Bicycle Travel > Gear Talk

Best way technologically to be connected on an x-country supported ride ?

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Some Guy Ridin:
I'm planning to cross the country this year, supported, and am wondering what is the best/most efficient in size/cost/benefit technology to take in order to stay connected to current news, emails, blogs, books etc.? Is it possible to have satelite connections thus not worrying about towers? Suggestions and advice wanted.

driftlessregion:
Buy newspapers each day and send postcards.

RussSeaton:

--- Quote from: driftlessregion on December 18, 2012, 08:33:00 pm ---Buy newspapers each day and send postcards.

--- End quote ---

He did say "technologically".  I'm guessing newspapers and postcards have been around for 500 plus years.  Since its a supported tour you are asking about, why not just take along a laptop computer.  Have the support vehicle driver figure out how to find an electrical outlet to charge the thing everyday.  Then every night just drive to a restaurant or coffee shop that has WiFi access and surf the web.  Being supported kind of puts you into a whole different world for convenience.

Some Guy Ridin:
Thanks for the response.

My first consideration is the laptop but with the miriad of equipment choices (laptop, smartphone, iPod, iPad, local libraries etc.) and connection choices (cell towers, satelite, telephone etc.) I'm not sure what works best, safest and is easiest to accomplish and carry.

Truth is, I'm not even sure what my choices are. I don't own anything that's not connected by wire except a wi-fi ipod and a non-smartphone that is limited to texting and voice. I'm pretty naive about being connected, particularly in the remote areas of the countryside.

I'm hoping people can respond with their experiences in this regard. What worked? What didn't work to well?

staehpj1:
Since it is a supported tour.  Taking a laptop is a decent option, but consider how connected you really want to be.  It just might be nice to not be connected beyond keeping in touch with folks at home.  That can be accomplished with phone calls and text messages.  You can also use computers here and there along the way at public libraries or at motels if you stay in any.  Many motels do have a computer in the lobby or elsewhere for guests.

Usually for me a smart phone is the best option, because I can do voice and text, do brief journal entries, check maps, use the gps, use email, use the reasonably good camera,  listen to audio books,  read and edit documents including pre trip notes, and find services in towns down the road.  I may choose to not use it for many of those functions, but it is nice to have the option.  I figure that it is more than adequate and sometimes overkill, but at 6 ounces or so carrying it isn't a burden.  Of course for a supported tour you don't need to worry about that as much.  BTW, in my experience with cellular carriers, Verizon has by far the best for coverage in remote parts of the US.

Is your trip with a company that is providing supported tours or are you just having some one you know drive a sag wagon?  How what part of the country is it in and how remote is it?

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