Day to Day Resources - Open Source Overlanding Info

I may at times, be travelling on the other side of the world, in an 'undeveloped' country, solo and generally having to speak a different language BUT there are resources available to help me - because this is not the eighties!

WIFI is pretty common most places now, as is internet as part of a data package on a cheap local sim, which i've picked up in most countries i've ridden through. So, along with internet access, some local Spanish schooling, a travel guide book and my (crappy 3 year old android) smart phone, i'm all set.

Heres a list of resources I use most days for route planning:


MAPPING (free offline mapping apps for smartphones)

1 - MapsME (uses KML files - can transfer route/pins files  straight out of google maps and google earth) and,

2 - OSMand (uses GPX files), good for topo/contours info (available as a plugin for a couple bucks - allowing downloadable files for each country - good for tracking altitude).

3 - IOVERLANDER is an app which presents info posted by previous offroaders regarding (particularly) free/wild camp spots (set out as pins on a google type map) plus a bunch of other potentially useful info - cheap hotels with decent parking, restaurants, road information and even places to shower occasionally.

4 - Even Google maps allows you to download maps to use offline.

6 - Occasionally I use paper maps - I didn't use really until the US where I found the waterproof Butler ones to be nice. Ive used the Colorado Back  Country dual sport map which outlines an offroad route through the state north to south. Idaho has a back country route i'm aware of, with other states having these routes in current development.

We only used a paper map in the North of India (2 months Delhi - Himalayas loop) - however this meant there was A LOT of asking for directions (and because of this, getting lost :)


ONLINE FORUMS

1 - HORIZONS UNLIMITED (THE HUBB) is first point of contact for most overlanding information.  I find myself Google searching a query and adding either 'THE HUBB' or 'ADV RIDER' to the search words to narrow the results down.

2 - ADV RIDER - the tent space page (I used for the US - it was a bit sparse elsewhere), works similarly to couch surfing but for moto peeps. It works well and i've had some fantastic stays with people I now consider to be lifetime friends.


FB GROUPS - great for a quick question and meeting other current travellers.

1 - PanAmerican Travellers Association
2 - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Adventure Travellers (The HUBB)
3 - Overland Sphere

Theres heaps of others out there but any more than the three listed above and I think my head would spin.


GUIDEBOOKS - Lonely Planet/Rough Guides

Available now in Kindle format. I used these guides extensively in latino lands - i've got FOMO and i don't want to miss a thing so these books are great for working out hotspots to visit - plus they are put out with a shoestring budget in mind and most times its nice to mix it up with the backpackers in cheap hostels.


CHIT-CHAT

Rock up at the main plaza in any South American town, ask around for 'hotel economico' and you'l be pointed in the right direction. I learnt Spanish to do just this (oh ya, and to avoid being served meat) - as having local information about practically anything is the key to making the trip more enjoyable and successful.

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