Fifty Plus (50+) - Fifty Cents per Mile

I figured out that in my first year back in cycling, it has cost me about fifty cents per mile. That includes one new bike, four used bikes, shoes, a pair of poorly made shorts, two computers, all the components to convert a 12-speed into a singlespeed, and so on. It does not include official Fred kits, like bright tee shirts, running shorts, and the like.

So...how much do you spend per mile per year for this crazy avocation/hobby/recreation? :)

Dang! I better do more riding and less buying. Looks like a dollar a mile for me. Why it would be cheaper to drive the car.

So...how much do you spend per mile per year for this crazy avocation/hobby/recreation? :)

I have spent a lot more than that this year. I'm hoping to get my cost down to $2 mile. That would be this year and lower next year. :eek:

I spend about $150 per year at the LBS, and ride about 2500 miles per year. That adds up to 6 cents per mile. I've used the same bike for the last 15 years. However, I did just by a new (used) recumbent, which I haven't factored in. But I'll probably ride it for 15 years.

You need to depreciate your bikes like you would your business car - over the life of the bike, and not expense it in one year. This will change your cost factor remarkably. I.e., my Lemond cost $1,600, but I have had it 7 years - almost 8 - so the cost for the bike alone comes out to about $200/yr.

Also, my clothing, computers, etc. similarly last multi-years.

Including travelling to events, preparing for events, entry fees, and then the parts that will be replaced after the last event, and then take into consideration the half worn out parts that I have not spotted yet, But then theres the big expense I have not thought about yet, but the waistline will tell me shortly. My cost per mile is phenominal. I'd put it at 3 miles to a smile, and a grunt every 500 yards.

I've only been cycling since last September, and I paid $259 for my Trek. Helmet, rack, lights, etc. brought the initial outlay to $508. Each piece of bike-specific clothing cost $2.50-$3.00 at Goodwill, and I already had shoes. Beefed-up tires, tubes, repairs at my LBS brought the entire outlay to a MAXIMUM of $1,000. I have 4,000 miles, so that's about 25 cents a mile.
BUT if I factor in (or more properly OUT) the cost of the gym I no longer visit, the cost of the meds I no longer use for high blood pressure and bi-polar, the coffee and junk food I no longer seem to want, the health benefits of not dragging around that 20 pounds (and counting) I used to have, the smile on my doctor's face (not to mention my wife's), the cost is a distinct negative factor.
AND the automotive expenses I no longer have. Just switching from driving to bicycling on my daily commute saved us enough on auto insurance in one year to pay for the initial cost of the bike.
All told, I would estimate the bike EARNS me about 50 cents a mile.

DeeGee--

It's time for a paradigm shift. Don't think about cost per mile. Think about whether or not you have any available credit on your cards. If you do, visit your bike shop. Lather, rinse, repeat at least several times per month.

DeeGee--

It's time for a paradigm shift. Don't think about cost per mile. Think about whether or not you have any available credit on your cards. If you do, visit your bike shop. Lather, rinse, repeat at least several times per month.


:roflmao: :beer:

I regard myself at the moment as someone with a good case of temporary sanity. When I sold my singlespeed last week, I did NOT spend the money, even on a new TV (my old one had a heart attack and died). I put it in an envelope for safe keeping. It's still there, nearly a week later, but of course it very well may end up at the LBS one of these days.

My cost is $0.64 a mile. That includes the money I save on gas commuting to work. That
doesn’t consider car repairs and added health costs by not getting enough exercise. It also
does not include the added quality of life.

The first year will usually have more start up costs. I am starting to get bicycle ads in the mail. I thought I was set until I saw those.

Let's see. I added 2 more bikes to the stable. I bought several new tires, a couple saddles and a number of various parts including cassettes, cranks (3 sets), chains and other miscellaneous parts. I bought 2 sets of wheels.

Even though I rode 6000 miles I think I'm still a good bit under a dollar a mile......I was thinking the cost might just come down for 2006 but I hear some Zipp 404's calling me!!

I figured out that in my first year back in cycling, it has cost me about fifty cents per mile:)


DG----that's like trying to figure out how much per pound all that quail cost me. Let's see...shotgun shells...depreciation on the over and under (last years capital expense)...gas, vests, dogs..dog food, ....etc.

Better not to dwell on it too much. I'm real subject to BRS (Buyer's Remorse Syndrome)

Dang! I better do more riding and less buying. Looks like a dollar a mile for me. Why it would be cheaper to drive the car.

You guys ought to ride more. I do 42km's a day, or about 1000 a month. That keeps the costs way down.

No doubt about it, cycling can be a bit expensive....-----BUT, how expensive is a power boat, hangin' out in bars, bypass surgery, blood pressure and cholesterol medicine, sucking on coffin nails, skiing, hunting Bambi, recreational drugs, an RV, skydiving, para gliding, motor cycles, airplanes, psycho therapy, a hot car or a hot woman??????? When you think about it, cycling is pretty damn cheap. At least that's what I tell my wife.

So...how much do you spend per mile per year for this crazy avocation/hobby/recreation? :)

Oooh.... about a buck a mile for each for Linda and I. More last year I think...

On the other hand, I can't put a price on what I've gotten from it all.

Steve

D.G., this is crooked thinking at it's best. :eek:

When I was a kid, my father was an avid fisherman. I remember one day my mother asked him how much he thought each fish he caught cost him. After all, he had an extremely large amount of fishing gear. He looked her straight in the eye and said, "A lot less than six months in a mental institution; which is where I'd be if I didn't get the chance to be away from you, the kids, work, and the rest of life once in a while."

As the credit card company says, "Bicycle: $1500; Helmet: $65; getting away from it all: priceless."