So the ebike is a brick in the back of my Rav4, but it still works like a normal bike, so let’s keep going! But a sudden realization may provide the solution to unlock all the battery goodness, just as another stunning discovery makes me realize, this trip’s Plan B was all meant to be. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3 Hotel pack-up & quick diagnosis Morning in Oswego, NY. Realizes the motor cut-off is just a loose brake-lever magnet. Simple electrical/duct-tape fix brings the e-bike back to life. ...
Jul 03, 2025•57 min•Ep. 405
Episode 404? Isn’t 404 a website error? Well part 2 of the Lake Ontario adventure corrects for the very serious 404 we had with the ebike. Still a mystery, but we’re recovering and adventuring by bike in amazing towns like Sodus Point and Oswego, exploring apple orchard memories and historic nuclear power plants in between. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2 Abandoning the E-Bike Dream (For Now) The electric bike project is benched due to reliability issues Reflections on bike trust, touring logistics, ...
Jun 26, 2025•45 min•Ep. 404
Folks, if you've followed this pod for any length of time you know my bike adventures usually have a component that goes sideways. But has it ever happened before a single pedal stroke? Can the Lake Ontario adventure survive something like that? Lake Ontario 2025: Part 1 Packing anxiety: two batteries, 90+ mile days, and a lot of unknowns My ride strategy: charging on the go and treating watts like water Leaving from my parents’ home—why this ride had emotional weight First day jitters: range, e...
Jun 19, 2025•39 min•Ep. 403
After years of circling this ride (pun intended) it’s time to do a lap of the lake that I’ve lived near for a big chunk of my early life. Would it have been easier to pick a smaller lake? Sure. But Lake Ontario truly is a Great Lake in the sense it is surrounded by diverse and interesting places we’ll discover together. Lake Ontario 2025 Preview The basics About 540 miles Two countries, two border crossings Ferries galore All roofed lodging Rural stops and big cities Driving ebike to WNY that is...
Jun 12, 2025•33 min•Ep. 402
What happens when you’ve only got one day in Los Angeles, a conference that demands your physical presence, and a red-eye flight back home? You grab a Metrobike and explore, of course! On this edition, it’s a whirlwind bike share adventure from the hilly streets of Westwood to the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk and a race for that flight home. Los Angeles Metrobike Adventure Intro: •Location: Westwood, California •Reason: Quick trip for an AI conference •Game plan: Metrobike adventure from UCLA t...
Jun 05, 2025•26 min•Ep. 401
Part 2 of 2. My three day weekend tour was about to be washed out by the remnants of yet another hurricane rolling through the area. And since the C&O isn’t exactly the best trail in a soaker, it was a good idea to reverse course and head back to my cabin. But would the tropical gusher wipe me out or would my “special” river crossing be impossible to traverse?
May 29, 2025•37 min
They say you only live once and some people shorten that up to YOLO, turn that into a verb and make questionable decisions. Sometimes that’s a pathway to adventure. And sometimes, it’s a convenient excuse to do things you aren’t supposed to. On my first day to complete a full ride of the C&O in 2020, I YOLO’d more than I typically YOLO.
May 22, 2025•39 min
I'd ridden an ok amount that year, but to be honest, as the year was winding down I realized there were two spots I always hit that I haven't been to yet. So I needed to play a little clean up and get wheels down on those two gems! In part 2, I revisit one of my favorite campsites… maybe one of my single favorite places I can get to from home, by bike!
May 15, 2025•31 min
I'd ridden an ok amount that year, but to be honest, as the year was winding down I realized there were two spots I always hit that I haven't been to yet. So I needed to play a little clean up and get wheels down on those two gems! In part 1, I tackle the big hill on the Cumberland side of the Great Allegheny Passage!
May 08, 2025•50 min
As I said last time… sometimes bad ideas go good, and good ideas go bad. And then there’s the latest bonkers idea of a tour I had… a game of chance. In the final installment, we learn preparation can sometimes be the key to a good tour, or it can mean you carry a lot in your panniers more for show. Originally podcast October 28, 2021.
May 01, 2025•25 min
Sometimes bad ideas go good, and good ideas go bad. And then there’s the bonkers idea of a tour I had… a game of chance. In the first of two parts, let’s see how random selection of route, direction and more makes for a tour. Where are we going – chance decides! Originally podcast October 21, 2011.
Apr 24, 2025•29 min
Four hundred episodes into this project, we gathered together on April 11, 2025 for a live show to celebrate the occasion. On this edition I revealed a new tour, announced a short spring break (with episodes, never fear!), and did some Ask Me Anythings! Pedalshift 400 Live Hey check out the video if that's your bag... https://www.youtube.com/live/EJfDdaQDgeE?si=NruP9cvgb0mgY8ip Introduction •Tim kicks off Episode 400 live with listeners in the chat •Reflects on 10+ years of podcasting, over 1.3 ...
Apr 17, 2025•52 min•Ep. 400
It’s planning season for spring and summer tours! But if you’re in the US or planning a bike adventure here, there’s some real question marks about our national park system. From budget cuts to layoffs and reinstatements to ever-increasing demand… is this the right year to consider a trip through Yellowstone or Shenandoah? Pedalshift 400 Live Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me An...
Apr 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 399
We’re often asked what you should get someone into bike touring… but what about a gift for a friend or loved one who is literally in the middle of a bike tour? Inspired by a Reddit thread, but not one of *those* Reddit threads… some fun ideas that would really help make someone’s tour! Originally podcast July 21, 2022 .
Apr 03, 2025•16 min
The Florida adventure is in the rear view mirror but I have so many lessons learned from this trip… and I’ll share a bunch of them with you here on the takeaways edition to close out the trip. Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well? Takeaways from the Jacksonville-to-Orlando Bike Tour Day 1 (Jacksonville to St. Augustine) ...
Mar 27, 2025•24 min•Ep. 398
The previous day’s winds having ebbed, it was time to ride a full day again. And with grayer skies and the winds more at my back than my face, day 3 got things back on track. Would last year’s free campsite be as welcoming on this trip? Pedalshift 400 Live Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well? Florida Coast Part 4 Statis...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 397
The previous day’s winds having ebbed, it was time to ride a full day again. And with grayer skies and the winds more at my back than my face, day 3 got things back on track. Would last year’s free campsite be as welcoming on this trip? Pedalshift 400 Live Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well? Florida Coast Part 3 Statis...
Mar 13, 2025•58 min•Ep. 396
I used to do a beginners series on the show (and hope to do another again) but never did a whole show on “don’t make the same mistake I did.” So, on this episode… mistakes to avoid as a beginner! Originally podcast July 21, 2022.
Mar 06, 2025•25 min
There are few rules in bicycle adventures, but I am a firm believer in the one that says you do not taunt the bike touring gods. Day 1 was a breeze, I said! The bike gods respond with a breeze of their own. Would their wrath of headwinds push me to screeching halt on my way to Daytona? Pedalshift 400 Live Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surpris...
Feb 27, 2025•51 min•Ep. 395
The first day of the Florida Coast adventure starts from the cooler air of Jacksonville, carrying me south through a series of beach towns on the way to a state park outside of St. Augustine with two entrances… the short way has a locked gate… would I be able to get through or have to go all the way back around (complete with extra miles) to get to camp? Pedalshift 400 Live Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalsh...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 394
My annual tradition of a winter ride in the sunshine state continues! Unlike past years, I’m shaking things up with the start and focusing on a coastal ride along the East Coast Greenway before turning inland. But the Florida Coast is the name of the game for this adventure, and on this episode we preview the ride! Florida Coast Preview The ride Jacksonville to WDW over 4 days! East Coast Greenway! A ferry! Mostly coastal riding with the ocean over my left shoulder (who knew?) Revisting the Flor...
Feb 13, 2025•19 min•Ep. 393
I ride three different bikes for touring, and each one has plusses and minuses depending on what kind of ride I’m looking for. But if you’re new to bike touring or looking for another bike, what should you be thinking about? On this episode, the things I look for in a touring bike! Originally podcast August 11, 2022 .
Feb 06, 2025•35 min
So I successfully rode 75 miles on a single charge of my eBike battery (with a little bit of a top off!). What did I learn from the adventure and what does it mean for future trips with my ebike? eBike Range Test Takeaways 75ish miles is pretty great with a little top off… that’s amazing for the C&O and other reasonably flat terrain! 1.Battery Management is Key •The ride underscored the importance of efficient battery use. Keeping the e-bike battery between 20% and 80% for everyday use is re...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 392
On this episode we ride from my cabin to Cumberland, MD on the C&O towpath to see if we can squeeze 75 miles out of my eBike battery! With only one real opportunity to top off, this is a real test with fairly unfun consequences if I run out… did I make it or did I have to pedal the last bit without that little extra boost? Quick programming note… this episode is a beast, so I’m going to do takeaways next episode… feel free to listen to this one in chunks as it’s over an hour!...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 391
On this episode we turn the page back to last fall when I did a secret mini tour with a big purpose… to test the range of my eBike battery on the C&O trail! Can I stretch one full charge enough to get a full day’s ride in with all of the pedal assist I want? Let’s find out the hard way! eBike Range Test Preview The ride Cabin to Cumberland, road and trail 1 day, 1 charge* eBike! The idea Can I stretch the battery enough to get me 75.1 miles from cabin to Cumberland? Learning about range Lear...
Jan 16, 2025•15 min•Ep. 390
On this edition of the pod, we kick off 2025 with the intent to make it a year of celebration in a time of loss for me. But celebration is more fun, so let’s do that. 2014’s trip was a shout out to my grandmother and 2025 now has to be the same for my dad, who passed away at his home in NY just before Christmas. So, what are we doing by bike to celebrate his life and all sorts of other things? Celebrating plans already made, and taking care of yourself - yes, I’m in western NY for a few weeks th...
Jan 09, 2025•12 min•Ep. 389
With a bunch of snow and ice on the ground where I’m at, it’s a good time to focus on things that will help bike tours coming after the thaw. On this episode, an update on my winter fitness goals, what I’m doing to keep it going plus some ideas on winter bike maintenance. Originally podcast January 20, 2022 .
Jan 02, 2025•28 min
Shifty Saves the Holidays! It's an annual tradition around here that we celebrate the holidays with my senior executive producer and best buddy Shifty the Elf celebrating the year that has been. This year, in a nearly all elf-driven plot, our guy Shifty finds the magic in 2024 to make the holidays special once again. Happy holidays all, and see you in 2025!
Dec 24, 2024•16 min•Ep. 388
I’ll admit, I’ve been bikepacking curious for a while. As my touring continues to expand and evolve I’m thinking more about bikepacking options and I thought I’d share the process on the pod. Join me, won’t you? Originally podcast January 28, 2021 .
Dec 19, 2024•30 min
A repodcast of Pedalshift Live from December 6, 2024 featuring special guest Mysterious James and YOUR questions for a big round of Ask Us Anything. Huge shoutout to the folks that came and made this one of the best live shows yet! 1. Top 3 Must-Have Items for Bike Touring • James: Once considered a cook set essential but now tours stoveless. Values minimal gear and adaptability. • Tim: iPhone (multi-use tool), foldable backjack chair, and positive vibes for motivation. 2. Best Place for Car-Fre...
Dec 12, 2024•59 min•Ep. 387
