Tocqueville Web Site
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What you need if you want to link up a computer with a cellular phone
I have to be honest in saying I underestimated the amount of problems I would run into in the months following my idea to complete my thesis by taking a bicycle trip. I started back in April by reading Alexis de Tocqueville's book, Democracy in America, and took notes so I could comment on it during my trip. The next step was ordering the Newton message pad through the school, and it arrived in mid May. We had already purchased a Motorola Montana 33.6Kbps modem because we were assured that it was compatible with both the Newton and just about any Motorola phone.
I went back and forth between cellular phone dealers in search of the best offer. I chose CellularOne after reviewing their rates for roaming customers. This was no easy task. The dealers were seldom up front with all of the fees that you end up with on your bill.
It turned out that both companies (Motorola and Apple) failed initially to inform us of a cellular phone connection cable that I would need to successfully link the modem and phone. Ok- this was not a problem, because we had anticipated some setbacks, we just had no idea what they would be. First of all, the cell phone dealers all tried to sell me some $250 cell phone interface. I thought the trip was over right there. But we talked to Newton and Motorola and found that the modem we bought was already cellular ready and only needed a connection cable. So we ordered the connection cable from Motorola for overnight delivery. Ten days passed and still no cable. It turns out that Motorola had made a mistake with our order and finally said that we would receive the cable July 1. Only problem now was that I was leaving for New York City on June 28!
So finally we tried plan B. We dropped the Motorola order and ordered a Megahertz modem and connector cable. They guaranteed delivery in one day and it is expected tomorrow, June 25. So tomorrow will be the cell phone/modem troubleshooting day. Hope it goes well, because we've almost run out of time.
Other things you should try to do before you leave
I had to prepare physically for this trip, but I have to say that I had ambitions of training much more than I actually did. I still think it is manageable, though, because I'm averaging about 60 miles a day. The trip will be anywhere from 700-800 miles, and I've only trained about 100 miles this year. That is definitely a bad ratio. The trips are always more fun than the training, unless of course the trip gets the best of you. I have about four years of shorter touring experience behind me, and have an idea of what I'm up against. I did speak to an Albany resident today who warned me of the climb out of the Hudson River Valley from New York City to Albany. Great. My first two days will be the worst elevation-wise. So much for gearing myself up for the hills. So train first, then take the trip.
I also made up a packing list that I am trying to cut down so I don't end up with too much stuff. The best thing to do is to take a two or three day trip and note what you used most, and what you never touched. Efficiency will come with experience. I know that I always end up with too much. Except water. I always seeem to end up either spilling it or running out in the middle of nowhere.
The Bike
It pays to know a little bit about the bike, especially if it is your only transportation. I'm hoping the problems here are minimal, but I'm taking the usual array of tools just in case. Today I grew tired of my ancient derailleurs and took the bike into the shop to have it tuned up. It needed a new cable, and I didn't want to deal with it (not to mention I didn't know what it needed). Flats and spokes I can handle... its those bearing overhauls I hope I can avoid.
Planning the Trip
Setting up places to stay and sites to see while travelling by bike is also a tricky art. I tried to find campgrounds relatively close to the route which I am following. I know too well from past experience that I hate riding fifteen miles out of the way to find that the campground is at the top of the largest hill in the local area. Every mile at the end of a day hurts
I also contacted several chambers of commerce and historical societies in order to locate the sites I wanted to see. What I found out is that my best bet will be to arrive in the city and ask the residents (hopefully they can be of assistance).
My thanks goes out to the C-SPAN Tocqueville page for contributing to the structure of my itinerary.
The Trip | Itinerary | Equipment | Tocqueville Links | Bike Links | OURnet Conference | About me
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