eCrumbs Working Well

Carrie is still picking me up at the end of some my rides as I continue to avoid hills for a couple of more weeks of recovery. The Road ID eCrumbs app is making it easy for her to know when I'm getting to the end of a ride. No more pulling over to call in or text her my location. So far it hasn't let me down.

eCrumbs is a basic and simple tracking app that friends and family can easily follow. Simply start tracking and a text or email or both are sent to those on your notification list. All they have to do his click on a provided link. It's free from Road ID.

Also I always wear a RoadID identification band.

NOTE: eCrumbs uses up about 30% of my iPhone battery every hour with screen on and 10% with the screen off. Works fine for me on shorter rides or turning it on later on longer rides when I'm meeting up with Carrie. 

Road ID eCrumb

My second ride since my right hip replacement. RoadID's eCrumb provides proof of my whooping 3.9 mile ride. I've been doing a lot of spinning in the garage, it's good to feel the wind in my face.

The RoadID eCrumb is a nice, simple and free tracking app.

iPhone Software Upgrade

Checking out the panorama option on the new iPhone software upgrade iOS7. A lot of cosmetic updates but the panorama function is new and easy to use.

Oak Canyon Community Park amphitheater.

This is the last ride with Betzi until after I get my hip replacements. I'm paying the price for having Betzi tag along with me today...ouch.

New Cateye

Keeping it simple with a new wired Cateye Enduro computer. No more crazy max speed readings. For GPS and tracking I still use my iPhone with a Motion X app. Tracks are uploaded from Ride With GPS.

Mounted on my Catrike 700. The Cateye Enduro comes with a sturdy wiring harness which includes a spiral plastic protection sheath. 

Mounted on my Catrike Expedition. Just below the handle bar is the spiral sheath protecting the wire.

Cateye Wireless Computer Flaw

My Cateye wireless computer maximum speed reading has been giving me unrealistically high readings on many of my rides. Time to get wired?

The CatEye Knowledgebase website has this to say about the interference problem:

"Why is my maximum speed unrealistically high?

The unusual maximum speed readout that you are incurring is due to the cordless computer unit registering interference from an outside electrical field. Sources of such fields include RR crossings, power lines, security systems, radio towers, home computers, televisions, radios, cell phones, garage door openers, high intensity discharge lighting systems, etc. When all speed related functions are accurate except maximum speed, this is almost certainly the case, as cordless/wireless models manifest such reception of outside interference as an abnormal max speed readout as described. Unfortunately, there is no solution for this, as the FCC requires electronic devices such as bike computers to accept all such outside interference."


Update 8/19/13

With a little trial and error I noticed that the max speed would have an erroneous reading at certain intersections after riding over the signal sensors. My receiver on my recumbent trikes are mounted about 18" off the ground on my handlebar bringing it well within range of the street embedded sensors. I'm guessing that is where the problem lies. I know that there are different types of sensors used to monitor intersections but I'm not going to spent anymore time figuring it out...now I'm wired and no problems.

Weather Underground

Weather Underground for iPhone is my favorite weather app. I find the maps particularly useful. Today I set off on a ride while dark clouds hovered overhead. A quick look at the Weather Underground maps page tells me that the clouds will soon move on and so I set off on my ride confident that I won't get stuck in rain.
Here's the weather front that came through over the last couple of days and is now on it's way to ruin someone else's cycling plans.




Here's a radar shot of the rain that has now passed us.

SPOT vs Actual Route

If your using a SPOT Satellite Messenger  don't expect it to show the details of your route. It's purpose is to identify your location at given intervals and to be used in case of  emergency as mentioned in a previous post, Spot Tracker.

Actual 21 mile route I rode last Sunday

How the SPOT sees the same route

Lifeproof iPhone Case

Time to replace the Biologic iPhone case that I've been using on my trike with a Lifeproof case and mount. The Biologic case is designed to be used on a bicycle (or trike) and not as a basic iPhone case that be carried around. When going for a ride, which is about three times a week, I had to take the cover off my phone so it would fit in the Biologic case. Sometimes I just left the cover off after riding which may have contributed to me breaking my iPhone two times. The last time the ole iPhone was beyond repair (even though I tried). In addition the bike mount on the Biologic is poor to say the least.

Enter the Lifeproof case, it stays on the phone and the bike mount is solid. The phone simply snaps into the mount and then locks in place. It's a solid case as well and water proof. It even comes with a water tight headphone adapter. 

I tried it out today on an early morning ride (hot again so I hit the road at 7am). The mount and the phone were totally secure. Initial impression is that the Lifeproof case is a good  investment. I depend on my iPhone for GPS, staying in touch and of course I have to ride with a few tunes. 

iPhone mounted and ready.

Mount minus the phone.

The phone with the detachable headphone adapter.

Close view of the headphone adapter. The cylinder on the top of the line holds the small plug that is used to seal the phone when the headphone adapter is not being used. 

Spot Tracker

My beautiful wife Carrie worries about me when I don't return on time. For those who know me know I've given her reason to worry. So I started using my Spot satellite tracker for every ride I take on the Expedition. She can track me on my Spot shared page. I start a new track each time I ride the Expedition. The line between automatic check points is straight and it doesn't show my exact route. At least it shows I'm moving and that's all Carrie wants to know. It gives me peace of mind as well, I don't have to worry about her worrying about me.

Link to my Spot Shared Page
Catrike Expedition rides only

Picture from my ride today. This short MUP is a nice break from the street traffic.

UPDATE March 2013: 

I upgraded to the next generation SPOT. It's a smaller unit with additional message modes. I like the protective covers over the SOS and Help buttons. After using it for awhile I can definitely say that tracking is more reliable. 

New Speakers

I ordered a speaker for my new iPad from Logitech (Logitech Tablet Speaker). After getting it I decided to give it a try on trike instead. I hooked it up to my iPhone and the sound quality was superior to the Biologic speaker that I've been using. I kept it on my trike and opted to use earphones with my iPad for now.

Pros and cons of the new Logitech.

Cons: 

- 8 hour battery life compared to 40 hours with Biologic running on 2 AA batteries.

- Not weather resistant. In bad weather I won't be listening to music anyway.

Pros:

- Internal rechargeable battery.

- Better overall sound with no breakup at high volume as with the Biologic.

- Easily fits behind the headrest of my trike. Lower volume required to hear good sound.

- Easy to remove.Same with the Biologic.

I would much rather have the better sound quality then long battery life and weather proofing. I'll just recharge the battery after each ride just like I recharge my light batteries after each ride. It's a luxury item anyway so if the battery goes dead on a long ride I'll live. Only time will tell how it holds up.

Gotta have some tunes to ride with on a clear and sunny spring day.

The old Biologic speaker hooked up to my iPhone.

The old Biologic speaker.

The new Logitech speaker set up behind my seat.

The Logitech speaker secured with small DiNotte O-rings.

Blogging From an iPhone/iPad

While I sit here with a cold I have time to test the Blogpress app for the iPhone and iPad. I ordered the new iPad and I want to be able to blog using it. So I'll start figuring out the Blogpress app using my iPhone with it small keyboard and my big thumbs.

Blogging from an iPhone and iPad has it's limitations especially with posting pictures. What's a blog without some pictures? After doing some research it seemed that a $2.99 investment in the Blogpress app was justified. So far the app is really easy to navigate.

So here's an older picture of Leili in Ojai from my iPhone media library.



Here's a new picture of Leili cruising Facebook taken from my iPhone and put directly on this post.



-Posted from my iPhone using Blogpress

DiNotte Lights

In the two years that I've been using DiNotte lights It's common for me to get a comment about how bright they are when I use them during the day as running lights. Typical comment..."I could see you from a mile away". 

They're worth the price.

400L Headlight

400L Taillight

DiNotte Lighting

I personally prefer to keep my lights on a high steady mode rather then flash. I believe it's easier for oncoming traffic to judge my speed, distance and position while in a steady mode. 

The price of being safe on the roads...$400 plus. It's worth it.

iPhone GPS Update #2

I think that I have the iPhone set up the way I want it. In addition I now have speakers (Biologic Speakers) so I can listen to some tunes...classic hard rock for climbing and music that's easy on the ears for cruising. 

I took off the RAM mount (iPhone GPS) and put on a Biologic (Biologic iPhone Mount) water proof and shock mount and case. A bit of an investment but I feel that it should be worth it. After all, this whole tech exercise is to prepare for touring. The Motion X GPS (iPhone GPS) has not let me down and it's nice to have a little music on board. With the external speakers, as compared to headphones or earphones, I can still hear the traffic coming up from behind.

Picture of my iPhone in the Biologic case. On the cross member is  the Biologic speaker with an  6 foot earphone extension. The speaker sits below the red steering rod on my Catrike Expedition.  

Brunton Inspire power pack (iPhone GPS) connected to my iPhone with a six foot power cord extension. When riding it's tucked away in the Catrike side bag.

Another look.

My decision to use the the iPhone and the Motion X app for GPS is based on some poor reviews of the newer model Garmins especially the Garmin 800. Why spend the bucks? If the Motion X app fails me on a tour I'm out $3.99 for the app (assuming an app and not a iPhone fail) but I will still have a phone, music and good ole paper maps which I have not forgotten how to read. In addition it's one less device that I have to carry around.

The details:

-Brunton Inspire power pack

-6 foot power cord connecting the power pack to my iPhone

-iPhone

-Biologic Bike Mount for iPhone 4 to protect my iPhone from water and some vibration

-Biologic Cycle Tunes Speakers (replaced with Logitech Speakers 3/26/12  New Speakers)

-Large O Ring from DiNotte Lighting to secure the  speaker. The elastic band that is supplied with the speaker isn't large enough for where I put the speaker.

-6 foot earphone cord connecting the speakers to my iPhone.

Note: The RAM mount is a good mount but the iPhone is left at the mercy of the elements including spray from the front wheels when going through something as mundane as a puddle of water from over irrigated California lawns.


One More Note: I bought an extra Biologic mount (no case), power cord and earphone cord for my Catrike 700. The Biologic iPhone case, speaker and the Brunton power pack transfer easily between my two tirkes

Update 10/17/12 I've used this setup on three rides now and I'm very happy with it. It took a little while to get used to the nuances of using the iPhone for tracking and playing music at the same time. The speaker is a little weak but adequate. Also it's best not to change settings using the touch screen while bouncing around on a rough road. 

iPhone GPS Update

After 6 rides the Motion X app on my iPhone (iPhone GPS) works very well providing the tracking information I want. The next problem to tackle was battery life. For $59 I purchased a Brunton Inspire power pack. It claims to be able to fully charge a smartphone 2 to 3 times. Brunton makes larger power packs as well if you like spending money. On my first ride with the iPhone/Brunton setup it kept my iPhone at 100% battery life while using the Motion X GPS for 2 1/2 hours of riding. A the end of the ride all four blue lights on the Brunton were still shining indicating between 75% and 100% battery life remaining on the Brunton. 

My iPhone hooked up to the Brunton Inspire power pack using a 6 foot charger cord.

iPhone mounted on my Expedition and connected to the 6 foot charger cord.

I ran the charger cord from my phone back to the Catrike frame bag where the Brunton is happily tucked away. The charger is zip tied to my derailleur cable.

With GPS going, making calls and doing useless stuff on my phone I figure I should have two full days of riding before having to charge everything up again. When it comes time to tour this should work out just fine. Time will tell.

iPhone GPS

I may have been down and out for awhile but my brain didn't stop working...uuuhhhhh. During the time that I wasn't able to ride I did some mapping for a Pacific Coast tour that I want to take in May of next year. I'm old school and I like to have a map in hand as my primary guide, no batteries required. However I'm not from the Paleolithic age so having a little technology along on the ride is welcomed. What's hard for me to stomach is the high cost of dedicated GPS/tracking devices with all the bells and whistles costing hundreds of dollars. All I want is a device that can track and it's already in my pocket...my iPhone. I read good reviews for Motion X a GPS tracking app for $3.99 (a little cheaper then a Garmin). I tried it yesterday for a 12 mile ride ( I'm Back ) and it worked well. I'll keep trying it until I'm confident that it is dependable for a longer tour. There is still a chance that I might fork over some big bucks for a dedicated GPS if the Motion X app doesn't measure up.

Motion X GPS app on iPhone

The Basics:

I start off by mapping out a ride on Ride With GPS ( ridewithgps.com ). I then load the GPX track file from Ride With GPS to the Motion X app on my iPhone via iTunes. When I ride I simply turn it on and pick the right menu choices and then follow my pre-mapped track. You can also record a track while riding with the Motion X. Battery life is short with the Motion X running. I calculate that you use up to 75% of my battery in less then 4 hours. I'm now researching auxiliary batteries and charging systems. 

It is not my goal to end up with a load of electric equipment so I'll figure out what works for me over the next month or two.

The Mount:

RAM bicycle mount for iPhone mounted on my Catrike 700.  The band at the top of the phone is an O ring for a DiNotte light. I use it to secure the iPhone in the cradle. The cradle itself is tight but I'm afraid a good size pot hole might encourage the phone to pop out. I bought a bunch of small and large O rings from DiNotte. They are strong, flexible and have a ton of uses.

A view from underneath. The cradle can be removed from it's base when it's not used.

One last look from a different angle. The stub that holds the iPhone and Computer is an add on I purchased at Bent Up Cycles when I bought my trike.