Pedalshift

Pedalshift episodes

January 08The Pedalshift Project 427: Rightsizing Your Bikes for a Move
So you’ve decided to relocate – congratulations! Now you have to figure out what to do with all of your bikes. Do you just move them all or is it time to rightsize your fleet? On this edition, we take a long hard look at my situation with a cross-country move. Do I move them all or is there a better solution?
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp427.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 427: Rightsizing Your Bikes for a Move.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Rightsizing Your Bikes for a Move
Moving long-distance as a forcing function for downsizing
Applying “does this still serve me?” to bikes
When sentimental value isn’t the same as utility
Overlapping bikes and letting go of duplicates
Keeping the most flexible, all-conditions bike
Rethinking an e-bike that isn’t quite right
Pulling parts, donating frames, avoiding bad resale math
The Brompton as the ultimate utility / travel bike
Donating vs selling bikes and why effort matters
Downsizing now to make future bike choices easier
Escaping n+1 without abandoning future upgrades
Letting go to make room for more intentional riding
Live Show January 16 5pm PT
Details at pedalshift.net/live!
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 427: Rightsizing Your Bikes for a Move appeared first on Pedalshift.
25 min
December 25, 2025 The Pedalshift Project 426: The 2025 Holiday Spectacular
Shifty the Elf returns for the annual holiday spectacular! 2025 was… a year. And as Shifty and I pack up for Seattle, there’s a bunch of things we’re going through and boxing up as we bid adieu to the year!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp426.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 426: The 2025 Holiday Spectacular.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Happy Holidays – See you in 2026!
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 426: The 2025 Holiday Spectacular appeared first on Pedalshift.
7 min
December 18, 2025The Pedalshift Project 425: Honolulu and Seattle
A walk along Elliot Bay to discuss the short trip to Honolulu and more on the transition to Seattle and all the bikey adventures to come.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp425.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 425: Honolulu and Seattle.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Honolulu and Seattle
A walk along Elliot Bay
Honolulu thoughts
More Seattle impressions
N+1 thoughts on bikes
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 425: Honolulu and Seattle appeared first on Pedalshift.
19 min
December 11, 2025The Pedalshift Project 424: Pedalshift’s New Basecamp
Big news for the show: The Pedalshift Project is setting up camp in a new city! This episode breaks down what that means for future tours, how this opens up brand-new riding possibilities, and why the destination may be a bit of a surprise and also not a surprise at all.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp424.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 424: Pedalshift’s New Basecamp.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Pedalshift has a new basecamp
Why? This move is all about geography, access, and expanding the Pedalshift touring sandbox. Seattle places world-class touring terrain right outside the door and increases the show’s ability to cover more routes, more often.
And yes—this is a return to the broader PNW. Think of it as a new basecamp, and not a commentary on my beloved Portland. It remains the land of sunshine and bunnies, and it’s just down I-5.
There’s obviously other details to all of this but they are far more weedsy than worth getting into for you all. Let’s focus on the parts that impact the pod!
What Seattle Unlocks for Bike Adventures
Puget Sound & the Islands
Bainbridge, Vashon, Whidbey, and the San Juans
Ferry-based overnighters and S24Os
Olympic Peninsula
ACA Pacific Coast connections
Port Townsend → Sequim → Forks routes
Big coastal scenery for trip diaries
Cascade Range
Palouse to Cascades Trail (hello, cross-state gravel epic)
Snoqualmie Pass corridor
North Cascades Highway rides when the snow gods allow
British Columbia
Vancouver + Victoria loops
Easier cross-border touring content
Western US Access
Simpler jumps to NorCal, SoCal, Alaska, and Rocky Mountain tour starts
How the Show Evolves
More Micro-Tours
Seattle puts quality riding minutes—not hours—away, which means more short trips, more experiments, more rapid-fire episodes.
Some Non-Bicycle Adventures
Exploring by foot – hiking, urban adventures and more. Not a replacement for bikes, but a compliment.
New Possible Arcs
The Islands Project
The Puget Sound Loops
Palouse to Cascades: Piece by Piece
Return to the Coast (Seattle → Portland → Coast → beyond)
Year-Round Riding
Milder PNW winters = more shoulder-season content and gear discussions. Also proximity to southern CA for winter riding?
What Stays the Same
The philosophy of intentional, practical, joyful bike travel
Long-form tours and multi-state adventures
Portland is the land of sunshine and bunnies, and Seattle will need a tagline
Early Seattle Recon
Riding West Seattle, Alki, and Elliott Bay
Ferry recon missions
Scouting trails, routes, and spots for easy S24Os
Checking out the local bike shop ecosystem
Production Notes
Scheduling in winter and spring TBD with some back and forth travel
Regular episode cadence with best-of’s
Listener Input Wanted
Got Seattle, Puget Sound, or PNW route suggestions? Hidden gems? Ferries worth timing for golden hour? Winter riding hacks?
Hit me up—I’ll feature the best ones in future episodes.
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 424: Pedalshift’s New Basecamp appeared first on Pedalshift.
28 min
November 27, 2025The Pedalshift Project 423: Thanksgiving Eve Live
A repodcast of our Thanksgiving Eve live show: following up on your comments on the state of bicycle touring, plus a bunch of great questions in an Ask Me Anything segment!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp423.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 423: Thanksgiving Eve Live.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Followup: Is Bicycle Touring in Decline?
More emails on this than any topic in a while. Some selected thoughts from listeners:
Regarding ACA
Multiple listeners: Could ACA be losing older members in its attempts to expand into younger audiences, but worse… might not be succeeding on either front? It’s hard to do both, and that’s the challenge… you need to find what drives your constituencies and sometimes you swing and miss.
@BounceBackWesterner”I subscribed to the ACA magazine for one year. I was happy with one edition, but then, it seemed like there was a trend to rides that were extremely challenging and demanding whether that be road or offroad. These folks predominantly seemed younger and maybe that’s where most of their subscriptions come from. “
Another point: ACA was built on a need which may not exist anymore. Before they were the best and maybe only resource for routes and maps that had been vetted. Now there are way more resources.
Listener Harry Hellerman was a great example of someone who’s let his ACA membership lapse after 20 years. The reason? Kind of what ACA was saying… he says he’s aging out and the roads are now occupied by larger and larger vehicles, so there’s a safety concern.
Regarding Touring being down
Multiple listeners: Travel is down across the board, but travel to the US in particular has taken a huge hit. Lots of factors there, but you can’t ignore the current politics as a possible reason here.
Listener Andrew Piper: “Data point: For a 2-year comparison, the overall demand for search terms around “bike touring” is infact down 25%-35% YoY. However, using the same comparison, the demand for terms around “bikepacking” is up about 40%. Which does lend itself to the change in nomenclature more than an actual decline in interest.”
“I think I am maybe a couple years younger than yourself at best. Of the people I have seen doing this, I always feel I am on the younger side of the sport. Logistically it makes sense. Who has time to do this….older people.”
Bicycling for older generations was a big part of freedom – it might not be that for younger generations?
Listener Dr. G4 wrote a really thoughtful email from the perspective of a younger rider.
Shorter touring is much more of a thing
Some of the places where the routes go don’t feel welcoming (political, demographics)
Real shift to urbanism amongst younger generation
Poor infrastructure/safety
perception: ACA represents an older version of bicycle travel (longer trips)
“I think what the next generation wants is not road maps, but trail maps and advocacy for more trails and trail amenities (and, I might note, probably videos, how-tos, explainers, and meetups, not print versions of easily-googleable information).”
“it’s clear from the overabundance of urbanist youth getting around by transit, bicycles, or even scooters that travel by bicycle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But turning them into bicycle tourers involves developing routes and programs that are closer to cities and farther from cars, marketing dedicated bicycle trails as one piece of an integrated solution for transit- and bicycle-accessible nature, specifically focussing on routes with many transit junctions to allow long routes to be chewed in smaller chunks, helping the rapidly-growing contingent of bicycle commuters to learn how to use their bicycles beyond weekdays to short or long weekends (with week-long or more tours being an eventual end goal, not the primary purpose), and politically advocating for car-displacing trains, trails, and cycle tracks that make all this possible.”
•Rails to Trails Conservancy may have the better model?
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 423: Thanksgiving Eve Live appeared first on Pedalshift.
51 min
November 20, 2025The Pedalshift Project 422: Is Bicycle Touring in Decline?
Bicycle touring numbers feel like they’re down—fewer loaded panniers on the road, Adventure Cycling Association facing major financial headwinds, and a lot of long-time tourers quietly aging out. But is touring actually in decline, or is it just shifting into something that looks different—like bikepacking, gravel, and shorter, more flexible trips? In this episode I dig into Adventure Cycling’s recent membership and financial update, talk through generational and economic trends, and explore whether we’re seeing the end of an era… or just the end of one version of it.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp422.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 422: Is Bicycle Touring in Decline?.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Is Bicycle Touring in Decline?
What the ACA Letter Tells Us
Recent email to ACA membership on a vote regarding selling their building in Missoula
Membership down from almost 40,000 in 2023 to about 18,000 today.
Donations down.
Demand for guided tours has softened.
Sales of maps/routes have dropped with free digital tools and GPS routes everywhere.
Their diagnosis
Members aging out of cycling.
Some people don’t feel enough value in a paid membership.
Travel patterns are changing; inflation and costs are up; maybe fewer people committing to long guided tours.
The building sale piece:
ACA can sell their big, underutilized Missoula headquarters for ~$2.55M, then lease back just the space they need.
The goal is to buy a “runway” of a few years to rebuild membership and modernize programs (digital experience, routes, tours, events).
This is serious—membership halving in a couple of years is not a blip.
But this is one institution. It’s a single data point, not the whole story.
Is ACA’s Crisis Proof That Touring Is Dying?
Possible “touring is in trouble” interpretation:
If the biggest U.S. touring org is shrinking, maybe demand really is falling.
Fewer people willing to pay for routes, maps, and guided tours could indicate less interest in traditional loaded touring.
Alternative explanations:
Value perception problem:
If you can download GPX routes for free, people might not feel like they need a membership.
Younger riders may not connect with a membership model or a print magazine in the same way.
Business model problem vs. touring problem:
Guided tours and paper maps are specific products. Those can decline even if DIY touring thrives.
If a streaming-era kid doesn’t buy DVDs, it doesn’t mean movies are dead—just that the business model changed. Same question here: is ACA Blockbuster, or are movies in trouble?
The Aging Out Effect
The ACA explicitly mentions aging out of cycling.
Talk through generational dynamics:
A lot of classic touring energy came from the boomers and older Gen X.
Long, multi-week tours require time, health, and often retirement or very flexible work.
People aging out doesn’t necessarily mean the activity is dying, but:
If younger generations aren’t replacing those numbers, you get a visible decline.
Touring can look intimidating: expensive gear, big time commitments, safety fears.
Possible barriers for younger riders:
Student debt, unstable housing, fewer long chunks of vacation, higher baseline anxiety around traffic and climate disasters (heat, smoke, extreme weather).
The Rise of Bikepacking and Off-Road Travel
Ttouring may just be changing costume:
More folks are drawn to bikepacking and gravel: lighter gear, off-road routes, “adventure” branding.
Social media and brands push a certain aesthetic: frame bags, dirt roads, epic photography.
Contrast vibes:
Classic touring: fenders, racks, panniers, highways, small towns, campgrounds.
Bikepacking: singletrack/doubletrack, BLM land, forest roads, more “expedition-y”, often shorter but punchier trips.
If someone is out for five days with bags on their bike, sleeping outside and moving every day… and we’re calling that bikepacking instead of touring… did touring really decline, or did it just get relabeled?
Is bikepacking now the umbrella term for bike adventuring?
Is It Just a (pardon the pun) Cycle?
Historical perspective:
There was a big touring boom in the 1970s and again mini-waves around the early 2000s .
We thought the 2020 COVID bike boom would impact things, but did it?
Outdoor sports often rise and fall with the economy, culture, and media stories.
Economic cycle:
High inflation, higher travel costs, and general uncertainty can make long trips harder.
At the same time, travel has become more fragmented: people take 3-day trips instead of 3-week odysseys.
Cultural cycle:
Right now, gravel and ultra-events (Unbound, etc.) get the headlines. Touring is slow and unsexy by comparison.
Slow unsexy things tend to look “dead” for a while… until the next backlash against all the hype and burnout.
We might be in the hangover phase after the COVID bike boom and a big cultural swing toward short, ‘epic’ experiences.
Other Factors That Make Touring Feel Smaller
Safety and traffic fears: distracted driving, speed, road rage, social media amplifying every horror story.
Climate and weather extremes: heat domes, wildfire smoke, storms—touring has always danced with weather, but now the dice feel loaded.
Information overload: paradoxically, infinite online info can make people freeze and not choose any tour.
Shift to micro-touring: overnighters, weekend campouts, credit-card touring instead of epic cross-country runs. That looks less visible on the ACA radar but might be the real growth area.
What ACA’s Plan Signals About the Future
Positive outlook: Selling an underused building to buy time to modernize could be a good sign. It’s a choice to adapt instead of slowly bleed out.
They’re explicitly planning to invest in:
More routes and route updates
Digital and website improvements
Stronger advocacy tools
Expanded tours and member events
The big question:
Can an organization built around old touring models reinvent itself for a world of bikepacking, GPS, and dispersed, remote communities?
Will they pivot toward being the hub for all forms of bike travel, not just pannier touring?
Final Take: Is Touring Actually in Decline?
Yes, in the classic sense.
Fewer people paying for memberships, maps, and guided pannier tours.
The touring demographic that built ACA is shrinking and aging.
No, if you widen the definition.
Bikepacking, mixed-surface, overnighters, and “ride-to-your-Airbnb” trips are essentially touring by another name.
People are still traveling by bicycle; they’re just doing it with different gear and routes.
Mostly, it’s in a messy transition.
Legacy institutions and business models are under intense pressure.
New formats (digital communities, route-sharing platforms, YouTube, social media) are where a lot of the energy lives now.
The story isn’t “touring is dying”—it’s “touring is migrating.”
Go on any kind of bike trip—overnight, credit-card, dirt, paved, doesn’t matter.
Support whichever orgs, creators, or communities actually help them get out the door (ACA, local groups, creators, etc.).
If you’re an ACA member, vote on the building sale by November 24. Whatever side you land on it seems like this will likely define things for ACA for the next several years.
•Bike touring has always been a niche. The question isn’t whether the niche survives—it’s what form it takes for the next generation. And we all get to shape that.
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 422: Is Bicycle Touring in Decline? appeared first on Pedalshift.
43 min
November 13, 2025 The Pedalshift Project 421: Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard
Way back in January – and what feels like ten years ago to me – I set out a bunch of bicycle adventure goals for me in 2025. In a challenging year, I wasn’t sure how I’d measure up but as I always like to do, I gave the goals a once over to see how I did. So on this episode we give it a scorecard treatment, but also a sneak preview of the final piece of 2025 adventuring that manages to check one of the boxes!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp421.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 421: Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
2025 Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard
Celebrating plans already made, and taking care of yourself
Sort of?
A big ebike trip – maybe two. Taking the bike on a ride only the ebike can do… extra distance per day? Twice as fast? Looking at a push west and maybe north too.
Points for trying with the Lake Ontario trip.
Something international – you non-US folks have been very patient with this America-centric pod. We’ll see if we can get wheels down someplace I need a passport.
Check! Helllloooo Canada!
I also got to do off-pod adventures in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Belgium… no biking but a lot of walking and exploring.
West coast – what, you thought I wouldn’t hit the Pacific coast? Pffft… find another podcast! Probably summer.
Check! Mysterious Oregon trip!
More bike adjacent adventures – exploring someplace where I ride, a bike gets used, but it’s not necessarily the full focus.
Europe trip was an adventure but not bike-adjacent. But I have a small one coming up in a few weeks that is absolutely out of left field in terms of location, but wholeheartedly checks the box, so CHECK. Shall we do a preview? (You’ll have to listen to get that one!)
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 421: Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard appeared first on Pedalshift.
21 min
October 30, 2025The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge
What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge – borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush handles and weigh every gram for the ultralight challenge!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp420.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
The Ultralight Challenge
“What if you could tour with just what fits in your handlebar bag? No panniers. No rack. Just the essentials.”
Why: curiosity, simplicity, nimble handling, testing limits for overnighters or credit card touring.
Rules: one mid-size drybag (say 10–12L). No extra frame or seat bags.
Trip assumptions: 1–2 nights, shoulder season, mild weather but possible cool nights.
Riding style: paved/mixed surfaces, moderate daily mileage.
Shelter
Options to debate:
Tarp + bivy sack (light, cheap, minimal bug protection).
Minimal trekking pole tarp (if you carry a pole or can use the bike).
Emergency bivy + bug net (super small but spartan).
UL single-wall tent (if you can compress to fit — ~1lb tents exist).
Hammock
Where I land:
Shelter Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp 5.2 oz Dyneema, no floor; packs to fist size
Groundsheet Polycryo sheet (cut to size) 1.5 oz Cheap and super compact
Bug Net Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid (solo) 2.9 oz Optional if mosquitoes likely
Stakes 6 titanium shepherd hooks 2 oz Can share with tarp
Guyline 2 mm reflective cord 1 oz Multipurpose (also for repairs)
Total Shelter Weight: ~12 oz (340 g)
Sleep Kit
Pad: short closed-cell foam (Z-lite cut down) vs ultralight inflatable (NeoAir Uberlite).
Quilt: 40°F down quilt packs to a grapefruit.
Sleep Clothing layering: puffy jacket + base layers to extend quilt rating.
pillow (there are some ultralight inflatables too)
Where I land:
Sleep Pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (small) 6 oz Packs smaller than a soda can
Quilt Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40°F 13 oz Compresses to a grapefruit
Pillow Exped Air UL pillow (small) 1.6 oz Optional luxury
Sleep Clothes Lightweight merino top + boxer briefs 6 oz Doubles as camp wear
Total Sleep Weight: ~27 oz (765 g)
Cooking vs. No-Cook
No-cook: bars, wraps, cold soak jar.
Minimal cook: Esbit/solid fuel stove + titanium mug.
Coffee strategy: instant packets vs small UL brewer.
Space/weight trade-off: ditch cook kit for luxury (camera, extra clothes).
Where I land:
Cold Soak System Plastic PB jar 2oz
UtensilLong Ti spoon0.5 oz
Mug (if separate) MSR Titan 2.4 oz
Food for 2 daysWraps, instant oatmeal, nuts, bars, jerky, instant coffee~24 oz
Water 1 L Smartwater bottle (frame-mounted)
Total Cooking/Food Weight (excluding water): ~29 oz (820 g)
Clothing & Tools
No change of clothes on this one… one base layer, puffy jacket layer.
Rain shell = big payoff for little space.
Simple wool hat
Micro tool kit: multi-tool, chain link, tiny pump, patch kit instead of spare tube.
hygiene: Dr Bronner’s in smallest travel bottle, small camp towel, travel toothbrush.
Where I land:
Rain Shell Patagonia Houdini or OR Helium 6 oz Ultralight but reliable
Insulation Layer Montbell Plasma 1000 puffy 5 oz Packs to palm size
Extra Base Layer / socks Wool top + socks 5 oz For camp
Toiletries Toothbrush, mini paste, Bronner’s, wet wipes 3 oz Minimalist hygiene
Headlamp Nitecore NU25 1 oz USB rechargeable
Total Clothing/Personal Weight: ~20 oz (570 g)
Multitool Lezyne RAP II-12 3 oz Compact essentials
Mini Pump Lezyne Pocket Drive 3 oz Mount to frame if possible
Chain link / tape / zip ties / patch kit Small zip bag 1 oz Field repairs
Phone + powerbank 10 000 mAh Anker 6 oz Also powers headlamp
Map / ID / Credit Card — negligible “Ultralight credit card touring” insurance
Total Tools/Misc Weight: ~13 oz (370 g)
Packing Tetris
Bottom: sleep system (quilt/compressed pad).
Middle: shelter/tarp.
Top: food/clothing.
Outside: light rain shell/camp shoes?
Safety & Bail Out Options
Emergency bail plan: credit card, rideshare, motel.
Weather veto: if forecast turns ugly, change trip.
My Packed Total
Category Weight
Shelter 12 oz
Sleep 27 oz
Cooking/Food 29 oz
Clothing/Personal 20 oz
Tools/Misc 13 oz
Total ~6.31 lb (2.86 kg) inside dry bag
Conclusion
Who this works for: weekenders, credit card tourists, fair-weather minimalists.
Who it doesn’t: long winter trips, remote routes with no services, the comfort-oriented
The psychological side of going this minimal: what you gain (freedom, simplicity) vs. what you lose (comfort, margin).
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge appeared first on Pedalshift.
31 min
October 24, 2025The Pedalshift Project 419: A Game of Chance Revisited
We’re bringing back one of the wackiest ideas in Pedalshift history — the Game of Chance! Using random number generators and the excellent Adventure Cycling Association routes, it’s an unpredictable coast-to-coast bike tour from the Pacific to the Atlantic. When every turn is determined by chance the results are… surprisingly awesome?
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp419.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 419: A Game of Chance Revisited.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
A Game of Chance Revisited
Revisiting the “Game of Chance” touring experiment from 2021
Using randomness to pick routes across ACA’s national network
Riding (and re-riding) the Pacific Coast, Northern Tier, Lewis & Clark, TransAm, and more
Ferry crossings, backcountry climbs, and surprise state detours
How randomness can spark new route ideas and winter planning inspiration
Mentioned:
Adventure Cycling Association
Pacific Coast Route
Lewis & Clark Trail
Northern Tier
TransAmerica Trail
Great Divide, Great Parks, Lake Erie Connector
The Route (as determined by chance):
Segment
Route(s)
Start → End
1
Pacific Coast
Anacortes, WA → Westport, OR
2
Lewis & Clark
Westport, OR → Cascade Locks, OR
3
Sierra Cascades (North)
Cascade Locks, OR → Twisp, WA
4
Northern Tier
Twisp, WA → Eureka, MT
5
Great Parks North
Eureka, MT → Missoula, MT
6
TransAm
Missoula, MT → Walden, CO
7
TransAm (continued)
Walden, CO → Springfield, MO
8
Bicycle Route 66
Springfield, MO → St. Louis, MO
9
Eastern Express Connector
St. Louis, MO → Indianapolis, IN
10
Chicago–NYC + North Lakes
Indianapolis, IN → Northern MI
11
Lake Erie Connector
Sandusky, OH → Buffalo, NY (via Ontario)
12
Northern Tier
Buffalo, NY → Bar Harbor, ME

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 419: A Game of Chance Revisited appeared first on Pedalshift.
36 min
October 09, 2025The Pedalshift Project 418: Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways
The Mysterious Oregon Coast adventure is in the rearview mirror, but we always like to peek back before moving on. On this edition we marvel at the fun we had on a fairly cursed tour of some of our favorite parts of the Pacific coast!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp418.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 418: Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways
Bike prep is key — but stuff still breaks. Even a tiny crank arm pin can end a day. Know shops and backup transport.
Have Plans A–F ready. Flexibility and quick pivots kept the ride alive when mechanicals hit.
Buses & rideshares save tours. Coastal transit and surprise Ubers kept us moving.
Greatest hits still feel fresh. Cape Lookout, South Beach, Newport — new vibes, upgrades, and slower pacing.
Weather’s shifting. Got one classic foggy Yachats day, but most were sunnier/warmer — pack for both.
Shorter mileage = more joy. 30–40 mi days let us linger in towns and stay energized.
Hydrate & fuel early/often. Morning “camel up,” steady snacks, and Red Bulls beat last year’s bonk.
Hotel nights reset morale. Lincoln City, Yachats, Florence stays turned stress into mini-vacations.
Logistics flexibility saves cash. Mid-trip flight/car/hotel changes avoided big losses.
Ditch the perfect plan. Embracing detours and improvisation brought back the adventure and fun
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 418: Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways appeared first on Pedalshift.
26 min

About Pedalshift

From the publisher's feed

Bicycle Travel Adventures

Share Pedalshift

Sign up to save your podcasts

Pedalshift

Pedalshift episodes

About Pedalshift