Being an Apple fan boy, my initial reaction to the iPad was 'I want one!' then 'I'll get one!' Despite its limitations I really like the idea of using one for mobile computing, as I currently carry a 17" macBook Pro everywhere I go (and I have a wifi dongle for connectivity).
But then I started thinking about how much time I spend in front of the screen already - having an iPhone and MBP, do I really need another screen to look at?
These thoughts came to me whilst I was out running, training for the Tokyo Marathon. I noticed how much I enjoyed exploring the city on these runs, but how much I'd like to explore the countryside around Tokyo.
It was then that I made the decision - I'd use the money that I would have used for the iPad to buy a touring bike, and spend my free time during the spring and summer exploring Japan!
As a teenager I absolutely loved cycling, and covered some pretty long distances. It was such a great way to see places, to travel far from home for free, to feel the thrill of travelling at high speed (at least when going down steep hills, I was never that fast generally...!).
Thinking about this made me so excited, especially as now I can combine it with other passions, such as photography (using my Nikon DSLR) and tracking where I go (with GPS on the iPhone).
So, although I haven't even got a suitable bike yet, yesterday I ordered the iCrew - a waterproof iPhone holder to attach to the handlebars. I'd had a look at the other bicycle/iphone holders on offer, but wasn't all that impressed. They seemed pretty dangerous really, liable to catapult your iPhone onto the road if you stopped too suddenly or jumped off a kerbstone.
Whilst I've obviously not tried it out on the road yet, I like it already - it's very sturdy, and can be rotated so you can easily watch YouTube movies whilst pedalling along (OK, maybe not such a good idea).
Although totally sealed, the power and home buttons can be pressed thanks to flexible rubber bits, and the touch screen is as sensitive as it is on a naked iPhone. There's a rubber stopper in the top that you can pull out if you want to plug your headphones in.
The idea of travelling Japan by bicycle is really exciting - can't wait to share the photos, videos and stories with you, either via my iPhone or MacBook Pro (or iPad if I'm weak and naughty).
Do you do much cycling? What's the furthest you've ever cycled? Have any recommendations for nice places to go in Japan?
Joseph
