Let me talk about money and bicycle touring. People of all different social and economic backgrounds choose to travel by bicycle. It's a highly accessible activity, so it's not just rich people or poor people doing it. Anybody can travel by bicycle, but there are distinct differences in modus operandi. There are long tours and short tours. There's the "credit card" tourer, and the "self supported" tourer. Most people combine aspects of each. Some others only ride in organized groups. We're all cyclotourists.
There is no exact number of days or nights needed to call your trip a "tour," but I would say that an over-night is just that, and anything longer can be called a "tour." When I hear someone say that they went on a bicycle tour, I assume that they were out for at least a week, otherwise they'd call it something different, like a "trip." I've heard a long day-ride called a tour, but that's just incorrect usage.
A "credit card tour" sometimes called an "inn to inn" tour is just as it sounds. The cyclist carries some provisions for the ride, but expects to find accommodation at the end of the day. The planning and itinerary need to be somewhat precise, and you need to have some dosh for all those hotels.
A self supported tour requires more equipment. A majority of the nights are spent camping. The equipment list is more extensive, and the gear resembles the same kit used by hikers. The self supported bicycle tourist will usually have racks with bags that they call "panniers" (I say 'pan-yers'). The equipment includes a shelter (tent; sleeping bag; tarp), and sometimes provisions for cooking. Equipment costs can vary greatly. High tech and lightweight cost more. Before leaving home, there is usually a careful balance made between weight and expense. Lightweight isn't everything - but keeping it in check is important. Too heavy will make you sluggish and put a bigger strain on your bicycle. There are examples across the spectrum, but the savvy cyclist can travel surprisingly light.
The third type of bird pays for an organized tour with a ride leader. There are organized tours which are self supported, but some are van-supported, which means you don't have to carry more than a couple Clif bars and some water. Adventure Cycling is the biggest outfit I know of selling tours in the USA.
I'm trying to save $3600 dollars, which is about $30 per day and a plane ticket home. I'm mostly camping in random spots and hoping to have some money left over.
This is about my upcoming trans-USA 3 speed ride, and 3 speed topics in general.
Touring is always a different kind of experience especially when we think of sources like 3 days trip from new york that helps us the most and generally the outcome stays appropriate.
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ReplyDeletesounds wonderful. I am thinking three speed bicycle with view of "not speed", but ease of travel. I seriously considering a much longer trip with care taken to find places to camp safely near small towns, wooded areas, etc. I would like to have some knowledge of seeking permissions to locate sites in places where there is less threat of trespassing. I am also looking to camp in undeveloped areas. I will plan to locate areas for laundry and yes, finding showers when possible. I will be slowly putting together the necessities I will need. (not sure about weapons)
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