Newspaperguy

What do you consider essential when you're touring? What's nice to have but not essential?

I try to keep it simple. The bike computer is an essential, the GPS comes in handy, especially in the mountains or on trails. I also carry a digital camera with me.

There are times when I'll have a cell phone so I can make one brief call during a one-week tour, but that's something I'd rather not carry.

JohnyW

Hi,

essential ist nothing. What I normally use: bike computer, digital camera
Nice to have: GPS and Notebook (only for a long trip)

I don't like cell phones - I'm happy that I can leave it (only have a business one) at home

Thomas

Juha

Things I routinely carry with me on tours: bike comp, camera, cell phone, GPS and a small Petzl headlamp. If I plan on spending time in remote areas and camping, I'll bring a small FM radio to listen to weather forecasts. None of this junk is essential, I can tour - and have toured - without any of it.

On my typical (shortish) tours, bike comp, Petzl and radio require no attention battery-wise. But camera, cell phone and GPS run out of juice quickly when used. For camera and GPS I either carry a couple of spare sets of fully charged NiMHs or a AA/AAA charger, depending on trip. In a pinch disposable AAs are available pretty much anywhere. For cell phone I carry a small charger and charge whenever possible.

I have a small solar panel, but it's useless if I'm riding. Theoretically, if I were to stay in camp for a couple of sunny days, I could (slowly) charge AA/AAAs or cell phone with it.

--J

staehpj1

None are essential, but...

Likely to carry:

1. Bike computer - too handy and light enough that there is no reason not to use.
2. Headlamp - Again too handy and too light for me to to be likely to leave it home, but I have camped without a light.
3. Cell phone - Handy for calling ahead to verify services. Family much happier if I carry. Reasonably light weight. Battery holds up well if left turned off except when making calls (Battery dies fast if there is no signal and it is searching for one.) I generally carry, but it stays turned off for days at a time.
4. Camera - Not essential, but good pictures are nice to have especially if traveling with family and or friends.

Might consider in some circumstances:

1. GPS - On an AC route, to me it isn't worth carrying. On an improvised route I might carry it though.
2. Tiny handheld tablet computer (Nokia N800 or similar) - I might consider one or these or a phone with some of the same features, but am more likely to leave it home.

Not likely to carry:

1. Laptop - Too much weight, distraction, and general hassle for me to carry unless I could only do the tour if I could do some work. This is not likely to be the case for me.

Edit: I forgot to mention iPod. It was in my "Not likely" category, but since I got an iPod shuffle it might go in the "Likely" category (loaded with audio books)

Neil_B

I always carry:

- cell phone, and on a long trip, a charger.
- lighting system, and again on a long trip, a charger.
- iPod.

jagraham

Always -

cell phone, xtra battery, charger on a long trip
camera, xtra battery, charger on a long trip
iPod clone (has FM radio) and uses one AAA (i carry spares)
cyclometer - mounted to bike, don't even think about it as an "item to carry"
headlamp and a tiny flashlight. If I'm on the road, I'll carry a taillight blinkie on my rear rack bag.

staehpj1

So far no one has mentioned a Kindle. Anyone carry one instead of a paper book?

Erick L

- DSLR camera. Many of my trips are photo tours first.
- Alarm clock to get up in morning and catch the morning light.
- Bike computer
- Flashlight.

I have thought about a netbook computer but it won't happen anytime soon. I have taken a MP3 player on occasion.

Newspaperguy

I've never thought of the headlight and taillight as electronics, but I carry them all the time. The headlight makes a good flashlight in the camp. I've also been on the road in the dark a few times, on some very dark highways. A good light is essential.

One of the problems with carrying a GPS or a cell phone is the need for a battery charger. The phone has miserably short battery life and the GPS batteries need charging every few days. The digital camera has great battery life. I can usually get 10 days to two weeks on fully charged AAs.

staehpj1

Not sure about anyone else, but the headlight I was referring to was like this:

I agree that it isn't really in the electronics category, but...

paul2

Essential: nothing. What I carry: head and tail lights, 35mm camera.

BILLB58

I bring toooo much "stuff"

GPS
Bike Computer
Assus Computer with Verizon Internet Card
Cell Phone.....rarely turned on or used
Zune
Dinotte Tailight & headlights
Olympus Digital Camera

I just like to have my "toys"..........

The downside is about 1 lb of assorted chargers...

Bacciagalupe

Essential:
• cell phone / Blackberry (can double as an alarm clock)
• cyclometer
• bike lights
• head lamp (for camping)

Helpful:
• GPS
• digital camera
• transistor radio with built-in alarm
• Kindle / eBook
• Netbook

My Kindle is on the way, so hopefully I'm not premature in thinking it will replace a lot of weight and bulk in my bag Without it, I'd want to carry like 12 books with me.

I'm not sure how well they work, but you can get a solar charger (Solio) that will in most cases power a cell phone, GPS, iPod, and the new Kindle 2.

cny-bikeman

That has to be the strangest tour item I've ever seen. I can't imagine having an alarm to wake me up on any vacation. I went on most of my tours without even a watch (pre-electronic era) and always woke up early as I went to bed when it got dark. I understand it in regard to the photo issue if you need to get set up before dawn, but others have mentioned alarm clocks as well. Do folks really use an alarm routinely??

That said I'm no Luddite. On my trip to Italy I anticipate taking a cell phone, IPAQ pda (mainly for Internet access and storing info for trip) a gps receiver to use with the IPAQ (for backup only), a digital camera, removeable front light and flashing rear.

Erick L

But riding a heavy bike up steep hills is not a problem?

I need the alarm clock to wake-up at 4am, ride or hike somewhere to catch the light before sunrise. Sunrise in Forillon park at the eastern end of a wide time zone is at 4:15 on summer solstice. The "good light" begins around 3:30am. Maybe it's strange but photography is often what drives me. Even if I come back empty handed, I find dawn/early morning to be the best part of the day. It's quiet, still, the light is at it's best and wildlife is most active. I do the same in the evening, ie I stay up a mountain until sunset and come down in the dark. You get to see things others don't.

It doesn't always work because I have a hard time getting out of bed, even if I'm well awake.

zoltani

Erick, I can understand your position about the photography. Do you even carry a tripod? I just have a small travel one.

Between two of us we carry:
-canon 10D with wide angle, zoom and 50mm prime lenses (can leave the prime at home, but it is so light and small it makes little difference)
-headlamp as pictured above
-black diamond orbit lantern (tiny and weighs just 4.8oz)
-bike computer
-cell phone
-haven't decided about my hand-crank radio (quite big and heavy, wish i would have gotten a smaller version)
-various chargers and batteries

I think that is all.

Neil_B

I forgot a camera, and in addition to the bike's lighting system, a helmet/head lamp - it doubles as a reading light/flashlight.

wheel

bike lights essential

Helpful
all in one device such as.
GPS, wifi, cell phone, alarm clock, memo pad, calculator, email, Google maps, also known as blackberry.

I once was able to charge my phone with dam power. Talk about the ultimate green power.

Robert_in_ca

https://www.energizer.com/products/en...y-charger.aspx


https://www.energizer.com/products/en...y-charger.aspx





The first one I use to charge my Moto Q, and my GPS. Works awesome, and it's lightweight. I saw that they make this charger for the ipod, but I think it might weigh less and take less space if I use a multi cord adapter like this one.
https://www.daydeal.com/product.php?productid=17911
With one of these on the end to convert it from regular usb to mini usb.
https://www.buyextras.com/usbfetomib5f.html

To recharge the batteries, one of the Energizer 15 minute chargers would work good for recharging while at a restaurant or somewhere during a break.

With this setup you could probably do without a plug in phone charger.

kayakdiver

bike computer,cell,ipod,digi cam, superflash tail light... and petzel tikka + which serves double duty for around camp and as headlight if I get caught out later than planned.

cyccommute 

I have a bike computer of course but I don't really consider that to be 'electronics' that other stuff is. I do carry a DSLR (would prefer film but...). My camera is a Pentax K100D that takes AA batteries so I don't have to lug a charger along. And I carry a Black Diamond headlamp. But anything else is just too much to care for and feed.

Reading? Books don't require batteries and I don't have much problem with leaving them somewhere when I'm finished with them or sending them home.

Writing? Scratching words to paper is far better than typing. It makes you think about what you write and then think about what you've written when you do type it up.

GPS? Don't get me started. Learn which way is south and you can figure out where everything else is from there. (South because that's where the sun is and I don't carry compasses)

Music and cellphones? Who needs 'em?! Whatcha going to do with a cell phone? "Hey, Honey. I've got a flat in the middle of Missouri. Could you drive from Colorado to bring me a tube?" I don't think so. If you need all of the electronic trappings, why are you traveling by bicycle?

kayakdiver

I like having it so I could send a text message from time to time to let everyone know where I was and that all was well. They appreciated it. It was more about putting others worries to rest than my own.

Newspaperguy

The GPS, when I use it, is not about finding which way is north or south. I use it more as a mapping device, especially if I'm planning on following a series of back roads which might not be marked well. I've also recorded some important waypoints for future reference (such as where I can sop for water in some dry areas.) The elevation feature is handy, especially since almost all my tours will take me over mountain passes.

The biggest drawback with the GPS is how fast it uses batteries.

Miles2go

I've been a photographer since my early days in grade school so to me a camera is essential. The one I carry has a rechargeable battery efficient enough that I probably don't need to carry the charger but I do anyway.

I carry a cell phone because I recognize that in some cases having early word to the right people may help in saving someone's life. Naturally if I'm traveling to a place that my phone won't work then I don't carry it. I'm also trained in first response and first aid and have used it a couple of times in the last ten years. (but not on tour yet).

I lugged an IBM Thinkpad through the Swiss Alps for several weeks but I probably won't do that again. I ended up not using it much because I'd rather be up late visiting with people rather than fooling with the journal or whatever.

Personally, I don't see a bike computer as being essential and have toured without them. That said, I use these most of the time for the gee wiz data.

Bacciagalupe

Everyone has their own method of touring. That said....


If you could carry half your library in a packet of paper that's 7.5" x 5.3" x 0.7" and weighs 11 ounces, wouldn't you do it?

If you could carry a US road atlas in a packet of paper that's 3.9" x 2.9" x .8" and weighs 6 ounces, wouldn't you do it?

Does it really matter that these devices are made out of plastic and use batteries? Why is this any different than using a digital camera? If someone says "you should use standard film and the sunny 16 rule instead of a battery-powered meter," how are the advantages of the DSLR over film any different than those of an e-book or a GPS?


The benefit of a cell phone is rather obvious: call for help, stay in touch with family and friends. You can always turn off the cell, if you don't want to be bothered during the day. Or, if you have a medical condition, stay in touch with your doctor in case of problems.

While there are some people who overestimate the ability of a cell phone to bail them out of a jam, from what I can tell that's much more evident with hikers than cycle tourists.

As to music / radio, I happen to like listening to the news and waking up early; and I can always turn it off. While I don't bring an MP3 player, IMO music is a Good Thing -- not when you're operating your bike, but in the morning or at campsites. (With possible exceptions made for Metallica. )


Well, I'm not sure what your home life is like, but I assure you that the trappings in my home are a little more abundant than what I bring on the road.

Besides, some of these new-fangled contraptions reduce both weight and bulk, if that happens to be important to you.

Also, keep in mind that the entire enterprise of "road touring" is essentially "unnatural." You're riding a mechanical device, typically on a man-made road (either asphalt or dirt), with a manufactured shelter, along with an industrialized mini-kitchen, while wearing manufactured clothing. I.e. I don't see how leaving behind the GPS makes one person's tour more "authentic," since the entire enterprise is essentially an artificial experience.