The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

When we talk about mindfulness in bicycle travel, we mean paying close attention to our experiences and feelings while we are biking. Sometimes this is a natural thing to do and doesn't require any added thought, and sometimes it's helpful to be intentional about it because it can often enhance your travel. On this edition, we talk about how bicycling can be a mindfulness practice.

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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

Choosi...

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.

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
• Bes...

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: ...

Day 3 of the ride was a return to a familiar road route that kicked off this whole riding in Florida thing all the way back in 2019. But after two days of mostly idyllic trail riding, would competing for asphalt with cars and trucks be a rude awakening? And also, what direction are the prevailing winds in Florida again?

Space Coast Loop - Part 3

• Morning Preparations and Departure
  • Early morning considerations for ...

Day 2 of the Space Coast Loop, starts with another early morning, and nearly twice the mileage of the previous day. Riding on the Spring to Spring and East Central Regional Rail Trails promised to be great, along all the Spanish moss and unique wildlife central Florida has to offer. But ah those pesky headwinds coming off the coast I’m trying to reach… will my less-than-robust pre-ride conditioning do me in?

Space Coast Loop - ...

Packing up and getting myself and my trusty Brompton to central Florida is a well-practiced mid-winter routine for me at this point. But this year, we’re mixing it up with a new route and (finally?) some actual camping in the sunshine state. But would the unfamiliar route and lack of decent conditioning through the holidays put the brakes on this adventure before we even start?

Space Coast Loop - Part 1

• Preparation an...

The first tour of 2024 is a little bit of an old friend, but with brand new parts. Central Florida in early winter has treated me well, but things need to be shaken up. How about crossing a chunk of the state on a fantastic trail and mixing in some camping for the first time on one of these adventures? On this episode, we preview all of the excitement to come!

Space Coast Loop Preview

Trip Overview

Announcement of...

The big project for 2024 is building the ultimate custom ebike. On this episode we go over the three key components to the build, from picking the perfect frame, the right  mid-drive motor and a battery that gives range and power. What’s better than a project that blends tech with cycling? 

Building an eBike

The Ebike Build Plan Overvie...

Just like last year, let's set some goals for bike adventures in 2024! Studies show you are more likely to achieve your goals if they are specific and measurable, plus you write them down and share them with others. As a nudge to get you to do the same, I'm sharing my goals for bike adventures in 2024 here on the pod!

2024 Bike Adventure Goals

1. New Experiences in Bike Travel

Goal Plan at least three bike trips to destina...

We kick off 2024 with an interview of filmmaker Daniel Troia on his award-winning documentary, We Are All in This Together which tracks a cross-country bicycle journey with the hope of gaining a better understanding of the human connection, relying on the kindness of strangers.

Filmmaker Interview - We Are All in This Together

- Introduction

- The Documentary

- Social Issues and Cycling

- Route and Experiences

- Previous C...

For the final epsiode of 2023, we take a peek at the future at the intersection of technology and cycling. It seems like artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing everything else, so how could it help with bicycle travel? On this edition we dream up AI-assisted route planning, gear selection and maintenance tips from our robot overlords (kidding!) to help keep your ride smooth.

AI in Route Planning for Bike Touring

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