Author: Tim Mooney

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

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 380: eBike Shakedown Takeaways + 2025 Adventures.

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 pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

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?

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

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

 

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

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 379: eBike Project – Shakedown Ride.

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 pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

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

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

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/

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:
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 pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

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

 

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

The Pedalshift Project 377: eBike Project – The Build

In this episode, follow an in-depth, step-by-step journey of transforming a surprisingly decent Ozark Trail mountain bike into the first Pedalshift e-bike (n=3 or 4 if you’re counting). This mega-pod takes you from the initial setup to final tweaks, including component replacements, brake and pedal adjustments, and install of a mid drive motor. I’m hardly a bike mechanic, so will things to go sideways at least once like my typical bike adventures?


The Pedalshift Project 377: eBike Project - The Build

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 377: eBike Project – The Build.

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 pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

eBike Project – The Build

ebike project

  • Hey I got an ebike! Where did I end up? 
  • Decided on build over buy – more flexibility
  • Decided on new over used – couldn’t find a good used one that wasn’t $$$
  • Went with a Bafang middrive motor and a 52v 20Ah frame mounted battery – smaller than Brian’s, but still pretty big. 
  • Watched a ton of YouTube videos and bought some tools!
  • This took me several weeks because the bike lived at the cabin and I was back and forth a bit as I built it
  • This was a journey… and the episode is a little long, but definitely brings you along tour journals style for how it went…

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:54 Choosing the Right Bike for the E-Bike Conversion

05:52 Initial Setup and Component Replacements

10:56 Challenges and Adjustments

18:05 Programming and Configuration

28:45 Battery Insights and Expectations

41:03 Assembly and Troubleshooting

48:11 Rear Brake Discovery

48:27 Chain Installation Challenges

48:30 Nighttime Reflections

49:27 Final Adjustments and Cable Management

50:51 Chain Sizing Tips

51:47 First Ride Impressions

52:32 Handlebar and Screen Setup

52:51 Rear Brake Issues

55:28 Pedal and Crank Problems

58:54 Cable and Sensor Installations

01:01:44 Tire Upgrade

01:04:14 Battery and Range Concerns

01:04:53 Shakedown Ride Plans

01:07:23 Final Preparations

01:16:47 Shakedown Ride Execution

01:25:48 E-Bike Confidence Boost

01:30:36 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

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 377: eBike Project – The Build appeared first on Pedalshift.

Election Protection and Nonpartisan Voter Assistance

 This is a special rebroadcast of our episode on election protection and nonpartisan voter assistance from 2022. Since the original airing, Bolder Advocacy, in partnership with The Democracy Capacity Project, has expanded our series of state law guides on nonprofit voter assistance. Most states are covered and you can find them on our resource library page. We’ll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode.

—

On this episode, we’ll discuss how different types of tax-exempt organizations can ensure the right to vote is protected by engaging in election protection activities and assistingvoters at the polls. and potentially afterwards. Whether it’s poll monitoring, ballot curing, staffing an election protection hotline, or providing rides to the polls, we’ll discuss the rules that apply to 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s so that your organization can ensure that all eligible voices are heard this election season. 

Attorneys for this episode  

  • Tim Mooney  
  • Natalie Ossenfort 
  • Quyen Tu 

Shownotes 

  • Poll watching / observing 
  • Litigation 
  • Rides to Polls 
  • Ballot chasing and curing 
  • Poll monitoring 
  • Count monitoring 
  • Voting education 
  • Nonpartisan activity
    • No support or opposition of candidates
    • Facts and Circumstances
    • Follow FEC rules if federal candidates on ballots (no incentives for voting or registering to vote) 
  • State law often adds layers of complexity here – be sure to know what is allowed in your state
    • Ohio: must stay outside 100ft no-solicitation permitter when line warming
    • Michigan: strict rules related to hiring a car to provide rides to the polls (effectively prohibited unless voter unable to walk)
    • CO / TX: strict rules that apply when you want to hand out and collect voter registration applications
  • Voter Assistance Series (AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, NY, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, TX, Virginia, Wisconsin)
    • Voter Registration Rules
    • Vote by Mail Rules
    • Correcting errors on absentee ballots (ballot curing)
    • Rides to Polls Rules
    • Line Warming Activities  
    • Poll Watching
    • What about selfies? 
  • Partisan Voter Protection
    • Ballot Chasing and Curing can be done with a partisan focus (for instance, only trying to cure votes of one party, litigating on behalf of a candidate)  
    • Off limits for c3s, which must engage in nonpartisan advocacy ONLY 
    • Ok for c4s but counts as secondary activity 

Resources Practical Guidance – Voter Assistance Series, released in partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project  Rules of the Game – Guide to Election Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s  Election Checklist for 501(c)(3)s Combating Voter Suppression & Election Subversion

The Pedalshift Project 376: Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways

The remix is in the rear view mirror, but as always I like to look back and discuss takeaways from every trip. On this edition, ten takeaways from the Oregon Coast Remix, celebrating ten years of the pod!


The Pedalshift Project 376: Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways

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Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways

Don’t Rush Tent Setup: I experienced a rough night at Bastendorf Beach County Campground due to improper tent setup. I had to get out of the tent at 12:30 AM to stake it properly, improving airflow and reducing internal condensation, which kept me awake as large drops of water hit my forehead.

Every Trip Is Unique: James and I reflected on how each of our trips along the Oregon Coast differed. For example, I noted that every time I rode the coast, I used a different bike or setup, which made each journey distinct and memorable.

Critical Importance of Food and Hydration: I discovered that my difficulties during the ride were due to dehydration, which affected my overall well-being. I shifted my focus from electrolytes to drinking more regular water, especially after noticing that my urine color indicated dehydration. Also, snacks like frosted mini-wheats helped manage my energy levels.

Oregon Coast Weather’s Dual Role: The Oregon Coast’s weather was both a blessing and a challenge. For instance, while the cool, cloudy weather made for pleasant riding, the sudden appearance of the sun during our ride to Sunset Bay increased the difficulty, especially on long climbs.

Companionship on the Road: I noted that riding with James added a positive social element to the trip. Despite generally preferring to ride solo, I found it enjoyable to share the experience and have someone to talk to about various topics along the way.

Campground Upgrades: We stayed at a variety of campgrounds, each with different amenities. For instance, we found the new hiker-biker campsite at Jesse M. Honeyman State Park to be an improvement over previous experiences, with brand new facilities, flat tent sites, and a charging station.

The Value of Good Sleep: At Honeyman State Park, despite the riding challenges, I noted how a good night’s sleep helped me recover, emphasizing how crucial rest is for endurance on multi-day tours.

Adaptability to Changing Plans: The trip required constant adaptation, such as when we chose to stay at Bastendorf Beach County Park instead of Sunset Bay. This change was partly due to past negative experiences at Sunset Bay and partly because we discovered Bastendorf had amenities we preferred.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Despite the physical and logistical challenges, James and I remained positive, often joking about the difficulties and focusing on the highlights of the trip, such as the beautiful weather and the enjoyable ride through Bandon.

Where Are the Cyclists?: James and I are still pretty puzzled about the lack of cyclist encounters on the entire ride. We talked about some of the theories, but none of them alone explain it. Having the camps to ourselves was great but if there’s lower demand will the amenities go away?

Programming note!

Lael!

Next week we enter a new era in bike adventures… remember that ebike project? Let’s just say things escalated and you get to join me in the process!

Also… we have two more bicycle adventures left this year alone and planning for the winter trip in early 2025 is locked in. Lots more to come!

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 376: Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways appeared first on Pedalshift.

Best of Pedalshift 010: Pacific Coast 2014

In the summer of 2014, I took 6 weeks to ride the Pacific coast from Victoria, BC to the US-Mexico border. I recorded a 2-5 minute audio entry every day for the Tour Journals podcast to share the more detailed aspects of the ride, but always intended to edit and condense it into a more manageable length to share here. Originally podcast December 22, 2014.

(Note, I say this hasn’t been released in 10 years, but it got some love as a best of in 2019. Management regrets this error and the offending parties have been sacked. Or promoted. Not sure what to do with me.)

The post Best of Pedalshift 010: Pacific Coast 2014 appeared first on Pedalshift.