Bicycle Hobos and Their Worlds?
06-14-18, 05:35 AM
#26
I recently re-read On The Road and Kerouac, with all his romanticism, came of as a bit of a ****** - he 'freeloaded' quite a bit and yes, he did some tough jobs, but whenever he reached a dead end he'd either wire his aunt in NY and ask for money and/or go back to NY to live with her. IMO, real hobos have no fallback and must rely on their own achievements.
Last edited by BigAura; 06-14-18 at 08:56 AM. Reason: clarify
06-14-18, 05:43 AM
#27
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One of my warmshowers guests was an interesting guy, about my age at the time, in his mid-50s. He was a single father who'd gotten his son through school, then quit his job and dropped off the grid. He'd been living on his bike, doing some serious cycling (5-8000 miles per year) with decent gear. His yearly budget was $5000. He was challenged one year with a broken collarbone. He was happy, had all his teeth, was clean, and looked good. He'd found a few places he liked to settle down for a season once in a while and make a little money as a skilled carpenter. He said he had a bit of a social media following as well, but I'm not into that and didn't pay attention.
06-14-18, 07:49 AM
#28
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
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There is another quite similar, and arguably as good in my opinion.
Book...Movie was in the works, but I don't know that it was ever completed. Dan Bern, however, did an awesome soundtrack. More than Hobos or Nomads, I'm a big fan of the Vagabond...
Check it if you're unfamiliar....
Everett Ruess (March 28, 1914 – c. November 1934) was a young American artist, poet, and writer known for his solo explorations of the High Sierra, the California coast, and the desertsof the American Southwest and his ultimate disappearance while traveling through a remote area of Utah. His fate remains a mystery to this day.
06-14-18, 07:51 AM
#29
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
He died at such a young age. Younger than Norma Jeane.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherman_(vagabon
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherman_(vagabon
Thanks. It is a true story...except for the part about the stolen bike which I added to his legend.
He was a real Vagabond. I have been to several of the caves he stayed in. Once found a litter of baby coyotes in one. Mom didn't appreciate the visit.
06-14-18, 09:04 AM
#30
Senior Member
There is a guy who wanders the roads near my home barefoot and dressed in similar clothing, I’d guess in his 30s. A few years ago the house he lived in was sold, torn down and a new house was built on the property. I assume it was the house he grew up in. We call him the Bee Man, because the house had a sign out front that there was honey for sale. No idea where he lives now, but we still see him on occasion walking barefoot on the side of the road near his old house.
