Originally Posted by
italcyclist
I am writing to inquire about the monetary cost of long - distance bicycle touring. I am considering riding my vintage steel frame, 25 inch, Univega mountain bike from Texas to California or to upstate New York, and while I am realistic as to the cost of such a trip (occasional hotel stay, bicycle repairs, etc.) I am still unsure of the actual cost. I imagine the numbers can fluctuate greatly.
While at my local bicycle shop I met someone who told me that I should consider saving approximately $5 thousand for the trip. He placed a high monetary figure because of the possibility of a bicycle frame replacement in the event the frame breaks. Other considerations: new handbuilt wheels, decent camping equipment, etc.
I am a 59 years old bicycle commuter, and this a goal (dream) I've had ever since I was in college.
I look forward to your (pl.) information, and thank you.
Sleeping on an actual bed is different than sleeping on a Thermarest Prolite or a fluffy ExPED. Especially if you're older, you might not even like sleeping on a pad at all or your back or shoulders starts hurting the next morning. Touring is not about proofing to others you can do it with the minimalist amount of camping gear, lightest bikes or furthest distance. It's about enjoying yourself and fulfilling the dream. How much it takes to accomplish that depends among individuals. There is no right or wrong way! There are individuals that will only stay in Venetian in Las Vegas, but there are individuals who are willing to stay at lesser hotels and motels. It's you who calls the shot. No point in roughing it out and make the trip miserable if you don't enjoy it. I've met tourists who are miserable and love the pain and sufferings on the trip; eat peanut butter sandwich and clifbars everyday and cover 100 miles all in the name trying to prove to himself that he's or she's a better cycle tourists. Whereas, I've been there done that. In the end, you've got no medals and nothing to show for except maybe your experience. Enjoy the trip and provision enough. I would suggest first to try a short 1 to 2 nights camping trip and see if you like it. You also don't have to stay in hotels or motels. There are hostels you can stay for less and not much more than camping fees and you can meet a diverse kind of people too. You don't meet much people if you free camp at the side of the road or behind a rest stop somewhere. Be flexible when you tour and have fun.