The house feeds itself – with me, its unknowing supplier
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA. USA
Posts: 3,804
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1015 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The house feeds itself – with me, its unknowing supplier
I remember returning from my last tour, on the road for three weeks, and how strange it seemed to be in this house of mine. Wow. What excess. Entire rooms filled with furniture, appliances, tools, a whole room for food preparation (known as a Kitchen). I didn’t have access to any of this stuff while I was on the road. My little world consisted of my bicycle and gear I carried under my own power. No more possessions than I’m willing to haul across the countryside.
I’ve gotten used to living here again now. It’s not strange anymore. But I have a new perspective. I know now, that all these possessions somehow justify themselves in a self-referencing sort of way. For example, I have a shed with a lawn mower and a bunch of garden tools. Imagine trying to carry that on my bicycle. But if I didn’t have a house with a yard I wouldn’t need all that stuff that’s there to take care of it. Likewise for all the cookware, or my big refrigerator and stove, etc. I see it this way because I more and more confirm for myself that a day to day healthful and sustainable existence doesn’t require more than I can carry on my bicycle. Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as the life I’ve designed seems to deem necessary.
I’ve gotten used to living here again now. It’s not strange anymore. But I have a new perspective. I know now, that all these possessions somehow justify themselves in a self-referencing sort of way. For example, I have a shed with a lawn mower and a bunch of garden tools. Imagine trying to carry that on my bicycle. But if I didn’t have a house with a yard I wouldn’t need all that stuff that’s there to take care of it. Likewise for all the cookware, or my big refrigerator and stove, etc. I see it this way because I more and more confirm for myself that a day to day healthful and sustainable existence doesn’t require more than I can carry on my bicycle. Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as the life I’ve designed seems to deem necessary.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 366
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My wife likes "stuff", while I'm a material minimalist. She sees empty space to be filled, I see too much junk taking up too much space. Remember that stuff will expand to fill the available space.
#4
fiddling with my bike
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Vancouver, WA, USA
Posts: 240
Bikes: Trek 520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I remember feeling that way when I was on a tour a couple years ago, staying at a KOA one night. As I was leaving, carrying everything I needed on my bike, I passed a huge RV, which towed a car, had a satellite dish, chairs, etc. I was feeling pretty smug, I must say.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: PNW
Posts: 181
Bikes: Ti Lite and a Vaya
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Yeah, I get that. Returning from a trip last summer I couldn't help but note that my sock drawer alone holds more volume than everything I'd been carrying for the past six weeks. It seemed unbelievable to me that someone could have that many socks! Then I started looking around at everything else - this whole house full of stuff that I love but don't really need.
Seriously, not three hours goes by in a day where I don't marvel at my good fortune.
Seriously, not three hours goes by in a day where I don't marvel at my good fortune.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,837
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
This was a lesson my wife and I learned after our first long distance hike, five months on the PCT. My sock drawer, too, was an embarrassment of riches, not to mention the closet and kitchen.
What happens next? Are you going to apply the lessons you learned? In our case, we actually sold the house and moved into something much smaller, sold one car, and even quit our jobs when we found out how inexpensively we could live. We entered a barter economy in our community and ten years later, life just keeps getting better.
Good luck in your journey.
What happens next? Are you going to apply the lessons you learned? In our case, we actually sold the house and moved into something much smaller, sold one car, and even quit our jobs when we found out how inexpensively we could live. We entered a barter economy in our community and ten years later, life just keeps getting better.
Good luck in your journey.
#7
Banned
got used to staying in hostels , along the way would have been happy enough with a gig managing one.
came back and stayed a week or so in one while I removed my storage locker stuff .
then moved to a tourist destination town, with a long wet season.
Last went back to visit my home town, for Funerals .
came back and stayed a week or so in one while I removed my storage locker stuff .
then moved to a tourist destination town, with a long wet season.
Last went back to visit my home town, for Funerals .
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-09-13 at 06:43 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA. USA
Posts: 3,804
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1015 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This was a lesson my wife and I learned after our first long distance hike, five months on the PCT. My sock drawer, too, was an embarrassment of riches, not to mention the closet and kitchen.
What happens next? Are you going to apply the lessons you learned? In our case, we actually sold the house and moved into something much smaller, sold one car, and even quit our jobs when we found out how inexpensively we could live. We entered a barter economy in our community and ten years later, life just keeps getting better.
Good luck in your journey.
What happens next? Are you going to apply the lessons you learned? In our case, we actually sold the house and moved into something much smaller, sold one car, and even quit our jobs when we found out how inexpensively we could live. We entered a barter economy in our community and ten years later, life just keeps getting better.
Good luck in your journey.
#9
Junior Member
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Jasper Alberta
Posts: 469
Bikes: Surly Ogre
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A bunch of stuff that causes you to become stressed out why you even own in. In which you proceed to sell off, and begin living a much simpler life that everybody laughs at and yet you are truly happier than before.
#11
Junior Member
I'm at that point in my life right now. I am retiring in 2015(at 55)I have four daughters that are all grown up and am Divorced. I sold off my car, all my posessions will go then I'm off next year. I have no idea where/when I will return. I really don't care. I'm going to have the experience of my life...and who knows I may just continue until my body gives up on me...
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA. USA
Posts: 3,804
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1015 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm at that point in my life right now. I am retiring in 2015(at 55)I have four daughters that are all grown up and am Divorced. I sold off my car, all my posessions will go then I'm off next year. I have no idea where/when I will return. I really don't care. I'm going to have the experience of my life...and who knows I may just continue until my body gives up on me...
if I stay out much longer than I've been able to manage, that may change. I'll go where my heart leads me. And not until it does.
#13
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is what I long for on my first tour right after Christmas. I'll have two years of community college under my belt, two certifications that should land me a decent living while I continue college next semester. But before any of that continues, I just want to get away from everything, and just cycle for 2 weeks, spend time by myself.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York and Florida
Posts: 250
Bikes: Surly LHT, Trek 2100, Trek 7000 (1995 or so) Trek 7000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like having a home to come back to. I cannot wait to leave it. I like touring on my bike. Can't wait to get back home.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,242
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18416 Post(s)
Liked 15,555 Times
in
7,331 Posts
Many years ago I did three long trips. Nearly 4 months, 7 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. The third trip ended in CO, where I met up with a woman I was dating. After her internship at Mesa Verde was over we did some car camping. Lots of stuff I didn't have when touring. Stuff like a lantern, cooler, board games and a second stove. I found the clutter hard to deal with, and what you needed at the moment always seemed to bbe burried under everything else in the trunk.
#16
ghost on a machine
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 216
Bikes: Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen, Serotta Colorado Legend TG, Rivendell Roadeo, Surly Cross Check, Surly Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Right, the contrasts give me a better perspective. I like bike touring and being more or less self-sufficient but being a homeless hobo on the bike doesn't appeal to me.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,242
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18416 Post(s)
Liked 15,555 Times
in
7,331 Posts
I did an 8-day solo trip in September. Despite some hard riding, some hot and humid days, some noisy camping experiences that left me with limited sleep and a massive thunder storm in camp I still found it relaxing. Try to live within each monent rather than thinking hours ahead.
#18
Junior Member
I guess I will be a homeless hobo for 8-12 months..Whats the point of paying for an empty Apartment for a year? I could use that Money on my Tour.
#19
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I feel like I would enjoy this lifestyle, save up a bunch of money (12 grandish) and just tour till im down to 2 and come back and work again.
#20
Junior Member
That's almost what I'm doing. I'm retiring in 2015(at 55)and after a year on the road in the US and South America I will come back and live on my Pension and possibly work part-time, save up some more $$ and head out again in 2017, this time to Europe. Life is good...
#21
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Europe <3 I want to cycle around the Hawaiian Island Maui, I want to cycle around the world. Why do I need to live a "normal" life for 30 more years?!
#22
Junior Member
I've been living a "Normal" life for 37 years. Went to school, got an Education, a career, got married, had kids, had lots of toys....Retiring soon,Divorced, four daughters are all grown up, and I've sold off most of my possessions(car, boat, motorcycle)..time to really live
#23
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been living a "Normal" life for 37 years. Went to school, got an Education, a career, got married, had kids, had lots of toys....Retiring soon,Divorced, four daughters are all grown up, and I've sold off most of my possessions(car, boat, motorcycle)..time to really live
Like I stated above, will be done with half of my expected college in december, but sometimes I feel like maybe that should be the end. Will see how this tour goes (:
#24
Junior Member
#25
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts