The Trans-Lab is Overdone. We want to Ride the Rock.

Shaving kit? Sunscreen? No mention of junk food?

Anton, don't you have a leftover Spetsnaz list we can use?

Don't worry, Rich. The Twinkie is still in full force in Canada. Take whatever cosmetics you need, and the safe sex gear. (I remember this to be on Anton's list.)

Excuse me, I just need to get by you, I must have taken a wrong turn back there.......................................whew.

Speznaz list:
1. Speznaz Shovel
2. Safe sex items: Shovel and lipstick
3. Number 3

I've been thinking of upgrading my GPS. I've used DeLorme products for years, and have been generally pleased with them. However, they only offer units with relatively small screens, and it's become more and more difficult for me to see the screen under less than optimal conditions.

I just invested $150 in a new Lenovo android tablet. While the tablet is neither the fastest or the most powerful on the market, it's reasonably rugged, and more importantly, the GPS works without the assistance of wifi or 3G.

The unit has a 7" screen, which will be a treat for my aging eyes.

I found some nice navigational and mapping products through Trimble Outdoors:

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/

The navigational app appears to be functional, and has had some very good reviews.

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/Products/TrimbleOutdoorsNavigator/

The mapping app allows maps to be saved off-line. Trimble offers five different map styles, including sat images. From my first tests, the maps appear to be very good quality. I downloaded the western portion on Newfoundland the other evening.

A $2.99 monthly subscription allows one to download as many maps as bandwidth allows. I'll be testing and reporting back

I'll be testing the stuff and reporting back.

Spetznaz:



Drag Queen:

Please pick me!

I'll be interested in seeing how that works out. I have a Garmin 60csx that I bought because it allows me to dictate the route I want from my PC and load it in. The trouble is seeing it when I'm bouncing around on my crappy front suspension. I have to continuously calculate the risk of crashing against the reward of knowing where the hell I'm going. A bigger screen? Better forks? Better eyes? Screw it, I'll just follow you instead. Problem solved.

Tim,
We were talking about the possibility of getting Rogers cell service while in Canada.
Check this out for SIM cards and pay-as-you-go plans... http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=WRLS_PREPAID_LANDING.
...Rich J

Rich,

I'm really just thinking of bringing my tablet. It works well enough for texting/emails when in the vicinity of wi-fi, and I have an app that allows it to function as a phone in the same circumstances. It would be a good idea to have one phone along, but I don't feel it's necessary for everyone to have one.

Steph,

Got a wuvly map of The Rock via post today. I'm going to tape it to the wall later. Many thanks!

(BTW, Canada Post certainly has no mercy on postage, do they?)

Rogers will not work on the Rock. Ask me how I know.

I will take my verizon world phone witch can rom on any network GSM or CDMA. And with a little hack even if Verizon have no agrement with the company I will still use it! Price wise its not crazy because I switch to Canada plan before entering Canada and its like gives me like 1000 minuts for 20 extra dolars! Nice!!! Great success!!!!

For my purposes, it's probably better to kick Anton a few bucks if I need to make a call than to attempt to buy a set-up that will work on The Rock. He managed to get signal on his phone here, which is damned near impossible.

Luckily phone coverage is not a big concern for me. Each August my wife kisses me goodbye and says we'll see each other and talk in three weeks. She's not one to worry when cell coverage isn't available. Besides, I'll have my netbook with me for the times we have wifi so I can call her for free then.

So...what's the bike list if everyone shows up?
Me...KLR250

I'm planning on riding the DR-Z400S with some Golden Boys on it.

Gold Wing, baaaaby.

Failing that, I'll bring the DRZ. Probably run T63s.

drz I will run my best off road tires SHINKO UNIVERSAL 008

Is this ride by invite or is it open to any reprobate? I see C-Stain is a maybe so the standards can't be that high

Looking for a trip this summer and planing to come East (back home) from Ontario. I need to go back through this tread and get the 5Ws on the plan, but I might be interested if the door is open. Likely bring another ADVer along with our SOs bringing the support vehicle.