385: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 4

385: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 4

Author: Tim Mooney November 28, 2024 Duration: 34:10

The final day of the NoDak adventure (finally?) explored the beauty of Medora, North Dakota, on bike, reflecting on the unique experience of cycling the Northern Tier Route. Beautiful views of TR NP, offbeat historical tidbits and some reflections and "what ifs" that prevented me from getting there earlier… all part of the adventure!

 

 

Housekeeping 

We're shifting the schedule around a bit here as we close out the year… we're going to delay the final best of for 2024 so we can go straight through to finish the NoDak Adventure with no interruptions. But also…

Live Show! 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.

Best of will be the week of the 19th, then you Shifty the Elf fans? The Holiday Spectacular returns Dec 26th to close out the year!

 

Highlights:

Cycling the Northern Tier Route:

• A ride along the official Northern Tier Route through Medora, including scenic stops by the Little Missouri River and the Medora campground.

• Observations on the route's history and recent adjustments due to safety concerns in northern North Dakota.

Historical Nuggets: The tale of William Riley Luffy and a historic gunfight near the Little Missouri River.

Wildlife and Natural Beauty: Reflections on bison herds, prairie dog cities, and the stark beauty of the Badlands.

Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park:

• Exploring the charming Wild West vibes of Medora and its support for cyclists.

• Insights on Theodore Roosevelt's complex legacy and the transformative power of the landscapes that inspired him.

Personal Reflections:

• The joys and challenges of biking in cold weather.

• Thoughts on the unique beauty of oft-overlooked places like North Dakota.

 

Takeaways:

Cycling Lessons: Even short rides can offer profound connections to the landscapes and communities you explore.

Travel Wisdom: Embrace the unexpected, whether it's historical surprises or the realization that your bike can take you farther than you think.

Gratitude for Adventure: Recognizing the privilege of discovering new places and bringing listeners along for the journey.

 

Resources:

• Plan your Northern Tier adventure with the Adventure Cycling Association.

• Discover Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park on the official websites and NPS site.

 

Statistics

Miles biked 5

Cyclist encounters 1

Cowboy themed museums and shops in Medora 5

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
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
Transitioning from from the peaceful Toronto Island back into the urban sprawl of southern Ontario is a bit of a record scratch I'll more thoroughly experience when I eventually ride this ride, but a fast forward to a st…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
Toronto! The biggest city in Canada beckoned with its record shops, high energy and criminally underrated cycling on the islands off shore. With a basketball arena parking spot and my kind of weather, TO was ready to wel…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
This portion of the trip was always going to be a question mark - what kind of biking will there be? Will it be fun? Will I be looking too much ahead to more obviously notable places like Toronto and Niagara Falls? Wolfe…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:04
So the ebike is a brick in the back of my Rav4, but it still works like a normal bike, so let's keep going! But a sudden realization may provide the solution to unlock all the battery goodness, just as another stunning d…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:23
Episode 404? Isn't 404 a website error? Well part 2 of the Lake Ontario adventure corrects for the very serious 404 we had with the ebike. Still a mystery, but we're recovering and adventuring by bike in amazing towns li…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:40
Folks, if you've followed this pod for any length of time you know my bike adventures usually have a component that goes sideways. But has it ever happened before a single pedal stroke? Can the Lake Ontario adventure sur…
402: Lake Ontario 2025 Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:52
After years of circling this ride (pun intended) it's time to do a lap of the lake that I've lived near for a big chunk of my early life. Would it have been easier to pick a smaller lake? Sure. But Lake Ontario truly is…
401: LA Metrobike Adventure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:19
What happens when you've only got one day in Los Angeles, a conference that demands your physical presence, and a red-eye flight back home? You grab a Metrobike and explore, of course! On this edition, it's a whirlwind b…
Spring Break: Filling in the Blanks Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:06
Part 2 of 2. My three day weekend tour was about to be washed out by the remnants of yet another hurricane rolling through the area. And since the C&O isn't exactly the best trail in a soaker, it was a good idea to rever…
Spring Break: Filling in the Blanks Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:54
They say you only live once and some people shorten that up to YOLO, turn that into a verb and make questionable decisions. Sometimes that's a pathway to adventure. And sometimes, it's a convenient excuse to do things yo…