Spring Break: A Game of Chance - Part 1

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? 

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 million downloads •Expresses gratitude to listeners and the broader bike travel community   Shout-Outs & Tributes •Listener shout-outs: •Forrest from Whitehorse on the GAP Trail •Byron and the Sprocket listener crossover poll (results were a 50/50 split) •Tribute to The Sprocket Podcast: •Final episode recently released •Strong influence on Pedalshift’s creation •Encourages new listeners to explore the Sprocket back catalog •Shared values and crossover episodes remembered fondly   Tour Reveal: Circumnavigating Lake Ontario •Dedicated to Tim’s late father; the lake was important to him •Starting in Western New York, likely near Tim’s mother’s home •Full loop around Lake Ontario •Using the e-bike with a second battery for extended range •No camping: entirely hotel or Airbnb lodging •Expected duration: under a week •Part of 2025 goals: new route, international travel, expanded e-bike touring   Pedalshift Spring Break •First planned break in podcast history (show remains weekly) •Begins April 24, 2025 •Through May, rebroadcasting selected past mini-tours: •Game of Chance Tour •Cleanup Tour •Fill in the Blanks Tour •New content returns in June with: •Los Angeles Metro Bike Adventure (Episode 401) •Lake Ontario Tour coverage begins with Episode 402   Ask Me Anything (Live Chat Q&A)   Tour Planning and Equipment •Uses RideWithGPS, Google Maps, and Street View for route planning •Recommends overlays like RideWithGPS heatmaps for checking route popularity •Apple Notes is the go-to tool for organizing transit and fast-forward trips •Safari and Brompton are the most used bikes for local/urban riding •Gravel/dirt touring is appealing, especially with proper gear; has done C&O and Erie Canal •Tour terrain preference: tie between forested and coastal routes   C&O Canal Guidance •Cumberland to DC is a favorable direction due to logistics and parking •Recommends Harper’s Ferry to Shepherdstown segment for beginners   Tour Ideas and Alternatives •Florida ride likely to be retired after repeated versions •Considering Arizona desert rides, Florida Keys, or San Diego to Phoenix •Airline logistics (especially Southwest policy changes) influence decision-making •Possibility of international touring (Europe later in 2025, Australia someday)   Fun Pop Culture AMA •Favorite Prince songs to bike to: •Let’s Go Crazy •Seven (all-time favorite) •Raspberry Beret, Purple Rain, 1999 also mentioned •Brief discussion of cycling music and personal playlist choices   Future Travel Hints •Canada’s Lake Ontario loop is Tim’s first true international bike tour •Possibility of a short European ride in late summer 2025 •Dreaming of riding in Australia during shoulder seasons   Closing Remarks •Gratitude to listeners and live show participants •Encouragement to get out and ride, share stories, and connect with community •Next live show planned for later in the year •Spring break content begins April 24, new episodes resume in June  

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 Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well? What’s Happening with US National Parks in 2025? •Brief overview of the budget situation: potential closures, service reductions, delayed seasonal openings February firing of a category of federal employees Buyout offer to some employees Just recently a court order led to reinstatement of them Still a huge gap in the staffing needed for the increasing demand •Types of services at risk: ranger programs, campground availability, road maintenance, shuttle systems, water access •Examples of parks most likely to be affected - Yosemite, Yellowstone and most of the majors that are on bike routes. Impacts on Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking •Common bike routes through or around National Parks (e.g., Skyline Drive, Natchez Trace, Blue Ridge Parkway, Yellowstone Loop, etc.) •How closures or reduced services complicate trip planning •Campgrounds unavailable or unmaintained •Fewer refill spots for water/food •Riskier road conditions due to lack of maintenance or ranger presence •Potential increase in car traffic on fewer open roads •Implications for car-free or low-impact travelers Tips for Bike Travelers Navigating These Changes •Research and plan ahead: how to track park-specific updates •Use apps and websites that reflect real-time closures (NPS.gov, iOverlander, RideWithGPS updates, ACA forums) •Be prepared for self-sufficiency: water filtration, food storage, backup shelters •Consider alternative routes: National Forests, state parks, BLM lands •Join or support advocacy efforts for bike access and funding for parks

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.

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) 1. A Ferry Ride to Kick Things Off – The journey began with a ferry ride across the St. Johns River, adding a scenic and unique element right from the start. Incorporating ferries into bike tours always makes for an enjoyable experience. 2. Gate Code Saves the Day at Anastasia State Park – The planned shortcut to the campsite led to a locked gate, but having the code allowed access without a detour. Avoiding extra miles at the end of a long day was a major win. 3. Improvised Gear Setup on the Brompton – A key piece of the backpack-mounting system was missing, requiring an improvised fix using a monopod and zip ties. The setup held up well throughout the ride, proving that adaptability is key in bike touring.   Day 2 (St. Augustine to Flagler Beach Area) 4. Bananas Are the Best Electrolyte Solution – Instead of relying on electrolyte pills, which can cause nausea, bananas proved to be an effective way to prevent leg cramps. A simple, natural solution that made a big difference in managing hydration and muscle recovery. 5. A Route Adjustment Shortened the Day, but It Was Still Challenging – The original 57.7-mile plan changed with a 20-mile fast forward, making for a shorter but still demanding day. Even with the adjustment, Florida’s heat, humidity, and terrain required careful pacing and hydration.   Day 3 (Port Orange to Rural Central Florida) 6. Headwinds and Humidity Made for a Tough Solo Ride – With no fast forward on this leg, the ride covered the full planned distance through sticky, muggy conditions. After the challenging conditions of the previous day, endurance and smart pacing were crucial to finishing strong. 7. Road Noise at Campgrounds Was a Constant Issue – Unlike remote wilderness bike tours, the campgrounds on this route were consistently noisy, with traffic sounds carrying late into the night. Sleeping conditions were impacted by a combination of humidity and the urban-adjacent settings.   Day 4 (Final Push to Disney) 8. A Pre-Dawn Start Took Advantage of Cooler Temperatures – The ride began at 6:15 AM, allowing for several miles before the sun and heat became overwhelming. The early start also meant less traffic and a peaceful stretch along the trail. 9. A Fast Forward to Winter Garden Allowed for New Route Exploration – Instead of repeating a previously ridden portion of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, a fast forward brought the ride to Winter Garden, where new routes could be explored. This decision balanced efficiency with the excitement of seeing something different. 10. A Challenging Finish with More Traffic Than Expected – The final approach onto Disney property was busier than usual, making the last miles more hectic than anticipated. Despite the increased traffic, the ride concluded at the planned finish line, maintaining a long-standing tour tradition.