Author: Tim Mooney

November 7, 2024

Best of Pedalshift 174: Bicycle Touring Etiquette

We all want to do the right thing, hopefully, and within any community there’s an unwritten code of conduct for proper behavior so we can all get along. On this episode, we cover some of those rules of bicycle touring etiquette! Originally podcast August 15, 2019.

The post Best of Pedalshift 174: Bicycle Touring Etiquette appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 31, 2024

The Pedalshift Project 382: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1

On this episode, we start the long journey to bike in the badlands of North Dakota… it turns out, perhaps the biggest reason I haven’t had a chance to visit North Dakota before is because it is tucked out of the way in the US northern plains. Maybe its remote nature is a part of its draw? Its largest city of Fargo is the gateway to the adventure… would it surprise me from the start?

The Pedalshift Project 382: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1

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NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1

Statisitics

Miles driven 249

Miles biked 0

States visited 49

Number of campers in camp 1

Number of bikes in camp 1 (Mine!)

Dashed expectations for a cowboy bar because Fargo is way more of a city than I expected and really that’s my own fault because I should have done a minimal amount of research into the vibrant community that Fargo clearly is, and for that I’m a bad podcaster and I’m sorry? Wait… is there a number here? 9!

Flats 0

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.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

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 COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 382: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 30, 2024

Individual Activity During Election Season

On today’s episode, we dive into rules surrounding partisan activities for employees of 501(c)(3) organizations. With the election just around the corner, we will give you some best practices for how to keep your 501(c)(3) safe from any partisan activity while you engage in electoral work as an individual.

Attorneys for this Episode

Melissa Marichal Zayas

Brittany Hacker

Victor Rivera Labiosa

Shownotes

Rules for 501(c)(3) organizations

Remain nonpartisan when acting on behalf of your 501(c)(3)

Consider engaging in nonpartisan voter education and election protection activity

Best practice: Internal election season policy

Individual rules for 501(c)(3) employees, board members, and volunteers

Make clear what hat you are wearing

Avoid using org resources (email, printer, laptop, staff time)

Watch your social media activity

Scenarios

Supporting others running for office

Canvasing, phone banks, rallies

Online activity and social media accounts

Employees running for office

Resources

Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Ensuring Election Year Advocacy Efforts Remain Nonpartisan

Practical Guidance: Nonprofit Voter Assistance series

Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season

Board Members and Election Year Activities

501(c)(3) Employees Running for Office

Election Activities for Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3)s

FAQ: Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age

October 24, 2024

The Pedalshift Project 381: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Preview

I’m going to North Dakota and I am unreasonably excited about it! For years I have been stuck at 48 states visited (and for real, not just airport states) BUT the final two were ND and Alaska, and no disrespect to North Dakota but Alaska needs to be my 50th. But the opportunity to get there was shattered ten years ago when my original ride on the Northern Tier route was scuttled by a heat wave I wasn’t interested in riding through. But now… I’m doing it. With a bike. And buffaloes.

The Pedalshift Project 381: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Preview

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NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Preview

The Adventure

Heavily car aided. Very heavily. Like, mostly.

Starting and ending in MSP (there for a work thing)

All camping

Brompton riding daily

Crossing the state TWICE

Urban camping in Fargo!

Theodore Roosevelt NP! Buffalo! Camping! Riding!

Finally getting wheels down on the Northern Tier bicycle route!

Rest stop car camping in the very friendly sleep-in rest stops of ND!

Did I mention the 49th state visit?

Itinerary

Day 1

Car rental

Camping in Fargo and Lindenwood Campground

Biking into town for dinner and all the Fargo nightlife I can handle

Day 2

Pre dawn departure

Gain an hour driving across the state into MT

Camping at TR NP at Cottonwood Campground

Buffalo herds nearby and sometimes they saunter into camp?

Day 3

Half day at TR NP to cycle a bit

Drive back across the state

Lose an hour coming back into CT

Rest area about halfway to MSP

Day 4

Pre dawn departure

Get back to MSP and fly home

Gear

Rental car

Brompton

Camping gear that fits in a checked suitcase – going with basics and adding “luxuries” if I can since this is car camping

Stove a must – likely buying fuel in MN or ND

Weather

Not as cold as you’d think for fall

Hoping for dry, preparing for not

How much biking?

It really depends. The idea here is to get a sample, not make miles.

Seeing TR NP at the speed of bike

Experiencing Fargo and its… bike infrastructure?

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 COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 381: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Preview appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 17, 2024

The Pedalshift Project 380: eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures

So, the ebike works… and my confidence is up! What were my takeaways from the shakedown ride and what are the kinds of rides I’m considering for 2025 and beyond for my electric wonder?

The Pedalshift Project 380: eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures

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eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures

Housekeeping

Live Show announcement! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT – topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at pedalshift.net/live.

We have a new adventure lined up in a totally new to me state! Preview episode next week!

Takeaways

The bike works and I might be a better mechanic than I thought

I may have underestimated the range on this battery

I may have underestimated the recharge capabilities of the “slow charger” but maybe not

I need more hand positions (Jones Bar? Something else?)

I really should finish the bike but if I’m cutting cables I want to figure out the handlebars and height first

I’m going to buy all the things to outfit this without borrowing from my other bikes

The Future

I considered bringing this bike for my annual Florida ride, then reconsidered

Positioning an ebike for a ride is complex because transportation has to be by ground or shipping

I want to do more shakedowns before going “over the wall”

C&O to Cumberland and back (or train)

Full GAP/CO

East Coast Greenway segments from DC north and south

Connect OTET to Katy (Dayton-St. Louis)

KC to Denver

Denver to the Pacific Coast

What are you interested in hearing about?

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 COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 380: eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 16, 2024

Ask Us Anything – Electionpalooza Edition

Election season is well underway and politics is everywhere. It’s one of our busiest time at Bolder Advocacy. On this episode, we bring you three of your questions to answer on the pod… it’s another round of Ask Us Anything, Electionpalooza Edition!

Lawyers for this episode

Tim Mooney

Susan Finkle Sourlis

Monika Graham

Shownotes

– Question: Presidential campaigns working with outside groups on door-to-door canvassing for their get-out-the-vote efforts— is this illegal coordination under federal election law? – Answer: – Base coordination rules – Exception to coordination rule: FEC AO 2024-01 states that scripts and canvassing literature are NOT public communications, and therefore consulting with candidates and parties is not illegal coordination. – Both presidential campaigns are doing this, with one reportedly relying on it more than the other. – This practice is likely happening in many federal races (Senate and House). – Important: This is NOT available for 501(c)(3)s or for state/local candidates

– Question: Can 501(c)(3) organizations comment on candidates or political parties in the context of an election? – Answer: – Yes, but tread carefully. – 501(c)(3) organizations must remain nonpartisan. – Comments should have an independent, nonpartisan, non-election-related reason. – Focus on the issue, not the candidate (e.g., correcting factual errors without discussing the candidate’s attributes). – Before responding, consider: 1. Decide who speaks on behalf of the organization. 2. Script responses to stay on message and avoid crossing any lines. 3. Avoid discussing qualifications or endorsing/opposing candidates. – Example: Instead of “Voters should reject this misinformation,” say “Americans won’t stand for misinformation on public health issues.” – Criticizing or praising incumbents is less risky, but avoid implying support or opposition for re-election.

– Question: Can nonprofit staff support candidates and express their opinion? – Answer: – Individuals have the right to participate and voice their own opinions when acting in their individual capacity. – 501(c)(3) organizations must remain nonpartisan. This applies to staff, board members, and volunteers when acting on behalf of the organization. – In official organizational events, staff should not engage in partisan activities (e.g., wearing a pro-candidate t-shirt). – In their personal time, employees can: – Participate in partisan election activity at home, online, or at rallies. – Use their own resources (email, social media) and must act outside work hours. – Put up lawn signs but not use them as Zoom backgrounds for organizational calls. – Canvas for candidates on the weekends but not encourage others during the workweek. – Every nonprofit needs a policy outlining the prohibition of using organizational resources for political activities. – Alliance for Justice has an example of such a policy.

Resources

Trister Ross memo on canvassing and coordination

Election Activities of Individuals Associated With 501(c)(3) Organizations

October 10, 2024

The Pedalshift Project 379: eBike Project – Shakedown Ride

On this episode, I take my new ebike on its first shakedown ride to test its capabilities, from battery life to chain tension to, well… does this thing work? It’s a 40 mile round trip from my cabin in West Virginia to a campsite outside of Hancock, MD on the C&O towpath complete with terrain, headwinds, hills and riverside overnight!

The Pedalshift Project 379: eBike Project - Shakedown Ride

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Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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eBike Project – Shakedown Ride

Housekeeping

Lael Wilcox’s ride is weeks old now but shout out to listener and former guest Cyrus Fairivar for not only meeting with Lael, but getting an unnamed shout out on her pod!

Live Show announcement! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT – topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at pedalshift.net/live.

Bike Setup & Preparation:

•Fully charged battery, loaded with two rear panniers, and adjustments for the first e-bike adventure.

•Changes from the last ride: added a stove for coffee and packed some food from Maria’s Taqueria.

Ride Experience:

•Initial observations on battery performance: The e-bike flattened the hills, averaging around 20-25 mph with minimal battery usage.

•Headwind and hill performance: Noted how the pedal assist (at level 4 and 5) made hills easier and allowed for faster cruising speeds.

Comfort Adjustments:

•Noted some tingling in the hands and plans to possibly add bar ends or horns for a better grip.

•A potential move to a more upright riding position, requiring cabling adjustments.

Battery Management:

•Discussed the range and recharge performance, observing that the battery was only down 25% after 20 miles of riding, even with heavy pedal assist.

•Insights on ideal battery storage and how the e-bike’s range matched expectations.

Camp Setup:

•Arrived at camp and shared thoughts on the bike’s potential for longer tours, with plenty of battery for return rides.

•Reflections on camping alone and observations on trail conditions and other cyclists.

The Ride Back:

•Further testing of the battery on uphill sections, confirming impressive performance with ample pedal assist.

•Final reflections on e-bike touring possibilities, noting a vastly improved return ride compared to previous acoustic bike tours.

Statistics

Miles biked: 40 miles
Average Speed on Flats: 23 mph
Battery confidence: 100%
Efficacy of using coffee stirrers as chopsticks: 3%
Flats: 0

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 COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 379: eBike Project – Shakedown Ride appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 3, 2024

Best of Pedalshift 137: Fall Touring (Live)

Originally recorded live from Hedgesville, WV, this episode of the Pedalshift Project includes the (semi-doomed) 2018 fall tour reveal and gear tips for your fall bicycle touring. Plus banter with you… because it was live! Originally podcast September 27, 2018.

The post Best of Pedalshift 137: Fall Touring (Live) appeared first on Pedalshift.

October 2, 2024

Voter Assistance State Resources

With only a small handful of weeks remaining until the general election, you may be wondering about how you or your nonprofit can get involved in voter assistance activities such as providing rides to the polls, registering voters, and helping voters vote by mail. Would you be surprised that these activities are often regulated by both state and federal law? On this episode, we’ll discuss our Practical Guidance Voter Assistance resources series, created in partnership with Democracy Capacity Project, and explain some of the rules you should be thinking about in the final countdown to the big day.

Attorneys for this episode:

Tim Mooney

Natalie Ossenfort

Victor Rivera

General Overview of Relevant Law

· When engaging in any election-related activities there are several areas of law that your nonprofit should think about:

o Internal Revenue Code: explains the types of activities your nonprofit is allowed to engage in accordance with the tax code

§ 501(c)(3)s: Keep it nonpartisan. No support or opposition of candidates. Allowed to engage in campaigns for or against ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, bond measures, city charter amendments. Just remember that this activity may count as lobbying at the federal level.

§ 501(c)(4)s; (c)(5)s, (c)(6)s: Partisan political activities as secondary activities of org

§ PACs: Regulated by Section 527 of tax code. Partisan political work as focus, but different types of PACs may be restricted in terms of whether they can engage in coordinated vs. independent expenditures

o Other federal laws, including the Federal Election Campaign Act: always going to be relevant in elections with federal candidates on the ballot

§ Provisional ballots available even if they aren’t under state election laws (i.e. can vote provisionally for POTUS if there’s a dispute as to registration status and resolve that later)

§ Accessible ballots required under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

§ Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires states to provide absentee ballots for military personnel, their families, and U.S. citizens overseas in federal elections.

§ Voting Rights Act (VRA)

· requires jurisdictions with significant populations of non-English-speaking citizens to provide bilingual election materials and assistance, ensuring all voters can understand and participate in the process.

· allows observers from the Department of Justice or the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to monitor elections to ensure compliance with voting rights laws, especially in areas with a history of discrimination.

o State law: Often regulates

§ Who, when, how you can register voters

§ Who is eligible to vote-by-mail (and when)

§ Line-warming activities designed to encourage voters to stay in line

§ Rules for poll watchers

§ Voter ID required in some states

§ And more!

Practical Guidance Voter Assistance Series

o Focuses on state law, but also includes some federal law tips throughout

o (Questions answered include:

o How can our organization help people vote by mail?

o Can we help with a rides to the polls program?

o How can we help voters already at the polls?

o When might our work also trigger campaign finance laws?

o Can we advocate for a new polling place?

o Current states:

o Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin

o Texas line-warming example

o Reminder that many states don’t have polling places (in traditional sense) since they’ve shifted focus to vote-by-mail.

Resources:

· Practical Guidance Voter Assistance Series: https://afj.org/bolder-advocacy/practical-guidance-nonprofit-voter-assistance-series/

· Rules of the Game: Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s: https://afj.org/resource/the-rules-of-the-game-a-guide-to-election-related-activities-for-501c3-organizations/

· The Connection: https://afj.org/resource/the-connection-strategies-for-creating-and-operating-501c3s-501c4s-and-political-organizations/

September 26, 2024

The Pedalshift Project 378: eBike Project – Shakedown Preview

On this edition, we preview a short but momentous little overnight adventure on my brand new ebike… we’ll discuss goals and strategies, plus recharge options and… hey, we’re getting back on the C&O again!

The Pedalshift Project 378: eBike Project - Shakedown Preview

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 378: eBike Project – Shakedown Preview.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

eBike Project – Shakedown Preview

ebike project

The basics

ebike

full charged battery

Two panniers and maybe the sleep kit on the handlebars

No food, no stove

Sleep clothes only (no additional clothing)

Rain gear only if rain ends up being possible

extra tools – chain breaker, master link breaker, more

The route

Road route from cabin to Hancock’s city park, then onto one of the closer campsites on the C&O

Returning the second day to Hancock for any additional charge ups necessary and then up the hills back

Approx 40 total miles, maybe a bit more if I ride further out on the trail

Why so short?

Need to keep things close in case we have something happen that requires a vehicle rescue

May be a short ride but it has a lot of climbing, long flats where speed is helpful, and more

Trying to gauge how much range this bike and battery has on real terrain

Minimal gear and gas station cuisine

Hancock has plenty of food options close to the city park that has electric

Will bring water purifier for the trail just in case, but likely will have enough water on hand to make things work

Trying to keep the variables to a minimum

Weather

Finally starting to cool down around here!

High projected to be in 70s (24C), lows in the mid 50s (13C)

Rain in the forecast for a couple of days before, but ending that morning so it should be dry but might have wet ground

Down bag, tent, pad… nothing too crazy necessary as we transition into fall

What I’m looking for out of this trip

Ensuring the build is solid and safe – rack, brakes, cables no longer pinched

Testing range on the battery

Getting more experience climbing with the boost

Seeing how “fast” my 3A charger can charge (not a lot)

Getting a feel for a suspension bike

Getting a feel for the tires

Assessing comfort – how long can I be in the saddle?

Assessing need for more add-ons

A chill night on the C&O… haven’t been camping since Oregon this summer!

Pod plans

Single tour journal for the trip (there and back)

Separate takeaways episode to get into assessments, next steps, and potential ideas for 2025

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 COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 378: eBike Project – Shakedown Preview appeared first on Pedalshift.