Regular listeners may know that I’ve been hesitant to commit to more frequent episodes (or blog posts) as I’ve struggled to keep it up when working or traveling. One of the main reasons I’m not a location-independent “digital nomad” is that I prefer not to spend large chunks of time at my computer. However, due to popular demand, I am starting a podcast series to answer common listener questions such as … “Where do you stay on tour?” I know I’m not the only nomad with a blog but hopefully my experience and perspective can add some value for some of you. There are different types of travel lifestyles, and every traveler needs to figure out what works best for them. The first thing to understand about a nomadic/travel lifestyle is that it’s not what most westerners imagine when they think about travel — hotels, restaurants, museums, guided tours and souvenirs … When I talk about a sustainable travel lifestyle, those things are not inherently bad, but they give you minimal cultural exchange and would make it impossible for you to travel with any frequency or for more than a week (or to go without an income source for a while). Most travelers spend at least half their budget on sleeping, and most of the rest goes to food. I still stay in hotels in certain situations, but most nights I sleep elsewhere (often for free or very low cost, even in America). Depending where you go, travel can cost you anywhere from US $5 to US $500 or more. This podcast summarizes the different types of places to rest, recharge and sleep while you’re on the road. It’s an overview and more detail will come in the future, but feel free to ask questions or share your own experience. What is a sustainable “travel” (nomadic) lifestyle? Types of nomads and travelers Options for free or paid accommodation Expectations: why free is not always better The importance of good budgeting, knowing your options, and having a backup plan, emergency fund and safety netFor more info on the free options, check out How to Get Free Accommodation Around the World from an actual digital nomad. 

Critical Transit

56: "Where do you sleep?"

#10, Eureka, Calif. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. from wikimedia commons from wikimedia commons from wikimedia commons 

55.10: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#9, Arcata, Calif. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.9: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#8, Redwoods National Park, Northern California. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.8: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#7, Brookings, Oregon to Crescent City, California. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.7: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#6, Humbug Mountain State Park. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.6: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#5, Seven Devils Road to Port Orford. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.5: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#4, Reedsport to North Bend. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.4: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#3, Yachats to near Florence. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.3: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#2, Newport to Waldport. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. Here is some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.2: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

#1, Lincoln City to Newport. In September 2018, I rode south along the Pacific Coast from Lincoln City, OR to Crescent City, CA plus a few bonus days in the Redwoods. I put together some audio and photos from along the way. Let me know what you think or ask questions in the comments. 

55.1: Oregon Coast Bike Tour 2018

This final Utah bike tour journal was recorded after the tour ended. I went over the experience and consider some lessons learned. Let me know what you think. This spring I rode my bicycle across southern Utah to view the spectacular remote desert landscape and explore seven national parks: Colorado NM, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP. My friend Ross and I left April 30 from Breckenridge, Colorado, and took 3 weeks to ride nearly 1,000 miles / 600 km to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah — taking in the sights and spending some quality time on the road and in camp, plus a few “rest days” in Moab, Utah. Arches NP ... before I mailed away my hiking backpack; it's in that blue bag. White River National Forest Near the 8,000-foot (2.4 km) summit on Forest Road 330E between Silt & Collbran, CO. Arches NP Not just any old hike. Canyonlands NP Looking out at the Shafer Trail road. Comb Wash BLM campsite near Blanding, Utah Bear's Ears National Monument Fuck you Trump, we beat you! Colorado River, meet bicycles! Bike breakdown #2 Something's wrong with this picture ... Ross ascending the Burr Trail ... the first (and comparatively easy) set of switchbacks. Back on pavement! Burr Trail in the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument Bryce Canyon National Park The spires are called hoodoos, and they're everywhere. Back at 9,000 feet (3km) elevation. Zion National Park Zion Canyon The ride was mostly fantastic — amazing scenic landscapes and no traffic — but came with some challenges: very long and strenuous climbs over mountain passes, temperatures ranging from below freezing to 95F/35C, isolation from people and civilization, long distances between bike shops, the steep dirt/gravel Burr Trail, and long stretches without access to food (and no real supermarkets) or water (I carried over 2 gallons and still had to ask car tourists for water a few times). Don't forget to listen to all of the journal episodes posted right here, see the route below, and share your thoughts.ROUTE: Colorado, Part 1 | Colorado, Part 2 | Utah

Podcast 53.14: Utah Bike Tour (overview)

Part 13: Ross and I recap our tour. We decide it was a success: we had a great time, learned a lot and experienced beautiful landscapes -- through the climbs, the heat and the cold, the isolation, the food deserts (and literal desert) and more. Listen for the highs and lows, what we learned, and where we're headed next. This spring I rode my bicycle across southern Utah to view the spectacular remote desert landscape and explore seven national parks: Colorado NM, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP. My friend Ross and I left April 30 from Breckenridge, Colorado, and took 3 weeks to ride nearly 1,000 miles / 600 km to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah — taking in the sights and spending some quality time on the road and in camp, plus a few “rest days” in Moab, Utah.The ride was mostly fantastic — amazing scenic landscapes and no traffic — but came with some challenges: very long and strenuous climbs over mountain passes, temperatures ranging from below freezing to 95F/35C, isolation from people and civilization, long distances between bike shops, the steep dirt/gravel Burr Trail, and long stretches without access to food (and no real supermarkets) or water (I carried over 2 gallons and still had to ask car tourists for water a few times).I talk about the landscapes, people, challenges and more in the summary episode but be sure to check out the mini journals recorded from my tent or along the road. I will post a new episode every 1-2 days so you can follow along in front of your campfire.ROUTE: Colorado, Part 1 | Colorado, Part 2 | Utah

Podcast 53.13: Utah Bike Tour Recap with Ross, from Zion National Park

Part 12: I spent the day riding around Zion and later hiking via shuttle bus, then reconnected with Ross after we had split up at Bryce. (Ross finally joins me on air in the next episode.) In the adjacent town of Springdale, I picked up my summer sleep sack (it's 95 degrees here), ate a vegan breakfast burrito, took a yoga class and visited the library where we met (and shared our campsite with) Gianni on his Brompton.Edit: I snuck in a bit of audio at the end about the end of the trip. Ross and I parted ways at Zion and I headed west to St. George for the bus to Los Angeles. Sleeping on a mattress was amazing, especially after a grueling day with the temperature over 100F/38C, bad roads, strong headwinds and of course a flat tire just past Hurricane. This spring I rode my bicycle across southern Utah to view the spectacular remote desert landscape and explore seven national parks: Colorado NM, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP. My friend Ross and I left April 30 from Breckenridge, Colorado, and took 3 weeks to ride nearly 1,000 miles / 600 km to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah — taking in the sights and spending some quality time on the road and in camp, plus a few “rest days” in Moab, Utah.The ride was mostly fantastic — amazing scenic landscapes and no traffic — but came with some challenges: very long and strenuous climbs over mountain passes, temperatures ranging from below freezing to 95F/35C, isolation from people and civilization, long distances between bike shops, the steep dirt/gravel Burr Trail, and long stretches without access to food (and no real supermarkets) or water (I carried over 2 gallons and still had to ask car tourists for water a few times).I talk about the landscapes, people, challenges and more in the summary episode but be sure to check out the mini journals recorded from my tent or along the road. I will post a new episode every 1-2 days so you can follow along in front of your campfire.ROUTE: Colorado, Part 1 | Colorado, Part 2 | Utah

Podcast 53.12: Zion National Park, part 2

Part 11: I made it to Zion! So excited to explore the canyon and walk around an actual town. I lucked out with a campsite cancellation (really wish they had hiker/biker sites!) and plunked down out my stuff to ride around unloaded. This spring I rode my bicycle across southern Utah to view the spectacular remote desert landscape and explore seven national parks: Colorado NM, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP. My friend Ross and I left April 30 from Breckenridge, Colorado, and took 3 weeks to ride nearly 1,000 miles / 600 km to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah — taking in the sights and spending some quality time on the road and in camp, plus a few “rest days” in Moab, Utah.The ride was mostly fantastic — amazing scenic landscapes and no traffic — but came with some challenges: very long and strenuous climbs over mountain passes, temperatures ranging from below freezing to 95F/35C, isolation from people and civilization, long distances between bike shops, the steep dirt/gravel Burr Trail, and long stretches without access to food (and no real supermarkets) or water (I carried over 2 gallons and still had to ask car tourists for water a few times).I talk about the landscapes, people, challenges and more in the summary episode but be sure to check out the mini journals recorded from my tent or along the road. I will post a new episode every 1-2 days so you can follow along in front of your campfire.ROUTE: Colorado, Part 1 | Colorado, Part 2 | Utah

Podcast 53.11: Zion National Park, part 1

Critical analysis of transportation topics and interviews with planners and advocates working for high quality transit.