The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

After two episodes experimenting with electric-powered adventures on the Oregon coast, it's time to look at what worked, what could use some improvement, and what these experiences might mean for future ebike adventures.

Quick housekeeping before we get going - we had so much fun in the last one it's time we did it again… a special Thanksgiving LIVE show Friday November 20 5pm PT, 8pm ET. It'll be the episode that drops on US Thanksgiving day so we'll definitely have some themage on that. Plus special returning guests… chat room… the works. Let's get ready for the holidays together!

1. The EV and e-bike combination opens up new possibilities

Using a plug-in hybrid as a mobile base camp and an e-bike for exploring creates a flexible way to travel.

Drive somewhere interesting, find a place to camp, ride a loop or out-and-back, and move on to the next destination.

It's a model that could work well beyond the Oregon coast.

Discussion points:

• The RAV4 Prime as transportation, sleeping quarters, and potential charging station.
• The e-bike as a way to explore an area without moving the car.
• The flexibility to change locations without committing to a continuous cycling route.
• How this combination could work for longer adventures.

2. Climate-controlled car camping is a game changer

The ability to run air conditioning overnight makes camping in warmer conditions much more appealing.

The RAV4's sleeping platform, battery capacity, and climate control offer a comfortable alternative to tent camping.

Interestingly, the cool weather at Beaver Falls meant none of that electric capacity was necessary this time, but having the option remains valuable.

Discussion points:

• The sleeping platform and quick conversion from driving to camping.
• Preserving battery capacity for overnight climate control.
• The advantages of sleeping with the windows closed in hot or smoky conditions.
• Previous experiences using climate control during cross-country travel.
• Potential for camping in places where summer temperatures would otherwise be prohibitive.

3. Finding overnight parking requires research and flexibility

The iOverlander app helped identify a free overnight spot at Beaver Falls Trailhead.

It worked out well, but the experience also highlighted the importance of checking parking restrictions, considering security, and having backup options.

A little more preparation before arriving after midnight would have made the setup easier.

Discussion points:

• Using iOverlander to identify potential overnight locations.
• Rest areas versus dispersed overnight parking.
• The Beaver Falls experience: quiet, comfortable, free.
• Security considerations, including evidence of previous break-ins.
• Preparing the sleeping setup before arriving at the overnight location.
• The importance of backup options.

4. E-bikes fundamentally change the Oregon coast riding experience

The climbs around Neahkahnie Mountain and the Arch Cape Tunnel became substantially easier with electric assistance.

Maintaining speed uphill and through the tunnel made familiar terrain feel different.

The northbound headwinds were also much less consequential.

Electric assistance could make challenging coastal routes more accessible and enjoyable.

Discussion points:

• Climbing hills at speeds that would be difficult on an acoustic bike.
• The Arch Cape Tunnel experience and the advantages of maintaining speed.
• How electric assistance changes the experience of coastal headwinds.
• The difference between knowing an e-bike will help and experiencing that assistance on familiar terrain.
• Implications for riding the entire Oregon coast.

5. Battery range may be less limiting than expected

The nearly 30-mile ride between Cannon Beach and Manzanita included significant climbing, yet battery capacity never became a serious concern.

That raises interesting possibilities for longer trips, potentially without carrying a second battery.

Understanding actual range under different loads, terrain, and assistance levels will be important before committing to a longer tour.

Discussion points:

• Starting with a fully charged battery.
• Monitoring voltage rather than relying exclusively on the battery indicator.
• How much assistance was needed on the major climbs.
• The implications of riding unloaded versus carrying touring gear.
• Whether one large battery could be sufficient for longer coastal riding days.
• Charging strategies for multiday touring.

6. The car-and-bike combination could change the economics of touring

Free overnight parking, sleeping in the vehicle, and using the e-bike for day rides could make for a remarkably inexpensive adventure.

There's also the possibility of using the vehicle as a charging station for the bike, reducing dependence on hotels and other charging opportunities.

It's worth exploring what the actual costs look like compared with traditional bike touring.

Discussion points:

• Eliminating hotel costs through vehicle camping.
• Finding free overnight parking rather than paying campground fees.
• The cost of driving between riding destinations.
• Using the vehicle's electrical capacity to recharge the e-bike, assuming a workable charging setup.
• Comparing the costs of this approach with traditional loaded touring.
• The tradeoffs between upfront equipment costs and ongoing travel expenses.

7. This experiment suggests a whole new touring format

The obvious next step is a multiday adventure using the car as a mobile base camp.

Instead of riding an end-to-end route, drive between locations and explore each area by e-bike.

This could make previously impractical destinations viable, particularly places without good cycling connections between the best riding areas.

There's also an interesting question about whether a single e-bike battery could support more ambitious rides than expected.

Discussion points:

• Developing a multiday itinerary built around several riding locations.
• Exploring areas that are difficult to connect by bicycle.
• Using the car to reposition between interesting routes.
• Testing the approach in hotter climates where air-conditioned camping would be especially useful.
• Determining whether the e-bike can handle longer days and more challenging terrain.
• Possibilities for combining this format with conventional bike touring.

Wrapping Up: What's Next?

The experiment was a success, and there's plenty of room to expand on it.

Could this approach work for a longer Oregon coast adventure? What about hotter destinations where climate-controlled camping makes a bigger difference? And how might an e-bike change the experience of a traditional end-to-end tour?

The combination of an electric-capable vehicle and an e-bike offers some interesting possibilities for future adventures.

This probably won't be the last electric-powered adventure on The Pedalshift Project.

Part two of the EV adventure swaps four wheels for two as I pull the e-bike out in Cannon Beach and put it to the test on a familiar stretch of the Oregon Coast, finding out just how much an e-bike can flatten some very familiar coastal hills. A pretty compelling experiment in electric-powered adventure!

• Start/finish: Cannon Beach, Oregon
• Route: Cannon Beach → Arch Cape → Arch Cape Tunnel → Neahkahnie Mountain → Manzanita → return to Cannon Beach
• Out-and-back ride on US 101
• E-bike with a full battery and essentially no touring load
• Plenty of climbing, particularly around Neahkahnie Mountain and the Arch Cape area
• Southbound ride through the Arch Cape Tunnel with maximum assist
• Turnaround in Manzanita
• Northbound return into the usual Oregon Coast headwind
• Post-ride: lunch in Cannon Beach, beach walk and tide pools near Haystack Rock
• Sidequest: Cannon Beach s'mores

• Distance: ~30 miles
• Arch Cape Tunnel speed: ~20 mph southbound
• Climbing speed: ~11–12 mph with assist
• Comfortable downhill ceiling: ~25 mph
• Highly scientific effort conversion: 30 e-bike miles ≈ 15 acoustic-bike miles
• Blackberries consumed roadside: significant
• Hoped for pesticide exposure: less significant
• Flats: 0

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? Originally podcast January 25, 2024.

First of two-parts! An EV adventure on the Oregon Coast begins with four wheels before shifting to two. In Part 1, I take the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid out for a post-concert overnight to see how well my car-camping setup works in the real world before the e-bike comes off the rack for its first Oregon Coast adventure.

After catching Suki Waterhouse in Portland, I point the RAV4 toward the coast with a simple plan: use iOverlander to find a free overnight spot, get some sleep in the back of the vehicle, and wake up positioned for the next day's ride.

Along the way, I weigh the merits of rest-area camping against pushing farther toward Beaver Falls, talk about why the plug-in hybrid makes such a useful camping platform, and revisit how valuable climate control was during last year's cross-country travels. The sleeping platform turns the back of the RAV4 into a surprisingly comfortable little camper, with battery power available for AC, charging, and whatever else the night might require.

The eventual destination is Beaver Falls Trailhead near Clatskanie, Oregon — quiet, dark, free, and tucked into the forest well away from Highway 30. The EV capabilities turn out to be more optional than essential on this particular cool night, but the setup works remarkably well. There is, naturally, a minor early-morning incident involving the vehicle alarm. Because apparently quietly exiting a car you've been sleeping inside is exactly the sort of suspicious behavior modern automobiles were designed to prevent.

By morning, the experiment is a success and the RAV4 is packed with a full electric charge, an e-bike on the back, and two possible destinations ahead: Astoria or Cannon Beach.

Next time: EV Adventures Part 2, when four wheels become two and the e-bike finally gets its first ride on the Oregon Coast.

Topics in this episode include EV car camping, the Toyota RAV4 Plugin Hybrid, sleeping platforms and car-camping setups, iOverlander and finding overnight spots, rest-area camping, climate control while camping, Beaver Falls Trailhead, Oregon Coast trip planning, and setting up an e-bike adventure from Cannon Beach.

We are live baby live for a special edition of Pedalshift Live, with a summer in review, a bit of a fall (and even early winter!) preview, the merch unveiling and preview, plus an ask me anything on all things bike adventures!

Summer in review

Sprocketshift Reunion (my tent is not viable)

MJ Backpacking (and new ultralight gear!)

eV Adventure - coming soon

London/Bristol/Dublin - coming soon

Fall… Tokyo, NYC, Maui…

Merch Preview

Special thanks to Simone, joining us in the chat… literally could not have done this without her skill, savvy and expertise!

datenightmarket.com

Deck

settle our bet

ornament story from 2015 and giveaway

Shifty the Elf ornament? MAAAAAYYYYYBEEEEE…

COMING FALL 2026

… and we have more ideas, so more to come in 2027

AMA Bike Adventure Questions

Three days on the Oregon Coast Trail started as an experiment: could backpacking fit into the world of Pedalshift, and would returning to a familiar place on foot offer something genuinely different? After plenty of beach walking, climbing, rain, headwinds, good sand, bad sand and a tiny boat ride, the answer is pretty clear.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the adventure.

1. Backpacking is officially part of the adventure toolbox

The biggest takeaway is also the simplest: this worked.

Neither Tim nor James had backpacked seriously in years, but the mileage, pack weight and camping routine all proved manageable. By the end of the trip, the question wasn't whether they could backpack—it was where they might go next.

That opens up an entirely new category of adventures for Pedalshift, including trips that combine cycling, hiking and transit.

2. Walking changes your relationship with a familiar place

Much of this stretch of the Oregon Coast was already familiar from years of bicycle touring, but experiencing it at two or three miles per hour revealed an entirely different coast.

Trails over headlands, long stretches of beach and places inaccessible by bicycle changed the experience substantially. The trip reinforced one of the ideas behind Pedalshift from the beginning: the speed and method of travel fundamentally affect what you notice.

Slowing down another step turns out to matter.

3. The mileage and pack weight were more manageable than expected

One of the biggest unknowns going into the trip was simply how the bodies would respond.

The answer was encouraging. Days approaching 9 and 11 miles were entirely achievable, even with climbing, sustained headwinds, rain and sand thrown into the equation.

The bigger physical lesson came from terrain rather than distance. Soft sand changes your gait and creates stresses that ordinary walking doesn't, something worth considering when planning future coastal hikes.

4. Good gear helps—but it doesn't create the adventure

The new ultralight-oriented setup worked extremely well, particularly the Hyperlite Southwest 40 backpack and Big Agnes Copper Spur tent.

Reducing bulk and weight made backpacking more comfortable, and modern packs are dramatically better at transferring weight to the hips than the gear Tim remembered from decades ago.

But the old Pedalshift gear philosophy survives intact: expensive ultralight equipment isn't a prerequisite. Use what you can afford, learn what actually matters to you, and upgrade where experience tells you an upgrade is worthwhile.

5. Oregon Coast weather remains undefeated

The forecast threatened rain, the winds came from the wrong direction, and Day 2 delivered both.

The rain itself wasn't a major problem because the right gear was accessible when it was needed. The sustained headwinds were arguably more draining, particularly combined with beach walking.

The takeaway for future coastal backpacking: prepare for conditions to subtract energy even when the mileage looks easy on paper.

And keep the rain gear somewhere you can actually reach it.

6. Beach walking is much better—and much worse—than expected

One of the biggest surprises of the trip was how enjoyable long stretches of beach walking could be.

Firm, damp good sand provided an excellent walking surface and made the coastline itself part of the trail.

Then there's bad sand.

Soft, dry sand slows everything down, changes your gait and consumes considerably more energy. Future Oregon Coast Trail planning should account for tides, beach conditions and the additional effort required when good sand disappears.

Good sand and bad sand are now official technical terms. No peer review will be accepted.

7. Multimodal transportation makes trips like this possible—and requires flexibility

Bus connections made a car-light Oregon Coast Trail trip possible, and the tiny boat across the Nehalem River was one of the highlights of the entire adventure.

The transportation system also immediately blew up the original Day 1 itinerary when one missed connection forced a complete rethink.

That became a useful reminder: build flexibility into transit-supported adventures. A missed bus doesn't necessarily ruin the day. Sometimes it simply creates a different one.

8. The best future trips may combine modes

Perhaps the most interesting takeaway isn't specifically about backpacking.

Pedalshift has always centered bicycles, but this trip demonstrated how much possibility exists around the edges: bike somewhere, hike somewhere inaccessible by bike, use transit to connect sections, camp along the way and build an adventure around the place rather than a single mode of transportation.

Topics TBA, but it's a summer closeout and certainly a preview of some stuff coming in the fall. ALSO we're doing a super fun giveaway exclusively for people that make it to the live show itself… there's some incentive for ya! ALSO ALSO, some special previews of all sorts of things. Am I being cagey? YES. Show up anyways! Chat room is fun, live shows are fun… but if you can't make it, it's the pod for the following week. pedalshift.net/live!

Email reminders coming too. Maybe some previews of my previews? Who knows? Sign up here.

Backpacking doesn't need to replace bike touring. It can expand what's possible.

The Oregon Coast Trail experiment suggests there's a lot more territory to explore there.

On this episode of The Pedalshift Project, we explore slow travel and its relevance to your bicycle adventures. We also circle back to our previous discussion on eBikes, reflecting on some listener feedback and exploring the evolving role of eBikes on the future of bicycle travel. Originally podcast December 14, 2023.

The final day of the Oregon Coast Trail adventure begins at Barview Jetty with one major decision: take the short road walk toward Garibaldi or head back onto the beach for one last stretch of hiking. The beach wins, giving James and I a fitting final chapter to our first successful backpacking trip in years—and plenty of time to start thinking about what comes next. maybe James won't cause us to miss a bus next time?

Topics TBA, but it's a summer closeout and certainly a preview of some stuff coming in the fall. ALSO we're doing a super fun giveaway exclusively for people that make it to the live show itself… there's some incentive for ya! ALSO ALSO, some special previews of all sorts of things. Am I being cagey? YES. Show up anyways! Chat room is fun, live shows are fun… but if you can't make it, it's the pod for the following week. pedalshift.net/live!

Email reminders coming too. Maybe some previews of my previews? Who knows? Sign up here.

Check out this absolutely hysterical special design awarded to Brock and I to memorialize our night 1 mishap...

See more of Simone's designs here.

Waking up at Barview Jetty after a slightly better night's sleep—and some bonus fireworks from Garibaldi Days.

• Breaking camp with damp tents, questionable battery-charging logistics and a decision to make about the day's route.
• Road walk toward Garibaldi or return to Rockaway Beach? Naturally, the beach wins.
• A few physical reminders of the previous day's nearly 11 miles, including the lingering consequences of bad sand.
• Meeting a touring cyclist at camp with an impressive résumé that includes the C&O, GAP and Empire State Trail.
• Another reminder that there were considerably more bicycle tourists on the Oregon Coast than expected.
• Tim and James make it official: they're backpackers again.
• Why backpacking may be easier to share with more people than bike touring—and why it may become a regular part of future Pedalshift adventures.
• Heading north along the beach toward Rockaway for the final hiking segment of the trip.
• Yesterday's brutal headwind finally becomes today's much gentler tailwind.
• A little filtered sunshine and substantially easier conditions make Day 3 feel like a victory lap.
• An IT band issue provides one last reminder that walking on soft sand changes your gait in some interesting ways.
• Looking back on three days that provided a surprisingly complete shakedown: climbing, beach walking, rain, wind, good sand, bad sand, camping and multimodal transit.
• Arriving in Rockaway Beach and wrapping up the hiking portion of the adventure.
• Food, another encounter with the cyclist from camp and the beginning of the journey home.
• Back into multimodal mode: bus to Tillamook, bus to Portland, retrieve the car and eventually drive back to Seattle.
• Plenty of waiting around reminds everyone that transit-based adventures occasionally involve the advanced outdoor skill of sitting somewhere for a while.
• Final verdict from James: "Great trip."
• Three days later, the experiment feels like a pretty staggering success.
• Backpacking appears destined to become part of the Pedalshift adventure mix—including the possibility of combining hiking and cycling on future trips.
• Next up: the takeaways episode, including gear lessons, what worked, what didn't and why this backpacking thing might stick.

• Route choices 2
• Sand types still 2
• Wind normal!
• Bicycle tourists encountered MORE!
• Transportation segments after Rockaway 3
• Buses James is permitted to cause me to miss 0

Day two on the Oregon Coast Trail takes us south from Nehalem Bay for a day dominated by beach walking, a tiny boat crossing, unexpected rain, relentless headwinds and the discovery that not all sand is created equal. What initially looks like an easier day turns into nearly 11 challenging miles, and convincing proof that MJ and I might actually be backpackers after all.

My Tent is Not Viable!

Because this pod has become all Oregon Coast all the time (and no, spoiler… more to come) I have to share yet another special creation. Newly minted Pedalshift listener and merch designer Simone was so moved by the Brock and Tim Sprocketshift disaster of night 1 that she created a special design just for the two of us… yes, my tent is not viable has now been memorialized on an ornament. But you have to see it in the shownotes at pedalshift.net. It features the classic line and… because of course… a flooded tent. Plus the new Pedalshift logo, which you might get to see soon on other things! COMING SOON. Super excited to show you what we've been working on! Go check out the special edition my tent is not viable design and more Simone's designs at her Etsy shop… link in the shownotes!

Live Show!

Friday September 11th, 5pm PT - 8pm ET

Topics TBA, but it's a summer closeout and certainly a preview of some stuff coming in the fall. ALSO we're doing a super fun giveaway exclusively for people that make it to the live show itself… there's some incentive for ya! ALSO ALSO, some special previews of all sorts of things. Am I being cagey? YES. Show up anyways! Chat room is fun, live shows are fun… but if you can't make it, it's the pod for the following week. pedalshift.net/live! Email reminders coming too. Maybe some previews of my previews? Who knows? Sign up at the site.

Oregon Coast Trail – Part 2

• Breaking camp at Nehalem Bay State Park after a less-than-restful first night.
• The day's route comes with an unusual Oregon Coast Trail feature: a small boat crossing of the Nehalem River.
• Hiking out the Nehalem Bay spit rather than road walking Highway 101 or relying on another bus.
• A $10, on-demand boat ride that you essentially hail like a water taxi. Naturally, Tim is delighted.
• Early beach walking into a surprisingly strong south wind—and the realization that hiking into a headwind can be plenty annoying too.
• Overcast, cool Oregon Coast weather turns out to be pretty much perfect hiking weather for Tim and James.
• Then the rain finally arrives.
• Rain gear gets its first legitimate test as wind, rain and cold hands briefly turn the morning into some genuine Type 2 fun.
• Reaching the mouth of the Nehalem River, where ocean waves, river current and fishing boats all converge.
• Calling for the boat and crossing the Nehalem River to continue south.
• Boat-crossing soundscapes, fishing stories and a little local wildlife discussion along the way.
• An unexpected rail walk after the crossing, followed by some improvised navigation back toward the beach.
• The terminology of the trip is established: good sand is firm and easy to walk on; bad sand is soft, energy-sucking nonsense.
• Continuing south toward Rockaway Beach with sea stacks appearing down the coast.
• Sustained headwinds approaching 20 mph turn what should have been a helpful prevailing wind into an all-day adversary.
• Rockaway Beach provides a badly needed break from the wind—and Indian food for the day's big meal.
• Back into full rain gear for the final push toward Barview Jetty.
• Headwinds + rain + bad sand = a surprisingly demanding backpacking day.
• Despite the conditions, Tim and James finish just shy of 11 miles.
• Another successful test for the new backpacking gear, including Tim's Hyperlite Southwest 40.
• Arriving at Barview Jetty Campground thoroughly cooked and very ready for dry clothes and tents.
• The campsite itself gets mixed reviews, particularly when Tim discovers that "level tent site" is apparently more of an aspirational concept.
• Day two verdict: challenging, fun and another successful proof of concept.
• Bigger conclusion: Tim and James may officially be backpackers again—and longer trips suddenly seem entirely plausible.

Statistics

• Miles hiked 11
• Nehalem Rivers crossed by boat 1
• Prevailing tailwinds received: 0
• Headwinds: Yes
• Sand varieties identified 2
• Indian food recs in Rockaway Beach 1
• Campground rating: 7
• Flats: N/A

The Oregon Coast Trail backpacking adventure officially begins! Mysterious James and I head for the Oregon Coast expecting a roughly 10-mile first day over Neahkahnie Mountain. Naturally, the adventure starts with us watching our connecting bus leave without us. Is the entire trip scuttled before we even begin?

Check out this absolutely hysterical special design awarded to Brock and I to memorialize our night 1 mishap...

See more of Simone's designs here.

• Portland to Tillamook goes exactly according to plan. This will not last.
• A confusing route-number change leads to Tim and James missing their northbound connection while essentially standing next to it.
• With Uber, Lyft and other escape routes unavailable, it's time for Plan B.
• A few bonus hours in Tillamook include an unexpectedly excellent visit to the Tillamook County Public Library.
• The revised plan: take the later bus to Manzanita, establish a base there and turn the day's planned hike into an out-and-back toward Neahkahnie Mountain.
• First impressions of experiencing familiar Oregon Coast territory on foot instead of from a bicycle.
• The backpacking finally begins with a walk along the beach at Manzanita.
• Important navigational discovery: if the Pacific Ocean is on your left, you're probably walking north.
• Firm beach sand: surprisingly excellent walking. Soft beach sand: considerably less excellent.
• Heading inland and uphill on the Headwaters Trail toward Neahkahnie Mountain.
• About 3.5 miles of continuous climbing provides the first real test of the new packs and gear.
• Early verdict: the pack weights feel completely manageable for the planned 7–10 mile days.
• Tim and James discover that humid-weather backpacking may not be part of their future long-distance hiking careers.
• The shortened route still delivers nearly everything they wanted from the original day: climbing, forest trails, beach walking and plenty of mileage.
• Back in Manzanita for the most important part of any successful hiking itinerary: pizza and beer.
• A surprising amount of actual bike content, with multiple loaded touring cyclists spotted along the coast.
• The final walk to Nehalem Bay State Park is longer than expected, pushing the day's total close to nine miles.
• First impressions of the Nehalem Bay hiker-biker campsite, including lockers, charging and bike repair facilities.
• The new tent gets its first setup and the backpacking gear earns high marks.
• Day one verdict: despite immediately borking the original plan, the Oregon Coast Trail experiment is a success.
• Next up: more beach walking, changing weather and Day 2 on the Oregon Coast Trail.

• Miles hiked 9
• Missed buses: 1
• Loaded bicycle tourists spotted: 7
• Plans successfully improvised: 1
• Days of rain on the Oregon coast we did not expect 1
• Flats N/A