Communications during ride

[dknapp]

Has anyone advice on how to have inter-bike commo on trips where we might be separated by a few miles or even a few dozen yards and not in yelling or cell phone coverage (or just not want to make a call)?  The motorcycle guys have some scheme with earpieces and mics and I was wondering if we touring bike riders have a lightweight solution?  Maybe those FRS walkie-talkies?  Anything else not involving tin cans and strings?

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

FRS radios work absolutely great for what you are planning. We use them all the time. (To say nothing of the fun you can having making rude noises or inappropriate comments through the other person's radio, in a public place! :eg: )

We wear them on the chest/sternum strap of our hydration packs; an idea I got from an old issue of AC.

Ride safe,
Hans

Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

[ptaylor]

 As much as I respect Hans and his excellent commentary, I'd say 'Shut up and smell the flowers'.

Paul

[dknapp]

My wildflower expert/wife (WEW) is looking for the following commo scenario with me (ME):
WEW - Honey, look to your left, redbuds!
ME - They're purple, why do they call them redbuds!
WEW - And over there, pussytoes!!!!
ME - Gasping noises trying to keep up with her
WEW - Oh, look, Virginia Bluebells
ME - Nice.
Etc.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

ptaylor  Wrote on 04-14-2006 @ 3:31PM As much as I respect Hans and his excellent commentary, I'd say 'Shut up and smell the flowers'.

Actually, my wife gave me "The Look" from the other side of the area, and shut the radio off.  ;p

Hans

[dknapp]

What model radios do you have and what have you found the range to be?

[mgarnett]

My husband and I have small Motorola "Talkabout" walkie-talkies that we used on our cross-country tour last year -- they were TERRIFIC.  I can't imagine doing a tour with a partner without them.  Although we generally rode near each other, they allowed us to easily signal a need for meal stops, flat tires or other equipment problems (especially important since my husband carried most of the repair equipment on his bike), or just to say "don't worry if you don't see me right behind, I'm stopping briefly for a stretch/water/snack/bathroom/remove my jacket/put on my jacket break."

I don't know the exact model, but they are made by Motorola and cost us about 40-50 dollars two years ago.  They have proven extremely reliable and seemed to have good reception so long as we weren't more than about a mile apart.

Good luck!

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

We use two models from Motorola, the basic Talkabout and the 6250. The 6250 has the advantage of having built-in NOAA Weather Radio. Both have worked excellently for us both personally and on trail patrol.

Whatever brand you decide on, get two of the same brand. There are compatability issues between the channel codes in each brand. I would definitely choose one with NOAA Weather in it, for a few pennies more.

Ride safe,
Hans

Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

[rsheard]

When I first got into cycling, I rode with a former special forces guy who used to enjoy my pain.

HIM: Hey, look at the columns on that house.
ME: What house?
HIM: That one, right up on that hill.
ME: All I see is that $^*^# hill. I'm not looking up!

Robert Sheard
http://robertsheard.com

[dknapp]

We got a couple from Midland.  They work well with the earpieces.  Have not tried the vox as yet, as I think the wind noise would cause them to cut in.  I may try to get foam windshields for the mics.  These only have two levels of wind squelch, so may stick with pressing the button.  Beats having to yell all the time on places where we cannot ride side-by-side.  We did a 50-miler today and they worked the whole time by using low power and less gab.  The first ride the batteries died after about 3-4 hours.  Today was 5.5 hours and they hung in there.  Distances have been good for about half a mile if no big hills.  This frequency is made for line-of-sight, so they don't do well over big hills, according to some of the other web sites I have checked out.  The earpieces are comfortable over the long haul.  About $75 for a pair with earpieces and car/home charger from Amazon.  Weather channel works well too.