My upcoming Brompton tour of the California coast forces me into ultralight bike touring preparations… maybe “force” is the wrong word, but I’m certainly doing some ultralight bike touring! On this episode of the Pedalshift Project, we dive into the methods I’m using to go light, learn ways to make an emergency fix to a busted rear derailleur, learn Swedish (well one verb at least) and check in with old touring friends. It’s touring season everyone!

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 046: Ultralight bike touring prep and emergency fixes (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

The Journal

Ultralight bike touring:  preparing the Brompton

• Spring clean (wipe down and chain cleaning and lubing)
• Front Ortlieb setup (see Pedalshift Project 043)
• Backpack setup – wooden dowel plus tiedowns (see Path Less Pedaled’s video )
• Gear:
  • Going no stove or maybe just my titanium Esbit stove.
  • Tent only (no  hammock this time)
  • Lightweight summer bag and fleece blanket – may drop blanket for the mylar emergency blanket depending on temps
  • Inflatable pad
  • “Plane clothes” and one set of biking clothes with two pairs of athletic wicking underwear and two pairs of socks.
  • One pair of sneakers I’ll wear full time… might bring flip flops though. I like airing the feet out at camp!
  • Rain jacket as the “cold weather” gear. The Sweater stays home!
  • Very minimal repair toolkit and one tube. Oddly concerned about flats despite rolling on new Schwalbes!
  • One 100oz water bladder with extended tube that will clip to the backpack. Lighter and easier than water bottles.
  • May amend this if I find I have space, but I like the lightweight gear setup! Nothing I don’t “need.”

Price increase for C&O Bunkhouse in Hancock

Hello Everyone!

My name is Tracy Barnhart and my husband Jimmy and I purchased C&O Bicycle
in November of 2015. We also own Barnhart’s Lawn & Garden (an authorized
Husqvarna outdoor power tools dealership), and have moved Barnhart’s from
its location on Main St. in Hancock to the rear of the C&O Bicycle building
at 9 S. Pennsylvania Ave. The bike shop officially opens on April 1st but
we have been open for limited hours just about every day the past month
(depending on the weather). We are very excited to be the new owners of
C&O Bicycle, and we are keeping the previous employees (who are AWESOME!).
Dennis Hudson, the previous owner (also AWESOME!), will be back with us for
just the month of April to help us during the transition phase. Please
stop in and see him – I’m sure he’d love to say goodbye to all of you in
person!

The bunkhouse nightly rate is now $15 per person, which is still a great
bargain. This rate is published on our website. The bunkhouse holds up to
16 people and is completely screened in to keep the bugs out. The $15 fee
includes a bunk with camp pad, access to a clean portable bathroom, a HOT
shower, and a towel. Electrical outlets are also available to recharge
your gadgets. Contrary to the “word on the street”, we have no plans to
convert the bunkhouse into any other use at this time.

We look forward to serving all of our customers, old and new, at C&O
Bicycle! IN fact, we are currently running a great pre-season special on
all in-stock bicycles. Please visit our website at www.candobicycle.com for
more details.

See you soon!
Tracy & Jimmy Barnhart
C&O Bicycle

The Lab

Busted rear derailleur in the middle of nowhere? Emergency single speed fix!

Recently saw a person on one of the touring FB groups who was in middle of nowhere Arizona and thought he broke his derailleur. Whether it was the hanger or the derailleur I know I’d be screwed because that’s the one thing I have zero competency in fixing. But I know a hack to get me rolling…

I always travel with either a chaintool and with a chain that has a master link that allows for easy removal. One big reason why is I know I can use these to do an emergency roadside fix to get rolling even if my derailleur is toast.

• Break the chain
• Shorten it
• Put it on the middle chain ring up front (or the smaller one if on a double)
• Run the chain in as straight  line as you can to the cassette. If it’s close, go with the smaller cog.
• Shorten the chain so it’s tight with a little resistance when you tug. Too tight and it won’t pedal well. Too lose and you’ll throw the chain.
• Bike to a place you can get help or a fix!

I hope you never need this 🙂

Ideas for avoiding theft on tour

Thanks for the podcasts and website; I’ve enjoyed all the information you are putting out and your skill in presenting it, on your own and with the folks at the Sprocket Podcast (the other biking podcast I listen to.)

One subject I haven’t heard a lot of discussion about is how one avoids theft while on tour, primarily of one’s bike, but to a lesser extent of camping gear. I assume there are times when you can’t have all your stuff with you, for bio breaks, shopping, eating in restaurants, etc. How do you deal with those times? Am I just being paranoid or is this something I need to plan for?

Thanks,
Ray Jackson

Hayward, CA

—

Great question… a lot of this is situational and location-based. I’m always amazed at how *not* a problem this seems to be generally. In cities, especially ones with bike theft reputations (cough cough Portland) I wouldn’t leave my bike unattended for a second without a good lock. As far as stuff in bags goes, I usually carry a detachable front bag or backpack for the expensive/targeted items. The rest stays in the panniers. For April, I might be wheeling my Brompton inside wherever I go… we’ll see!

Connections

It’s an all-international connections segment!

Sweden!

How are you? I’m Max, from Sweden. I found your podcast when I got new (smart) phone and a new job – I just started a PhD in marine fish ecology in the smallest city in Sweden, on the east coast (Öregrund). Since I’m from the west coast, that means I’m commuting a lot for the weekends, which is a perfect opportunity to listen to your show!

Today I caught up with it! I started listening maybe two months ago. I really enjoy it, you seem very sympathique!. Now that I have to wait for the releases on Thursdays I might check out the Sprocket podcast, so thanks for that tip!

I always used my bike for commuting to school, but after me and my girlfriend hosted the nicest Australian couchsurfer from Berlin on his way to Norway, I was immediately hooked (I liked hiking, and biking, but never ever thought about combining them!). Luckily, this project didn’t end at the day-dreaming stage (I can nerd out on things but never fulfill them). We lived in Aberdeen (UK, not WA) last year, and we did an 8-day tour from east to west of Scotland, a loop in Applecross and the outer Hebrides. If I was hooked before I’m even more so no. In fact, neither of us was even the slightest deterred by the (almost) constant raining and hoards of midges (I thought we had a lot of midges in Sweden, but that’s nothing compared to west of Scotland. On the train back to the east coast, people who entered the train apologized for the midges they brought with them onboard!).

Now that I’m stuck in the smallest city in Sweden out in nowhere, I’m planning to do weekend tours, like yourself! Spring is finally here, the sea ice is starting to melt and I got all my cycling gear in one place now.

Anyhow, this is getting long! I’m excited about your future show on flying with a classic touring set-up. One of my supervisors is based at the University of Washington in Seattle, so I am trying to plan a longer vacation and a ride on the pacific coast next summer after I’ve visited him, maybe in June! That’s been a dream destination since I started reading up on bike-touring.

Well, I should finish up here. Thanks for a great show! Glad to hear it is going well for the project!

All the best,

Max

P.S. Haha, actually, I just told Maja (girlfriend) about me e-mailing the show, and she reminded me that “dimpa” actually means something. It’s a verb, and it means something like “plump down”, or you know when a letter “dimps” (swenglish) down from the mail-hole in the door 😉

 Belgium! Hugo mentioned last show, Hugo sends an update!

2016 …. 25 years they pedaling, 1991 began.

Last week I cycled past a newsagent, newspapers were full of pictures of brussels, fuck, why, Belgium, Belgians have been so good, obedient to take within their Muslim brothers and we will get it as much, no this is it, people do think about it does for thou thing, there are simply no words, why ????? anyway, the last day I bought this newspaper and only bad and worse news about Belgium, sorry really sorry, we lose here millions of euros … Bv.japaners have canceled their trip to Belgium …. With me everything is very good, better than I already had good weather, eat, sleep and especially cycling here is better than Excellent, it’s hard to say with words but by the 100 countries that I have cycled thailand is my number one, the biggest reason is that here zoveeeeeel place to ride, my other bike friends agree, have a danish, englishman, taiwanese cycled and loved that too. the future brings me 12april to Taiwan, 10mei to Japan (Fukuoka) and June 7 in Australia (Cairns), then I’m not sure yet … maybe fiji or Hawaii. the main forgotten, Thank you Mr Sonneville, Delhaize, AL employees DELHAIZE owl, THANK yOU, my cook, or my mummy and everyone I’ve forgotten, I also support continue in the following years …. …. never give up, as long as I can keep pedaling I keep kicking. Regards, Hugo, Xuxa and Garfield.

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!

We all want to save a buck (or a euro… or a… whatever you’re spending these days) but what’s the best way to set up your bicycle tour budgeting? I’ve got a few ideas to share on this episode along with some gear talk on dynohubs and batteries, plus a mega-connections section where I learn I made a mom feel better about her daughter’s epic bike tour. I know, can you believe it?

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 045: bicycle tour budgeting (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

The Journal

Bicycle tour budgeting

Camping over hotels… wild camping or free camping when you can. I would recommend getting an account on Warm Showers because they can be helpful on the TransAm for a free place to stay in places that don’t have good camping options.

Making your own food is another thing that can save money… sometimes I prefer the convenience of eating at towns along the route, but you can make your own meals for a lot less if you have the energy to cook or make them.

Often you’ll end up riding with others you meet along the way… sometimes you can share expenses on things that are nice little luxuries like a campground at an RV park that would normally run $30US, but with a group of 5 cost $6US when shared. I’ve seen groups split groceries for a couple of days too.

My number one rule when it comes to riding is to travel as cheaply as possible, but don’t be afraid to make a problem go away by spending money. This is a ride of a lifetime (I wish I had done the TransAm at 22!) and if spending a little money solves a problem that would impact your enjoyment, spend the money and budget for it down the road!

Revisiting flying with a Brompton

Backup plans for gate checking: The Dimpa bag from IKEA… going to carry it on every flight with the Brompton for sure after my experience without the bike last trip! Full flights are way too common now.

(Future episode will be all about flying with a full size bike.)

California dreamin – plans for April and PSTJ Vol 5

About a month away! Shedding weight on me and my gear to get things as light as possible for the big Brompton California ride. MJ and I are getting excited for the rains to diminish and for a fun, chill ride.

A new C+O adventure in May

Mother’s Day weekend I’m aiming to do a partial tour of the C+O! I’ll take Amtrak out to Harpers Ferry and ride out as far as light will last me. I’ll probably ride further out Saturday before turning back towards Harpers Ferry and eventually returning to DC Sunday before sundown. Bike touring season!

Touring with my dog Mookie… maybe?

I have a half baked idea to try an overnight with Mookie on the C+O to see how he does. If he can hack it, I plan to bring him on more! Anyone else tour with their neurotic, separation anxiety addled pets?

The Lab

Powering your gadgets – batteries over dynohubs?

H/T to Paul aka glacierbandits for his work on dynohubs.

Tips and tricks for keeping your devices powered up on bike tours

Connections

Pedalshift around the globe!

Hey Tim,
My name is Ayana, I am 22 years old and I’m from Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel.
I’ve been binge listening to your podcast since I’ve discovered it a couple of weeks ago, and in one of the episodes you asked people from around the world to contact you so it was a great reason for me to email you and ask you some questions.
I’m going to ride the trans american this summer, and I read a bunch of blogs and advice on the net. Still, there are some questions I wonder about and wanted to ask you. I really hope I would’nt be bothering you too much with this..
1. Navigation- One option is the ACA map set and the other one is getting a bike computer/GPS. I wanted to hear your take on that issue..
2. Do you have any advice that you would give to a non-american tourist, maybe something that an american biker would take for granted that you think is important to know..
3. Any advice on touring on a budget?

I also wanted to thank you for doing what you do. The podcast is very informative and helped me a lot. I am planing to tour alone, and my folks are not too crazy about it, since as a young woman I’m an “easy target”. I sent my mom the link to your podcast, and after she listened to some of it I think it totally made my plan more approchable for her.

Well, this turned out to be a very long e-mail, so thank you very much for your time. I really would appreciat any respons, and thanks again.

I hope you have a great day,
Ayana

What do American listeners think about advice for Ayana? What do we take for granted that might be a surprise to international travelers? My advice comes in part from everyone’s favorite Belgian bike tourist, Hugo.
– Food is abundant, varied and easy to get in the States compared to elsewhere.
– Some expenses are high (lodging) and some are low (food) relative to many other places
– People in motorized vehicles are sometimes difficult to deal with, but a well traveled bike route helps.
– Americans are, by and large, very friendly.
– Follow your instincts.
– Bicycle tour budgeting is a good idea, but don’t let it get in the way of solving an issue or preventing you from having a good ride!

EVEN MOAR FYVE STARZ!

Bike touring music playlist

While you’re basking in the bicycle tour budgeting knowledge, a reminder to check out our Spotify playlist from our bike touring music podcast… if you’re looking for it manually in Spotify search for Pedalshift Sprocket Project.

Jason Kent is a musical genius

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!

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 044: bike touring music (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

Yes, we still have a new logo. Nobody’s mentioned anything, which worries me. But then again, I’m 90% sure nobody reads this part of the shownotes so there’s that.

The Interview

Be sure to listen to The Sprocket Podcast 286 for part one of our hijinks. Then, come back fed and hydrated because this is a long one. Since this show is of unusual length, here’s the chapter breakdown:

Bike touring music playlist

Check out the list embedded in the show notes, or if you’re a Spotify user look for Pedalshift Sprocket Project.

The usual 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!

Are you planning on flying with your touring bike this year? We tackle some tips and tricks on the best way to do that, plus a funky (and very, very simple) hack to get an Ortlieb pannier onto a Brompton. It’s gear-a-palooza and much more on this episode of The Pedalshift Project.

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 043: Flying with your touring bike and Ortlieb hacks (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

Yes, we have a new logo. Like it?

Pedalshift Tour Journals

They’re coming back as a part of the Pedalshift Bike Touring Society, a new project for helping to support the show! if you’re a newsletter subscriber you just got Pedalshift Tour Journals volume 4, the transit-aided folding bike tour from DC to Boston this week. Missed out? Stay tuned… details are coming soon. Sign up for the newsletter to be the first to know… or wait til episode 044 coming March 3rd!

The Journal

Ian the Aussie Bike Touring Grifter is back!

As originally reported in Bike Portland:

A con-man named “Ian” who [Bike Portland] exposed for the first time back in 2012 is still at it. And while I don’t support the way he supports himself, I have to admit I’m envious of his lifestyle.

To get you up to speed, we too were initially duped by Ian when we published a story about someone who came to his aid after meeting him in central Oregon in May of 2012. After our story went up, a stream of comments came pouring in from other people who’d met him. They all shared different stories about his supposed hardships and bad-luck and how he just needed a little extra money and a ride to get back on his feet. Readers shared stories about being duped by him as far back as the 1990s and he’s probably been doing this for much longer that that (prior to the ubiquity of the Internet, how would anyone connect the dots!?).

I want Ian reports… Pedalshifters, if you run into this guy I’m dying to do a tour story on him. He’s practically a legend now.

Important bridge opening for cyclists in MD

Beginning July 1, cyclists will be allowed to use the bridge on U.S. Route 40 to cross the Susquehanna River in northeast Maryland, state officials said Feb 10th.

FINALLY. No longer need to do a 20 mile detour. Downside is you have to take the lane on a 45 mph road, but it’s better than having to call a taxi like the signs tell you to do. Curious if this will be something Climate Ride and other organized tours will take advantage of?

Are you young and in the UK? Bike tour scholly!

The Janapar grant eligibility requirements:

• A permanent resident of the UK,
• Aged between 18 and 25 at the planned outset of the journey,
• Planning to begin traveling this year (2016),
• Planning to travel in parts of the world with which you are not familiar,
• Planning to travel for at least 6 months,
• Expecting to travel alone for the majority of the journey,
• Intending to make full use of the equipment and mentorship provided by the Janapar Grant,
• Free of contractual or other obligations to other companies or organisations in terms of the journey you are planning.

Gear Talk

Ortlieb pannier hack

April tour on my Brompton requires a new touring setup. I hacked a Brompton bag frame to hold an Ortlieb pannier on the front of my bike. Check out the post with tons of pictures and info on how I did it (spoiler alert… thriftyness, cowardice and zip ties… in that order):

Using a trainer during the offseason

I’m a fan, buuut… It’s not. The. Same. At all. But on a 12 degree day, it was nice to get a ride in. Even the dog doesn’t bark at it and he barks at *everything*. He barks at salad spinners. True story.

Down 6.3 pounds since February 1st and it feels really great. I should hit my goal weight before the April tour and can undo all the caloric damage the holidays did. Ok, I did.

Flying with your touring bike

Mark from Hampton, VA writes in!

Here are some newbie questions for self-supported bike touring.  I have driven to all of the past week long tours I have done.

Can you explain in detail about flying with your Safari?

a.       Do you ship your bike ahead to a bike shop or for the boxed bike as oversized baggage?

b.      If you do bring it on the plane, do you unbox and ride away from the airport or take a taxi, bus, BART type train?

c.       Do you pay extra luggage fees for multiple panniers?

I’m looking for more nuts and bolts stuff on how to do this.  Specifically I’m looking to flying into SeaTac and getting to Vancouver (either bus or train) to start riding south on the ACA Pacific coast ride.  Thanks!

• I’ve moved my bike in a variety of ways: UPS, private shipping company, flying and Amtrak Express shipping. If cost is no object, I prefer having the bike travel with me. If not, I found Amtrak Express to be good but with some downsides that may be dealbreakers for some.
• When flying, I’ve used a bike box and a special bike bag. In those instances I’ve usually gotten a ride from the airport, but I did ride from PDX once after landing and in SF I’ve taken BART. Now when touring with a Brompton, I’ll definitely be riding.
• For other luggage, I try to combine everything into one bag if possible. Get the biggest duffel bag you can get that conforms to airline size limits and stuff your panniers, helmet and everything else in there. Watch the weight limit – 50 lbs adds up quickly!. I also use a rack bag that often becomes a carry-on. I fill that up as much as possible, remembering to keep liquids and other things in the duffel. I usually can get it so I’m checking one bag (the duffel) the bike if I’m flying with it and that’s it. Depending on the airline, the duffel is free (if underweight) and the bike is the only surcharge.
• Lots of moving parts, but people do it every day!

Connections

We can haz more five stars!

Another angel gets her wings thanks to Seattle’s Greatest CPA… ever.[footnote]Possibly true, but my criteria for evaluation being limited to a favorable iTunes review means all of you should question my methodology.[/footnote]

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!

With so many parts of the world shivering through winter’s icy grip, isn’t it nice to warm up to some offseason bicycle tour planning? On this episode of The Pedalshift Project we chat about some touring news, updates on my spring California coast tour and trying to keep weight off in the winter months to prepare for bike tours to come!

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 042: Offseason bicycle tour planning (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

Show news

• Pedalshift Tour Journals are going to be re-released very soon! I’ve been looking for a way to get support to offset the costs of running Pedalshift and decided that I wanted to give something extra for anyone willing to toss in a few bucks. Volumes 1-4 will be available for purchase later in February and I recorded new intros for all 4  that you can listen to over on the PSTJ pages. I definitely swear in one of them.
  • Volume 1 – Pacific Coast
  • Volume 2 – DC to Pittsburgh
  • Volume 3 – Across New York on the Erie Canal towpath
  • Volume 4 – DC to Boston by folding bike + transit
• Special bonus… because newsletter subscribers are the OGs of Pedalshift supporters I’m going to be including Volume 4 in the February newsletter. If you want in on that, make sure you sign up before Valentine’s Day because the Presidential edition of the Pedalshift Newsletter drops on President’s Day, the 15th with that plus your usual bonus pod for the month.

The Journal

Car free in DC this May

17 miles of DC streets are going to be car free on 5/22! First ever DC Bike Ride… should be amazing (and sadly I have a weekend trip to NC already planned so no go for me!)

C+O Bikes in Hancock, no more?

Just found out that Dennis Hudson has sold C&O Bicycle to a Hancock businessman. It is not clear weather the new owner will continue to offer sales and services; and the operation of the bunk house is in doubt also. The shop is scheduled to reopen in April of 2016 so we’ll see then what changes have been made.

Update: Rumors are circulating that there will be no bicycle mechanic on duty, no parts & accessory sales and the bunk house will be used for lawn tractor storage. My take is that the new owners really don’t know anything about the bicycle industry and just bought the store for the “space”; will make a token effort to keep the “bike shop” going but will call it quits in 2017 because “it’s not making money”…

This is terrible news. Dennis was the king of the trail. It’s been the best shop between DC and Cumberland.

Bicycle tour planning for spring

California coast this April! Pacifica to I don’t know in late April. I have a flight booked out of LAX and zero chance of getting there by all bike so this one is going to be a play it by ear ride. Definitely hitting HMB, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, SLO and then maybe some of the central coast near Santa Barbara before figuring out the best fast forward to LA to finish up. Should be fun and it looks like special touring guest MJ will be along for the ride. Looking forward to it!

4 days enough to through-ride the C+O/GAP?

It’s totally possible to do 85 miles per day, but could suck if it’s not your idea of fun. Hell, it’s possible to do the whole trail in one day (not for me, but it’s been done!). Join me on nerding out with this bicycle tour planning:

• If I had 4 days when I was a first timer, I’d have done all C&O or all GAP.
  • 4 days on the C&O averages 46 miles per day which means you can enjoy the time, take a dip in the river if you want, and even have time in some of the towns to explore.
  • 4 days on the GAP is perhaps a little too much for riding every day, but you could stay two nights in Ohiopyle or somewhere else scenic and enjoy being outside.
• Amtrak fast forward options westbound (assumes a pickup or car rental in PGH at end of day 4.)
  • Alt 1
    • Day 1: DC to Harpers Ferry. Leave early enough and you can ride 60 miles, cross the Potomac bridge and grab the 5:16pm train westbound. Go two stops to Cumberland and stay at the Y’s campground in town ($10) or ride back 4 miles on the C&O to the free Evitts Creek campground.
    • Day 2-4 Ride the GAP to Pittsburgh in 3 days.
    • Easier because the mileage is flexible after day 1. DC to Harpers Ferry is a very typical first day. Downside is getting a loaded bike up the staircase to cross the bridge, but people do it every day.
  • Alt 2
    • Day 1: DC to HF
    • Day 2: HF to the Hancock area
    • Day 3: Hancock to Cumberland — grab the 7:17pm train and go to Connellsville. Camp at the free adirondack shelters at the western edge of town right on the trail (behind the grocery store… very well placed!)
    • Day 4: Ride 65 miles to Pittsburgh
    • A little more aggressive but gets you more exposure to the C&O plus a night at one of my favorite free campsites on the GAP.
  • Alt 3
    • Days 1-3: Ride the C&O
    • Day 4: Do a day trip on the GAP up to the eastern continental divide (about 25 miles) and then bomb down the hill again back to Cumberland. Get picked up there or take the 7:17pm train to Pittsburgh (pick up at 11:48 pm).
    • Gives you all the C&O plus some amazing views on the GAP with a rewarding downhill return to Cumberland. There’s also a train option to take you up the hill, but I recommend riding it. The end time in PGH is late.
  • Alt 4
    • Days 1-3: C&O
    • Day 4: GAP to Rockwood
    • Day 5: GAP to Connelsville, take 9:47pm train to PGH, pickup at 11:48pm.
    • Squeezing out a 5th day if you have a really helpful and understanding partner who also can handle that late PGH pickup!

The Lab

Miles per gallon.. of olive oil!

David Merfeld on FB: Last week I saw a courier with a bag saying something like “55 miles per burrito”. That got me thinking about what our “miles per gallon” actually are. So, here goes. Olive oil is 8.8 calories per gram, and is also 911 grams per liter. Since there are 3.79 liters per gallon, what works out to 30,384 calories per gallon of olive oil. Using rough numbers from various web sites, I found that a cyclist riding 11 mph needs 379 calories per hour, or 34.45 calories per mile. Divide that into 30,384 and, and you get 882 miles per gallon. Sorry, I’m a CPA, this is just the kind of thing we do.

Revisiting weight loss

Using Lose It, an app to keep track of my calories in the off season. As I’m typically accustomed to, I gain weight when I bike less and particularly when I go more than a few months since a real tour. This is becoming a part of my winter bicycle tour planning and prep that I’d prefer not to have to do, but it’s helpful for those hills come spring! Check out my past posts on this:

• Bike touring and offseason weight gain + loss (2014)
• Offseason conditioning: Step 0 (2014)

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 just heard Jason’s new album and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops this spring!

A chat about our bike touring lessons learned with Mysterious James. MJ returns for the “bourbon soaked” after hours dance party (most of those things were not a part of the podcast) where we chat about our bike touring lessons and experiences. If you missed part 1, go check that out… Mysterious James and I started bike touring together, but he’s taken it to a whole new level with trips to the remote corners of western Canada, Alaska, the Great Divide, South America and more.

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 041: Bike touring lessons with Mysterious James (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

The Interview: MJ and bike touring lessons learned

• Part one of the interview on global bike touring
• MJ’s “bio” at uncommonlysilly.com
• Santiago’s bike district (!)
• Memories of small places on big tours
• How long is your limit for touring? Expectations.
• Mongolia vs. Norway for 2016?
• First time tourers in Patagonia
• The accessibility of bike touring
• The age demographics of bike touring?
• Working from the road
• Internet connectivity in South America
• Using a GPS with no maps in South America
• Power saving MJ mode
• Connected vs. disconnected touring
• Dynohub vs. extra batteries
• Sun and heat are our enemies
• Touring your lineage
• Should vs. want to tours in North America
• US Bicycle Routes + NYS/PA bicycle routes

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 just heard Jason’s new album and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops this spring!

Do podcasts get middle aged? Well we’re 40. Know what else is turning 40 this year? Bikecentennial… arguably the origin of modern bicycle touring. We’ll touch on one of the things going on to celebrate the milestone, dig in on some 2016 tour plans and hit the backlog of gear talk and connections from before the holidays.

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 040: Bikecentennial at 40 + 2016 tour planning (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too. Newsletter drops January 15th, so sign up before then and you’ll get January’s!

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

Bikecentennial 40

Bikecentennial on Wikipedia
The TransAm and Bikecentennial
Bike your park day 9/24/16
Path Less Pedaled has some cool images:

One of the hardest lessons to learn is to not get attached to footage if it doesn’t serve the larger piece. Original animated intro until some home video footage surfaced from 1976 which was just more compelling. #killyourbabies #productionlife

A video posted by PathLessPedaled (@pathlesspedaled) on Jan 12, 2016 at 11:01am PST

Tour Journals

Spring CA coast ride
Considering hosting a weekend Pedalshift tour from DC to my cabin in WV.

Gear Talk

Bromptons: when flying, go stealth mode

And eff Delta. And eff Brompton traitors who work for Delta.
Never has it been more clear that stealth mode is important than now.

.@Delta just charged me $150 one way for this piece of luggage. Guess why. pic.twitter.com/zsuOzPLBBX

— Darren B (@bikepedantic) December 15, 2015

Ugh. Wanna know how and why?

@jessicaroberts one of the other gate agents has one. His amiable smalltalk was a trap.

— Darren B (@bikepedantic) December 15, 2015

Worst part of @bikepedantic getting charged for his Brompton? The outing by a fellow Brompton rider! “Its a trap!” pic.twitter.com/ToAbuRl6ii

— Pedalshift (@pedalshift) December 15, 2015

It’s a trap!

Tech on the road

FOTS Paul Mulvey:

• 2012, comparing the MBA to iPad 1
• 2015,  the iPad Air on tour

Selected past posts on tech:

• What to pack on bike tour (and what not to pack)
• Efficiencies of gear choice
• Tips and tricks for keeping your devices powered up on bike tours

Google Maps bike directions

FOTS Paul Mulvey on issues with Google Maps bike layers See the Google Maps product forum thread for more.

Followup on bulging tires

Mike Cobb from Facebook:

A section of plastic soda bottle, cut to a size extending 1.5″ outside of the bulge, with sanded edges (using patch kit sand paper or pavement), duct taped to the inside of the tire, can often provide a permanent solution to damaged casing on a tire wider than 1.5″. Narrower tires can be fixed similarly, but the lump is felt.

I find this comforting, because in the U.S., it’s pretty easy to find discarded soda bottles on the side of the road or at least in garbage cans.

Connections

Happy 2016! We kick off the year talking about global bike touring with the one and only Mysterious James in the first of a two parter. James and I started bike touring together, but he’s taken it to a whole new level with trips to the remote corners of western Canada, Alaska, the Great Divide, South America and more.

Hey it’s the direct download link for episode 039 (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 pedalshiftproject@gmail.com or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

Housekeeping

We’re kicking things off in 2016 with weekly shows… to start. Last year I promised biweekly/fortnightly shows and did more than that. This year I hope for even more episodes than last year and tour journals as well. Exciting things on the way!

New for 2016… if you want more Pedalshift Project the monthly newsletter will be essentially a bonus podcast. Sign up  and get the members only show every month!

The interview with Mysterious James is in two parts: Pedalshift 039 and 041. Sandwiched in-between? A full episode of connections, gear talk and more as Pedalshift 040 drops next week!

The Interview: MJ and global bike touring

• MJ’s “bio” at uncommonlysilly.com
• How we met
• Learning which bike was for him (Surly LHT eventually)
• Early tours
• West coast
• How he ditched me for greater glory
• Alaska
• The Great Divide
• Epic injuries and rescues
• A year of healing up
• South America
• Touring at elevation
• Expedition touring
• What’s next
• What you get out of bike touring

Look for part 2 on Pedalshift Project 041, coming soon!

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 just heard Jason’s new album and it is AWESOME. More info when that drops this spring!