Category: Uncategorized

The Pedalshift Project 185: Emergency Fixes

The episode I hope nobody needs to use… emergency fixes if you run into serious mechanicals or sudden cold snaps on your next bike tour.


The Pedalshift Project 185: Emergency Fixes

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 185: Emergency Fixes (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

Pedalshift Live

Coming in December… Saturday 12/7 3pm EST!

Pedalshift Live - December 7, 2019

What are you thankful for?

The annual Thanksgiving show drops in a few weeks and there’s still time to get your input into the show. What are YOU thankful about in the realm of bike touring? Call the Pedalshift voicemail and add your voice to things… take a minute and tell everyone what you’re thankful for. Be anonymous if you’d like… also email in your thoughts or hit social media with them.

The Lab: Emergency Fixes

  1. See prior episodes 046 and 087 for other tips
  2. Dealing with a busted rack – metal splint plus zip ties… hose clamps if you got em

broken rack splint

3. Temp drop? Layer up with newspaper or anything else you have on hand in between your layers. (H/T CCC)

4.  Scotchcast or fiberfix – 3M casting tape … you can get it at hardware, vet hospital or even emergency health center. Listener carries 1 roll and a bag with some cut pieces you can fix rim cracks and tent poles and many more issues they are lite just need warm water and dry in minutes why be stranded it can be bought around $5 to $10 this is a waterproof seal and strong as steel i keep seeing the same thing over and over rim crack no issue fix in minutes and finish the tour 

5. Lost a bolt? Rack bolts shear off? Check out the rest of your bike to cannabalize something that’s less important. Water bottle rack bolts usually are the same size as rack ones! (H/T CCC

6. Duct tape and zip ties can McGuyver your way through a lot.

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 185: Emergency Fixes appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 184: Documenting and Sharing Your Bike Tour

So you’re heading out on bike tour and want to document it for yourself, friends, family and more? On this episode: tips on sharing your bike tour with the world!


The Pedalshift Project 184: Documenting and Sharing Your Bike Tour

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 184: Documenting and Sharing Your Bike Tour (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

Pedalshift Live

Coming in December… Saturday 12/7 3pm EST
 
Pedalshift Live - December 7, 2019
 

What are you thankful for?

The annual Thanksgiving show drops in a few weeks and there’s still time to get your input into the show. What are YOU thankful about in the realm of bike touring? Call the Pedalshift voicemail and add your voice to things… take a minute and tell everyone what you’re thankful for. Be anonymous if you’d like… also email in your thoughts or hit social media with them.
 

The Lab: Sharing Your Bike Tour

Why document?

  • Let’s friends and family track your adventure
  • Safety log
  • Gives you something to look back on
  • Maybe fodder for something else? 

Ways to share

  • Blog/Writing
    • Old school. Especially good if you’re a writer more than a talker.
    • Tons of platforms that are free, but consider some of the bike tour specific ones like Cycleblaze, CGOAB, etc.
  • Facebook
    • Broad reach, lots of people on it
    • Can limit exposure if you want
    • Check out PPP on FB. He does a nice job.
  • Twitter
    • Great for immediate hits and also can include location pings
    • Low impact on your data plan
    • Microjournaling
  • Instagram
    • My personal choice for micro journaling these days
    • Creates a visual map to go back to
    • Allows for some written material too
    • Autopost to other platforms
  • Audio
    • I get a lot of questions on this, for perhaps obvious reasons
    • Yes you can get a professional recorder
    • iPhones are more than adequate for field recording
    • The white earbuds? Sneaky good mics!
    • Voice memo app is perfectly great and simple to use. There are others.
    • Record in the highest fidelity you can – compressing to mp3 in the field may save space, but you sometimes lose the ability to EQ properly.
    • Record a lot, edit at home
  • Video
    • Not my priority, but always glad I have it
    • Takes SO. MUCH. TIME. to go through and edit
    • Vlog style versus doc style
    • Live broadcasts really aren’t worth the data hit and battery hit
    • Record in the highest quality you can – I get a bigger phone storage capacity expressly for this.
    • If you’re a drone pilot, be mindful of flight restrictions. Also… use sparingly?
  • Content
    • Focus on people and experience
    • Know that touring alters perception… you may be surprised at what you document
    • Don’t over document. If the trip becomes more about that than the ride, you might regret it (caveat… if your primary reason is to make a doc of a trip rather than go on a tour and document it)
    • Know your audience… what are they interested in?
  • Expectations afterwards
    • There are *so many* journals out there!
    • Ultimately this journal is a gift for you down the line to look back to

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 184: Documenting and Sharing Your Bike Tour appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 183: Touring With Dogs, Revisited

Ever think about hitting the road with your canine companion? Pedal with the pooch? I got out on the C&O a couple of times in the last month with Belle Starr and wanted to share some of my newer takes on bicycle touring with dogs.


The Pedalshift Project 183: Touring With Dogs, Revisted

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 183: Touring With Dogs, Revisited (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

Pedalshift Live

Coming in December… Saturday 12/7 3pm EST
 
Pedalshift Live - December 7, 2019
 

What are you thankful for?

The annual Thanksgiving show drops in a few weeks and there’s still time to get your input into the show. What are YOU thankful about in the realm of bike touring? Call the Pedalshift voicemail and add your voice to things… take a minute and tell everyone what you’re thankful for. Be anonymous if you’d like… also email in your thoughts or hit social media with them.
 

The Journal: Touring With Dogs, Revisted

I got out on the C&O a couple of times in the last month with Belle Starr and wanted to share some of my newer takes on bicycle touring with dogs.
 
  • Keep your mileage expectations low
  • Rethink priorities – everything gets knocked down a few notches to make comfort and safety for your dog the top two slots
  • Narrow your comfort range when deciding when your tour is a go
  • Take breaks on a schedule in addition to when you need them
  • Expect some deviation in behavior and reaction to food and water
  • Experiment a lot with your setup and be ready to modify
  • Be ready for some wet and dirty paws
  • You will not sleep as good as normal until things adjust
  • Don’t jump into big tours immediately – some dogs thrive in it, others tolerate it for short stints, others… well, you heard the Louis story 😉

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 183: Touring With Dogs, Revisited appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 182: Facing Your Fears on Bike Tour

On this week’s show, we’re transitioning into fall in many parts of the world, so we’re covering tips on riding and touring during fall weather.

Pedalshift Project 182 - Facing Your Fears on Bike Tour

Photo credit: Miles of Portraits

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 182: Facing Your Fears on Bike Tour (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

Pedalshift Live is coming in December… what works best? Friday night 12/6 or Saturday afternoon 12/7? Go take the poll here, or at pedalshift.net/live or on FB and weigh in. I’ll announce the date within the next few weeks.
 
The annual Thanksgiving show drops on actual Thanksgiving this year (American Thanksgiving at least, sorry Canada). I wanted to do a refresh of my theme of “thanks bicycle touring.” What are YOU thankful about in the realm of bike touring? Call the Pedalshift voicemail and add your voice to things… take a minute and tell everyone what you’re thankful for. Be anonymous if you’d like… also email in your thoughts or hit social media with them.

The Interview: Facing Your Fears on Bike Tour

facing your fears on bike tour with Miles of Portraits

Annalisa van den Bergh is a graphic designer and visual journalist living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Read her story and view her work at workfrombike.com.

Erik Douds is an endurance athlete and global traveler.
Also living with T1D, he strives to show that diabetics can go anywhere and do anything.

Listen to their prior episodes 107 and 122.

– Last time we crossed paths you were in midst of a US tour for Miles of Portraits. I’m curious what you learned on that tour that reinforced or maybe surprised you telling the stories?
 
– The next Miles of Portraits leg is decidedly more international… why did you choose India?
 
– The theme for this tour is something that goes hand in hand with adventure… facing fears. What are the fears you’re both tackling with this tour?
 
– A couple I didn’t know, but I have friends who did know them, were murdered while on a bicycle tour last summer.
Context…see this NYT article. 
How do you process things like this in the context of facing fears on tour?
 
– Let’s talk more about the route you’re planning – where are you traveling and are you focusing on the portraits element most or are you doing events too?
 
– What are the tools you think you’ll rely on most to bridge language and cultural differences?
 
– Any differences in gear for this trip compared to the past ones?
 
– How can people follow and support this new trip?
 
Go support the Kickstarter at milesofportraits.com!

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 182: Facing Your Fears on Bike Tour appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 181: Tips on Fall Riding

On this week’s show, we’re transitioning into fall in many parts of the world, so we’re covering tips on riding and touring during fall weather.

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 181: Tips on Fall Riding (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

Pedalshift Live is coming in December… what works best? Friday night 12/6 or Saturday afternoon 12/7? Go take the poll here, or at pedalshift.net/live or on FB and weigh in. I’ll announce the date within the next few weeks.
 
The annual Thanksgiving show drops on actual Thanksgiving this year (American Thanksgiving at least, sorry Canada). I wanted to do a refresh of my theme of “thanks bicycle touring.” What are YOU thankful about in the realm of bike touring? Call the Pedalshift voicemail and add your voice to things… take a minute and tell everyone what you’re thankful for. Be anonymous if you’d like… also email in your thoughts or hit social media with them.

The Journal: Transitioning to fall riding

  • Take some time to give your bike a once-over
  • Consider a new chain lube for different conditions
  • Water capacity needs lower?
  • Layers
  • Lights
  • Wet leaves are like ice

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 181: Tips on Fall Riding appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 180: S24Os for the Busy Bike Camper

Fall means a lot of riding on the C&O, but lately I find I don’t have the time for a big through ride. So what’s a time-strapped bicycle tourist to do? On this episode we revisit S24Os – a great way to get some adventure when life, work, family, whatever prevents a longer trip.

Pedalshift 180 - S24Os for the Busy Bike Camper

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 180: S24Os for the Busy Bike Camper (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSSiTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – StitcherTuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

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

The Journal: S24Os for the Busy Bike Camper

Fall means a lot of riding on the C&O, but lately I find I don’t have the time for a big through ride. So what’s a time-strapped bicycle tourist to do? On this episode we revisit S24Os – a great way to get some adventure when life, work, family, whatever prevents a longer trip.
 
This is another in-the-field recording of my thoughts on S24Os while ON an S24O. Super meta, and it has the accompanying wind and other soundscapes added on. If you like this, stick around because in a couple of weeks we’ll have another episode on the C&O with a decidedly canine twist.
 
One last thing!  This trip has a secret mission that cleans up the end of Tour Journals Vol. 16 in a couple of fun ways… let’s get rolling!

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 spring’s DC to Cincinnatti 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
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Pulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Paul Culbertson
Scott Culbertson
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
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

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields’ latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.

The post The Pedalshift Project 180: S24Os for the Busy Bike Camper appeared first on Pedalshift.

Insane beauty, again with the wind and I like Calgary

Hey, it’s another installment of the Tranquilty Tour “DVD extras”… As always, you can learn more about Tranquility Tour at tranquilitytour.com, follow us at  #tranquiltytour on Twitter, Like Tranquility Tour on Facebook, and come back here to An Uncommonly Silly Blog anytime for the extras.

—–

I took some of the best pictures I ever snapped on the ride between Kalispell and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. Just because the federal government is shut (and therefore the US national parks… still) the views from the open state and US highways were breathtaking. I can’t imagine what I was missing inside Glacier NP, because the views from outside of it were insanely gorgeous.

1380298_536551629766857_447694519_n IMG_4275 IMG_4276

The wind in Alberta is something to behold. I thought the Wyoming wind was something else, but the gusts off the lake in Waterton National Park last night literally ripped the plastic housing from the top of our camper’s AC unit. It reminded me of the tropical storm winds I’ve been in, but nastier and gustier. The mountains of Glacier gave them a push off the lake and across the border… it was crazy. Although the plastic AC housing is clearly beyond repair (despite my overnight efforts in the sub-freezing winds to tie things down), I managed to use duct tape and zip ties to get the thing stable again. If you don’t have duct tape and zip ties on you, stop what you’re doing and get some. Seriously… throw in epoxy and you just listed the three things I use the most to hack together semi-permanent fixes. I need a fourth for my Mount Rushmore of fixing stuff. Maybe I’ll figure that out by the end of the trip…

I walked around downtown Calgary during the “Tim is banned from the Pop-Up” portion of the pop-up (i.e. hours, 1, 2, and 2 and a half). I got a beer at the Black Cat Cafe and watched some of the Leafs game. I came back and had a drink at the restaurant where we had the pop-up and chatted with the owner for a bit about Canadian politics and the oil sands. Once again I was told I know more about Canada than Canadians by a Canadian. I chalk it all up to CBC podcasts and poutine… and yes, I got more of that today too. Thank you Canada… your federal government is open, you embrace hockey, and you celebrate the holy trinity of fries, gravy and cheese curds (or shredded cheese in Alberta it seems). What’s not to like?

Banff tomorrow. I hear good things…

Late night river crossings, government shutdowns and learning to call audibles

Last night we had a fun time with our Peoria crowd – the biggest yet on Tour. Due to some less-than-ideal planning on my part, we had an afternoon event scheduled 6 hours west in Kansas City today. Another great group, but it meant we needed to get at least part of the way to avoid having to get up early and cut it close. I tend to prefer night driving over day driving because the roads are more open and construction squeezes tend to not be so squeezy. That was definitely the case in Illinois and Missouri last night, and I think I probably saved at least an hour of aggravation by rockin a drive that ended at 2:30am rather than one that started at 7am. The drive was highlighted by the crossing of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The dark waters below Lillie weren’t showing off as much as they would have during the day, but it feels pretty momentous to be semi-officially on the west side of the continent.

Mississippi River

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I won’t get all political here, but this government shutdown looming for Monday/Tuesday is messing with my plan. We had been looking forward to almost a full week of downtime (well deserved after this 3 week sprint!) in Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier National Parks. Now thanks to goings on back home, it’s entirely possible the parks will all be closed. That’s a real disappointment, and I hope the powers that be can remember what happens to whom when these things have historically happened. Speaking of history, these have tended to be measured in weeks rather than days, so it’s entirely possible Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier will be swallowed up by all of this. Boo.

National_Park_Service_sign

So, on to the audibles… we have state parks in the region to hit, and then there’s always Canada. Yes, we would be spending our American dollars otherwise earmarked for US Parks in Banff and other places north of the border. There’s your micro-economic impact right there! Now, if Alberta can import some poutine from Quebec, THEN we’d be talkin…

Map to come… I’m updating my iPad to iOS7 now and the apps (Skitch, most notably… that’s going to be how I’ll make my “hey, we were here” map) are taking forever to update. I think iOS7 gets a full throated thumbs up… if thumbs up can be full throated. Hmm. Probably not.

As always, you can learn more about Tranquility Tour at tranquilitytour.com, follow us at  #tranquiltytour on Twitter, Like Tranquility Tour on Facebook, and come back here to An Uncommonly Silly Blog for the “DVD Extras” as I like to call these posts…