Tag: gear talk

March 30, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 318: California 2023 Chapter 3 – Border Run Loop

Chapter 3 of the 2023 California Adventure was a new approach to an old triumph… revisiting the end of the 2014 Pacific Coast tour at the Mexican border. But would the remnants of the storm that gave me windy conditions and overflowing rivers throughout southern CA stand in the way of this chapter’s goal?

The Pedalshift Project 318: California 2023 Chapter 3 - Border Run Loop

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California 2023: Chapter 3 – Border Run Loop

Statistics

Transportation modes 2 (bike, ferry)

Miles ferried 5ish?

Miles biked 33.7

Number of brutally shanked golf shots observed followed by an internal sarcastic yell of “good ball!” 1

Fish tacos 2

Flooded roads crossed 2

Flooded roads not crossed 1

Borders seen 1

Flats 0

For pics, including the mug… click through to Ride With GPS below…

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 track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen!

March 23, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 317: California 2023 Chapter 2 – The Missing Link

Chapter 2 of the 2023 California Adventure may best be characterized by the fast forwards… one by bus and one by train. But in between we get some fantastic riding and adventure. Would the missing link finally be closed?

The Pedalshift Project 317: California 2023 Chapter 2 - The Missing Link

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California 2023 Chapter 2 – The Missing Link

Statistics

Modes of travel 3 (bus, bike, commuter rail)
Vietnamese egg coffees 1
Properly monikered PCHs 1
Camp Pendleton gates crossed 2
Miles biked 16.8 and 21.7
Bus fast forward miles 27.1
Rail fast forward miles 38.1
Flats 0

For pics, including the mug… click through to Ride With GPS below…

Music

March 16, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 316: California 2023 Chapter 1 – LAX-Anaheim

Chapter 1 of the 2023 California Adventure takes us across the country to a very windy Los Angeles, where the remnants of a nasty multiday storm echoed throughout the trip. Southern California is supposed to be warmer than DC, right? Well… kind of.

The Pedalshift Project 316: California 2023 Chapter 1 - LAX-Anaheim

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California 2023 Chapter 1 – LAX-Anaheim

Remember how the The Missing Link created another missing link? Well, in March 2023 we’re finally going to fill that in! It’s a new California adventure, but with a lower case A so I don’t hear from Disney lawyers…

Note… I’m not kidding about the wind! While the audio is pretty great for hearing me thanks to lessons learned in Florida earlier in 2023, the gusts definitely get captured in the audio from time to time, so mea culpa on that.

Statistics

Modes of travel 3 (plane, rail, bike)

Hail storms 1

Green line vomit sightings 1

Miles biked 19.4

Flats 0

Souvenir piraña mugs purchased? 1

For pics, including the mug… click through to Ride With GPS below…

Music

March 9, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 315: California 2023 – Preview

The old song goes, “California here I come, right back where I started from…” and that pretty much sums up the next tour of 2023! On this episode I preview the four chapters of the California 2023 tour, and why this one has tons of adventure contained inside!

The Pedalshift Project 315: California 2023 - Preview

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California 2023 – Preview

The ride(s)

This isn’t so much a linear tour as it is kind of a greatest hits of adventures in multiple chapters.

Chapter 1 – LAX to Anaheim

A transit assisted ride from LAX to Anaheim, featuring the LA Metro Green line and a fun ride from Norwalk to Anaheim on Ball Rd.

Chapter 2 – Anaheim to the Missing Link

A ride, a coastal bus fast forward and getting to flash my Marine Base ID to complete the Missing Link! Then a quick coastal train to beatiful San Diego…

Chapter 3 – Border Run Loop

A ride, a short ferry, and revisting the end-point of my 2014 tour at the Mexican border… and back!

Chapter 4 – The Mileage Run

The adventure to unlock elite status on Alaska Airlines, plus to test my Brompton gate checking systems! Plus, Northern California? Sure!

[NOTE… I will be purchasing carbon offsets for this. I recognize there’s a stupidity to doing this in light of climate change, so I’m going to try to ameliorate that.]

The gear

Well, the Brompton obviously.

Ortlieb front luggage block setup

Larger drysack on the back (learned my lesson from FL – just need more capacity)

Need to be prepared for chillier temps than FL, especially in the mornings.

Rain is unlikely, but I plan to have my rain jacket as my warm outer layer

Trying very hard to reduce the amount of clothes to the bare minimum (had to pack more civilian clothes for FL and didn’t use them)

Revisiting my tool bag… brought too many of the wrong things to FL (more for the Safari).

The weather

Simply glorious… Mid 60s as highs, lows in the 40s.

Hints of rain in the long range forecast?

May cycle in long pants but bring a pair of shorts

The adventures

So much fun on this trip… staying near Disneyland and grabbing a drink with a work friend after the first day.

Fun transit fast forwards (hello 2023 goals!)

Checking the box on the Missing Link (and reusing my base pass!)

Planes… trains… automobiles (bus!) AND a ferry!

The border loop

Tour Journals begin next week!

Music

March 2, 2023

Best of Pedalshift Tour Journals: DC to Boston Transit-Aided Tour – Part 2

Part two of three in a best of covering Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 4 – the mostly transit and smattering of very important folding bike tour from DC to Boston. In this episode it’s the actual tour journal entries from this stunt… err, tour.
Originally podcast August 21, 2015

February 23, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 314: Florida 2023 – Takeaways

My annual winter ride in Florida is in the books, and I have a lot of thoughts… ten, in fact! But the last one is by far my biggest takeaway from a tour in a long time, so stick around for that one!

The Pedalshift Project 314: Florida 2023 - Takeaways

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 314: Florida 2023 – Takeaways (mp3).

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Florida 2023 – Takeaways

1 – I really love this ride, but I want to ride the Cross Florida Trail next year

2 – I also really like integrating cycling with my Disney World visits, so I hope to do that in addition to that ride.

3 – Touring on Brompton means you have to clean parts regularly and avoid touching some parts altogether.

4 – I’m still not fully satisfied with my Brompton touring setup, but I’m also finding it’s pretty good as is.

5 – Florida is not a terrible bicycling state, except where it is.

6 – When faced with headwinds, lower your expectations and go with (well, against) the flow.

7 – Bring all the tools you need, yes even that $1 crescent wrench.

8 – I prefer clothing coverage over sunscreen when I can.

9 – You don’t need to carry thousands of calories of food with you when you’re within a few miles of civilization.

10 – I finally have a name for what happens to me during bike tours… it’s called edema and it’s the body holding onto water for days because of the stress the body undergoes during rides. Turns out, I’m probably not getting enough electrolytes, especially sodium.

Music

February 16, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 313: Florida 2023 – Day 2

It’s my annual winter ride in Florida! The first day’s headwinds abated overnight, but the threat of rain hung over my ride. Would I have to bail out on the short version, or would my energy and dry conditions allow for testing the newer, way more fun route?

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 313: Florida 2023 – Day 2 (mp3).

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Florida 2023 – Day 2

STATISTICS

Chicken encounters 2

Day old sandwiches eaten 1/2 (I finished the other half the next day -wasn’t bad!)

Gallons of water wasted by that dumb developer – seriously, hundreds of thousands. It was gross.

55+ resorts soon to gate off my route 1

New roads that will be better anyways 1

Disney World No Trespassing signs I leaned my bike against for a pic 1

Pineapple celebration drinks imbibed at the end 1

Miles biked 55

Flats 0

Music

February 10, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 312: Florida 2023 – Day 1

It’s my annual winter ride in Florida, but things turned out a little differently this year. Day 1 featured a massive headwind that whittled down my energy and made for, um, challenging audio conditions. It was only 40 miles, but would the wind prevail?

The Pedalshift Project 312: Florida 2023 - Day 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 312: Florida 2023 – Day 1 (mp3).

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Florida 2023 – Day 1

Folks, I ended up having to toss about 30 minutes of witty banter and ride info because the headwinds from Tampa to Lakeland were simply brutal. I used a dedicated recorder with a “dead cat” lavalier microphone and the winds still managed to cut through.

Some of what you hear won’t sound great, but the vast majority is understandable. I solved the problem for next week’s episode so you only have to put up with it for a week.

But this was a really fun ride and I can’t wait for you to listen… so… off we go!

STATISTICS

Average wind sustained headwind speed 20 mph

Average speed 8.3 mph

Cortados in Ybor City 1

Number of times I committed Carny ride slander that was lost to the headwinds in Plant City minimum of 9 times

Coke floats that rescued my energy 0

Separately purchased Coke and ice cream that rescued my energy 1 each

Miles biked 41

Flats 0

Music

February 2, 2023

Best of Pedalshift 028: DC to Boston Transit-Aided Tour – Part 1

Part one of three in a best of covering Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 4 – the mostly transit and smattering of very important folding bike tour from DC to Boston. In this episode we cover the idea, the arbitrary set of rules and my mindset going into this stunt… err, tour.
Originally podcast August 20, 2015

January 26, 2023

The Pedalshift Project 311: Florida 2023 Tour Preview

It’s about as close as we get to an annual tradition around here – the winter tour in central Florida! How is this year the same and how are we mixing things up? In this episode, we preview the 2023 Florida tour!

The Pedalshift Project 311: Florida 2023 Tour Preview

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 311: Florida 2023 Tour Preview (mp3).

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Florida 2023 Tour Preview

“Sure it’s the same route, but is it?”
Tampa to Lakeland to Disney World, sure but it’s refined!
Improved route on day 1 – optimising better route from TPA to MLK Blvd (avoiding waterfront this time)
Brought my route north of downtown this year to avoid weekend activities intervening like last year’s marathon
A morning coffee and breakfast in Ybor CIty, the Cuban and Latin American-influenced part of Tampa
Different hotel in Lakeland this year to have me closer to a local dining option rather than gas station cuisine
Day 2 features another ride into WDW, with the option of the longer route to the north entrance – more to come on that, and it would be my preferred option pending time (short days) and energy

Gear
I briefly considered the Safari and stealth camping near the Van Fleet trail but decided against it… FL wildlife is just too much of a question mark
Also it’s much more logisitically to haul. May scope out to see if stealth hammock camping would be an option this trip.
Brompton it is… credit card touring it is
Sidebar – my Brompton is over at BicycleSpace (my DC LBS) and let’s just say I’ve ridden down the original drivetrain components to the point that it needed quite the overhaul. But… it’ll be ready by the time you hear this for 2024 adventures (thank you Pedalshift Society and anonymous donors for your help on that!)
May consider doing the older backpack version to eliminate the need for the duffle? More carrying capacity, but likely wouldn’t use it.
If so I might consider an expanded cockpit option with the luggage block being freed up
Or… may stick with single pannier plus drybag on rack.
SIDEBAR 2 – I got new Ortlieb backrollers, but orange is no longer an option so I went with blue, which was the most stealth-friendly-ish option. I’m probably going to make the orange ones full time Brompton ones so end of an era, but not really?

Weather
Last year was sunny and flirted with hot. Will be more prepared this year to cover up and have sunscreen in hand before day 1.
However, we saw some truly cold temps during the late year storms in 22 so it’s always possible this ends up being a cool to cold ride… will know more about 10 days out and can bank on things about 3 days out.

Things I want to do
Ybor City – every time I go through there I feel like I need to make miles. This time, I’m stopping.
Dinner at a more “Florida” option in Lakeland
Get a victory drink (to break Dryuary Part 1) at the Coronado or Polynesian Resort
Keep my caloric party within reason

Things I don’t want to do
Run into 10ks
Lose my ID
Get sunburn or otherwise too much sun
Have a Brompton mechanical… there are very few options in central FL!

First entry of the tour journal is in two weeks! Next week’s best of is the start of a multipart adventure highlighting my DC to Boston using (mostly) transit and a little bit of (very critical) folding biking!

California 2023: Chapter 3 – Border Run Loop

Statistics

Music

California 2023 Chapter 2 – The Missing Link

Statistics

Music

California 2023 Chapter 1 – LAX-Anaheim

Statistics

Music

California 2023 – Preview

The ride(s)

Chapter 1 – LAX to Anaheim

Chapter 2 – Anaheim to the Missing Link

Chapter 3 – Border Run Loop

Chapter 4 – The Mileage Run

The gear

The weather

The adventures

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

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

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

Florida 2023 – Takeaways

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

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

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

Florida 2023 – Day 2

STATISTICS

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

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

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

Florida 2023 – Day 1

STATISTICS

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

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

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

Florida 2023 Tour Preview

Music

Bike tour consulting – 1 hour

Bike tour consulting – 4 pack

Pedalshift Society – $29 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – $59 one-shot

Pedalshift Society – Choose Your Own Adventure

Pedalshift Tour Journals Bundle (2014-2016)

Pedalshift Tour Journals Vol. 1: Pacific Coast

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

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