August 20, 2015

The Pedalshift Project 028: Transit-aided bicycle touring

25 minutes

On the eve of the transit-aided bicycle touring trip for the ages (or should it be the bicycle-aided transit tour?) here's an overview of the trip, the segments, the schedule and the very unforgiving weather forecast. All that, some gear talk on how to rig up a tarp and stay dry!

Hey it's the direct download link for episode 028 (mp3)

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, 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 [email protected] or call the brand new Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109.

The tour

DC to Boston in under 24 hours by bike and transit

Rules

Only forms of transportations allowed are bicycle and transit

No Amtrak, no Bolt Bus

Regional commuter transit (rail and bus) is allowed

One night of self-supported wild camping is required

Route

Perryville, MD

Newark, DE

Philadelphia

Trenton, NJ

NYC

Waterbury, CT

Hartford

Enfield, CT

Springfield, MA

Boston

11 segments

2 by bike (Perryville to Newark; NYC - about 22 miles total)

5 by rail (front loaded)

4 by bus (back loaded)

Overnight

Last train from DC north

Camping between Perryville and Newark

Have a few spots in mind using Google Maps

Limiting the night riding as much as possible but will be lit up well

Stealth camping… likely in the rain

Friday sprint to Boston

The key to making this work is maximizing the inbound commuter routes, timing them with the first NYC outbound commuting routes

Like catching a wave while surfing

The bike is necessary to connect the northern terminus of Baltimore/DC with the southern terminus of the Philadelphia system… also helpful in making the transfer in NYC between Penn and Grand Central Stations.

Tightest transfer point is 13 minutes in Enfield, CT - missing that could really suck, but the transfer is designed by the two systems to meet.

Arrive in Boston with plenty of time for the 9:30pm Amtrak that will bring me back to DC overnight

Ok, why?

Because it’s there

Making the challenge mode limitations rather than distance

Wild camping element

Folding bike element

Lessons from this will likely help with some tour planning for 2016

#notcheating

Follow along

Pedalshift Tour Journals Volume 4 will bring you along for the adventure!

Gear Talk

Gear unfurled Snug and waterproof

With the likelihood of rain Thursday night, I need to be able to rig up a rain tarp quickly. Here’s how with a hat tip to The Ultimate Hang:

Paracord

Tarp

Create a ridgeline and tighten with a taut-line hitch

I’ve pre-tied one end of a 50’ line of paracord on the middle ring and will loop and tie around two trees to create a quick shelter that can cover my hammock and bike for the night.

The trick is to keep your gear in its dry sack and get the shelter up first, then setup underneath.

Drying off with a pack towel before hopping in the hammock

H/T theultimatehang.com

Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields' new release, Habitat, wherever cool music resides.

...more

View all episodes

By Tim Mooney

4.7

177177 ratings