Monday, April 20, 2009

Twitter Your Motorcycle Rides

That last motorcycle camping trip to Utah, I tried to document on Twitter.

Part of my goal was to generate interesting content on Twitter. Much of what I've found on Twitter is just junk. I'm just as guilty as the next guy, posting photos of my beer, or telling people I'm bored, or informing my followers what television show I'm watching.

So anyways, I figured if there are any motorcycle riders following my Twitter feed, the maybe they'd be interested in seeing the motorcycle ride as it happens. Maybe I'd end up doing something useful with Twitter. In a sense, it's still the same useless junk everyone else is posting, like photos, and telling people where I'm at. But if you're a motorcycle rider, you might get some sense of riding along with me.

But as it turns out, it's not all that practical.

While we were on the Interstate, I could at least get network access. But once we got into remote areas of Utah, I had no access. I saw some awesome scenery, but couldn't share it with you. I could still take the photo, and save it for later when I came into access. But often times I'd forget because I was enjoying the moment with my friends.

Then there is peer pressure. At every stop, I'd pull my Blackberry out, and snap a photo. Then I'd take some extra minutes to e-mail it to Twitpic, and include a description. The other guys in my group kept chiding me about having to blog at each stop. Someone would ask, "Are we all ready to go?" And someone else would say, "No, Steve hasn't finished blogging".

But as far as Twitter goes, you only get that 140 characters to say something. And that just isn't enough to describe the thrill of the road, and the splendor of Mother Nature.

I actually did set up an e-mail address for this very blog, and I did submit a blog post through that address, which appeared here. But composing an article on a Blackberry keyboard is not very elegant, especially on a touch-screen keyboard. It can be done, but you have to be patient.

But how much patience can I have when my buddies are around the campfire, eating hot dogs, drinking beer, and laughing it up. I'd rather join in on the comraderie than trying to compose an article.

Using Twitter or E-mail Blogger to document your motorcycle ride works best when going solo.

3 comments:

  1. very cool blog and post. it seemed like a great ride you just enjoyed, cool temps and all :) i do long distance solo stuff similar, and had been wondering about twitter. you have answered my suspicions...very cool, thanks. ride safe

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  2. I tried it once and I had to just say "screw this". I found myself stressing about the tech. I just ride the trip and enjoy it now. I just take snaps and forget about it all.

    I figure I'll have enough time to write and do all that when I get back. It keeps me busy when I can't ride.

    I checked out the rest of your picts. Just awesome. I can't wait to get back out on a long journey. I'm interested in finding out how much you spent on the trip total.

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  3. Ride reports are fantastic reading for those of us stuck at the desk waiting to get out and great writing for those who want to capture their motorcycle adventure memories. I haven't seen much on Twitter but go to ADVRider and you'll hit the mother-load of RRs. Some people haul a camera and computer on the rode with them and update at the end of each day, others keep notes and post after they complete the ride. Check them out at:
    http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

    ReplyDelete

About Steve

A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. (Read more...)