To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bikecentennial ’76, this two-part series tells the extraordinary story of four bicycle pioneers – Greg and June Siple, Dan and Lys Burden – who took a circuitous path from a shared dream to successfully staging a massive bicentennial event. Ultimately, more than 4,000 cyclists would ride their newly hand-mapped, 4,200-mile Transamerica Bicycle Trail. Before Bikecentennial, the four were active members of the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of the American Youth Hostels. It was during these early years that Greg Siple and his father founded the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV), an event that eventually grew to attract thousands of riders and established the logistical blueprint for modern, multi-day supported bicycle rides. Eager to extend their horizons, the two couples embarked in 1972 on the audacious Hemistour, a historic expedition to cycle from Alaska to Argentina. The first leg of this monumental journey earned them a feature in the May 1973 issue of National Geographic. Titled “Bikepacking Across Alaska and Canada,” the article is widely recognized for introducing what may be the earliest use of the word "bikepacking" in print. Part 1 explores the origins of the group’s ambitions, the creation of TOSRV, and their grueling months riding together on Hemistour from Anchorage, Alaska, to Salina Cruz, Mexico. Part 2 will cover their lives after the group parted ways. While the Siples pressed onward to Ushuaia, Argentina – making June Siple the first woman to bicycle the entire length of the Americas – the Burdens returned to the United States to begin the monumental work of organizing the improbable Bikecentennial ’76.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

What happens when you trade the comfort of a predictable life for an open-ended ride across the globe? You might just find yourself eating a whole lotta plov. In this episode, guest Tom Bruce recounts his journey pedaling across Europe, the Stans, China, and the United States with little more than basic gear and a healthy dose of curiosity. While navigating sweltering deserts, topping high-altitude mountain passes, and overcoming language barriers, Tom discovered a beautiful truth: when you allow yourself to be vulnerable, the world steps up with incredible warmth. From Romanian farmers sharing sausages and homemade wine to well-meaning Tajik hosts clearing away his dinner just to cook him yet another fresh batch of plov, this conversation is a reminder of our shared humanity. Now a physics teacher, an author of six books about his bicycling adventures, and a bikepacking event organizer, Tom reflects on his round-the-world journey as a life-changing event, a testament to the power of letting go of rigid plans, trusting the kindness of strangers, and discovering that the world is far more generous than we are often led to believe.

Tom's books, including his best-selling Every Inch of the Way: My Bike Ride
Around the World, are available on Amazon.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Have you ever hitchhiked with a sack of pigs, used cheap construction goggles as rain visors, or slept in a room where an unknown mammal with really big eyes watched you from the ceiling? With a unique mix of grit and humor, Laura Killingbeck explores how thousands of miles on a bicycle helped her rebuild a vibrant identity from the ashes of her past. In fact, Laura’s life is a tutorial in the art of the "shapeshift." When the weight of a toxic career or a high-control community became too heavy, Laura pedaled toward freedom. From an impulsive loop of Iceland to conquering the Great Divide, Laura’s journeys prove that walking away from everything is sometimes the only way to rediscover yourself. Whether you’re looking for the courage to quit your job, no longer want to lead a fear-based life, or just need tips on out-pedaling your past, Laura’s story will inspire you to embrace the mystery of transformation. Life is much more fulfilling when you find your own path!

You can follow Laura on Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter on her website.

She will be riding the Choose the Bear Tour in Michigan between May and July 2026.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist