Originally Posted by
SBRDude
Probably a lot of truth to that, especially the part about the tradeoffs between having time and having money, but unfortunately, I think you're also using some negative stereotypes. For example, do you have young children? Lots of people who are 'chasing the dollar' and not touring (or extended traveling) very often have family commitments to keep them from extended touring - it's not just about a focus on money that is restricting their travel. Moreover, many of those same people make an effort to travel with their kids in an effort to experience nature and different cultures.
Yes agreed in many cases, but then...
My best riding buddy before Machka came on the scene, Tim, and his wife have been committed cycling, canoeing and hiking tourists for decades. When their first daughter was just months old, they were cycle trekking through the Himalayas with the child in a trailer. They have gone on
many trips both locally and internationally with their kids. Their last one was in 2003 when the daughters were teenagers... they rode a tandem and their parents singles as they toured through France and Spain and England. The kids are now in their late teens/early 20s and independent. The eldest returned recently from a year of self-sufficient touring in Europe.
I know it doesn't help the OP with his question... however, Tim has never held down a full-time job in his life. Neither has his wife. They bought a beautiful bushland block ages ago, paid it off, lived in a shanty shed with the kids for 13 years while they built their home. And that is gorgeous... built of second-hand materials and with environmental friendliness in the forefront of Tim's mind.
Tim is my inspiration for some many things, incuding my understanding of cycling, and many other things in life. To many, especially Americans, he is probably regarded as a failure, but he is in fact the complete opposite.
You see, we are limited in our horizons by the social pressures that are imposed on us by our parents, partners, children, work colleagues, television, politicians, and a whole host of others.
It isn't money that drives cycle tourists, when it comes down to the nitty gritty. It's independence of mind.