I know that there are threads with titled "how much to tour cross-country" every couple of months. Before I left, I was sure I was going to keep the cost to below $800 a month, but I'm surprised that I'm spending about $1200 a month. I'm planning to spend 12-14 months on this tour, so budgeting is necessary.
I agree with you Newspaperguy with the bulk food idea, and that was true on the coasts, but in the interior of the country, many of the places I shopped had very basic grocery stores. I also think your right about the pace... I'm very slow... I can pedal all day... but I'm not happy when I have to go faster than I really want to go. That's the main reason I prefer to travel alone.