Time will start flying now. In the first four weeks we’ve crossed four states (Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota). In the next three weeks we’ll touch seven states (Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Michigan, New York, Vermont, Main and New Hampshire) and Ontario, Canada.
So how do you navigate across the country? In the old days, you’d get maps and a compass. With today’s technology there are a lot of options. If you use Adventure Cycling maps (best in the business), they provide GPS data along with their maps. So it’s almost as easy as using the GPS in your car. ABB doesn’t supply GPS data but each night we get route sheets, a map and an elevation profile for the next day’s ride. The last two of these are not very useful but the route sheets are dead-on accurate, maybe even better than mine! In 4 weeks and 2,000+ miles, only once have I been unsure where to go – that was on a bike path coming out of Astoria on the first day. So I have the route sheet in the map holder on the handlebar bag and my GPS (Garmin Etrix Vista hCx) and bike computer (VDO MC1.0+) close by. I use the GPS as my prime computer because it is the most accurate. But it has been giving me problems (turning itself off, losing sing data) so the bike computer is primarily a backup. I 
also use the bike computer on climbs to tell me the percent grade. Incidentally, I prefer this computer over others because of the amount of information displayed on a single sc
reen (speed, trip distance, elevation, grade and temperature).
The amount of technology I’m carrying is maybe excessive; it surely adds to my allowable weight (35 pounds + a carry-on, which in my case is my laptop). In addition to the bike computer and GPS, I have a voice recorder to make notes during the ride, a cell phone of course, lap top and digital camera. And the accessories to all this: cords and chargers and batteries.
On a journey of a hundred miles, ninety is but half way. - Chinese proverb
| Day | Miles today | Feet climbed | Hrs in saddle | Miles so far | Miles to go | Days to go |
| 28 | 10 | 0 | 0.6 | 2,062 | 1,640 | 22 |
6 comments:
My GPS is a Garmin 60CSx. When I first used it, it kept turning off. So I packed pieces of tissues around the batteries and mounted it in a more vertical position. I don't know if this applies to your GPS, but it's worth a try.
Garmin, Schmarmin. You know you're going to Maine, so wake up everyday and point your bike toward the rising sun. Simple.
Had dinner with Brenda last night at a great bistro in downtown Plano. Had a nice Sav Blanc and an outstanding dry rose made with Cabernet Savignon from Domains Barons De Rothchild (Lafite) in Chile. It was great.
We didn't have to use a nav system or maps to get there. :-)
Did you meet any boys named Sioux?
Hey, that previous Fraser comment is an imposter! I am the real Fraser. Hah!
I'm mixed on the restaurant. The food quality is always reasonable, but the service is always mixed - too many high school kids working there, and they just haven't been trained properly.
Have you used the voice recorder? I'd forget, I think. If you record a note to self to use it, would that help?
Re: the voice recorder. Just tie a string around your finger reminding you to check the notes on the voice recorder...
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