Why does this not exist yet?

Or can you use A.I. to plan your TET adventure?

Hi!

Artificial Intelligence.

Good or bad?

Or somewhere in between?

I'm still finding my way, but I did have an interesting AI experience on the Trans Euro Trail that I thought you might be interested in.

I was recently in Montenegro testing some new prototype gear with Jim our Product Director.

In the run up to the trip, amidst all the planning, waiting, buying of gear, waiting, buying more gear, I had an idea.

In front of me I had a Lonely Planet guide. It's great, but a little vague. It's not really designed for exploring the country on a small adventure motorcycle, camping in the woods, and trying to literally get off the beaten track.

What I needed was a TET guidebook (which doesn't exist).

Hmmmm.

What about Google Gemini / ChatGPT?

In that exciting zone between booking the trip, and actually being on the trip, I figured I would give AI a go.

Here were some of my prompts...

PROMPT:

>> I'm an adventure motorcyclist who is onboard with Adventure Spec's idea of Light Is Right. In a couple of weeks I will be flying to Montenegro to spend a week riding the Trans Euro Trail with my friend Jim. We will be hiring Honda CRF250L bikes from Montecoast Biking and riding independently. We will be camping with the gear we take with us and are looking to have a wilderness and cultural experience while we are in the country. I'd like to start a conversation with you that helps me understand some of the cultural context of the places and people that we are likely to meet. I would like to you help to prepare me with some ideas and tools that help us talk to the locals and potentially open up some experiences we might otherwise miss. <<

PROMPT:

>> Here is a link to the Trans Euro Trail GPX route that we will be following.

We will be spending most of our time in the Kolasin region. Some of our journey will be on the TET route and some of it we will spend diverting off to explore. Can we start by you explaining some of the history of the region we will be exploring. Focus on the culture, I am most interested in the recent history that has shaped the way the locals live today, particularly in relation to the conflict in the region in the last 50 years. <<

PROMPT:

>> I am used to the customs we have grown up with in the UK. I would very much like to talk to the locals where possible, and even look to spend time with them eating or staying at their homes. Please can you help me understand the cultural differences between us so that when I meet a stranger I don't offend them, and I can do my best to meet them with respect. <<

PROMPT:

>> Based on the info in this chat, please can you draw up a list of translated phrases that may help me in our communication with locals. I'd like this list to also include some practicalities that we will need while riding and camping off our motorcycles, such as where to get fuel, where to eat, whether we can camp. I plan to print this short list out and keep it on my tank bag so I can easily refer to it when I meet people. <<

Why no answers?

Well they were very long, but feel free to copy and paste these prompts into your own Gemini / Chat GPT and see what it comes up with!

I have to admit, I actually really enjoyed the conversation I had with my AI, particularly because I used my phone and actually talked and listened to it - an actual conversation not just research text.

It felt less like research and more like a chat!

Did it replace chatting to the locals while we were in Montenegro?

No.

Did it help prepare us so it was easier to talk to the locals?

Yes.

Did it help give some cultural context that helped us enjoy the ride even more than I had expected?

Definitely.

Did it give us some ideas of places to visit that we may have missed?

We found this place!

The Katun road felt like riding in Mongolia at times.

Jim uses the Translate App to chat to a local cafe owner.

So, the Trans Euro Trail guidebook doesn't exist (yet), but maybe doesn't have to?

If you have an adventure planned this year, and you are in that exciting pre-trip zone, maybe take minute to have a chat with your friendly AI and lay a bit of groundwork for what's coming.

Is AI good or bad?

I don't know, but it certainly had a positive impact on this trip.

🤓

Greg Villalobos.

P.S. The film of this trip is in the edit!