As you know already, I’m in the process of training my body to ride around Mont Blanc for a maximum of 19 hours. While the jury is going to be deliberating for the 5 months on this one, I’ve got another thing to try and go the distance…
My Garmin 1030 has never had such a task and I’m not convinced I’ll be able to squeeze so many hours out of it. They claim up to 20 hours of battery life, but my machine is a few years old already, so I’m doubtful. I’m looking for solutions and found this:
The bottom part of this contraption is Garmin’s battery charger; neatly integrated and out of sight. It’s also over a hundred euros and will add 133 grams to my weight, of which I already have enough. I’m not doing this.
My only thought is to start testing out the battery saving mode on the device and see how much riding I can do with that on. I’m not sure how much juice maps take up, but I think I might need the route on the device – if I take a wrong turn on a 330km bike ride, I’m just stopping at the next bar and drinking to another shot in 2025.
Other than ‘buy a Wahoo’, does anyone have any suggestions?
The Vicious Cycle 
For such an epic ride I expect you will have a top tube bag or something. As you will need extra food. Put in a standard powerbank you have in the household for garmin and phone
Recommend top tube bag is from talfin…
This is what I usually do. A small battery like this has been plenty for meā¦
I assume the 1030 will let you charge from usb while you ride (the 830 does). The only other consideration might be if you expect hard rain that might get into the Garminās usb socket.
I’m not sure I will actually have an extra bag. I need to do some thinking about that. It might depend on the weather forecast, but I’m not planning on bringing my own food. But if I do I will check Talfin, thanks!
Gerry, you already know I love my Wahoo, so you donāt need my advertising. I think the option is viable. Let me observe that at 133 grams the extra battery wonāt break you weight-wise. Arenāt you going to lose way more than that through training? Iād vote to reconsider the extra battery option.
I might fork out for it, Eric, we’ll see. Another idea is to use the phone as a Strava back-up. This only means the ride will be recorded, though. It doesn’t help me with the route. I’m thinking that I’ll be back in France by the time the battery dies, so I will know the roads by that time!
oh…get the freakin’ Garmin battery…you’ll need it when we do PBP
You sign my up, ok?
Wahoooooo
Running maps and routing does increase battery use significantly. A small cylindrical powerbank in your top tube bag is a good solution if you are planning on using one. That’s what we do for filming with the GoPro over longer FulGaz rides (or simply electrical tape the powerbank under the stem if room. That under-mount thing looks weird, so it’s a no from me! š
Of course, you could treat yourself to a new 1040 Solar! š
A good idea, thanks. I do like electrical tape solutions, although I prefer hockey tape!
Another reader just told me about the 1040 solar. I didn’t know that one existed. I will compare the cost of that with a good roll of tape and see who wins.
I fear you could buy many a roll of tape for the price of a 1040 Solar! š° š
Have you considered the 1040 Solar?
Not till 3 of you told me about it, no! I wouldn’t buy it before the 1030 peetered out, but I like the idea of having something solar powered.
I recently asked Garmin if I could replace my battery in my old edge 830 as the battery life was dismal and they offered a refurbished one for around ā¬120. I also had to give them my old one in exchange. And Iām very happy with it. This may be an option. Just go to Garmin and put in your serial info and see what they come back with.
That could be an option, thanks. I guess I’d first need to identify if my batter life is actually diminished. I don’t really know that; just guessing. Good solution for you, though. ā¬120 is a LOT cheaper than a new device.
Get the battery mount. Get a haircut, shave your face & legs, blow your nose, clean your ears, remove all jewelry & valve stem caps. Have a good poo. These measures should more than compensate for the extra grams.
I’ll do all those things regardless. I’ll need all the help I can get!