By Marty (with some quotes from Bob)
Look at Bob's progress! Woo hoo!
Bob made it to Helena on Wednesday 8/20, after a 40-mile day with some serious climbs.
As the post title will indicate, the Delorme InReach device (supposedly highly reliable, able to send/receive communications anywhere in the world, able to alert emergency responders if an "emergency" button is pressed), is dead.
Bob consulted with multiple people including Engineers from Germany and I.T. guys from Bellingham. He says he had about 8 different people look at it.
Once in Helena, he spent some time on the phone with Delorme customer support.
***
Sorry for the lack of photos -- I will ask Bob to send me some photos for the next post.
Bob enjoyed the care package that was couriered by Paige, especially the cookies. Much thanks to Paige for Helena transport and delivery!
Bob made it to Helena on Wednesday 8/20, after a 40-mile day with some serious climbs.
As the post title will indicate, the Delorme InReach device (supposedly highly reliable, able to send/receive communications anywhere in the world, able to alert emergency responders if an "emergency" button is pressed), is dead.
Bob consulted with multiple people including Engineers from Germany and I.T. guys from Bellingham. He says he had about 8 different people look at it.
Once in Helena, he spent some time on the phone with Delorme customer support.
***
Sorry for the lack of photos -- I will ask Bob to send me some photos for the next post.
Bob enjoyed the care package that was couriered by Paige, especially the cookies. Much thanks to Paige for Helena transport and delivery!
Bob's Delorme Report
"Just off the phone with Scott G. from Delorme and after a long session he finally admitted that the device is defective.
No money back but they are shipping a new device to our home address along with a ups return authorization for the old unit.
I will ship the old unit today from Helena don't worry about returning it I will take care of that. I do need to demand credit for this period of non-function. its the best I can do for now.
Thus no contact or emergency service for the moment. Only option would be to go to a spot device which Hans has and uses without problems."
No money back but they are shipping a new device to our home address along with a ups return authorization for the old unit.
I will ship the old unit today from Helena don't worry about returning it I will take care of that. I do need to demand credit for this period of non-function. its the best I can do for now.
Thus no contact or emergency service for the moment. Only option would be to go to a spot device which Hans has and uses without problems."
Marty's Equipment Advice (if it's not already obvious)
Don't buy Delorme. Buy the "Spot" device which has worked flawlessly for Hans.
Hangin' in Helena - 3 Nights
Bob will stay in Helena through Saturday. The weather on the road ahead does not look pretty.
Equipment Updates
The latest derailleur is holding up very well.
Problem with the first derailleur: Bob installed an after-market part that he thought would give him more power going up hills (something like that, anyway), and the use of that part put too much pressure on derailleur #1, thus causing it to fail (on day 1)
Problem with the 2nd derailleur: It was not the correct part and was jury-rigged. Bad idea.
Bike status Bob needs brake pads, but all else is "flawless"
Bob's bike: It's a Salsa 29-er hard tail. This is all I know. Bob and the technicians along the way (and as you can see, he's spoken with many) all seem to agree that this is an excellent choice for the Great Divide Trail.
Problem with the first derailleur: Bob installed an after-market part that he thought would give him more power going up hills (something like that, anyway), and the use of that part put too much pressure on derailleur #1, thus causing it to fail (on day 1)
Problem with the 2nd derailleur: It was not the correct part and was jury-rigged. Bad idea.
Bike status Bob needs brake pads, but all else is "flawless"
Bob's bike: It's a Salsa 29-er hard tail. This is all I know. Bob and the technicians along the way (and as you can see, he's spoken with many) all seem to agree that this is an excellent choice for the Great Divide Trail.