Pittsburgh and DC aren't cheap places, Historian. You would have saved money if you were in cheaper part of country. But you did get to see a great part of the country. Northern California isn't cheap either-- but it's a great place to ride!

Look at it like this. Did you have any fun? How much was that worth? What else would you have done with that money?

There are cyclo-tourists who spend $300 plus on holiday. I would too if I had the money! But there isn't any reason you still can't have fun for much, much less.