Reading the information about the TCAT you realise that sections of it are actually a long way from community centres. Looking at mobile coverage maps it looks like most of my time in Labrador and Quebec will be out of range of any mobile signal:

Now, that in itself isn’t much of a worry to me as an individual. However, when I head off on my trip I’m going to be leaving loved ones behind. Whilst I may be quite happy having an adventure of a lifetime and enjoying life to the max, my parents, partner and any friends following this blog would prefer to at least get messages that I’m OK and where I’ve got to. I’m also not planning on having an accident, or getting attacked by a bear, but if the worst does happen it’s good to know that help is only a button press away, no matter how far from the nearest mobile signal I am.

The Options

When I started thinking about getting a GPS tracker there was only one supplier in my mind: SPOT. These appear to be the tracking device of choice in the UK and I know several people that have used these. They have several devices available, depending on your needs.

I was torn between which to get and so reached out to fellow adventurers on Twitter. What I was expecting was opinions on SPOT devices but what I actually got was a bit of a wild card from Gary S France in the form the DeLorme inReach.

How They Work

GPS Trackers really are incredible devices. There are a host of other cheaper GPS tracker alternatives out there. If you are planning on going on an adventure you need to be aware of how and where they’ll work. All GPS trackers use the GPS satellite network to determine your location. When it comes to transmission of your location there are two types of communication networks that can be used. The more expensive devices like SPOT and DeLorme use commercial communication satellites. The cheaper alternatives use mobile phone networks.

Depending on where you’re wanting to track your location the mobile network may be fine. Where I’m going I’ll definitely be needing the satellite communication capability.

SPOT

SPOT offers two devices that offer the type of functionality that I’m after:

• SPOT Gen 3
• SPOT Connect

The communication side of the SPOT trackers is based on the Globalstar network. In fact, SPOT is a subsidiary company of Globalstar. Whilst this network has mostly global coverage, there are a few areas that aren’t covered such as southern Africa and reduced coverage in India and southern Argentina (somewhere I want to go).

GEN3

The GEN3 is a standalone device, i.e. you can’t connect it to your phone or other device. It’s essentially got five buttons:

• SOS: Contacts the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center, only to be used in real emergencies.
• Check-in: Lets friends and family know your current location and that everything is OK.
• Help: Lets friends and family know your current location and that you need assistance – but that the situation is not life threatening.
• Custom Message: Sends a pre-programmed message to friends and family with your current location, e.g. I’m delayed but everything is OK. This is like a secondary Check-in message.
• Tracking: Turns on/off constant tracking functionality which transmits your location to the SPOT mapping website up to every 2.5 minutes (intervals below 10 minutes require additional subscription).
  
  The battery life in the GEN3 is supposedly double that of the previous generation device but what that actually equates to has been hard to find out. The nearest I came was that it should be capable of sending 1250 tracking messages on a single set of batteries. The batteries are 4xAAA batteries and the device can be powered via a USB cable. However, when connected to USB the device does not recharge AAA rechargeable batteries and the device is not waterproof.

Being a technophile the features of the GEN3 are somewhat limited but this is reflected in the price. If you’re just needing a device for emergency situations only and you’re within the coverage area the GEN3 seems like good value for the money.

Connect

The Connect has basically the same functionality as the GEN3 but this is controlled by Bluetooth from a mobile device running the SPOT Connect app. The Connect has an SOS button, so that users are able to summon help without needing to have a mobile device connected.

Where the Connect improves on the GEN3 is when you connect it to a mobile device. Currently apps are available for Apple iOS and Android devices, plus it is possible to connect it to a DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS. When connected to a mobile device, you’re not limited to sending existing pre-set messages; it is also possible to also possible to create an additional 14 pre-set messages of up to 140 characters that can be sent to contacts or social media services (Twitter or Facebook). Alternatively, with the mobile devices you can type custom messages of up to 41 characters.

DeLorme

DeLorme also has two devices:

• inReach
• inReach SE

Both of these are Bluetooth devices that can be connected to mobile phones with the DeLorme Earthmate app. The Earthmate app supports all the functionality outlined below. In addition to the tracking and messaging, the Earthmate app also offers the ability to download topo maps. Whilst I’m not sure I’d use this as a primary GPS device it would be ideal as a backup.

DeLorme uses the Iridium satellite network for the communication connection. This network is global and doesn’t suffer from the same blackspots as the Globalstar network.

InReach

The inReach is the DeLorme equivalent of the SPOT Connect. Like the Connect, the InReach has an on-device SOS button that sends your current location to the GEOS Response Center. When you connect the inReach to a mobile device, or DeLorme PN-60 GPS, you can type and send custom messages. Unlike the Connect, the inReach custom messages can be up to 160 characters. Where the DeLorme devices really come into their own is that they are not just limited to sending messages but they can also receive messages.

Consider the situation in which you have had an accident and are injured. With the SPOT Connect you’re limited to pressing the SOS button and hoping help reaches you soon. With the inReach you can receive feedback that the message has been received and that help is on the way. You’re also able to follow up the SOS message with information about your situation, e.g. that you have shelter and water for two days, or the rescuers can ask additional questions about medical conditions and whether you’re stable or deteriorating.

Like the SPOT Connect, the inReach functionality beyond an SOS button is limited by you having a mobile device to connect to it.

InReach SE

DeLorme has struck gold with the inReach SE. The SE in the name stands for Screen Edition. That’s right, this one has a screen on it. So whilst the communication and tracking functionality is the same as the basic inReach, with the SE you’re not forced to carry another mobile device to use it.

You can type messages of up to 160 characters, enable and disable tracking and use the SOS functionality all on the device itself.

Like the basic inReach, the inReach SE tracking is limited to a maximum of once every 10 minutes. I’m still undecided as to whether I’d prefer a more frequent tracking rate. I can understand from a battery performance perspective that there is a trade-off between more frequent transmission of location and longer battery life and that when hiking or cycling 10 minutes is probably fine. However, given that the RAM mount for the inReach SE has a power cable I’d like to see tracking up to every 2.5 minutes, like the SPOT GEN3. This is another advantage the inReach SE holds over the SPOT devices. When you plug a USB charging cable into the SPOT devices they’re no longer water resistant but the inReach SE has an external waterproof power connector for use with the RAM mount.

Pricing

The prices in the following table are in British Pounds and are approximate prices. The SPOT prices have been converted from Euros and the DeLorme prices have been converted from US Dollars using Google currency conversion, so the actual price at time of purchase might be different.

I have tried to make the comparison between the SPOT and DeLorme as close as possible by going with the following options:

• Subscription: annual
• Tracking: every 10 minutes
• Messages: approx. 500 per year
• GEOS: Search and Rescue subscription

These are equivalent to the package that I have gone with but both SPOT and DeLorme have both cheaper and more expensive options. For example, DeLorme offers a four month seasonal subscription and with the SPOT GEN3 you can pay for enhanced tracking (up to every 2.5 minutes).

And the winner is…

After weighing up the options, one thing really tipped the balance for me: two-way communication. On previous travels I know I’ve suffered from homesickness and knowing that no matter where I am I can talk to someone is a weight off my shoulders. On the safety side, if the worst happens and I need to use the SOS function I’m going to be on my own – knowing that a call for help has been received and assistance is on the way is definitely worth the expense.

That’s why I’ve gone with the DeLorme inReach SE.

But that’s just my personal opinion. Had I have been travelling in a group, wasn’t going to be travelling out of mobile signal range or was a more experienced adventurer then I would have been perfectly happy with any of the other devices listed above.

For use on a motorcycle I would probably rank the devices in the following order:

1. DeLorme inReach SE
2. DeLorme inReach
3. SPOT Connect
4. SPOT GEN3

Hat Tips

Gary S France

A massive thank you to Gary S France. Without his response to my request on Twitter I would probably have gone for one of the SPOT trackers. He’s also got a lot of information on his website about touring the USA on a motorcycle which has helped me immensely. If you’re a Harley rider in Europe check out his H-D Rally Tours.

You can also find Gary on twitter: @garysfrance.

Global Telesat Communications

When I finally decided to get a DeLorme inReach SE at 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve 2013, I fired an email off to Global Telesat Communications in the UK to find out about shipping and VAT for orders to Guernsey. Given that it was late on New Year’s Eve I wasn’t expecting to hear back until several days later. I was amazed to receive a response 5 minutes later from David Phipps, and not just a “we’ll be in touch soon” but with answers to my questions. That to me is good customer service, which won them my order.

When I placed the order on New Year’s Day, David emailed me again to let me know that my order would be delayed due to their holiday closure and to find out if that would be a problem for me. To me, that is great customer service which you’ll never get from the likes of Amazon.

Global Telesat Communications sell both the SPOT and DeLorme trackers. If you want expert advice on which is best for you then you won’t go wrong by giving them a call.

from Longer Road http://ift.tt/1fIAgAP

Shopping

Over the past month my focus has mostly been on sourcing equipment for my trip. Future posts will look at some of these in more detail. Having been on quite a few previous trips I’ve got most of the equipment necessary for an overland trip but there were a few key pieces that I wanted to add to my kit list for he trip:

• DeLorme InReach SE Tracker/Messager
• RAM Mount Aquabox Pro 20 (for my Google Nexus 5)
• MSR Quick 2 Pots System
• Bear Grylls Multi-tool
• Touratech Bottle Holders

All my friends will tell you that I’m not quick at making decisions, especially when it comes to me handing over money. Some of the items in the list above aren’t the cheapest of the alternatives that were available but I think you’ll come to realise why I bought them when I write about them in more details.

In particular I’m excited about the features and functionality of the DeLore InReach SE GPS tracker. If you’re looking for a GPS tracker this one has it all. It’s like the SPOT Gen3 Messenger and Connect rolled into one plus so much more! If you want to learn more about it contact David at Global Telesat Communications. Those guys are dedicated to their customers, so much so they even responded to my e-mail queries at 7:30pm on New Year Eve. Now that’s dedication to customer service!

Tyres

Also on my shopping list was a new set of tyres for my R1200GSA. Since my trip to HUBB UK last June I’ve been riding around on a pair of Continental TKC80s.

Well, two pairs actually… in 8 months. Now I don’t have a problem with the TKC80s and I’ll happily put on the bike for my adventure but I need the tyres on the bike are at the end of their life and so I figured that I’d experiment with some alternatives before I go.

The folks at BMW Off-Road Skills use the E-9/10 for the big adventure bikes, and I also used the E-10 on my old R1200GS when I went to Morocco. I decided to give them another try on my R1200GSA. I gave Trellesport UK a call and the chap that runs the place is very knowledgable about his tyres. I had been thinking about getting the E-10 tyres again but after discussing the type of surfaces I’ll be riding on he recommended the E-07 instead. They’re sat at home now, waiting to be fitted. If there’s a break in this awefull weather I’ll have a got at fitting them myself if not it’ll be a trip to the local tyre fitters… it’s winter and I don’t have a garage to work in!

What’s Next

This is the stage in the planning that separates the men from the boys! I’ve got all the gear to be able to set off around the world but now I need to figure out logistics of actually setting off. I’ve now got a date for my last day at work – 15th May – I need to work out the time line for gettign my bike shipped to the UK and then on to Canada, my flights to UK then Canada and the ferry from Nova Scotia to New Foundland island.

So now it’s time to put my money where my mouth has been for the past year and actually get some tickets booked. (・_・;)

from Longer Road http://ift.tt/1h8tZkG

1. Globebusters – London to Bangkok
2. On my own – Canada, Alaska

Globebusters was my first thought. The are several very compelling reasons why I might have chosen to do this trip with with Globebusters. Firstly, the route they are doing is one that I would love to ride. Secondly, knowing that someone else is doing the hard work of organising the fine details would remove a lot of stress from me. Finally, I fear not being able to communicate with people whilst travelling and travelling in a group would provide a comfort blanket.

However, these reasons for Globebusters being so enticing are also the reasons that I decided not to go with them. They would be covering a 13,000 in 84 days with a group of riders of unknown ability – they don’t know me and I don’t know them, would I be strugling to keep up or getting bored waiting for them? Then there’s the organisation work – I need to prove to myself that I can do it myself, rather than relying on others to do it for me. Lastly, the language barrier. Well, that’s where I decided to leave it for another trip and so I’m heading to (mostly) English speaking countries. I’ll leave foreign lanugages for another day. There was also another big factor that swayed me away from Globebusters, well 20 thousand big factors. That’s right, the London to Bangkok trip with Globebusters is £20,000. By all accounts you should be able to do a round the world trip for £20,000!

So I needed a destination that offered big spaces, is relatively easy to get my own bike there and preferably english speaking. This is why I’ve decided to head to Canada and the USA. The route I’ll be taking has been through many iterations but the current plan is to fly the bike into Halifax, Nova Scotia, then get the ferry up to Newfoundland and the start of the Trans-Canadian Adventure Trail (TCAT). The route across Canada will be along the 15,000km of the TCAT, ending the west side of Vancouver Island.

I’m execting to take about 2 months to cross Canada, with a couple of stops to visit friends.

After completing the TCAT I’ll be heading south across the border to the USA and will meander my way back to the Atlantic coast when I’ll head back to Halifax to ship my bike home again. The exact route across the USA is still a work in progress but is going to be taking the likes of Crater Lake, Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Pikes Peak, GUERNSEY!, Badlands, Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial, Jack Daniels Brewery, Great Smokey Mountains, Finger Lakes, Boston. The current estimate is about 15,000km to get back to Halifax and I’ve given myself 2 months to get back.

So that’s it: 2 countries, 4 months, 30,000km.

from Longer Road http://ift.tt/1kzMjEM

Taking four months off work to go on an adventure is a big decision for me, so a lot of background work has gone into it. I’ve owned a BMW R1200GS since 2006, and since then my ideas about what a big trip would consist of have changed. When I first got it the biggest I could think of was a ride around Europe, probably as far as going back to the north of Norway, down to Spain or Italy. Back then I hadn’t experienced camping on motorcycles trips and the longest I’d travelled on the bike was a week. Camping wasn’t an alien idea to me, after all I’d been in the scouts, it’s just that I hadn’t put motorcycle travel and camping together.

Not only was my imagination for destinations limited but I was also limited to riding on tarmac. Whislt I’d bought a bike that was techincally capable of around the world, I wasn’t. However, all that changed in 2009 when I headed to Wales with a group of friends for some off-road training at Off Road Skill with Simon Pavey and his team – the same people that trained Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman before their round-the-world adventure. That was my first taste of what you could to with a bike like the GS. Most people regard them as lumbering beasts that people only dream of taking off-road but I now had a first hand experience of what they can do if only you open your mind to the possibilities.

It was also during 2009 that I met a group of people in Guernsey that were into trail riding – albeit on smaller bikes – that encouraged me to join them on their rides. The synical side of me thinks they were pushing me to see when I would break. In fact, on our first outing I managed to flip my GS upside down, but I picked myself back up and carried on. Time and again I picked myself and my bike up and carried on. Over time the crashes diminished and my speed off-road increased.

In 2010, out of the blue, the guys I went off-roading with in Guernsey invited me on a trip they were planning on Morocco. That was a place I’d only dream of visiting. A land of sand, palm trees and legends of the Dakar Rally. In April/May 2011 my dreams became a reality and I found myself in a state of euphoria whilst flying across desert pistes at 60mph. OK, so I had a few off’s and broke my foot (and carried on riding) but now I had a thirst for really adventure.

That trip to Morocco had suddenly expanded my horizons. No longer were my ideas limited to western Europe. From that point on I could take on the world!

from Longer Road http://longerroad.azurewebsites.net/where-to-ride/

Hi, I’m Adrian. I’ve been working software engineer on the tiny island of Guernsey somewhere between France and England since I left University in 2003:

When I strated my working life, I also bought my first motorbike. Back then I didn’t realise just how central riding a bike would become in my life. My first foray into motorbike travel started with a short trip to England, shortly followed by an almost successful ride up through Norway and back to visit some relatives. The “almost successful” part of the trip was very nearly the end me. However, someone or something was looking after me that day and after getting the bike back and patching it up again I was back on the road.

A varied and eventful series of mini-adventures has left with a lust for travel away from the rock I’m currently stuck on. Each trip I’ve been on, to France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Morocco, UK and more, has left me wanting more.

The Genesis of an Idea

Two years ago I changed jobs for a two and a half year fixed contract. At the time that seemed like a long time and I would have an age to decided what I would do next. Well, a year and a half later I started thinking about what might come next. An idea started to take shape that this would be the idea opportunity to take some time off work. I haven’t bought a house yet and I don’t have children, so I don’t have any financial burdens; plus I have a very understanding partner! So why not take six months off to go for a bit of a ride around!

from Longer Road http://longerroad.azurewebsites.net/idea-for-an-adventure-is-born/

Aidy has met up with us at the Oxford Peartree services which is our starting point for the ride up to Peterborough!

Time for a beer!

As with past RideAround trips, I’m the last one to head off to join up with the others. Normally this leaves me feel like I’m missing out on some of the action. However, this time it seems like it was a wise move on my part. I’m supposed to be on the ferry to England tomorrow but today I got an email about tickets and wrist bands for getting into the event/camping for the weekend. It appears that BMW left it until the last minute to send these out in the post.

Luckily for Shane and Dave I’m still around to bring them to the UK! It also means that I’ve got a chance to fit my new HID headlight kit as that’s also arrived

Dave has arrived in the UK and will be camping tonight. As usual, he does it in style with his MX boots hanging out of his topbox! And yes; he did ride down the road like that!

I’ve pretty much reached the area where I’ll be stopping for a couple of days. I decided to stop for a coffee in the sunshine as its turned out to be a great day.

Dave should be nearby tomorrow and then Aidy will make his appearance on Thursday if all goes to plan!