Surveying various blogs and preparation advice on line, the question of electronics comes up.
For some it is anathema to think about bringing a cellphone, for others, how could you not.
Given all of the functions they can cover, I will be bringing my cellphone, and checking in when I have signal, (and uploading blogs when I can find WiFi).
I will use my Samsung Galaxy S5 as a phone, though reception will be mostly poor to none on route, an MP3 player for tunage and podcast, and possible an audio book or 2. I find audio distractions like that help me deal with the uphills, so I can focus away from what I am putting my body thru!
The S5 has a decent camera in it as well, and it will be my only camera on the solo portions of the trip
I have downloaded a first aid app, and am looking at some bike repair apps. I have done geo caching in the past, and may look up some on rest days with a cache app I have.
I will also look to down load some reading material as well
I also have download state maps with topological, trail and road info for the route, which works with the phones built in GPS, when not paired to my DeLorme satellite (emergency) communicator.
Speaking of .....
Emergency communication.
Since I will be doing most all of the travel alone and most fo the camping, some way to send a SOS help message is a great value if the excrement hits the proverbial fan. With a group of 3 or more, you have enough people to both go for help and stay and assist an injured member. Additionally, current devices allow for some limited text message communication, some even 2 ways. The two main systems are Spot and DeLorme in Reach. After reviewing capability, pricing plans, and a number of forums, I settled on the Delorme In Reach SE, over Spots and the higher end Delorme Explorer ( which main adder is built in GPS and nav capability into the hand held device).
I chose Delorme for several reasons that came up during online research.
1) I read that the SPOT devices messages are somewhat/sometimes unreliable sent, especially in coverage/canyons, which appears to not be an issue with DeLorme Iridium satellite system.
2) 2 way communication, which I like in case somethings happens outside of the tour, as well as two communication with emergency personnel as well. ( i.e. conformation that the SOS was received, I )
3) Custom messages - I can send customer messages to home or to emergency personel as well
4) Monthly Contracts ( spot had yearly) - While more expensive on a per month basis, I'll have only intermittent need after the 4 months of Prep and trip. I can than turn it on for one month when I needed it.
DeLome also has a smartphone app for navigation, easier messaging, tracking, etc when paired with your phone via bluetooth. I also allows me to down load lots of maps into my phone, no cell/WiFi connection needed. DeLorme is the same company that does the state wide Gazetteer series.
Lights
- I have a AAA battery headlamp and small rear bike light. I do have a rechargable bike headlight that has quite a bit of capacity.
Juice
Gonna need some way to recharge these devices. Two basic choices Dynamos or Solar.
Dynamos. Seems the best options here work pretty well and are built right into the hub of the wheel, sometimes have light systems coupled with them. Most seem to be optimized for road touring, key spec is max amps, adn how fast that will charge you phone. However, there is a speed derating, and seem to reach peak amperage at 10 to 14 mph. Hmm, what will my average mph be on a mountain bike, on dirt roads, towing a trailer. Well I barely made 10 to 12 mph, with breaks, on my road bike on a road tour a few years ago.
So between that, and the specially built hub, I discarded a dynamo solution for solar, which is also not a dedicated usage option; I can use it backpacking, dry camping, doomsday scenarios, etc .
Lots of forums discussing solar chargers, for backpacking and biking. While Goal Zero has a very good reputation, they are a bit pricey. After some research the new PowerPort family from Anker had a pretty good reviews, cost, weight, power capabilities. I got the 21 W version w 3 panels, though there is a 15 watt 2 panel version that was a a bit less expensive and a couple of ounces less. It is surprisingly flexible collector design with eh cells on some sort of flexible substrate, which I hope will help with the life and reliability while a riding on a trailer for 60 days.
OK, a solar charger - how to get Juice to my devices - I could rotate my 3 rechargeable devices through, but I would be able to listen to tunes while charging, which could be a good part of the day. So I picked up a Anker Battery pack, 16000 mAhr, which is probably overkill too. The Charger and the battery pack seem to work well together, and I can charge up the phone & DeLorme ~ 3+ times from the battery pack, So I won't be stuck at night with a dead phone.
 |
| Solar Charger, Battery Pack, and Satellite Communication |
