365: C&O But Slow - Part 3

365: C&O But Slow - Part 3

Author: Tim Mooney June 6, 2024 Duration: 29:52

After leaving you all with a bit of a cliffhanger, the decision is made – my (formerly) slow and chill C&O ride now gets another 18 miles of riding to some sweet sweet roofed lodging at my cabin. But that means I cross into West Virginia where I encounter something I've never dealt with before. Explicit tag earned for this episode…

Celebrate 10 Years of Pedalshift Live 6/8

  • The march to the ten year anniversary of the show commences… Live show to celebrate things June 8th, at 8pm ET. It will be podcasted the following week but always down for some live banter. It'll be on the YouTube channeland here at pedalshift.net/live.
  • ALSO, if you aren't subscribed to and listening to the fantastic Lael Wilcox's podcast, I can't recommend it enough. She's trying to break the world record for cycling the world and is audio journaling it every day. She's recently completed her eastern US leg and by the time you hear this will be in Europe working her way east. It's so good - laelwilcox.net for the details. She is a legend and this is elite level stuff!

C&O But Slow - Part 3

Introduction

- Riding to the cabin due to favorable weather conditions

Travel Plans and Preparations

- Description of the route and challenges ahead

- Discussion on safety measures and time management

- Strategy for avoiding bad weather and deciding to ride immediately

On the Road Experiences

- Reflections on the ride: pain, headwinds, and dealing with a truck that rolls coal

- Encounter with challenging road conditions and gearing issues

- Insights on energy management and navigating difficult climbs

Scenic and Safe Routes

- Decision-making on route choices to avoid hazards

- Progress update and estimated distance to the destination

Final Leg of the Journey

- Description of the last few miles and expected challenges

- Nearing the end: checking distance and anticipating weather

Arrival and Reflections

- Arrival at the cabin and initial feelings

- Immediate plans and reflections on the day's ride

Zero Day

- Announcement of a zero day due to bad weather

- Observations on the weather conditions and impact on the trail

Closing Thoughts

- Strategy for the upcoming ride to the train station

- Gratitude for making the right decision and empathy for those still on the trail

Statistics

  • Miles biked 18

  • F bombs tossed  1

  • Zero days 1

  • Heavy rain storms dodged 2

  • Flats 0


There’s a particular kind of freedom that comes from traveling by bicycle, where the journey itself becomes the destination. The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures, hosted by Tim Mooney, delves into that experience through a mix of personal stories, practical advice, and wide-ranging conversations. Rather than just a how-to guide, this podcast feels like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend after a long day on the road. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from fellow bike tourists, each with their own unique tales from the pavement and gravel, alongside Tim’s own reflections and experiments in bicycle touring. The discussions naturally cover the logistical tips and tricks that make trips smoother, but they also explore the cultural and educational aspects of moving through the world at a human pace. It’s about more than gear and routes; it’s about the connections made and the perspectives gained when you embrace a slower, more engaged form of travel. This audio companion to Pedalshift.net aims to demystify bicycle adventure, making it feel accessible and deeply rewarding. By sharing these stories and ideas, the hope is to inspire your own two-wheeled explorations, proving that a bicycle can indeed shrink the world in the most wonderful way. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded take on seeing the world from the saddle.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Podcast Episodes
Pedalshift's New Basecamp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Big news for the show: The Pedalshift Project is setting up camp in a new city! This episode breaks down what that means for future tours, how this opens up brand-new riding possibilities, and why the destination may be…
Best of Pedalshift 291: Working Remotely on Bike Adventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
It used to be that a bike adventure meant taking paid time off or quitting your job. Now that remote work is a reality for many of us, there's a new option. But is bike travel while working remotely right for you? Origin…
Thanksgiving Eve Live [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
A repodcast of our Thanksgiving Eve live show: following up on your comments on the state of bicycle touring, plus a bunch of great questions in an Ask Me Anything segment! Followup: Is Bicycle Touring in Decline? More e…
Is Bicycle Touring in Decline? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
Bicycle touring numbers feel like they're down—fewer loaded panniers on the road, Adventure Cycling Association facing major financial headwinds, and a lot of long-time tourers quietly aging out. But is touring actually…
Bike Adventure Goals Scorecard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:06
Way back in January - and what feels like ten years ago to me - I set out a bunch of bicycle adventure goals for me in 2025. In a challenging year, I wasn't sure how I'd measure up but as I always like to do, I gave the…
Best of Pedalshift 249: Solo Touring Women [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:02
A chat with Sylva Florence, an experienced bicycle tourist and author of many things (including her blog The Sylva Lining) on touring as a solo woman, how people who want to be allies to solo women touring can do that wi…
The Ultralight Challenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge - borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush…
A Game of Chance Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:37
We're bringing back one of the wackiest ideas in Pedalshift history — the Game of Chance! Using random number generators and the excellent Adventure Cycling Association routes, it's an unpredictable coast-to-coast bike t…
Best of Pedalshift 295: Making Your Tent Stealthier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:37
Stealth camping is a great skill to develop and a fantastic option to have for emergencies or maybe even your main overnight plan on a bike tour. But what if your tent is so bright it can be seen from miles away? On this…
Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Takeaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:31
The Mysterious Oregon Coast adventure is in the rearview mirror, but we always like to peek back before moving on. On this edition we marvel at the fun we had on a fairly cursed tour of some of our favorite parts of the…