Author Topic: Absolute necessities?  (Read 9634 times)

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Offline caelyn8

Absolute necessities?
« on: October 01, 2017, 06:01:43 am »
What stuff do you absolutely need to take with you for maybe 1-4 weeks? I was wondering if a GPS is necessary,thanks
« Last Edit: November 04, 2017, 09:52:10 am by caelyn8 »

Offline John Nelson

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2017, 12:14:04 pm »
There are no absolutes. Many tour without GPS. Some wouldn't leave home without it.

Where are you going?

Offline staehpj1

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2017, 07:27:15 am »
Before phones came with decent GPS and nav apps, I went without on most tours.  When I took it on the TA I actually mailed it home.  These days, since I always take my phone and it has a good GPS and app, the GPS is always along.  I typically do not use it for all day turn by turn directions on road tours, but find it handy in town and for locating services.  It definitely is not a necessity, folks toured long before GPS technology existed, but it is nice to have at times.

I never use a dedicated GPS on road tours, but might consider taking it for off road or off the beaten track dirt road touring.  The reason I might take it is that it uses AA batteries so it is easier to keep it in batteries for all day usage off the grid.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2017, 08:17:56 am »
What stuff do you absolutely need to take with you for maybe 1-4 weeks? I was wondering if a GPS is necessary,thanks

Copy and paste posting.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1105926-absolute-necessities.html

Offline driftlessregion

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2017, 01:54:49 pm »
A good sleeping pad, a good book, light weight coffee maker. That's it. Oh, a little Scotch.

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2017, 04:32:04 pm »
Maps or a phone GPS is fine. You might want to GPS your way through cities and write the route down before departing. That way you can read your way through cities. Either maps or GPS work. Food, clothing and shelter are necessities. You must have some method for finding the way.

Offline nicsolzi

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2017, 09:45:10 am »
I also wont leave home without GPS.  ;D

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2017, 10:01:13 am »
I also wont leave home without GPS.

It's a wonder I'm back home.  I left without a GPS.  (But I did take American Express!)

Offline johnsondasw

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2017, 11:16:48 pm »
37 years and never used a GPS.  Road maps and locals work fine. Necessities?  Spare tubes, some tools, book, headlamp, camping stuff......
May the wind be at your back!

Offline SlowDave

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2017, 02:55:49 pm »
Water and more water.

Offline jamawani

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2017, 04:13:31 pm »
Food, water, and an attitude of adventure.

Offline Bclayden

Re: Absolute necessities?
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2017, 08:48:32 am »
I concur...if one is good at maps GPS is a crutch, in my opinion, and much of the adventure is lost when the mapping is done for you. For me a big part of the process is the planning at home, with maps and internet resources, to build a good route. Turn cues are noted on paper, laminated, and taped to the Bike frame for reference. The planning process helps to simulate the ride beforehand and much of the usual hazards...narrow shoulders, busy roads, gravel roads,...can be avoided this way.

Yes, occasionally road names or expected turns don’t match my notes and I’m forced to ask for some local guidance or go with the gut but that’s all part of the adventure.

I’ve been naving this way for years...even completed a US crossing in September...CA-VA (<10% ACA routes, the rest home brewed) and this technique works  great, weatherproof and doesn’t require batteries. This still works....even in the 21st century!

GPS is a good tool for most but I wouldn’t say one is absolutely necessary.