Gadgets

By John Anderson

In theory route planning should not be difficult. You get up, see where the sunrise is, head in that direction, then stop peddling when you’ve done enough for the day. Of course on some days you feel slightly apprehensive about the size of the challenge the following day. On these days you feel you should see where the sun sets then immediately head in the opposite direction before it reappears to burn you to a crisp whilst cycling without any visible shade, places to get fluid or people (large areas of mid-west). 

The reality of course is very different. Hours have been spent pouring over maps, planning routes to try and avoid busy roads and without too much climbing. Trying to calculate whether there is somewhere suitable to stop after a reasonable distance. We’ve relied heavily on the maps provided by the American Adventure Cycling Association which have been used by many people before us and are full of helpful information. Equally we have heavily relied on our gadgets, including our cycle computers for navigation but also our smartphones to look for emergency coffee stops or anything else that may be needed in response to whatever the day throws at us. 

In addition, there are the lights necessary to alert vehicles to our presence. Alison has a rear radar to alert her when something is approaching from behind. We have back up power chargers to ensure that our gadgets remain functional for the whole of the route. 

This requires an elaborate charging ritual every night we get in to ensure we are set to leave in the morning with all the bases covered.

I’m sure we could get up and point East and eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean, but on this trip more than any other I am very pleased that technology has evolved and enabled us to have great gadgets.  

Undoubtedly everyone has their opinion of what is essential or a priority, but this is a little circumstance dependent. The Garmin is great but rather redundant when the route is pedal straight for 75 miles to reach your destination. Smartphones are pretty much essential for most people now, but if you don’t have a signal/coverage they become just more dead weight to carry. Maybe a little harsh as they double as excellent camera and video recorders. But my favourite on this trip is the USB rechargeable tyre inflator with pressure gauge. Flats at part of the journey but the ability to rapidly inflate (and check pressures regularly) has saved frustration, arm ache and so much time.