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Welcome to Shifting Gears. The purpose of this site is to post updates from the road on my upcoming bike trip. The ambitious ride aims to cover all of the lower 48 states, spending at least one night in each.
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On Wisconsin
I was lazy and tired last night so I punted until tonight. We’ll do a little doubleheader this evening and get back on track. I was...
Jon Scott
Jul 16, 20223 min read
Really, This Happened
2.25 inches in 6 hours We did manage to get a ride in with some unwanted excitement, but I’m too tired to write about it tonight. I’ll...
Jon Scott
Jul 15, 20221 min read
If You Build It, They Will Come
The start and the end of the day today could not have been any different. I described the room at the Quality Inn in yesterday’s post,...
Jon Scott
Jul 14, 20223 min read
Another “Oh Sh*t” Moment
I seem to have a lot of these. Trust me when I say these are not contrived for the purpose of having blog material in the evening. These...
Jon Scott
Jul 13, 20224 min read
Corn and Soybeans
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Illinois. Yesterday marked the first day back to the point-to-point riding since the bike broke down...
Jon Scott
Jul 13, 20222 min read
Land of Lincoln
Illinois fancies itself the Land of Lincoln, although they share him with Kentucky and Indiana as well. I believe, by law, every town in...
Jon Scott
Jul 12, 20223 min read
Back Home Again in Indiana
Indiana calls itself the “Crossroads of America”. It’s not inappropriate. You can’t really get anywhere, at least by car, without going...
Jon Scott
Jul 11, 20223 min read
To Hell … and Back
I’m sure many (most?) people reading this believe this is my destiny regardless, but I can honestly say I had no intention of going there...
Jon Scott
Jul 9, 20223 min read
Rain on the Scarecrow
After spending the day in Indiana, I have to pay a small tribute to local legend John Mellencamp. The song title couldn’t be more...
Jon Scott
Jul 8, 20224 min read
The Biker Wave
I spent today in Ohio, the roundest state in the country. It looks like a circle that somebody just sat on and smushed the top. Maybe...
Jon Scott
Jul 7, 20223 min read
West By God Virginia
Before I get to the point of tonight’s post, let me just say that I can make it rain. Not the kind where dollars bills are thrown in the...
Jon Scott
Jul 6, 20224 min read
Trains, Planes and Automobiles
July 4th this year was celebrated (?) with my return travel to the US. After a few great days in Hamburg - where the locals are known as...
Jon Scott
Jul 6, 20224 min read
Greetings from Copenhagen
Two weeks at home were kind of a pre-func for the actual vacation. Of course, since it was Vancouver, WA, the weather was cool, rainy and...
Jon Scott
Jun 27, 20222 min read
$&!?#* Tires
So my primary ride sits in a bike shop in Albany, NY waiting for a new rim and some fresh tires. After close to 3000 miles, this feels a...
Jon Scott
Jun 11, 20225 min read
Time Out
As we taxi down the runway from the inaccurately named Albany International Airport (there are no international flights) it has...
Jon Scott
Jun 6, 20221 min read
Halftime Comes Early (?)
Today was supposed to be an easy day. All day (80+ miles) on the Erie Canal Trail. I had multiple themes I was going to write about...
Jon Scott
Jun 5, 20222 min read
A New Record
I have thoroughly enjoyed documenting the long-overdue reconnections with old friends that I haven’t seen in decades. Up until this...
Jon Scott
Jun 4, 20222 min read
Oof!
After yesterday’s long, hilly ride, and a great evening with my Warmshowers hosts, John and Kathy, I knew I had more hills in front of me...
Jon Scott
Jun 3, 20223 min read
Hoops
Today’s ride was 86 miles of pure New England “fun.” 40 mph downhills followed within seconds by 1st gear climbs. In fact, in the most...
Jon Scott
Jun 2, 20222 min read
Little Rhody
I know I made lots of “small” jokes when I was riding through Delaware, and they were well-earned, but Rhode Island is in a whole...
Jon Scott
Jun 1, 20222 min read
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