Touring on a Limited Budget

Here are links to two interesting accounts of low-budget touring. The first is the journal of a South Carolina man who rode from his home to Texas on a Schwinn Sidewinder, a $150 dollar flat bar bike from Wal-Mart. He rode 1900 miles without a mechanical problem aside from a loose screw on the rear rack and flat tires, camped the entire time, and spent only 400 dollars on food and supplies. His story, Poor Guy on a Bike, is hosted at the Crazy Guy on a Bike website.

The second is the now-infamous Dirt Rag article and interview with the Pittsburgh cyclist who dumpster-dives for food when on tour.

While I don't endorse eating from dumpsters, and the thought of going days without bathing horrifies me, the idea that one should travel without spending tons of money appeals to both my sense of simplicity and my frugality. Also, I don't see how we can effectively promote bike touring for Everyman if the pastime is priced beyond the means of Everyone. Both these articles stress "ride with what you have", and we all need to be reminded to do just that.