The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures Tim Mooney

So much of our bike travel is out on the open road, or along some back country trail. But what about the cities? On this edition, we talk about how to make cities and suburban riding a fun and enjoyable part of your next urban bike tour!
Urban Bike Touring Planning Your Urban Adventure - route planning in urban areas.
- researching bike-friendly cities and regions.
- know the area and any rules of paths
Choosing the Right Bike and Gear - bike and gear choices for urban touring.
- have a flexible setup
- Gear recommendations - locks, lights, and bags
Navigating Cities and Suburbs - Tips for navigating city streets safely and confidently.
- Discuss bike lanes, bike-sharing programs, and public transportation integration.
- Strategies for dealing with traffic and busy intersections.
Finding Accommodations - Roofed vs unroofed
-hotels, hostels, rentals, camping.
- Plan ahead vs. staying flexible
Immerse Yourself - Highlight the unique cultural experiences that urban touring offers.
- Suggestions for exploring local cuisine, art, and events.
- Best experiences - NYC, Tampa, SF, LA, San Diego
Challenges - theft concerns and bike security.
- "bad parts of the city" may be real or may be reverse hype
- comfort over all else

An interview with Jesse Herbert on his experiences biike touring Canada (and around the world), plus a ton of great ideas, hacks and tips on all things bicycle touring, from lightening your load to braving a chilly night in a hammock. Originally podcast October 11, 2018.

The big project for 2024 is building the ultimate custom e-bike. On this episode we update where I'm at with the project... have I narrowed things down or am I hopelessly lost in  the paradox of choice?
e-Bike Build Update Overview of the e-bike build vs. buy decision. Experiences and research done in Portland, Oregon, highlighting e-bike focused shops. Special mention of Nomad Cycles for custom bike builds. Discussion on the drawbacks of commercially available e-bikes, particularly around proprietary battery systems. Attraction to the "Biking Brian" style of massive battery and universal adapters for custom builds. Considerations against "chonky" e-bike frames for a sleeker, non-e-bike appearance. The decision leaning towards a custom build for its expandability and customization. Thoughts on suspension and tire width for e-bike comfort and stability. Exploring the option of converting the host’s Safari touring bike into an e-bike. Financial and technical considerations of a DIY build. Potential barriers and required new skills and tools. The sentimental value of the Safari bike and the implications of converting it. The downsides of rim brakes on an e-bike and the consideration of disc brakes. Timing concerns for the build project overlapping with prime touring season. Upsides of undertaking the e-bike project: a rewarding challenge, expanding bike mechanic skills, and personalizing the bike. Dilemmas between the ease of buying a pre-made e-bike and the appeal of a custom build. Future steps: considering all options post upcoming spring tour with the Safari bike. Closing thoughts on the e-bike build or buy journey and its implications for the host’s cycling future. Mention of Biking Brian’s build video and load management insights. Security considerations for e-bikes, particularly battery theft. Final reflections on the episode’s discussion and the ongoing decision process.

With the 2024 Florida ride in the rearview mirror, it’s time to assess how it went. I did the ride a bit differently this time… was it the right call? Is there something I definitely want to do next time? And what will I never do again in the Orlando area?
Space Coast Loop - Takeaways A Brompton can do just about any kind of touring you throw at it Resist the temptation to leave tools at home, even for urban tours Best sun management for me - cover up arms and legs, sunscreen face and neck Cycling gloves do make a difference The rumors are true: upright riding is more comfortable The backpack trick is back, baby! Never take US192 to cross I4 - it’s not safe Cycling into Disney World is fun, and I think I’ll keep doing it Central Florida is constantly evolving - some of the trails I ended up on randomly (Shingle Creek Trail opened last year - thanks for the info Fernando!) FL C2C trail is A+ but I’m also intrigued with the Heart of FL trail and the St. Johns River to Sea Loop

The final day of the Space Coast Loop was supposed to be the easiest… a familiar route and a familiar destination, with maybe a quirk at the end. But would my luck avoiding mechanicals finally run out and would making a route change in the middle of the ride end up putting me in the middle of an interstate highway?
Space Coast Loop - Part 4 An Early Start: Starting in St. Cloud, riding by a nearby farm. Route Change: Deciding to take a more direct route including an unfamiliar trail. Riding on US 192: Riding on US 192, recalling past experiences. Assessing Traffic Conditions: Planning to evaluate safety and traffic near Disney Resort. A Mechanical Issue: Facing and resolving a chain jam. Discovering and Using Trails: Finding and using multi-use paths and trails. Encountering Wildlife and Agriculture: Commenting on cows and agriculture near urban areas. Navigating Challenges: US 192 is a bad idea to ride when it crosses I-4! Reflecting on Planning vs. Reality: Reflecting on the differences between planning and actual conditions. Concluding at Coronado Springs Resort: Ending the day at Coronado Springs Resort, opting for a lift to another location. Statistics Miles biked 34.8
Terrible route change ideas 1
Creams in my iced coffee 2
55+ resorts biked by 3? more?
Chain jams 1
Flats 0
Trip Overview

The Ohio to Erie Trail spans 326 miles diagonally across Ohio, linking up Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland and everything in between. On this episode, we chat about the trail and the experience biking across Ohio! Originally podcast March 14, 2019.