Cost of Touring?
08-26-04, 09:09 PM
#1
Doomsled
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cottondale, AL
Posts: 667
Bikes: Performer JC-70
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cost of Touring?
What's you average cost per day for self-contained touring? Can anyone break down a hypothetical "budget" that they've used on tours before?
08-26-04, 11:45 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 173
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, if you don't include any of the costs of equipment...
I just came 335 miles in 3 days on about $30. $12 for a campsite one night, usually about $4 per day on food with one trip to perkins for a tremendous twelve. I'd think that'd probably be pretty average if you're camping and eating mostly out of a grocery store.
I just came 335 miles in 3 days on about $30. $12 for a campsite one night, usually about $4 per day on food with one trip to perkins for a tremendous twelve. I'd think that'd probably be pretty average if you're camping and eating mostly out of a grocery store.
08-26-04, 11:59 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,092
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well the two things most important in the budget of a tourer is food and lodging and there is a wide variety of how much touring cyclists are willing to pay for those items.Now if you mostly remote camp and prepare you own meals from staple commodity type foods it is possible to tour for $12-$15 even allowing periodic resturant meals and paid lodging.I think this was the late Ken Kifer's usual budget but check his touring page for more details on this. https://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/index.htm
Now on my 7-10 day tours I don't specifically budget but keep a tight contol over expenditures by nature lol.I am probably in that range though spending essentially zero on lodging and for meals grazing off grocery items ,fast food dollar menu's and every few days a buffet .If and when I were to do an extended tour I would probably spend a little more for occassional lodging but try to tighten up on the meal sideto offset this.
Of course many probably most will spend well more than this only limited by how much funds they have.As a final note having basic bike repair skills will save your greatly on time and hassle as well as cash on a tour.
Now on my 7-10 day tours I don't specifically budget but keep a tight contol over expenditures by nature lol.I am probably in that range though spending essentially zero on lodging and for meals grazing off grocery items ,fast food dollar menu's and every few days a buffet .If and when I were to do an extended tour I would probably spend a little more for occassional lodging but try to tighten up on the meal sideto offset this.
Of course many probably most will spend well more than this only limited by how much funds they have.As a final note having basic bike repair skills will save your greatly on time and hassle as well as cash on a tour.
08-28-04, 11:27 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Southeast MN
Posts: 188
Bikes: Atlantis, Bleriot, Waterford,Steamroller, Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How cheaply you eat is up to you. I've travelled with folks who do no cooking at all and either graze off the deli section of markets or restaurant it at every meal. On the other hand, you can pick up a case of Top Ramen at Sam's Club and be good to go for a week. I'm somewhere between these two examples, and average around $12/day (not including beer). Sometimes you can hit a real bargain. This summer I had 2 eggs, toast, and coffee at the Trojan Drive Inn in Preston, IA, for 99 cents (ain't the midwest great!?).
The most variable cost is lodging. Overnight camping fees range between free and $20. There's lots of camping around: city parks, cemetaries, churches, fairgrounds, and municipal, county, state, and federal campgrounds. Travelling with a companion or two and splitting the camping costs will make a significant difference. Even if you're travelling alone, you'll often meet up will other cyclists and camp/travel together for a while.
The best bargain in overnight accomodations I've ever experienced was just west of Dubois, WY, near the intersection of Adventure Cycling's TransAm and Great Divide routes. There's a place there called Aspen Meadows Bicycle Hostel. It's run by a retired teacher and his wife (who are wonderful). For $15: a real shower, laundry facilities, home cooked dinner (with homemade ice cream for dessert... served over a homemade brownie!), a bed with crisp clean sheets in a small cabin, and a wonderful breakfast to send you on your way in the morning. If you're travelling either route, it's a must.
The most variable cost is lodging. Overnight camping fees range between free and $20. There's lots of camping around: city parks, cemetaries, churches, fairgrounds, and municipal, county, state, and federal campgrounds. Travelling with a companion or two and splitting the camping costs will make a significant difference. Even if you're travelling alone, you'll often meet up will other cyclists and camp/travel together for a while.
The best bargain in overnight accomodations I've ever experienced was just west of Dubois, WY, near the intersection of Adventure Cycling's TransAm and Great Divide routes. There's a place there called Aspen Meadows Bicycle Hostel. It's run by a retired teacher and his wife (who are wonderful). For $15: a real shower, laundry facilities, home cooked dinner (with homemade ice cream for dessert... served over a homemade brownie!), a bed with crisp clean sheets in a small cabin, and a wonderful breakfast to send you on your way in the morning. If you're travelling either route, it's a must.
