What do we do when our phones ring somewhere between Louisiana and Georgia, and the team needs a decision? How, when, and where do we handle our meetings and to-dos? These questions were on our minds even before we set off. One of the not-so-surprising magic words: mobile data – not just any small plan, but enough to establish a good and stable connection with the team, via email, Slack, and video calls, even in the vastness of Texas.

So, internet via mobile data wherever possible. Because finding a decent Wi-Fi connection was sometimes as challenging as the steepest climbs on our route. Sometimes, though, the best connection we could find was in a diner by the highway – the roots of digital nomadism, you might say! (Even though we still resist that label.)

The second magic word and crucial resource is, unsurprisingly, power – electrical energy! To make sure we don’t run out of juice mid-ride, we’ve upgraded: hub dynamos charge our backup batteries while we ride, which power the most important devices along with our lights (safety first!). This setup lets us keep track of our route using bike computers – and yes, you can even track us live via our satellite tracker. We also rely on plenty of outlets along the way, especially for our laptops. However, for the return trip, we’ve decided to swap these for an iPad that we’ll share for work, as it’s a lesson learned from our first leg – saving both energy and weight.

Six hours’ time difference from our core team in Europe calls for efficient time management and the age-old wisdom that the early bird catches the worm. For us, that means starting our work days around 6 a.m. with calls and the most important to-dos.

Once the sun gets higher, after a quick breakfast, we’re on our bikes, tackling the next leg of our journey. The biggest challenge? In the beginning, it felt tough to ride off when there were still tasks left to do. But we’ve rediscovered that prioritizing isn’t just an option – it’s a necessity. Now, we set clear goals and boundaries: What doesn’t get done in the morning gets tackled in the evening. Once we reach our daily destination, we retreat to our makeshift “offices” – whether it’s a tent, a guest room, or a hotel – and, if possible, we work ahead to ensure everything runs smoothly the next day.

Accordingly, prioritization has become our new favorite word – and so has communication. Before we hit the road, we need to know exactly what’s critical and what can wait. Sometimes, the best approach is a simple one: we’ll handle that later – let’s get pedaling and cover some miles! Transparent prioritizing and communication with our team are key here. If something doesn’t need immediate attention, we let everyone know when we’ll get back to it. Open, honest, and straightforward – just the way we like it. And it’s becoming clear to us time and again: The Vast Forward core team can prioritize and communicate just as well as we can – otherwise, our small organization wouldn’t be able to function successfully this way!

Another lesson we’ve learned on the road: Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. Wireless headphones are handy sometimes, but on a bike, there’s nothing like trusty wired earbuds. They’re reliable, don’t get lost, and don’t need charging – perfect for life on the move.

And to revisit the topic of data: one unexpected challenge has been our mobile internet connection in the U.S. While we were well-connected in the cities, the connection in rural areas was often spotty at best – despite having the best plan. In some places, it almost felt like the fax machine was making a comeback (or as if we had suddenly ended up on a German train between Hamburg and Berlin – sorry, DB!). But we’ve integrated this into our workflow as well: Offline times are great for creative thinking – and with the right mindset, we can make the Wi-Fi hunt a perfect opportunity to enjoy the surroundings.

Now that we’re back in New York City, we’re reflecting on our learnings so far and gearing up for the next steps (see 2 x laptops versus 1 x iPad). The biggest improvements in our daily routine have come from prioritization and a flexible mindset regarding necessities. But our experiment is far from over – in just a few days, we’ll be heading back to Texas! We’re sure to learn and discover even more on this “return journey”, and we’re excited to share those experiences with you. Stay tuned!

We’ll keep you posted – and who knows, maybe we’ll inspire someone out there to step out of their comfort zone and take a more experimental approach to business. We’re convinced: as long as the job allows for mobile work, the biggest hurdles we carry are in our heads! For anyone who, like us, wants to balance their travel bug with keeping a cool head in daily business, here’s our advice: stay curious, stay flexible – and most importantly: enjoy the ride! And it doesn’t have to be as long as our experiment, nor does it have to take place in the U.S. to be inspiring and motivating!