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What do you use for communication "on the road"
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Hi Jim: basically you can guarantee that all the surfer hosts have internet access and from your first point onwards you can plan the trip without having to lug fragile comms equipment around-this is how I do it anyway. It does mean a lot of last minute requests but the nature of biking and no laptop is usually understood by all. Otherwise, depending on destination, good old fashioned internet cafes (with computers in them) are a godsend as opposed to hiwifi cafes that have sprouted up all over the US (for example) replacing the old type. good luck, g
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Hi Jim,
I've traveled a bit by moto in Europe and North and South America. I've mostly ridden alone, but some of the time with one or two others.
I've decided to give up the laptop I've always hauled around with me now that I have an iPhone. It does international cell phone service as well as Google searches on the internet and there are literally 1000s of easy to use and cheap to buy (or free) applications to tailor to your use.
Cell phone coverage in the non-USA parts of the world where I've been is excellent and with a smart phone, you can "go online" to find whatever you're looking for.
The USA must have not only the worst health care coverage, but also the worst cell phone coverage of anywhere in the world -- including the Andes of Peru!
Tom
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Hi Jim,
I had a GS for my trip to South America and rode most of the way with a guy who had an Africa Twin. His bike needed a new chain half way thru the trip and some minor welding once. Mine had to be welded 8 times in 7 countries and had electrical problems which caused it to cut out frequently at the most inopportune times for the last 8000 miles - found the worn wire after getting back home in spite of having BMW pros look for the problem in Bogota, Colombia; Santiago and again Coihaique, Chile, all at some expense and time delay. We rode the same roads and non-roads. I also blew out the rear shock in the middle of Chile and finished the last 3500 miles without a rear shock!
We both carried too many tools and gadgets, but some of that came to be very useful at times. Mostly, we could have managed on the local economy relying on the creative "fix anything" capacity of local mechanics everywhere in Latin America - cheap and very competent -- except at finding worn electrical wires!
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Here's how I did it:
I spent a few months last year riding around NZ with a small laptop (Asus EEE PC) and early model smartphone (T-mobile HTC SDA). I was planning my motorbike travels about a week in advance, and the couchsurf requests along with it.
When I had internet access at a CS host's place, I would use the laptop to check the routes and figure out where I wanted to stay, then send the CS requests out. If your host has a computer, you could probably eliminate bringing a laptop altogether.
If I was on the road and needed to see any updates, I would use the web browser on my phone to check my e-mail, where any CS messages would show up. If required, I could log into CS and type a reply using the keypad, tedious but useful. NZ has great coverage so I was able to do this on a dual-sport in almost every backwoods place around the country. Vodafone charged 1 cent per kilobyte, so it would cost maybe 25-50 cents to check my updates each time.
A BlackBerry would come close to replacing my tiny laptop, but more extensive web surfing becomes tedious with its small screen. Any GSM world smartphone with prepaid SIM cards should take care of you throughout your trip. Enjoy!
- Brad
I have trawled the advr.com web site, and their main theme seems to be that you need the latest BMW GS whatever, along with a whole host of technical stuff capable of launching the Space Shuttle into orbit. I am inclined to-wards the less is more way of thinking.
Someone who thinks the way I think at last. Since Long Way Round and Long Way Down, you would think the only way to travel long distances is to buy a BMW GS massive type bike. We need to remember that BMW was the guys second choice of bike and if things had gone to plan we would all be riding around on KTMs now. I bet their sales guys are kicking themselves.
If you want to arrange Csers explain what you are doing and try and find some who are flexible so you can arrange to stay within a 3 day period "I will be in your area Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday so can I ring you when I am close?" I am sure you will find people who will help you out.
Steve
allo jim,
I used to carry my laptop around, but was always worried about protecting it. Now I spent a couple hundred USD and bought a Smartphone. I went with the blackberry because I can swap out batteries when there is no time or availability for charging the phone.
It functions as my camera,music,internet,email and phone.
Between that and using libraries or host computers I can keep in touch as much as I need. Hope this helps, ride safe!!
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