What do you do to keep entertained on long trips?
#26
I also bring a small Sudoku puzzle book and a small journal to write in.
I have carried playing cards with me on some tours, but have rarely used them.
If there's an internet connection at a campground or wherever, I'll use it to email family, and write a bit about the trip.
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Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
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Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 216
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My entertainment has consisted of riding my bike, eating, making some notes in my journal if I can stay awake long enough, and sleeping. I've never taken a book, etc., but I like looking at maps. I took a 6 day trip about 3 weeks ago and that 1st sentence pretty well sums up all of my activities, except that I didn't even keep a journal on that trip.
#30
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
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From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
I bring a book or two, sometimes a netbook. But reading is my primary entertainment, along with sketching or writing in my journal. Have had nights where I had internet in my tent, but this is not usually the case.
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Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.
#31
When my wife and I were cycle touring in the pre-Internet era of the 1970s and 80s, this is what we had also. In particular it became a standing joke on our cross-country honeymoon ride using state highway maps to plan our route, that we would consult the map on every rest stop and at every meal.
#32
Another vote for maps. I spend every night in my tent pouring over the next sections of my route, cross referencing the locations with my guidebook and fantasizing about the following days' journey. Sometimes I do schedule calculations to determine distance goals and rest day locations. If there's a major destination approaching I plan my activities for the corresponding rest day. If there is a city approaching, I also plan the entry/exit routes. Then I go to sleep.
I need psychiatric help
I need psychiatric help
#35
weirdo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Reno, NV
Ride, sleep, ride is pretty much my routine too, but my trips are usually only two or three days, never more than four. I think I`d wear myself out doing even ten days by that method. I do sometimes carry a paperback.
#36
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Greenspeed GTO
Back in the day I carried a book or two with me, and picked up new ones at library sales or campground trading libraries. I read a number of truly awful and embarrassing books that way.
Now that I've got a smartphone I carry my own library with me, along with TV shows or movies. When I've got a decent internet connection I keep up to date with the news and current events and watch new TV shows. While it's nice to chat with other folks at campsites, and meet any number of interesting people, I'm a bit of an introvert, so when I'm camping in a state park surrounding by people in RV's with screaming children I'm more than happy to put in some earplugs and read a book after a long day of biking and seeing the sights.
Now that I've got a smartphone I carry my own library with me, along with TV shows or movies. When I've got a decent internet connection I keep up to date with the news and current events and watch new TV shows. While it's nice to chat with other folks at campsites, and meet any number of interesting people, I'm a bit of an introvert, so when I'm camping in a state park surrounding by people in RV's with screaming children I'm more than happy to put in some earplugs and read a book after a long day of biking and seeing the sights.
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Rotkreuz, Switzerland
Bikes: Trek 520, Gary Fisher Big Sur
One of my favourite touring accessories is the Podio music player.
#39
Another vote for maps. I spend every night in my tent pouring over the next sections of my route, cross referencing the locations with my guidebook and fantasizing about the following days' journey. Sometimes I do schedule calculations to determine distance goals and rest day locations. If there's a major destination approaching I plan my activities for the corresponding rest day. If there is a city approaching, I also plan the entry/exit routes. Then I go to sleep.
I need psychiatric help
I need psychiatric help

#40
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,912
Likes: 1,242
From: Montreal Canada
when I have biked in France, what I loved so much about the Michelin 1/200,000 maps was how the climbs and ascents are so clearly marked, with the little chevron thingees showing relative steepness (1=sorta steep, 2=more, 3=very steep) and the direction of the chevrons showing a climb or a descent. So handy to see what is coming up and as you say, nice to plan breaks, or at least to know how much work you will be having and for how long. I've found that having a good idea of your days ride makes things not as hard, as you know what you will be dealing with.
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 1
One of my favourite touring accessories is the Podio music player.
#44
https://www.gum.hk/podio/about.html
I note chrisch posts from Switzerland.
#45
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,834
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 1
The device looks pretty interesting. I googled Podio and found this link, but for Hong Kong distributors; it does have the instruction manual for the device. I didn't see a price.
https://www.gum.hk/podio/about.html
I note chrisch posts from Switzerland.
https://www.gum.hk/podio/about.html
I note chrisch posts from Switzerland.








