Gadgets

When you consider the bicycle, and especially bicycle trips, the thought of high technology doesn’t leap into your mind; however, the items we bring on each trip and indeed our very bicycles are reflections of current technology.

In 2002, I was fortunate enough to travel coast to coast. It took nine wonderful weeks. I purchased a MP3 player shortly before the ride. It must have weighed close to a pound, but it held my tunes. I found out after a couple of days on the road that I would prefer the sound of the road than the sound of music that I had listened to hundreds of times before.

My camera was film, and to access the internet, I relied on library internet connections to pick up my email and update my website. I remember two people that brought their laptops as well and a couple of cell phones.

Each subsequent trip I have seen a growth in the amount of new technology, GPS bike computers, cell phones, computers will cell phone links, mega pixel cameras. Now we have smart cell phones with all sorts of applications.

Even the bikes have changed. It used to be a big deal to have a carbon fiber bike, now it’s common. In 2005, I gave up my trusty steel bike for a carbon / titanium frame that is so much fun to ride.

I expect to see bunch of new high tech toys and a bunch of extension cords each night to charge ‘em up for the next day. I just hope that the toys do not interfere with the wonderful isolation that we have felt in the rides of the past.

Happy Biking,

Brian