traveling on the cheap, high daily mileage

[bigringer]

I have been reading with great interest the responses to spephanieps discussion about traveling cheap.  I think a lot of people seem to forget the true spirit of adventure cycling.  it is just that AN ADVENTURE.  true there may be a lot less worrys and concerns with a large bank account to back yourself up with, but I couldn't think of a greater accomplishment.  It has been stated that anyone  with enough money can summit mount everest. WHAT A SHAME.

I too am considering a low budget trip. Let me start by saying  I have a job and usually work about fifty hours a week.  also when I get to my destination I will have a job waiting for me.  I am recently divorced, and after paying bills and child support, I usually have just enough money to buy food with.  a solo epic trip is something I have always wanted to do, and now other than my financial situation I am able to do it. unfortunately because of time restraints, and not a macho thing, I plan on logging some pretty high mileage days, which goes against a lot of other rules of cross country cycling.  I do plan on taking a camera, keeping a journal, and having a very good time.  
    so some advice for a guy going through a midlife crisis, planning a epic trip on the cheap, and logging high daily  mileage,  would be greatly appreciated.    

[Jackalope]

Two words

LIVEWRONG!

I wouldn't worry about it.  I'm only living life at a quarter century, but I say GO FOR IT!  Big days and cheap ways sounds like my kind of tour!  Good luck and may the wind be at your back!

[boonebikeguy]

Well adventure in my opinion never meant STUPID.Even apack of ruthless pirates PLANNED their sailing ADVENTURES with a degree of logic and sense. That girl is not using very much sense, and is rude to people who are giving her sound advice that she does not like, in my humble opinion.Now I consider myself new to adventure cycling but I am also a man that has lived my entire life being self-reliant. THAT is an adventure, being able to do what you want on your own, not HOPING you SURVIVE and expecting hand-outs or diving into dumpsters..but you know many people here seem to think this is what cycling is all about..So if this makes me NOT an adventure cyclist great. I'd rather be a road warrior than a road worrier. The SHAME real shame is people who think taking advantage of others and despising planning is somehow 'adventure'. I hate to seem rude but these people are either VERY young and never had to struggle in life, OR just simply do not care how their actions affect others or the environment. But there are two types of people on this planet, those who take take take, and those who take and give.
Now having stated all that, I support her desire to ride and hope she does this with her freind and succeeeds...And like others I feel too much backing does draaw away from the adventure aspect, but it is foolish to just leave and not plan at all. I am saving enough money to simply support and address contigencies like chains, injuries food, and shelter when needed. I hate to sou d harsh about that topic, but I'd rather have people hate me and be alive and well than love my advice and end up dead or hurt badly or just in a hard place because they failed to take advice of people who really simply think that planning and funds are wiser than just jumping on your bike and rolling the dice every day.
"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb

This message was edited by boonebikeguy on 5-4-07 @ 9:07 AM

[John Nettles]

Sorry about your divorce but congrats on your new job!

I have crossed the country West to East solo twice, once the TransAm and then the Northern Tier.

Both trips I had a rest day (occasionally 2) every 7-10 days.  The first, I averaged 58 miles a day when I was 17.  The second trip (part of a 9,000 mile trip) I averaged 68 miles.  This ride had 38 centuries as I had to hussle to beat the Maine winter and be able to get south before the snow hit (I don't recommend starting from Washington to Maine in mid-August).

I can say that while my average was only 10 miles more per day (45 minutes of riding on average), it was a lot more work do to it being a average.  I had to do almost about 75-80 miles per riding day just to increase that 10 miles on average.  I did this in early 20s and I was in really good shape (more so than now ).  There is no way I would enjoy doing multiple century days in a row while touring now (early 40s).

I have subsequently determined that, for me, I stop around 60-75 miles per day.  I have known numerous riders who after 3-4 weeks of no rest day riding, phyically get sick.  They are usually strong enough but just get a bad flu or somthing.  I am not trying to discourage you as there have been plenty of speed riders who have done it sucessfully.

Since you are doing it cheap, you will probably be camping (or finding a "camp") and may be cooking.  All of this adds to the time.  Heck, even doing laundry every 3-4 days takes up 2 hours and small town laundrymats often close by 8pm or 9pm.  If you are going to stop and smell the roses, continuous high mileage days may be difficult and/or no fun after a while.

If you able to go slower and take more time, I would recommend that.  After all, what happens if you come up on a gorgeous lady riding the same direction but she only doing an average of 60 ?  But if the choice is an average of 70 a day versus no trip, I'd probably go . Hope this helps and I wish you a great trip!

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

[bigringer]

thanks for the advice tulsajohn.  I hadn't considered meeting a georgeous lady on the way, but the farmers daughter did come to mind. lol.  seriously though thanks for the advice.  hopefully in a few years I will be able to take a smell the roses tour.  I think there might actually be some rhododenrens in bloom in the mountains, which I will stop to smell.  
    and hopefully since I am going south to north, the wind might just be at my back most of the way!

Tim

[boonebikeguy]

Divorce is rotten. It's really too bad you can't ride some down in the middies... I am leaving in August.

"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb