I opted gadget last fall and got a Wahoo. I hadn't used my phone for navigation unless curious or in hand for a taking a picture so this was a jump. It's been a very good source of information and conservative of energy compared to my phone on long or multi day rides. Jan Heine's hand written cue sheets in his bag top map sleeve remind me of some of the references I've provided myself in the past including taping a list of points and their interval distances to a water bottle.
Part of my appreciation of big rides is knowing from the beginning that they are *my* rides. I define them, set my objectives and expectations but above all ensure that I will conclude them without taxing others. Maybe the real point of them is to be away from the supports that life is full of and pass through voids where cell service doesn't exist, Google isn't available and I am the only resource when solving problems. I do keep my wife and interested others informed of my progress to allay their concerns but propel myself through all that I am out there to experience. When planning trips I am aware that the wild cards like weather, smoke from distant forest fires or other people who are not prepared for where they've found themselves and need assistance will reduce what I should expect of myself. The things on a new multi day trip that can make travel difficult compared to the known miles of a familiar out and back day ride are not always overt but you can support your intentions with situational awareness learned from experiences past. James' point about the Scouts is well taken (I lived in the St. Louis then). I didn't overtly realize the benefits of my time while participating but in each step of life since I've been surprised by how impactful it was. In college I was drawn a group with many others who were Eagle Scouts. When going into the military I was surprised by how much it seemed like Cliff Notes for those who didn't have scouting experience. When I plan and pack for a trip or build a bike there are many lessons from those times that guide my choices. Experiences are empty if they don't provide some lesson to take forward. I'm glad I had the opportunity early on to realize this and appreciate how it has complimented my cycling. Andy Cheatham On Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 3:01:52 PM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: > Leah > > I would agree with others that a back up battery is a good idea for your > phone, especially if you are camping since you might be challenged to find > outlets at all your stops. I try to grab power where I can along the > route. > > Another thing that I have found to be hugely helpful is to put your phone > is 'Airplane Mode' while riding. The gps will work fine while in this mode > but your phone won't be wasting battery trying to find a cell phone > tower/signal. Ride with GPS will still work fine. You just won't be able to > receive phone calls, text or random notices. > > Good luck and have a great time with your son. > > Boy Scouts would have been a cure of his 'no planning' planning, but too > late for that. Hopefully experience and maturity will cure him of that > foolishness.:-) > > James P > MO > On Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:46:26 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> Hi Friends, >> >> I’m a week away from my mother-son bikecamping trip. I’ve been practicing >> pitching my tent in the backyard and breaking it down, trying to perfect >> and speed up the process. I’m pretty good! >> >> I’ve been sitting down to really plan my route, and it’s been >> frustrating. I have an iPad with a keyboard that I do everything with, and >> it seems like maybe Ride with GPS was meant for laptops. It’s awkward. It >> doesn’t feel intuitive. I feel like I’m always losing where I’m at and what >> I’m looking for. But it seems to be the universal favorite app for route >> planning, so I’m sure it’s me that’s the problem. >> >> Meanwhile, everyone in my bike club has a bike computer. The club plans >> routes on Ride with GPS. And at the ride start they say things like “Does >> everyone have the route?” I paid for the Ride with GPS membership so I >> could have the route on my phone, but it drains the phone. So I never use >> it. Thus, I never “have the route.” >> >> This mattered less in the club because SOMEONE always has the route, but >> when I set off on my tour with my son, we will be in charge of navigation. >> It might be nice to have turn-by-turn without running down our phone >> batteries. >> >> I don’t know. I really liked just having my iPhone on my bars, but maybe >> with the amount of miles I ride, I should reconsider. Who has opinions >> about bike computers and Ride with GPS? >> >> Thanks! >> Leah >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e4064fd1-35cb-4271-be42-73e9d709bd3fn%40googlegroups.com.
