That's a lot of messing around, Dan, just to keep electronic devices charged up.
It sure is!
I bet you can remember when you toured without anything electronic...
Sure can!
...and managed just fine.
Yep!
There are several reasons for the change:
• In an attempt to "share" more of my trips, I am now hauling three still/video cameras, which are all battery powered. I used to take one film camera, and it was essentially manual except for the light meter and I could accurately guess my exposures if need be. More cameras also mean more batteries, mounts, and gear (tripods, monopods/extenders, etc).
• I plan to carry a netbook (very small laptop) so I can journal and blog my trips...to go with my photos and video. My handwriting has deteriorated over the years (heading toward carpal tunnel syndrome) and my hands are toast after 17 hours/day holding the handlebars on rough roads, so handwriting is out. The netbook gives me a shot, plus a repository for storing/editing/uploading the lot whenever I find free wifi.
• Increased touring farther afield in remote areas for longer periods of time, so I'm away from mains current and must be more self-sufficient. I'm also alone, so the cell phone -- which did not exist for many of my touring decades -- has become an essential. I can't hunker down while a buddy seeks help. Going off-road over a much larger area makes the GPS a "necessary convenience" where previously it was paper maps and a compass (or two, I'm risk-averse). Same for the cellphone, where I can get reception. It stays off and charged till I need it, 'cos the attempts to link to out-of-range and distant cell towers greatly increases battery drain while on standby.
• Going alone, I can't split the haulage of gear, so I need to make my supplies self-renewing to a degree to save weight and bulk. Generating electricity helps greatly and is lighter than batteries. For example, the powered SteriPen water purifier ends up being lighter and less bulky than the fuel and time needed to boil water and lasts longer than the supply of water-purifying pills I have taken (though I still carry some and have the option to boil if needed). A small radio -- when I can get reception -- helps in lieu of actual companionship. Dynohub lighting is far less weighty than batteries for the extended night riding I sometimes have to do to beat the extreme heat of daytime desert crossings and the GPS helps with nocturnal navigation. Combined with the phone, the GPS gives me a way to guide help to my exact location in trackless wilderness -- if I can get a phone signal. Trouble is, they both need electricity.
Of course, this can all reach a tipping point where there are diminishing returns. A bike tour isn't nearly the relaxing, carefree experience if you integrate it with what amounts to "work". Instead of getting away from it all...you're carrying it all with you! Even the Nomad falls into this category...if I didn't have need to haul so much food and water for extended forays into the back-of-beyond where there is no ready means for resupply, I could get by with a much lighter bike and gear -- and fewer electrically powered gadgets -- making me more nimble and faster. I've done this, but there's far less margin for error, accident, or injury before things go bad very quickly. The Nomad's hauling capacity does one critical thing: It increases my safety margin greatly in terms of reserve food and potable water, and that is worth every extra kilogram. There are *no* emergency services in all of Nevada's northern Washoe County, so if something goes haywire, no one is going to come looking for me except the folks at home who will take action if I don't check in. The Nomad's cargo capacity also allows me to choose to stay a bit longer or go at a slower pace if I desire.
So, yeah. Lots more complicated than it usta be.
Like Andre, I'm greatly looking forward to your experience with the Luxos, Ian. Thanks in advance for sharing with us.
Best,
Dan. (...who still enjoys wild touring where it is allowed)
