Originally Posted by
Roughstuff
(1) food shouldn't be counted as a cost of touring because you have to eat, anyway. And I eat better, healthier food when I am touring than when I stay at home (though the 'variety' suffers).
(2) Lodging shouldn't count because you have to pay rent (or the mortgage/opportunity cost of housing) , while on the road I wild camp about 80% of the time, even in the eastern US.
(3) there is the cost of bike maintenance and repairs. I'll give ya that.
Many years ago I knew my landlord well and he had zillions of apartments everywhere. So I would move out of my apartment entirely for the summers I was touring (I had month by month lease); and geta new apartment (or often the same one!) when i got back. Turned out it was cheaper to tour during the summer than it was to live at home!
roughstuff
The food costs I agree with. However most of us don't feel like moving every couple of months to avoid some rent, and my mortgage company sure won't buy the idea of me not paying the mortgage while on tour. Since I don't wild or stealth camp, I'm paying 2 sets accommodation on tour, and therefore it sure does count.