Pedalshift's New Basecamp

Pedalshift's New Basecamp

Author: Tim Mooney December 11, 2025 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 a bit of a surprise and also not a surprise at all.

 

My new home: Seattle!

Why? This move is all about geography, access, and expanding the Pedalshift touring sandbox. Seattle places world-class touring terrain right outside the door and increases the show's ability to cover more routes, more often.

And yes—this is a return to the broader PNW. Think of it as a new basecamp, and not a commentary on my beloved Portland. It remains the land of sunshine and bunnies, and it's just down I-5.

There's obviously other details to all of this but they are far more weedsy than worth getting into for you all. Let's focus on the parts that impact the pod!

 

What Seattle Unlocks for Bike Adventures

Puget Sound & the Islands

  • Bainbridge, Vashon, Whidbey, and the San Juans
  • Ferry-based overnighters and S24Os

Olympic Peninsula

  • ACA Pacific Coast connections
  • Port Townsend → Sequim → Forks routes
  • Big coastal scenery for trip diaries

Cascade Range

  • Palouse to Cascades Trail (hello, cross-state gravel epic)
  • Snoqualmie Pass corridor
  • North Cascades Highway rides when the snow gods allow

British Columbia

  • Vancouver + Victoria loops
  • Easier cross-border touring content

Western US Access

Simpler jumps to NorCal, SoCal, Alaska, and Rocky Mountain tour starts

 

How the Show Evolves

 

More Micro-Tours

Seattle puts quality riding minutes—not hours—away, which means more short trips, more experiments, more rapid-fire episodes.

Some Non-Bicycle Adventures

Exploring by foot - hiking, urban adventures and more. Not a replacement for bikes, but a compliment.

New Possible Arcs

  • The Islands Project
  • The Puget Sound Loops
  • Palouse to Cascades: Piece by Piece
  • Return to the Coast (Seattle → Portland → Coast → beyond)

Year-Round Riding

Milder PNW winters = more shoulder-season content and gear discussions. Also proximity to southern CA for winter riding?

 

What Stays the Same

  • The philosophy of intentional, practical, joyful bike travel
  • Long-form tours and multi-state adventures
  • Portland is the land of sunshine and bunnies, and Seattle will need a tagline

 

Early Seattle Recon

  • Riding West Seattle, Alki, and Elliott Bay
  • Ferry recon missions
  • Scouting trails, routes, and spots for easy S24Os
  • Checking out the local bike shop ecosystem

 

Production Notes

  • Scheduling in winter and spring TBD with some back and forth travel
  • Regular episode cadence with best-of's 

 

Listener Input Wanted

  • Got Seattle, Puget Sound, or PNW route suggestions? Hidden gems? Ferries worth timing for golden hour? Winter riding hacks?
  • Hit me up—I'll feature the best ones in future episodes.

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
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