followup: Schwalbe rocks.
Review followup: still like all the gear highlighted last episode.

The perfect bike touring tent

  • Separate (not integrated) rain fly
  • As much mesh as possible in the tent
  • Aluminum (not fiberglass) poles (titanium if you’re into pricey)
  • A well-designed “bowl” for the floor
  • A bike touring tent without  a footprint is… less than ideal. If it doesn’t come with one, buy or make one.

I like my ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 3-Person Tent (affiliate link to Amazon, fyi). It checks all the boxes and it’s a great price. And orange, as all great things are.

Connections

Thanks for checking in! You can always reach out at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or hit me up in the comments section or on social media.

Rachel’s tour

I went on my first tour last week here in Montana. My partner and I rode about 260 miles to raise money for the buffalo field campaign. Check out the pics and a couple stories on IG @humble.homestead.mt

Harry Telegadas shares his tour

In early May I rode a three-day, two night from Connellsville to Pittsburgh (and return).  Its a very easy ride with many fews and a nice afternoon in Pittsburg.  i thought your listeners might find it appealing, especially new riders.

Day 1:  Car ride from DC to Connellsville (good secure parking);  ride from Connellsville to Dravo campground and camp.

Day 2:  Leave camp-site set up at Dravo and use a day-pack to ride into downtown Pittsburgh.  Stayed on the south side and had lunch and a nap.  Return to Dravo.

Day 3:  Pack up,re return to Connellsville and drive home.

Not the most epic ride but I like the sections into Pittsburg for the raw industrial views; very different from most Rail-Trails.
Also, Harry’s big on foam earplugs and carrying a spare tire with him. Super smart on all fronts!

harry telegadas GAP tour

Aloha Scott Gilbert – a Bike Friday setup

Uses a modified hardshell Samsonite as a trailer and a way to check his Bike Friday folder!

Another 5-star iTunes review from Thegreatrelyt!

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the C&O talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1 my epic Pacific Coast tour with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2014. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Jonathan Martin
  • Michael Hart
  • Johnny K

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

Pedalshift Project 053 testing new bicycle touring gear

The Pedalshift Project 053: Testing new bicycle touring gear… and again with the rear tire?

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We are in the thick of bicycle touring season, so it’s high time I start testing new bicycle touring gear, right? Also a report on my semi-successful C&O ride (sigh… the rear tire… because of course) my Grand Canyon ride and much, much, more.

pedalshift project 053 testing new bicycle touring gearHey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 053: Testing new bicycle touring gear (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, 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.

The Journal

C&O Ride

  • Ahh bicycle touring… it giveth and it taketh away.
  • The train.
  • The mud.
  • The people – had great conversations from the first night at the Y to the groups that I paralleled and ran into in camps. First time ever I ran into more women than men on the trail, and that’s awesome to see.
  • Campsite reviews – they’re coming! I have decent footage of every site from Cumberland to Harpers Ferry and intend to get that up as soon as possible, along with the ratings system.
  • Bonus: doing some work on swimming spots on the C&O based on feedback from a group I hung out with at a couple of campsites. Look for those soon.
  • The tire fail. More on it in gear talk, but here’s what happened.
  • The train back and the plan for completing the ride July 9/10.

Follow up on the summer tours I’m following

Michael Riscica @biketouring999   – got some sweet Waffle House arm shades and is making great miles across the plains and into Colorado. Check him out.

Patience @biker_girl_pay – biked through my hometown Fairport, NY on the Erie Canalway (check out Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 3 for my ride last year!)

3 Girls on a Bike –  hitting the humidity in Missouri but got to camp riverside listening to the fireworks in the background while swinging on hammocks near the Missouri river… not a bad way to celebrate the 4th! Follow the blog.

Gear Talk

Tires and tubes

  • Still a fan of Schwalbe tires but I 100% intend on replacing them every couple of years if they are the Supremes or any other tire with weaker sidewalls. The Plus line and others are burlier on the sides, but aren’t as good on pavement, which is where I do most of my rolling. Because this seems to be a warranty issue, I’ve submitted the images for review — MJ and others have had good response from Schwalbe on matters like this, so we’ll see. Love the tires, despite this fail.
  • Test your tubes. Carry at least one. I’m going to always do that before I leave and also check my patch kits to make sure I have multiple patches. Riding Schwalbes made me pretty complacent – a good thing and a bad thing!
  • DEET dissolves patch kit glue, so if you’re getting bombed by mosquitoes while you change a flat, wash your hands or use gloves.
  • Be patient and try to get a fix in the moment rather than hack and roll. Last time this happened a few years ago (different tire brand) I didn’t spend enough time on a boot and it failed. This time, I was too impatient with mosquitos buzzing and biting, and that caused the DEET issue.
  • Carrying a spare tire? Probably won’t do that. A boot should handle most issues and I think I’ll be much more aggressive with new tires every 2 seasons or as needed. By the time they wear “enough” I’m finding it’s already too late.
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme bead tear
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme bead tear
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme... normally does not do this!
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme… normally does not do this!

Testing new bicycle touring gear

Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition (Orange) – Love. Lightweight and fires up like a dragon from GOT. The big one that Dany rides. I mean, I hear… I hear she rides it. I’m unfamiliar with this program. [footnote]lie[/footnote]

Headsweats hat – Lightweight and sweat wicking. All my Syracuse and Bills hats are sweat-stained and gross… no more!

Brita Sport Water Bottle – because tasting iodine in your water is for suckers. Note, this isn’t a true filter for backwoods use. Probably should have said that on the pod. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

“Faux Pro” – Hey I can take videos without using my phone now! Check out the two I did (special thanks to Pedalshift Plus and Pedalshift Society people for making this happen)…

Aaaand a quick reminder those links are affiliate links… if you’re into these things and get them from Amazon, you help support the show. I paid for and tried em all myself and thought you might like them too!

Connections

Thanks for checking in! You can always reach out at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or hit me up in the comments section or on social media.
Another 5-star review from Christopher!

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the C&O talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC – PGH with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2015. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Jonathan Martin
  • Michael Hart
  • Johnny K

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

The Pedalshift Project 052: Summer bicycle tours to follow

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It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere (sorry Australia… it was a good run, but it’ll be back) and it’s time to live vicariously and follow some of those summer bicycle tours. In this episode I let you in on three I’m following, plus give you an update on my C&O through ride this coming weekend and some additional bikey plans I’ve got.


The Pedalshift Project 052: Summer bicycle tours to followHey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 052: Summer bicycle tours to follow (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, 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.

The Journal: Summer bicycle tours to follow

Tours I’m following this summer

Michael Riscica @biketouring999  

Met Michael at Pioneer Nation super briefly last fall when someone I met was like, “I HAVE to get the two bike touring guys to meet!” He’s working his way westbound on the TransAm and has mixed in some pretty dope videos of his ride mixed with punk soundtracks. Worth the follow and the reads!

http://coast2coastbikeride.com/

Patience @biker_girl_pay

She’s about half done rolling from Seattle to Boston in tribute to a friend she lost late last year. It’s also one of those “I’m riding two months before I have to enter the real world” kind of rides, which I always wish I had done back when it would have matters for me. Really cool pics in the IG feed. Also, she wears a lot of orange, so she must be super cool 😉

@biker_girl_pay on IG

3 Girls on a Bike:

Vicky, Wendy and Linda… riding cross country (notice a theme?) to raise money for local bike pathway projects in Illinois. Aaron from Sprocket Podcast helped them out with directions when they got semi-misdirected in Portland a few weeks back. I’ve reached out and hope to get them on the show as they roll into DC in August.

Fundraising: https://www.gofundme.com/3girlsonabike
Blog: http://eliacci.com/3girlsonabike/

C&O ride

Hey another tour for me! I’ll be through-riding the C&O again starting today as this podcast is released! If you’re a newsletter subscriber, not only did you get the bonus podcast this month (my five favorite bike touring books) but you also got the special feed to listen in on Tour Journals Volume 6 while I ride. Missed out? No worries, it’ll be in Pedalshift Plus in a few weeks. If you’re needing a fix for some C&O audio journals, check out Volume 2, the GAP/C&O ride from last year.

I’ll have a full run-down on the next Pedalshift Project too. Trying out a new stove that I’m really digging… super inexpensive and compact. I hope to have a review up on Youtube too. What about your summer bicyle tours? Let me know in the comments or via social media!

More summer bicycle tours coming

Going to Flagstaff, AZ over the 4th of July weekend and doing some riding, likely on the Grand Canyon rim and maybe a few other choice spots. Hoping to get some good pics to share on these day rides!

August… Oregon coast! MJ is doing a little unintentional scouting for me in the next couple of weeks. More to come!

Connections

Thanks for checking in! You can always reach out at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or hit me up in the comments section or on social media.

Ethan Georgi on gear inches

After your ep mentioning gear inches for climbing, especially how what you didn’t know WAS hurting you, I looked up mine. 34.6. Not cool. Gonna look into a triple crank with a smaller chainring. Thanks for the nudge.

Steve K -pulling a Hammerhiker (as I will now call this) and getting dropped off in Meyersdale and bombing down the long hill from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland!

Noah tackling the C&O – asks about bears and camping sites being full?

1- wouldn’t worry about bears. The majority of both trails aren’t wildernessy enough to get your exposure to the level that you need to up your fpod storage game. If you prefer, consider getting some smell proof bags. I’ve never encountered a bear on either trail and I don’t think I recall hearing any real reports of one.
—
2- You’ll never have a problem getting a spot at any site on a C&O summer bicycle tour. If someone is there ahead of you it’s just a chance to say hi and pitch your tent in another section of the site. I’ve chosen to ride on another 5-10 miles to get a chance at my own site but I’ve never been shut out if any site because of congestion.

Sidebar… after this ride, this and more info will be coming to a much more pimped out Pedalshift Guide to the C&O. I’ve also got some killer ideas for more in the coming months, and thanks to your support through Pedalshift Plus and Pedalshift Society, I might be pulling the trigger on one of those ideas soon. Stay tuned!
Another 5-star review from Pedaling4Purpose!

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus the  Pedalshift Society allows me to do cool new things I’ll be rolling out in future shows. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the GAP talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC – PGH with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2015. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor
  • Jonathan Martin
  • Michael Hart

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

bicycle touring the GAP

The Pedalshift Project 051: Bicycle touring the Great Allegheny Passage

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Recorded live from Paris, France[footnote]check out PSP022 for more on pedaling Paris![/footnote]… it’s a podcast about bicycle touring the Great Allegheny Passage in western Pennsylvania! It all makes sense, trust me. In this episode we chat about all the amazing things in store while bicycle touring the Great Allegheny Passage (or “the GAP” as you’ll usually hear) including an interview with Doug Riegner from the Allegheny Trail Alliance.


The Pedalshift Project 051: Bicycle touring the Great Allegheny PassageHey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 051: Bicycle touring the Great Allegheny Passage (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, 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.

The Journal: Bicycle touring the Great Allegheny Passage

  • Section riding! Biking the GAP
  • First real hot weekend this season
  • Weekend gave me opportunities to ride but not camp, so I chose a couple of sections I liked the most near PGH
  • Boston – West Newton (RT – 30 miles)
  • Connellsville-Ohiopyle (RT-34 miles)
  • When it’s hot and super sunny both of these sections are great ways to escape the heat. The ride to Ohiopyle in particular is largely covered in green tunnel foliage and the cooling impact of the Youghiogheny River is apparent as you roll.
  • Interested in hearing more about the GAP? Check out Pedalshift Project 021 from last year’s ride.
bicycle touring the GAP
Kentuck campground in Ohiopyle… a long way up!
bicycle touring the GAP
Acid mine drainage waterfall
bicycle touring the GAP
More waterfalls
bicycle touring the GAP
Ohiopyle
bicycle touring the GAP
bicycle touring the GAP
bicycle touring the GAP
One of the many bridge spans near Ohiopyle
bicycle touring the GAP
bicycle touring the GAP
bicycle touring the GAP
Flowers trailside
bicycle touring the GAP
Connellsville adirondack shelters
bicycle touring the GAP Yogh river
Yough River
bicycle touring the GAP
Connellsville camping shelters
bicycle touring the GAP dravo campsite
Dravo campsite
bicycle touring the GAP waterfall
Waterfall on the GAP

The Interview

  • Interview with Doug Riegner, Director of Community Relations & Sales at Allegheny Trail Alliance (@gaptraildoug on Instagram and Twitter)
  • Total serendipity… ran into Doug on the trail collecting data on trail users and got an opportunity to chat with him about the GAP… tons of great info here! Also, some birds and train noise, so you’ll get a real flavor of the GAP sounds between Boston and West Newton.
  • GAP news:
    • Pinkerton Tunnel done
    • New campsites on the way… first up is Ohiopyle
    • New granite mile markers coming this year
  • Bonus C&O news:
    • Working on trail surface on the C&O? GAP engineer is at the table as a consultant with the Park Service.
    • All water will be untreated on the C&O as of 2017. Get your Sawyer pumps for next year’s rides!
  • Bike touring route passports?
  • Links + resources

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus an angel gets her wings every time a new member of the Pedalshift Society joins. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society.

If you’re interested in one-shot support, consider something over at Pedalshift Plus and get something cool in return! If the GAP talk is interesting, consider Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC – PGH with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2015. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus. On to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson
  • Cameron Lien
  • Andrew MacGregor

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops!

Pedalshift 050: Post bike tour care

The Pedalshift Project 050: Post bike tour care

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We talk a lot on this show about how to plan and enjoy a bicycle tour… but what about post bike tour care? On this golden anniversary episode of the Pedalshift Project, I chat about some of the things I (usually) do after a bike tour to keep my ride in tip top shape (plus the consequences I had not doing that this time). Also,  it’s episode number fifty! Howboutthat!?


Pedalshift 050: Post bike tour careHey it’s the direct download link: The Pedalshift Project 050: Post bike tour care (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, 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.

The Journal

The Pedalshift Project at 50

  • I learn more every time I ride and I learn a lot from others
  • Pedalshift continues to evolve and be about inspiration as much as information
  • So many resources out there, I feel very honored to have you choose my little corner of the Internets!

A look ahead to riding the PGH end of the GAP

  • I have a fun opportunity this week to do some exploration of the Pittsburgh side of the GAP this week while in town.
  • Hope to do some preliminary work on a potential Pedalshift Guide to the GAP which I’d love to get out by the fall.
  • PS The Pedalshift Guide to the C&O will be updated soon with a ton of additional information,
    Goals this week:
  • finding some helpful tips for handling the tricky nav of Pittsburgh
  • Get out to Homestead or beyond to get pics and a review of the first campground
  • Interested in hearing more about the GAP? Check out Pedalshift Project 021 from last year’s ride. If you’re interested there’s also Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 2: DC – PGH with multiple daily podcasts chronicling my ride in 2015. You can get that at Pedalshift Plus!

Gear Talk: Post bike tour care

  • Wash the bike (take a look at my bike cleaning tips)
  • Lube the chain
  • Check for damage
  • Tighten and locktite the rack bolts
  • Take the bike to your favorite LBS if things are a little too wonky…

Pedalshift Society

A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings (like the new C&O online guide!). A buck, two bucks or even 5 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, plus an angel gets her wings every time a new member of the Pedalshift Society joins. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society. And on to the Society!

  • Ethan Georgi
  • Matt Buker
  • Kimberly Wilson
  • Caleb Jenkinson

Thank you for supporting the show!

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields‘ album, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.  I heard Jason’s new album in January and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops this spring!