Best of Pedalshift 223: Bike Tour Packing Strategies

You’ve got our bike, you know where you’re going… the next biggest thing is what to bring and how to pack it! On this edition of the pod, my top five strategies for packing for a bike tour. Originally podcast October 29, 2020.
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December 28, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 348: An AI Boost for Your Bike Adventures

For the final epsiode of 2023, we take a peek at the future at the intersection of technology and cycling. It seems like artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing everything else, so how could it help with bicycle travel? On this edition we dream up AI-assisted route planning, gear selection and maintenance tips from our robot overlords (kidding!) to help keep your ride smooth.

The Pedalshift Project 348: An AI Boost for Your Bike Adventures

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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

An AI Boost for Your Bike Adventures

AI in Route Planning for Bike Touring

- How AI can optimize route planning based on terrain, weather, and personal preferences.
- Example: AI tools that analyze hills, weather patterns, and scenic routes.
- AI-generated personalized routes that cater to different cycling levels and interests.
- Case Study: A beginner cyclist planning a scenic and easy route vs. an experienced cyclist seeking challenging terrains.
Benefits of real-time updates and rerouting options based on current conditions.

AI-Driven Gear Recommendations

- How AI can suggest the best gear based on trip length, terrain, and weather.
- Example: AI suggesting lightweight tents for dry conditions or more durable gear for rough terrains.
- Discussion on AI’s role in helping cyclists choose the right bike for their journey.
- Example: Recommending a gravel bike for mixed-terrain tours.
How AI can assist in packing lists and weight distribution for optimized bike handling.

Bicycle Maintenance and AI Assistance

- AI’s role in predictive maintenance and bike health monitoring.
- Example: AI algorithms predicting when parts like brake pads or chains need replacement.
- Interactive guides for on-the-road repairs and maintenance using AI.
- Example: AI providing step-by-step repair instructions through an app.
The future of bike maintenance: integrating AI for enhanced safety and performance.

SAM as a tool for future episodes of the show

Introduce SAM (Smarter Alternative to Me) as the new ocassional AI cohost.
SAM’s expertise in bicycle builds, ebike battery technology, and mechanics.
How SAM will assist in future episodes, focusing on ebike power optimization and cycling technology discussions.

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

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

December 21, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 347: The Pedalshift Holiday Spectacular 2023

The annual tradition continues! Did you know that during this special season of giving I often visit the old retired podcasters home to spread some holiday cheer? Why don’t you come visit with me? You never know who we might run into!

(If you like the conversation, there’s an aftershow too!)

The Pedalshift Project 347: The Pedalshift Holiday Spectacular 2023

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The Pedalshift Holiday Spectacular 2023

No shownotes, but check out the after show either in your feed or above!

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

Hip Hop Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

December 14, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 346: Slow Travel by Bike

On this episode of The Pedalshift Project, we explore slow travel and its relevance to your bicycle adventures. We also circle back to our previous discussion on eBikes, reflecting on some listener feedback and exploring the evolving role of eBikes on the future of bicycle travel.

The Pedalshift Project 346: Slow Travel by Bike

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E-Biking Adventures Follow-Up

A recap and appreciation for the previous episode’s guest, Biking Brian.
Discussion on the high listener engagement and feedback from the eBike episode.
Future implications of e-bikes in bicycle travel.
Addressing listener feedback on the capabilities of commercially available e-bikes for touring.

Slow Travel by Bike

Defining Slow Travel
Embracing the Journey – the importance, the rewards, the opportunities
Slow Travel Planning
Slow Travel Benefits

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

December 7, 2023

Best of Pedalshift 074: Fast Forward Your Bike Adventures

On this edition, how to fast forward your bike adventures. It’s your ride… make it the best you can by bypassing parts you don’t want, catching up on a schedule or accommodating an extra day in a cool spot! Originally podcast March 23, 2017.

November 30, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 345: eBike Adventures with Biking Brian

On this episode of The Pedalshift Project, we welcome eBike expert Biking Brian to chat about his eBike touring and adventures. We discuss his background in bicycling and touring, his experiences with building eBikes and battery packs, and the future potential of eBike travel.

The Pedalshift Project 345: eBike Adventures with Biking Brian

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eBike Adventures with Biking Brian

Brian’s eBike touring experience
Brian’s charger and battery pack
Brian’s background and early bicycling experience
Building eBikes and battery packs
The ease of installing eBike components
Potential future eBike tour routes
The challenges of finding charging spots during the day
The availability of online videos for guidance in installing eBike components
The future of eBike touring and its potential popularity
The complexity and process of building eBikes and battery pack
Future adventures

Watch this conversation

Biking Brian on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@bikingbrian
Brian’s Indiana to Boston ride route – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43237806

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

November 23, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 344: Delaware Double Cross + Takeaways

As an aficionado of crossing states by bicycle, there’s big ones on my list like NY, CA and OR… and then there’s less impressive ones that still absolutely count. Welcome to the Delaware Double Cross!

The Pedalshift Project 344: Delaware Double Cross + Takeaways

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Delaware Double Cross

STATISTICS

Miles biked 30

Wheels on Brompton when I left Chesapeake City 6

Wheels when I got to Delaware City 5

Numbers of people who asked me how much my bike weighed 2

Melty ice creams eaten 1

Beers imbibed 1

States crossed 1 (x2)

Flats 0

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

November 16, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 343: Delaware Double Cross Preview

My fall 2023 adventure checks the box on one of my goals from the beginning of the year… I love crossing states by bike, and is it my fault that some of them are very, very skinny? Ok, fine I’ll cross it TWICE to make it count! Previewing my next ride… the Delaware Double Cross!

The Pedalshift Project 343: Delaware Double Cross Preview

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Delaware Double Cross Preview

2023 goal… cross a new state by bike
DELAWARE!
First plan… the one I didn’t choose ¯_(ツ)_/¯
- All transit and bike
- MARC to the northern terminus in Perryville
- Bus to Elkton
- Ride across to Delaware City
- Ride to Wilmington
- Amtrak to DC
Why didn’t I choose this? Safety!
Bike situation near Elkton was even dicier than the Florida sidewalk and shoulder riding I’ve done that is pretty marginal
Google Street View revealed possible options, but the more I scratched at the surface, the worse it looked

What I chose – the LaCrosse! and a simpler off-road option
- Drive to Chesapeake City MD
- Ride the Mike Castle Trail to Delware City along the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal to the Delaware River
- AND BACK!
- 30 miles of riding
- Brompton
- Very minimal gear (snacks and water)
- Weather – could be hot, could be rainy… will dress as appropriate
- Some cool towns to explore – all new to me!
- No camping or overnighting… just a day tour that checks a box. Twice in fact!
- Skinny state? #notcheating

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

November 9, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 342: Solo vs. Group Riding

On this episode… why you might choose solo touring compared to group bicycle adventuring (or vice versa!)

The Pedalshift Project 342: Solo vs. Group Riding

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 342: Solo vs. Group Riding.

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.

Solo Riding

Freedom and independence
Opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth during solo tours.
Much easier to plan – no schedule coordinations with other riders
Much easier to pace
Solo Touring Challenges
- Safety concerns
- Loneliness
- Gear watching when inside stores
- Expenses not split
Mitigating these challenges
- Listen to episode 340 on safety – planning and prep is key
- Listen to episode 341 on mental side and lonliness – be present and in the moment and have ways to connect when you need to
- Your gear is safer than you think, but choose where you stop mindfully
- Find ways to reduce costs – check out Pedalshift 045 (camping over hotels, cook your food, etc.)

Group Riding

Camaraderie and sense of community
Benefits of sharing experiences and responsibilities with fellow cyclists.
Memories maybe deeper?
Group Touring Challenges
- Logistics of planning and executing a group tour
- Clashing personalities
- Differing speeds
- Differing expectations
- Differing priorities
Mitigating the challenges
- Importance of communication, leadership, and teamwork within a group.
- Tips from our chat with Guthrie Straw in Pedalshift 163

Making the Decision: Solo, Group, or Both?

Solo or group touring is a personal fit for your preferences and goals.
Consider best of both worlds – combining solo and group touring on the same journey.

Conclusion

There is no one size fits all answer
The choice between solo and group touring depends on individual preferences and circumstances.
Reflect on their touring goals and consider trying both solo and group touring at different times.

November on the Pod

Fall tour preview next week – a box checker!
Tour journal!
Interview in the works on a topic I’ve been really wanting to cover!

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

November 2, 2023

Best of Pedalshift 228: My Bike Tour Planning Process

On this edition, I open up my bike tour planning process and technique for a tour I’ve been mulling over for years. Originally podcast December 24, 2020.