Ok then. I thought this was going in a direction of, "your not a tourer, this is a touring area, and you will be treated that way kind of thing..."


I am guessing that if I am looking to do this, then I can't be the first, and there are others out there that are doing similar stuff and just not real vocal about it. I have read comments here and there over time that there are folks out there living the Homeless Odyssey of Bicycle Touring and utilizing this website just the same for information too, but not calling themselves the Homeless Odyssey or see themselves as that. I also understand that I am probably also in a unique class in that I don't have commitments to others like most people do, so many won't understand why, how, or what I am doing anyway.


That's a new one for me too to be honest. I had a setback in life a few years ago, and had to start from the ground up with nothing, in poverty. It was one of the biggest eye opening experiences in my life when I did it this way. Between helping other folks and being given stuff, free stuff on Craigslist, crafty shopping, and second hand stores, I have accidentally learned how to start over, to a point of fully operational, for next to nothing, in no time at all for a minimalist. The beauty of it is that you are not attached to anything and you can tear it all down, throw in a dumpster or re-gift it to others who can use it, and be gone in 24 hours if you really wanted to. Sounds a little I-Spy'ish but for someone that doesn't like attachments or commitments, it's pretty freeing. I had another set back a few months ago and my bike wasn't ready for full touring yet. If it was, I would have gotten on it and just left by now. I realized at that point that as long as my bike is ready to go, I am fit, I don't really need to worry about where I go, how I go, and what happens to me with living. I can survive with a bike and a laptop, and the laptop is secondary. If I can get on my bike at any moment and leave, I will be fine as long as I am healthy, which I am for the most part now. But my body is breaking down, in some ways, quickly now, and at my age (50), this is my last chance. I am not in a financial situation to make things better, just work with what I have, which is always tight and budgeted. Been building a touring bike (or my version of it) for a while and should be complete soon. I can either reinvest in building things back up where I am at right now, or I can leave before I do that and start touring until I either find a place that I might want to stay for a while or I can come back to Colorado and setup base camp again. But I don't suspect I would come back to Colorado for a while again as there is too much to see now. Colorado is my home, always want it to be my home, but I don't have family so outside of me, there is nothing central here for me other than it being my home. It's very easy for me to pack up and leave right now. I would like to keep it that way indefinitely. I picked up a good sleeping pad that I would be traveling with instead of a bed when I moved into my new place a few weeks ago. For the last couple of weeks been sleeping on it to get adjusted to being on the ground and having only the air mattress to sleep on and get use to.

I don't know what to expect, I don't know quite exactly what I am looking to do, other than just be mobile on my bike and see as much as I can before I can't anymore. I don't want to be plugged into people and communities anymore as much as just be in the world and going to see it now. I don't need a lot to do that and thinking I can combine touring, minamist lifestyle, and some down time between riding in new places, into the ultimate bike touring expedition.


I am hoping to tap into the "not all" folks for better insight, and the "most" folks for all the little in's and out's of not having to recreate the wheel for myself while I am out there.


Yes, not having a home base is concerning on all kinds of other fronts too. I don't have my passport, so if I do this, I need to go get it now while I still have a local address. Disconnecting to the point of not having a home base has all kinds of problems associated with it that concern me. I am trying to mentally ignore them so they don't scare me out of doing it.


I do look at people's gear lists a lot, but haven't thought to do this specifically. That's a great idea! I hadn't thought of that. And why I post! Thanks.


You mean visa kind of stuff right? Yes, I know. Security for me is another issue to without having a home base or folks that care and are monitoring your travel and can get you home if something goes wrong. Injuries and health is always a factor too. What if an injury takes me down for weeks or months like it did a few times in the last couple of years and I don't have a home base or place to get to quickly to recover? There are a lot of things that say I should not do this and most people would think it's foolish, even other folks touring. I get that. I am just trying to figure out how to go tour the world without being an official "tour" person. It's difficult when you don't fit the norm or typical agenda, or more importantly, other's don't agree with your lifestyle, choices, or social or financial status.

Well, that's just dumb.

Visas certainly, finances, insurance, language, culture and psychology. There is a vast difference between a typical cycle tour with defined beginning and ending and an endless odyssey.

It's not clear if you have even toured?

If you haven't, pack what you have and go where you can, even if it's only overnight. The best learning is doing.

Over and out

edited...not relative to topic.

Good decision.

"Thanks for this. This actually has been super helpful. You helped me to think about some other things I am not thinking about or considering, so this was more helpful than you know."

Why would it be a "good decision" if it's helping? Because it does not match a harmonic rhythm that meets the norm?

Wouldn't helping someone accomplish their own hopes, goals, or dreams, even if there is constructive criticism, be a good thing?

Or is social norm more important? I don't have normal social skills and don't do well in situations like that. Actually, I do if I fake it, but I would rather not fake it and just be me instead. Do you have some advice for me on what to do since I struggle with stuff like that so folks don't shut me down, and others don't rush in to support and encourage shutting folks down, verses just being honest, have communication, and allow people to learn their lessons us being different?

Tl;dnr

Iggy list just got longer.

I am not current on chat lingo.

I honestly don't know what any of this means.

I think he means the "ignore" list. If that is what he meant, it just means that your posts won't show up when he looks at the forum. Basically it's a way to make the forum less frustrating if someone annoys or frustrates you.

In case it might help - https://www.pagepluscellular.com/plans/
$55/month unlimited text, talk, and data on Verizon network through Page Plus. $50/month if you sign up for auto-pay. Basically Verizon for much cheaper than Verizon last time I checked.

Or you think they are full of it.

I was just looking through the thread, I see no relative content that you added, you came in to voice your opinions and judgement without adding relative content, to state that someone is "full of it," which you have yet clearly stated what it is the person is full of, why you feel this, or given someone a chance to defend themselves as to your accusations, or just deem you as a rude and this is your M.O. Beating around the bush about nonsense that is not relative to topic, and polluting the thread, and then further suggesting to others that something is wrong and they should be ignored isn't very nice or helpful, and for what reason exactly?

How exactly is this helpful to my setup, needs, thread, or site?

Edited: That's too bad...it killed the thread, I didn't even get my needs met or taken care of, and it made it so that I shouldn't (or don't want to) ask anymore questions on the topic. Don't really understand the logic of coming in and doing that only to kill a thread and chase other folks away from answering. You can close the thread now.

Lightweight laptop and charger
 

I faced the same dilemma about 18 months ago for my solo ride across the country. I carried my cell phone for navigation and communication, but I also carried a small, light and inexpensive laptop. I created a daily journal, posted and responded to FB, read, responded and created email and watched the occasional television program. I really appreciated a full size keyboard and display. I also updated and sent out a complicated spreadsheet that would not run on my tablet or phone.

I carried the HP Stream , a small thin laptop that weighs 2 pounds, not including the charging 'brick'. It runs for 10 hours on a battery charge and it has an electronic disk (no disk drive). I carried it in a cellophane bag for 3700 miles and 71 days through rain, snow, mud and extreme heat. I can't count how many times I dropped it. I also carried the 'Fensix Dart' universal charger, a very small, very light charger that delivers up to 65 watts of power - enough to power most laptops. I left the 'brick' at home. I charged the laptop about once per week whenever I stayed in a motel. I used the USB ports on the laptop as emergency power for charging my phone, GPS and lights if needed. Its not a fast computer, and it has very limited memory (32 GB for the 'C' drive and an optional 32 GB in a SD card), but it got the job done, and it only cost $180. I loaded only the programs I needed and purged the operating system of anything that I did not need. I still have it. The outer case is scratched up, but it still functions perfectly. I will carry it again on my next tour.

I only take a Sat. phone, and a handheld UHF 2 way radio, not interest in internet use anymore whilst I am touring. I have a radio, a small transistor one, that I can use an usb stick with audio books, to listen while I ride, as well as FM radio, don't need anything else.

I would think about keeping the Iphone (for basic calls/texts etc) & getting a fairly nice 10" tablet for other uses. I'm not an expert, but don't the better tablets often have an advantage of lighter weight, more battery life & faster processors than the cheaper ones? A laptop has the advantage of the separate keyboard but that's extra weight & folks seem to manage without it in most cases. Also, light-weight laptops seem to be a bit pricey.

Those portable Bluetooth keyboards are pretty cheap & light but I don't know if I would bother, another thing to charge. & yes, the whole charging bit is a problem. A big power bank adds some weight but adds flexibility, perhaps one would only need to charge phone/tablet/power bank once a week?

1. The major difference between a tablet and a laptop is the operating system. Most tablets run on iOS or Android. There is also the Surface Go, which (can) run Windows 10.

2. Battery life is largely determined by screen size. One edge case would be an e-ink tablet. If energy saving is your top priority, you may want to consider something like the Boox Note. It is a 10.3 inch tablet that runs on Android and battery life is counted in days. (like a larger version of the Kindle Paper White). This kind of tablet is meant to read and annotate pdf files. But it can also be used to browse, process emails, etc. Downside is a grayscale screen with a very slow refresh rate -- google maps is barely usable.

All of my PCs are post-2006 now. My only mobile is a little Walkman radio with a broken tape recorder and membrane speakers. It's operating system is good for oldies and baseball games, a really sound platform.

It means that your posts won't show in his feed but all of our quotes of your posts will. I'm surprised there aren't people who block everybody for the principle. If you block the people you don't care to hear, you'll never know if your paranoia was correct.

Remember that even God was a newbie once folks.

Oh...so someone went out of their way, to come into a thread, and spread hate, for no logic reason. That only makes me glad they blocked me because then I don't have to listen to their hate in response to anything because they have no idea I am even present. They did me a favor. No real reason to get upset about that when you think it through logically. Further shows their own character, which means those are the folks I want to avoid anyway.

I guess you have to get to 7000+ posts to get the same rights as the rest of the citizens to mention the word God at all without a public flogging. I made one simple reference to it in another thread, and folks couldn't wait to swoop in and tear me a new ******* about it and turn it into a controversy to discuss. I guess that is one of the benefits of not being a newb anymore as you put it. Different freedoms then the rest of the pee-ons. I hope it's not one of the privileges I strive for or look forward to one day to separate myself out or above the other human beings. That's pride and ultimately, it's not good for anything, including trying to make yourself sound superior to others.

I don't need anyone coming in an defending me with hypocrisy that other's get their butts kicked for doing the same thing but different outcomes in other threads. If we can't talk about God, or selectively talk about God based on seniority or public acceptance all in the same way, then it shouldn't be mentioned on the site at all. Shouldn't be able to cherry pick your rules, but of course, you will. I would think for as long as you have been on the site, you would be able to discern that for yourself but obviously not.

As it was told to me in another thread, "This is a bicycle forum...please stick to that only." (paraphrased because it's not worth looking up)

So here we go...carry on with the double standard witch hunt...

Mod's please just close the thread. It's completely derailed and not even worth it. I have unsubscribed to the thread and not even worth it anymore. Thanks.

Dude, for your own sake, take a step back from the keyboard and breath. You are coming across as slightly unhinged with your constant persecution complex and dramatic judgements of simple internet banter, to the point of even attacking those trying to help you.

Stating that you doubt anyone is more honest than you or that 99.999999 of others can't be trusted doesn't help either. Do you want to be part of this community or just use any excuse to judge it.

One guy didn't like the religious comment - not everyone. Personally, I don't care either way and I suspect most feel the same.

Free advice. Take it or leave it, but you are curently digging yourself a hole with the rhetoric.

The laptop I choose (HP Stream 10) with the charger I carried (Finsix dart) actually weighed less than my tablet (iPad). I also carried my iPhone, which was my primary navigation device. I probably used the laptop no more than an hour per day when camping and on a couple of occasions I used the laptop USB port to charge my other devices (watch, light etc.).

It sounds like this Homeless Odyssey might be morphing into something that involves crossing borders. I wish to strongly caution the OP that if he shows up at a Canadian border post, he will be questioned closely about his travel plans in Canada. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Canada for short tourism purposes... BUT the Canadian Border Services Agency folks will still refuse entry to a traveler who appears to be planning to hang out in Canada for an indefinite period of time ("What is the purpose of your trip and how long are you planning to stay in Canada?") and who can't show evidence that he can support himself financially while in Canada. They would want to see that you have a bank account with enough money in it to finance your sojourn in Canada in any case, and that you can access it from Canada. Remember you cannot work legally in Canada without a work visa. Not having a home address in the U.S. to return to would also be a red flag as further evidence that the traveler intends to "move" to Canada and work here illegally, which would also result in refusal of entry. The OP's penchant for long rambling self-contradicting answers would annoy the border folks even more than they do the Forumites, the latter who, I think, are genuinely trying to help the OP accomplish his dream. The border agents just want to keep deadbeats out of the country. Please, I'm not saying the OP is a deadbeat, just that he might look like one to the people who secure our borders against them.

We hear American friends occasionally say, jokingly, "If this gets any worse, we're moving to Canada." We know they don't really mean it, but it is actually nearly impossible to move to Canada from anywhere unless you have a job offer or a few million dollars of assets you can invest, beyond your living expenses. A word to the wise.

Thanks. Walking into Canada isn't as difficult as you make it sound, and it's also not as difficult to do as you are saying.

"I want to see the other side of Niagra falls."

End of story.

At least it was that easy last time. And when I did cross, I was nervous as crap because it wasn't as easy as it was 25 years ago, I was exhausted and looked like I had been up on some major drug run all night or something, and it was on a whim in the middle of the night.

The rest is just fear and not anything anyone really needs to worry about.

As for dealing with illegal America's in Canada...Never met one or dealt with it, ever. It's nonexistent in my world. No reason to put me in a classification that hasn't taken place, no plans to do, or anything else surrounding it.I have only dealt with illegal Canadians living here in Colorado. They don't seem to care at all about immigration laws. Kind of ironic hearing it from the other side of the fence when I never seen it myself or have any plans on breaking any customs or entry laws.

Metro by Tmobile aka MetroPCS's "unlimited" $60 plan is limited to 15GB of hotspot 4g data per month:

https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/shop/plans

Verizon actually has better prepaid/no contract/4g hotspot data deals (16gb/$45):

https://www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid/#singlePlan

Also not mentioned, Metro requires 6 months of cell plan enrollment to make their phones, free or otherwise, eligible to be unlocked, so that you could use the phone on another cell provider's plan (one who permits BYOD). So count on spending a minimum of $180 + tax plus $15 activation fee, or at least $200 for that "free" phone if you want to use it somewhere else.

I'm intrigued. You hooked me.

- Why do you live in a supermarket every day?
- Is it the same one each day or do you rotate?
- Why there and not a library, community center, or other common location that isn't a for profit business?
- Why not just work at the supermarket since you live there each day as it is?
- You mentioned running your computer thru a big screen...is that not a major appliance?


So curious.

You proobably will need a passport , passport card or NEXUS card to re-enter the US. I'm not sure whether a real ID driver's license would do.


It would be a good idea to have a passport in any case.


Gone are the days when all you were asked "Where were you born?"

i understood it as unplugging the fridge......shopping daily for perishables, eating uncooked food, taking cold showers, sleeping without heat or ac.

come to think of it, the idea of spending your days in a walmart-supercenter all day, living off the free samples could be good practice for an endless roadtrip with no job, no savings, and no means of support.

at that age, with no fixed residence and no skills, pretty much reduced to either selling blood or busking. in that case, i'd go with the 70L ortliebs with room for an accordion.

:D And let's not tell him that there are laundromats in many campgrounds and small towns. Apparently he hasn't studied as well as he believes.

OBTL

NSFW

Jules lives. I am good with that.

He knew that divine intervention was in play, got a second chance, and walked away...

Maybe this is my second chance...and I rode away...

Metaphorically speaking, not literally. I honestly wanted to just make a bunch of crap up there and roll with it...but I didn't. I ride up and get fresh groceries just about every day. I pretty much live on now what I would live on touring. I am a vegetarian so it's easy.

I actually rotate. The closest couple supermarkets are known hotspots for bike thieves and shady characters constantly sitting right next to the bike racks. So I can never go in and feel safe for long, and have to rush. If I want to go to a semi-safe one, then I have to ride much further. If I want to go to one I don't need to worry about, then I have to ride even further. So it depends on weather, mood, etc...

Because the library, community center, and other common locations doesn't sell groceries.

Why do I need to work in the supermarket because I shop there?

You do realize that I have a home correct? I am not homeless. I am not about to be homeless (well by choice I think). I don't need to be homeless. The homeless jokes are cute, almost a bit morbid and bizarre, but not my predicament and it doesn't have to be.

Hmm...yea, not really buying that :)

Not sure with folks constant condescending attitude about something I want to do. Not really sure why when one guy like a Darren Alf goes on long trips, consistently, consecutively, etc..touring, he becomes a legend. When someone such as myself wants to do it, I am suddenly the homeless bum, even among alleged peers in many ways. Odd to say the least.

Actually, yes, I am aware of those things, and have used them. Counting on this in fact. Plenty of links to utilize and plan ahead for such services. Have an entire tool box of all the stuff you all have listed over the years of what to use, how to use it, where to go, what to look for, what website, what communities, etc, etc, etc...