mobile phones around the world

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I must agree with the leave the phone at home option, it's just another bit of kit to carry and charge. Using skype works ok for me..so far!
You can also use the laptop for picture / music storage / back-up.

If two of you do get split pre-arrange a meet-up place if i a large town or city.

Many people say "what if" something happens, I say "what if it don't"

Mark

www.wallisonwheels.com

Good point Mark - my other half tends to worry about my health - Regretfully the 'what if' has already happened, which is why along with another issue, my other half is concerned. My asthma has 'killed' me twice to-date nothing to do with cycling or even exercise (one was a house fire - toxic fumes followed by freezing fog when I got out was not a great move) but it still stands that he has known me through one of those bad times when I had to be resuscitated - some 15 years ago now. I think we have reached the conclusion that the phone will be left behind and we will take the spot gps thing for families on the proviso that they accept it is for tracking us only and no entries or comms does not mean there is a problem. Families are used to no hearing from us for a month at a time and I might even get around to getting Skype.

The only issue with the laptop for storage is that I'm taking one with a solid state disk - more reliable and less issues with failures (I'm an IT Engineer and until 2 months ago no-one even knew I had a mobile phone - it is there and never turned on, I frequently have no idea where it is, and if I use £20 credit in 12 months then I have done well - I have recently had to contact the supplier after failing to register it on the network for so long that they disconnected it!) The theory being that I will carry an external 2.5 hard drive for my photos (second copy) and if anything happens to the laptop like theft, I won't lose personal stuff. It also just happens to be the laptop we currently have.

 

[HelenD123]

Are those two way radios an option if it's only to be used if you get separated? Just an idea. I'm no technophile so don't know if they would work, and it's something else to keep charged up.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Are those two way radios an option if it's only to be used if you get separated? Just an idea. I'm no technophile so don't know if they would work, and it's something else to keep charged up.

There are issues with them and us going through Russia if I remember correctly and quite probably with one or two of the other countries on our planned route. It is a more northern route than most people seem to take (subject to visas of course).

We had thought about them and even have them in the favourites - kit to look at, but I think my other half is just a touch nervous over my health etc and is worrying - he has that tendancy - I often joke that the only time I get to ride alone is on my commute to work. If I propose a route change, I can guarentee that the next weekend we will end up riding it together - I'm hoping that this will help him as I get stronger (BTW he has a justifiable reason to worry - I'm a severe asthmatic, but also hate him cycling behind me usually too closely - it makes me feel like I'm being inspected and watched all the time).

 

[andym]

I'd really take issue with the advice to leave the mobile phone at home and rely entirely on skype. WiFi is increasingly available at campsites and hotels but even in parts of Western Europe you can still go for days without finding a wifi connection. Besides you can get a phone for well under £50 that weighs less than a hundred grams, if you only switch it on when you need it it will stay charged for weeks, and if you use it sparingly costs very little to run. And it could save your life one day. I don't understand the reasons for not carrying one for emergencies.


If you're feeling very pessimist or sdisaster-prone you might want to consider the Durrocomm Ventura - ruggedized, dual-sim and a walkie-talkie built in.

http://www.durrocomm...VenturaSpec.pdf