The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures Tim Mooney

After a relaxing first night in camp, it was time to put in some real mileage over some real terrain. Fog and cool weather beckoned, but would it remain? And would our next new-to-us campsite with "beach" in its name live up to expectations?
Oregon Coast Remix - Part 2 Morning in Camp
• Coffee experiment failure: James’ protein powder mishap.
• Chilly morning with heavy winds.
• Plans for the day: ride to Newport and Beachside.
Starting the Ride
•Update from Highway 101 near Depot Bay: favorable tailwinds.
•Tim’s new breakfast strategy: snacking on shredded wheat minis.
•Weather and clothing conditions: cool, foggy, perfect for cycling.
First Break
•Brief stop south of Lincoln Beach.
•Positive progress: good pace and energy levels.
•Hydration strategy with electrolyte juice.
Depot Bay Stop
•Stopping for coffee and a treat at Pirate Coffee Company.
•Reflections on past experiences and current ride satisfaction.
Cape Foulweather Climb
•Detailed description of the back road climb on Cape Foulweather.
•Scenic views and serene atmosphere.
•Comparison to previous rides and current weather benefits.
Lunch in Newport
•Meeting James for lunch in Newport.
•Longer than usual break, reflections on its impact.
•Post-lunch ride strategy and sunscreen mishap.
Riding to Waldport
•Update on the ride to Waldport after lunch.
•Grocery run and preparations for the evening.
•Anticipation for Beachside State Recreational Area.
Arrival at Beachside State Recreational Area
•Initial impressions of the campground: close beach access, sandy terrain.
•Comparisons to previous night’s campsite.
•Reflections on the ride and overall experience.
Evening Reflections
•Enjoying the evening with beverages.
•Discussion on the ride and campsite rating.
Statistics Miles biked 50
Protein powder mishaps 1
Other cyclists in camp 0
Hikers in camp 5
Flats 0

A big day of travel from DC to Oregon and then on to the coast… it’s not hassle-free, but the coast and its cooler temperatures await for a grand adventure celebrating ten years of the pod. But wait… who’s that in Lincoln City?
 
Introduction
 
• Opening remarks from Tim in Washington D.C.
• Packing and preparation challenges.
• Importance of cable run for bike handlebars.
 
Travel Troubles and Adjustments
 
• Delayed flight and rebooking with Alaska Airlines.
• Adjusted travel plans leading to an early morning departure.
• Personal updates: spending extra night with family and dealing with remote family health issues.
 
The Journey Begins
 
• Revealing Mysterious James as a trip companion.
• Anticipation for the 10th-anniversary trip of the podcast.
• Details of the bike setup and packing.
• Weather conditions and impact on travel.
 
Flight to Portland
 
• Flight experience: busy airport and smooth connections.
• Challenges with TSA and bike packing.
• Arriving in Portland and rebuilding the bike.
 
Portland to Tillamook
 
• Riding through Portland to brother’s place.
• Adjusting the bike setup.
• Detailed plans for the next day’s travel to the coast.
• Reflections on using local transit systems.
 
Arrival in Tillamook
 
• Experience at Tillamook Safeway.
• Bus journey details and using transit apps.
• Mysterious James’s progress on the coast.
 
Lincoln City Campground
 
• Campground features and setup.
• Ratings and comparisons of the camping experience.
• Discussion on the evolution of cycling tourism post-COVID.
 
Wrapping Up
 
• Final thoughts on the day’s travel and setup.
• Looking forward to the ride through Newport to Beachside State Park.
 
 
Statistics
 
Miles Biked 2.5
Bike tourists in camp 0
Wine-based Choclotinis purchased 2
Mysterious Jameses encountered 1
Flats 0

Ten years ago, I embarked on one of my biggest adventures… cycling the entire Pacific Coast, from border to border. Since then, I’ve revisited sections of that ride time and again. And to be honest, I have some habits… tried and true places to camp and eat and even throw back a few. So to celebrate ten years of the pod, the Oregon Coast makes a lot of sense. But celebrating the past sometimes means looking forward, so maybe we shake it up…. remix the ride. On this episode, a preview of the tenth anniversary ride, the Oregon Coast Remix.
Oregon Coast Remix Preview The ride
 
Lincoln City - Crescent City
A couple of fast forwards (PDX-LC, Port Orford-Brookings)
Reasonable mileage
The remix - new to me campsites each night (except the last one - more in a moment)
Pros - even though this a familiar ride, the tick tock of it isn’t so it’s going to be totally different. New challenges, new rhythms. Ability to spend time in the coastal towns differently. No Sunset Bay!
Cons - I’ll miss out on some classic things like South Beach SP. Would have liked more time. Not in proper bike shape for the ride?
Unknowns - there are h/b campgrounds, but are they any good? 
 
Ride to Union Station, Portland
Bus to Tillamook
Ride to Pacific City?
Bus to Lincoln City
Ride hits so many new h/b campgrounds
Final night… wanted to do Cape Blanco, but in retrospect it’s just too much to get up there (steep and narrow road). Luckily, Humbug Mountain is close enough to Port Orford to bike back to grab the bus. Only campsite I’ll stay at that’s not new to me (barring disaster/change in plans)
Fast forward Port Orford to Brookings and then another bus to Crescent City airport for my car (puke avoidance tour 2024)
 
The gear
 
The Safari - same bike (well same frame and a few of the OG components) as the one that road the coast in 2014
Back from the shop and hopefully riding perfectly
Fully loaded, even bringing a stove
Flying with the Dogsbody bag (which has definitely paid for itself at this point)
Two rear panniers
Fork bags, but using the eVent bags instead of those skinny bags that came with them
Will be the closest to a "4 pannier" setup I’ve ever done
Handlebar roll (new bag)
Lots of capacity, but will try to keep amount of gear and clothing to a minimum. May look heavier than it is?
 
The challenges
 
Not in the best shape
My usual stops won’t make sense so I’ll be improvising a bit
 
The upsides
 
Brand new campgrounds - new sights to see and new perspectives of the coast
Different rhythm to the ride makes it closer to new
I’m in this for fun, not breaking speed records… hoping to stop at a few cool places I usually pass by
Might have some surprises. It’s the ten year anniversary adventure, after all!
 
Tour Journals start… next week!

I’ve taken listeners on a bunch of rides on the C&O (including the current one!), so it's worth revisiting my guide to riding it. In the second of two parts, we go section by section from DC to Cumberland. It’s an audio guide to cycling the C&O Canal towpath whether you’re a first timer of a full on expert. Originally podcast November 18, 2021.
Best of Pedalshift 263: Guide to the C&O - Section by Section

10 takeaways from a bike trip that was supposed to be slow but ended up being quite different than anticipated...
C&O But Slow Takeaways 10 takeaways from a bike trip that was supposed to be slow but ended up being quite different than anticipated:
1. Unplanned Higher Mileage Day: Despite the intention to have a slow and leisurely ride, the trip ended up requiring a high mileage day due to weather conditions and route changes
2. Changing Routes Due to Weather: The need to avoid bad weather led to a significant change in plans, including a decision to ride to the cabin instead of continuing on the planned trail
3. Encounter with Rolling Coal: The trip included an unpleasant experience of being coal-rolled by a truck, highlighting some of the challenges and hostility faced on the road
4. Gear Issues: Mechanical problems, such as issues with the bike's gearing, added to the difficulty of the trip. This required on-the-go adjustments and highlighted the need for future maintenance
5. Utilizing Lights for Safety: Riding on exposed and less-traveled roads necessitated the use of fully charged lights to ensure safety, especially in low visibility conditions
6. Importance of Flexibility: The trip underscored the importance of being flexible and adapting to changing conditions, such as unexpected weather and route challenges
7. Strategic Zero Days: Taking a zero day (a rest day with no riding) proved to be a wise decision to avoid riding in bad weather and to recuperate from a strenuous day
8. Food and Hydration Management: Managing food and hydration was crucial, with stops to consume snacks and hydrate, especially given the physical exertion and varying conditions
9. Navigating New Routes: The journey involved navigating new and less familiar routes, which added an element of exploration but also required careful planning and adjustments
10. Reflection on Pace and Experience: Despite the trip being more challenging than expected, it offered valuable experiences and insights, leading to reflections on the importance of pace, enjoying the ride, preparation, flexibility, and resilience.
Best of next week and then we continue the celebration of 10 years of Pedalshift with Oregon Coast Remixed!

After a rejuvenating zero day to avoid the storms, I had one more day of road riding to catch my train. A familiar route, but not exactly one with mindfulness paid to bikes. Would I catch the train home?
Celebrate 10 Years of Pedalshift Quick housekeeping if you missed last episode’s live show news… I’m off to Oregon for the 10th anniversary tour: Oregon Coast Remixed! We’ll pivot right into that as soon as we wrap up the C&O But Slow over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Also another shout to Lael Wilcox’s pod… her adventure around the world continues so make sure you follow along Lael Rides Around the World wherever you get this pod. Unless you get it off my website, in which case go google hers ;)
C&O But Slow - Part 4 Introduction
Good morning from the cabin. Discussion about the day’s ride and weather conditions. Reflection on the decision to take a zero day due to bad weather. Travel Plans and Preparations
Route description: predominantly downhill, then uphill, and flat sections. Mention of carrying less load compared to previous rides. Discussion on the necessity of taking the garbage to remote bins. Weather conditions: cold, layering up, and safety measures with lighting on the bike. Highlighting areas of exposure to highways and the importance of planning the ride to avoid rush. On the Road Experiences
Initial thoughts after starting the ride and adjusting clothing layers. Navigating roads and using Google Maps for routing, challenges with algorithm recommendations. Encounter with the lowest elevation point near Back Creek and the difficulties with uphill rides. Discussion about the upcoming route, including passing the county landfill and Ridge Road’s rollercoaster-like terrain. Mid-Ride Reflections
Break to consume snacks and hydrate, reflection on time management for the ride. Encounter with local traffic and the need for careful navigation on Ridge Road. Challenges with the bike's mid gears and potential need for maintenance. Final Leg of the Journey
Detailed description of the last few miles and final crossing of Highway 9. Observations on new constructions and reflections on the local area’s development. Final thoughts on the ride, considering an e-bike for future trips for efficiency. Nearing the train station, managing time well and cooling down after the ride. Arrival at Martinsburg Train Station
Reflection on the ease of the final stretch and the efficiency of the route taken. Thoughts on Martinsburg’s potential and current state, including commuter resources. Preparing for the train ride back, discussion on local transit options and their effectiveness. Return to DC
Arrival in DC, reflection on the overall trip and its unexpected developments. Observations on local cycling culture and the changes seen in the area. Mention of upcoming episodes and future plans for spring and summer. Statistics Miles biked 20.1
Trains taken 1
Bars eaten 2
Celebratory train beers 1
Flats 0