A Game of Chance Revisited

A Game of Chance Revisited

Author: Tim Mooney October 24, 2025 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 tour from the Pacific to the Atlantic. When every turn is determined by chance the results are... surprisingly awesome?

In This Episode:

 

  • Revisiting the "Game of Chance" touring experiment from 2021

  • Using randomness to pick routes across ACA's national network

  • Riding (and re-riding) the Pacific Coast, Northern Tier, Lewis & Clark, TransAm, and more

  • Ferry crossings, backcountry climbs, and surprise state detours

  • How randomness can spark new route ideas and winter planning inspiration

Mentioned:

  • Adventure Cycling Association

  • Pacific Coast Route

  • Lewis & Clark Trail

  • Northern Tier

  • TransAmerica Trail

  • Great Divide, Great Parks, Lake Erie Connector

The Route (as determined by chance):

Segment

Route(s)

Start → End

1

Pacific Coast

Anacortes, WA → Westport, OR

2

Lewis & Clark

Westport, OR → Cascade Locks, OR

3

Sierra Cascades (North)

Cascade Locks, OR → Twisp, WA

4

Northern Tier

Twisp, WA → Eureka, MT

5

Great Parks North

Eureka, MT → Missoula, MT

6

TransAm

Missoula, MT → Walden, CO

7

TransAm (continued)

Walden, CO → Springfield, MO

8

Bicycle Route 66

Springfield, MO → St. Louis, MO

9

Eastern Express Connector

St. Louis, MO → Indianapolis, IN

10

Chicago–NYC + North Lakes

Indianapolis, IN → Northern MI

11

Lake Erie Connector

Sandusky, OH → Buffalo, NY (via Ontario)

12

Northern Tier

Buffalo, NY → Bar Harbor, ME

 


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
Best of Pedalshift 161: Stealth Camping Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Stealth camping lets bike tourists keep costs down and ride more miles per day… but is it right for you? On this episode, we cover stealth camping upsides, downsides, tips, philosophies, risks, and some thoughts on the n…
371: Oregon Coast Remix - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:50
After a relaxing first night in camp, it was time to put in some real mileage over some real terrain. Fog and cool weather beckoned, but would it remain? And would our next new-to-us campsite with "beach" in its name liv…
370: Oregon Coast Remix - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:23
A big day of travel from DC to Oregon and then on to the coast… it's not hassle-free, but the coast and its cooler temperatures await for a grand adventure celebrating ten years of the pod. But wait… who's that in Lincol…
369: Oregon Coast Remix Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:50
Ten years ago, I embarked on one of my biggest adventures… cycling the entire Pacific Coast, from border to border. Since then, I've revisited sections of that ride time and again. And to be honest, I have some habits… t…
Best of Pedalshift 263: Guide to the C&O – Section by Section [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
I've taken listeners on a bunch of rides on the C&O (including the current one!), so it's worth revisiting my guide to riding it. In the second of two parts, we go section by section from DC to Cumberland. It's an audio…
368: C&O But Slow Takeaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
10 takeaways from a bike trip that was supposed to be slow but ended up being quite different than anticipated... C&O But Slow Takeaways 10 takeaways from a bike trip that was supposed to be slow but ended up being quite…
367: C&O But Slow - Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
After a rejuvenating zero day to avoid the storms, I had one more day of road riding to catch my train. A familiar route, but not exactly one with mindfulness paid to bikes. Would I catch the train home? Celebrate 10 Yea…
366: Ten Years of Pedalshift [Live!] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:37
June 8th, 2014 was the very first episode of The Pedalshift Project, and since then we've gone on quite the journey, mostly by bike. On this live episode, we got a bunch of listeners together to chat about highlights fro…
365: C&O But Slow - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 i…

«1...678910