7 Tips for Cycle Touring On a Budget!!

[@radbikeadventure]

📌 Leave your budget bike tour tips here!! 👇👇👇

[@Timberbeartrail]

I really enjoyed you the video I hope you do more

[@QuinniMundo]

The first long trip I did was by myself across NY State in 1985 with an inexpensive mountain bike. I couldn't afford anything so I sewed some pannier-ish bags out of canvas and rigged up coat hangers to attach them to my bike rack. I belted a front bag on the handlebar with webbing. And then inside everything I just used plastic bags to keep things dry. Ziplock freezer bags for the small stuff in front, and for my map on the top/outside of the bag (pre-Internet, pre-computers, obviously). I didn't have a tent so I got a $10 hammock (I think I was the original hammock camper/ultra low budget bike traveler) and a large piece of plastic which I draped over a rope that I strung about two feet higher than the hammock. And all I had for sleeping was a single layer silver emergency blanket. When I did the same thing 20 years later on a BRAG ride in GA, people were blown away. That time I took a couple of those large black and silver paper clips to clip the plastic securely and to clip it together sort of, at the bottom on the night it stormed. I also had carabiners that time, so I knotted loops in my overhead rope and hung up my gear. Other people had tents leak all over the place and I was high and dry! Oh, and I took a small fleece blanket that time. The emergency blanket was way too loud, LOL! I loved sleeping on a hammock once I learned how to do it right. ~Quinn Montana (woman)

[@QuinniMundo]

And thanks for your videos, I've been enjoying them. It's always refreshing to see women taking off on adventures, teaching skills and giving tips!

[@QuinniMundo]

Here's another tip: Underwear can chafe and rub. But bike shorts for days without underwear... um, no. Unless you're able to wash them regularly. The answer: Lightdays. (Or similar.) I'm not one for disposables if I can help it, but this is one case where it can really be a help saving space while preserving hygiene.

[@davidbonn8740]

All good tips. Thanks! A bunch of my own: 1. If you can, avoid buying bottled water. That can easily save you $5-$10 per day and avoid ridiculous waste. 2. Plan food purchases. Ideally you'll want to hit a grocery store late in the day and buy dinner for the day, breakfast for the next morning, and lunch for the next day's ride. A pretty extravagant day's groceries will still cost much less than one restaurant meal. 3. Do your research on where you are going to stay. That campground or hostel may be really cool but if it is fifteen miles out of your way to get supplies it probably won't be worth it. 4. If you stay in a motel, make sure it has facilities like laundry and groceries within walking distance. And if the hotel has a free breakfast included, make use of it and grab snacks for the days ride. And if you are at a motel that has laundry, do your laundry there. 5. Motel and hotel rates are often much lower in tourist areas during shoulder and off-seasons. As an added benefit the road traffic is also much less during those times. 6. Similarly, depending on the location motel rates can vary enormously depending on whether it is for a weekend or weekday. Do your research!

[@radbikeadventure]

Thanks so much for sharing these tips David. I didn't even think about bottled water cause i hardly ever drink the stuff. I'm alllll about tap water (or using filtration). And totally agree that doing your research is MAJOR important if you're going to stay at hotels/motels/hostels. And heck yes to stocking up from a free hotel breakfast 😏.

[@Colleenann61]

Another common way of finding a place to camp (especially if it’s all private property) is to ask at a house if you can camp in their yard. I recommend not waiting until dark, but also not too early (then they might think you could just go on). I always preface my ask with introducing myself, and giving them the option to say no, and that I’ll be okay if they say no. Have only had one person actually say no.

[@radbikeadventure]

Yes this is a great tip! I’ll include it in a Part II vid. Thanks Colleen

[@WheelsonaBike]

Thank you for this video! Exactly what I need. I'm heading out on a multi month tour in Canada and I'm budgeting $50 per day. I'd love to bring this down, so your tips were great!

[@radbikeadventure]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the tour in Canada!

[@timdiamond1056]

A few years ago I was cycling in Scotland and met a couple from New Zealand. They'd flown to Europe, bought all second had gear and just put it in bin bags lashed to the bikes. He was on an old, ladies cheapo mountain bike & she was on a sit up and beg town bike. They'd cycled all over Europe, as well as across Iceland.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Spot on. The price of dedicated bikepacking luggage is astonishing - not in a good way. Second hand bikes can also be a great deal, so long as they fit. Riding any distance on bike that doesn't fit well is literally a pain. I'd definitely prefer to pay a bit more for the bike and scrimp on the luggage.

[@mattdobbs-dr2rt]

Happy peddling pride LGBqueer!

[@radbikeadventure]

don't forget the T!! lol

[@kingedwin]

- Some colleges will let you stay in dorms super cheap when classes are out of session. - Large water bottles with nozzles are dirt cheap, nearly indestructible, and if you lose one, you're only out a couple bucks. Some bottles will thread directly into water filters (i.e. Sawyer Squeeze,) making it easy to get water when you're bike packing. - Tool bags and boxes can be a good alternative to traditional bike gear, since they're super durable and inexpensive. - If you need a treat, hit up donut shops closed to closing time, The owners will usually throw in a couple extra donuts, since they're about to toss out what's left. - You can use frozen vegetables as a cold pack, then eat the contents later. - If you're going the used route, you don't have to buy a touring bike to tour. Older mountain bikes and road bikes can be adapted to touring with different gearing and some accessories. Look for something with eyelets for a rear rack and fenders. Often, all you need for lower gearing is a different gear cassette and rear derailleur.

[@radbikeadventure]

YES. LOVE these tips Edwin! Cheers for sharing ur budget hacks. Might need a part II to include some of these

[@radbikeadventure]

Also curious, do you ask the colleges ahead of time? or just roll up? I've also heard of people staying in Churches and know likewise in Asia you can stay sometimes at Buddhist Temples

[@kingedwin]

@@radbikeadventure It's better if you contact them ahead of time or check their website. Even if they allow it, you may have trouble finding who to contact when you arrive. That said, one of my friends was an RA when I was in college, and he told a passing cyclist he could crash there free, because no one would care. I ended up giving him a ride to the next town, and we're still in contact years later.

[@RiverogueLander]

I saved money by building 2 sets of pannier saddle bags and a large frame bag out of a polytarp backed by Gorilla Tape. The saddle bags where very aerodynamic. Perhaps the most aerodynamic set of panniers ever made, and they were very light. Due to the ease of repair (just add more tape), they were also the most durable pannier bags ever made. They were also the most easily built pannier bags ever made. Takes about an hour to build, solo; if they were built on an non mechanical assembly line of 4 personel, it would take 8 hours to build 50 units. Spray the polytarp with polyurethane instead of Gorilla tape, and that number would be doubled, use just polyurethane fabric cut to size, even faster.

[@sootprite]

I'm in the process of research. I have just purchased my first e-bike and have plans on making a Pokemon go vlog. I have already lost over 100lbs playing and hope to expand my journey in more exciting ways. Starting in my hometown (of course, if I can't do it local; I have no business going out and about), but wanting to explore the world even farther. Thank you for making these videos it's giving me more confidence and hope that I can do this. I look forward to watching all of your videos so I can prepare for success.

[@radbikeadventure]

Oh wow that’s fantastic! One of my good friends is obsessed with Pokémon Go! Such a great way to get exercise, get out and explore! Congrats on the 100 too. WOW 👏

[@robertbotta6536]

Awesome. Thank you! Great tip “left over container”. I do same. I put it in ziplock bag too because you do not want it to leak in your bike bags. TRUST ME ON THIS ON.

[@greggr1591]

These budget hacks are great & well considered! A few inexpensive tools to help fix the common issues (fixing flats, cleaning/lubing the chain) and knowing how to use them is also worthwhile. This can give a rider confidence, possibly avoid a shop detour, and may help keep the coin in one's pocket for important things like splurging for a restorative beverage🍺. Ah, to be in SoCal when the sun is shining; ❤️ride-alongs!🤘🏻

[@radbikeadventure]

That is a GREAT point Gregg. Thanks for sharing! We are treated to some great sunshine hours all through the year in these parts!

[@ssbball328]

Great video, thanks! I'd love to see a video dedicated to doing laundry on tour. Special soaps? Plain old shampoo? Where to dry gear? How often? Etc. :)

[@radbikeadventure]

Can do! Good idea for a vid thanks Shannon 👍 🧼

[@ridetillidie8090]

My first station assignment when I hit the Fleet was Pendleton! Of course, that was when dinosaurs ruled the planet, so.... Great tips!

[@fultimefailure]

Good tips in this! Here’s my tip: Sometimes you do need to spend more...The cost and hassle to replace something that breaks on the road is way worse than what you spend upfront

[@radbikeadventure]

Very good point!

[@wayneriley7557]

Cost of solo vs in company. On the one hand, campsites may charge the same for 1 or 2 persons in a tent, so you can halve it that way - the same with food when the minimum portion from a shop is too big for one and you can't store it. However, as you said, there can be the group think pressure of thinking that the other person may not want to sleep on a beach. so communication is important. For example, a friend and I got to an airport about 7am for a non-cycling weekend. He said, "fancy a drink?', I said yeah and went to the bar coming back with two beers. He said, "I meant a coffee'.

[@mimiwright567]

Great video! So glad you put this together. I learned a lot about your budgeting strategies from the Taiwan and China cycle touring videos, and I decided I will be a credit card touring cyclist LOL! Last year we got used folding bikes (Citizen Bikes, USA company) on Facebook Market for local rides and a road trip to Vermont, really fun! Currently our main cycle tour goal is the Erie Canal bike trail across New York State, but as newbies we will take shorter trips first, and now we’re looking for road bikes on FB Market. Thanks again for the tips and inspiration! It’s fun to watch you bike around interesting places during the video!

[@radbikeadventure]

Thanks for sharing Mimi! Biking the Erie Canal trail sounds like a great first tour goal!

[@maxsievers8251]

You can pack a normal bike into a relative small size bag rinko style if you consider which components you put on. My custom rinko bike costs 7K USD - so not necessarily cheap.

[@kevinmikolajczak7128]

Another great video! Thanks for the content. (My son is stationed at Camp Pendleton. Can't wait to get back out there to see him again. It's been a year since I last saw him)

[@yotoma]

Excellent! So nice to see you out on the bike, and so positive energy. Keep up the good work.

[@aye_annie]

These tips are awesome and love how they're resourceful & sustainable!!

[@wayneriley7557]

Great tips, thanks. The facilities for cyclists (rest stops, toilets, tables, etc) look amazing. I was watching another US cycler and everywhere they stopped for a break looked very similar, and some even had power!! I've only been on a short (200mile) trip around Suffolk / Norfolk in the UK and every time I saw a bench in a small park in a country town I'd stop for a break as they were so rare. As for refilling water - forget it, those facilities are just not available.

[@radbikeadventure]

Surely you can pop into a pub or cafe for a refill? That’s what I did when I toured in the UK!

[@onemanmayhem]

Awesome vid, Ryan! I think that single traveller May get it cheaper... And easier To do stealth camping (conversation etc). Did you mention fishing, hobo stove (free "fuel"), dumpsterdiving and fresh roadkills 😜 maybe not everyone's Cup of tea, but I'm going To test those some Day... Because: Rad on! 🤟

[@erickozokas]

In Pennsylvania you can camp free in state forests. However much of the state forest land is also privately owned. This makes it hard to find safe legal places to wild camp. Email or call the forest rangers office in the areas you plan to pass through and ask for suggested locations to camp. Often they are excited to help a traveler and have sent me circled locations on maps and even suggested sites to see.

[@radbikeadventure]

Thanks for the tips Eric!

[@anarchistanonymous7873]

Awesome Ryan

[@rechuckg]

Great insight and tips. Tip #8 might be to make your own gear. For example I recently made a custom fit frame bag for less than $12 as opposed to over a hundred to purchase one.

[@radbikeadventure]

Yes, for those who are crafty it's definitely possible but I will say that durable fabrics/threads can be expensive as well as getting a machine that can handle that. What kind of fabric did you use? Did you hand sew?

[@nanciparoubek3256]

I'm just going to agree here-even tho fabric from companies like ripstop by the yard isn't cheap it's often very wide so you don't need much if you plan your cuts(I mock them up out of old sheets) and a used machine or $30 dollar amazon model makes it quick

[@bd9158]

@@radbikeadventure I just finished a frame bag from old inner tubes. Mixture of hand sewing, machine sewing and rubber cement. Seems to be quite durable and waterproof too, though it's hard to tell until it does some miles. Tubes can always be acquired from bike shops who will be pleased to save some space in their bins It straps on using some webbing taken from an old rucksack, more inner tube used to protect the frame from rubbing

[@JasonDBike]

That's pretty unique. Make a video.

[@brendawyant5321]

Haven’t seen an update, so hoping that you are feeling better.

[@radbikeadventure]

Not quite there yet but I think I’m starting to feel a little stronger. Day by day…

[@brendawyant5321]

@@radbikeadventure Hang in there. Sure miss your videos, but your health is the most important thing.

[@williamwood6795]

Any experience with bivy camping?? Hammocks??

[@dyzoly]

Once I spent a month in Belgium, and I bought a bike for 25euros, and even before I bought it, the seller agreed to buy it back for 15 after the month.

[@radbikeadventure]

That's a great way to do it! Hmm...wonder if there's anything in asking cyclists to "rent" their bikes. Could be an interesting network of people willing to let others borrow their bikes with agreement of getting it a full tune up at the end of the trip (paying for damages etc)

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

Just wanted to say i think you're a true inspiration 🙏

[@radbikeadventure]

I don't know if you're being serious but I'll take it ! 😊

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

@@radbikeadventure of course i am popit, you're both amazing

[@Self_Proppelled]

Oh yes, do the wild camping video

[@radbikeadventure]

It's on the list! I think I'll take y'all on a ride and actually find a wild/stealth campsite

[@Alex_564]

I saved money getting a demo bike from a bike shop, they actually mentioned they see a demo on that bike brand's inventory system Same happened when I emailed a different bike brand if they know when the model I wanted is coming back in stock & they told me they had one floor model they can sell me. Save a good amount on both.

[@radbikeadventure]

Yesssss. Asking for a floor model is such a great budget hack. My family's been doing that for years with all kinds of things including computers! Cheers for sharing Alex

[@jacksonbangs6603]

I bicycle toured on my own around America and found it pretty affordable. Whiles cycling through towns and cities, churches were pretty good at letting me camp on their lawns for free. I preferred this because then people knew I was in good standing and did not call the police. So yes churches worked great for me and no I am not super religious either.

[@andrewflores17]

Not bike camping but a great video series is camping with steve Canadian guy camps in the most random places

[@BrianRPaterson]

Hey. I just noticed your Blackburn Outpost Cages are gone, replaced with a Topeak or something. Maybe I missed it, but I'd be interested in why you changed? And how the different cages compare? Cheers

[@radbikeadventure]

This is Darin’s bike and she’s using the Widefoot cages. More minimal (so out of the way when not being used) and lighter weight. I still have the Blackburns on mySutra!

[@BrianRPaterson]

​@@radbikeadventure Excellent. I'm looking at Blackburn cages myself. Cheers

[@sheilastallard]

Find a partner/husband who pays for everything!!. Stay Safe you two! xx

[@radbikeadventure]

Ha! That’ll do the trick yes!

[@vincmer]

Bought my bike second hand at the bike store. Bike was as year old but only be used for 3 months. And I was able to get it for €900 instead of €1500.

[@radbikeadventure]

Brilliant!

[@reidsadventures]

Whoa!!!! $5 a day?!?!?!? Whaaaaat!!! Life = changed.

[@ignatiateresa1188]

Great video! I'm trying to do an OC to SD bike ride but Camp Pendleton requires a pass to bike through, and you can only get the pass in-person, M-F between 7am-3pm...tough to do during a work week. Any alternatives you know of? Thanks!

[@michellesgoldberg]

You can ride along I-5 and bypass Camp Pendleton.

[@ignatiateresa1188]

@@michellesgoldberg Is this safe to do?

[@michellesgoldberg]

@@ignatiateresa1188 Some people feel it's safer than riding through the base. The roads are very narrow and in bad shape.

[@radbikeadventure]

Yes. It’s a bit strange to be ON THE FREEWAY, but we did it on various points during our trip and the big shoulder makes it doable. On the weekend there are many roadies that ride it . And when there’s traffic (often) you might even be going faster than the cars! It is a little sketchy but 7 miles then you’re done. Much easier than getting the pass for the base and it is longer that way.

[@ignatiateresa1188]

@@radbikeadventure Thank you for the feedback =) Have a rad weekend! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[@Achielezz]

Awesome Video! Btw. Were you aware that "rad" means bike in german?

[@jayzhang1696]

不错的建议😉

[@patricemurphy6223]

How's the transitioning coming along? Watching you do these videos when you're riding in so cal, makes me homesick for seal beach. Ride well ride happy 😊

[@warrenzausa3145]

👍

[@Timberbeartrail]

Your website's not working so I won't be able to buy any stickers

[@radbikeadventure]

Fixed it! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@tomcatt998]

I'm old & crusty lookn so people assume I'm homeless & just give me money..

[@liveyourbestlife1513]

I don't want to buy used because I don't want to buy stolen goods. That is really important to me--not to support the bike theft industry.

[@radbikeadventure]

Yes, you do have to be discerning when buying a used bike. Ask plenty of questions and you can usually tell if the person is actually a cyclist. Some bike shops sell used bikes too and it's also why Co-ops are a great option!

[@larsthorwald3338]

What are you?