Whoa, wait, it shouldn't cost THAT much to do a bike tour, right?
04-08-14, 11:58 AM
#26
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Yes, I'm OK with it. As I said earlier, get angry if you want. I don't want to.
and you don't offer any information on what kinds of work he has done thus far, so I assume you don't know. But would you like to venture a judgment on that? Then you can say whether it offsets his food stamps.
and you don't offer any information on what kinds of work he has done thus far, so I assume you don't know. But would you like to venture a judgment on that? Then you can say whether it offsets his food stamps.
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04-08-14, 11:59 AM
#27
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OK, get angry if you want to. Lots of people take advantage of offerings when things are down. There's a good choice he'll eventually get a tax-paying job and replenish whatever he took, many times over. I have relatives who escaped the Soviet Union and were put up by charities and the welfare system when they arrived. They are extremely productive and high-earning now, thanks to the head start they got. I think the system works.
If you think most welfare recipients make a lifestyle out of it, you are mistaken.
If you think most welfare recipients make a lifestyle out of it, you are mistaken.
04-08-14, 12:04 PM
#28
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My relatives could have stayed in the Soviet Union. They were not, unlike our common ancestors, fleeing for their lives. It was a choice they made willfully. I don't know if taking advantage of programs was in their plan.
i don't know this fellow's long term plan, either. And neither do you. How long will he be traveling?
To me, it looks like he feels he has overstayed his welcome and is setting out on his own without wealth. Sounds brave to me. I bet he will acquire valuable skill and knowledge. I predict he will become a contributing member of society, if he isn't already, which we do not know.
i don't know this fellow's long term plan, either. And neither do you. How long will he be traveling?
To me, it looks like he feels he has overstayed his welcome and is setting out on his own without wealth. Sounds brave to me. I bet he will acquire valuable skill and knowledge. I predict he will become a contributing member of society, if he isn't already, which we do not know.
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04-08-14, 12:14 PM
#29
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The theoretical plan is to get food stamps solely to support his tour. That would be an abuse of the letter and the spirit of the plan's guidelines, regardless of what employment he may have had or how much he may have paid into the system. That's not an arguable point.
If this guy is for real, how about sending him some cash directly so the tax payers don't get stuck with paet of his vacation tab?
04-08-14, 12:16 PM
#30
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Wish you the best of luck, but while touring by bike can be economical, you still need some money. For food, lodging, campground fees, laundromat, and bike repairs. You don't want to put yourself in harms way just to prove to yourself that you can do a tour with no money. It isn't much of a plan to hit the road with no funds and no plan for earning money. In the depression, they called that sort of person a hobo. And it could end very badly for you. If you don't feel like much of a man living with your parents at 30, imagine how you would feel calling home asking them for money to pay for a bus ticket or food.
As for hitting the road to get away from your parents and neighbors, I hear that. But there is an old saying, you take your tuchus with you.
As for hitting the road to get away from your parents and neighbors, I hear that. But there is an old saying, you take your tuchus with you.
04-08-14, 12:22 PM
#31
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As someone who grew up with low self esteem my first bike trip gave me a sense of accomplishment.
I tried a cross country tour a couple years later without much money and a crappy bike.
When I finished the trip I had even more confidence in myself. I wasn't afraid of anything.
It was hands down the best thing that ever happened to me.
I say shut the **** up and encourage this guy!!!!
Edited by Moderators
I tried a cross country tour a couple years later without much money and a crappy bike.
When I finished the trip I had even more confidence in myself. I wasn't afraid of anything.
It was hands down the best thing that ever happened to me.
I say shut the **** up and encourage this guy!!!!
Edited by Moderators
Last edited by Juha; 04-08-14 at 12:30 PM. Reason: Bypassing censor
04-08-14, 12:36 PM
#32
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No, I do not have a job. But one reason for doing this trip is, you never know what contacts and potential employers I could meet by going around the country on bicycle! I HAVE TO get out of my parents' house. My Dad is recovering from cancer surgery and there's just not enough space. I'm tired of my neighbors as well. (At least on a bike tour, my "neighbors" would change every day.) 29 going on 30 is MUCH too old to be living at home. Many guys my age have a job, car, house or apartment, and oftentimes, a WIFE AND KIDS. Heck, my friend's daughter is almost two years old! I'm a guy who WANTS kids, but just can't find Ms. Right. Again, I just might find that Ms. Right on a bike tour! 
The point is, I can't take my parents' house anymore. I'm ridden in all types of weather (including downspours, snow, sleet, freezing cold, and boiling heat) on probably all types of terrain. I've taken day trips of 30-50 miles. So no naysayers please.
The point of this thread is to emphasize that the best things in life are indeed free, and that should hold true for a bike tour. If anyone agrees, feel free to post.
The point is, I can't take my parents' house anymore. I'm ridden in all types of weather (including downspours, snow, sleet, freezing cold, and boiling heat) on probably all types of terrain. I've taken day trips of 30-50 miles. So no naysayers please.The point of this thread is to emphasize that the best things in life are indeed free, and that should hold true for a bike tour. If anyone agrees, feel free to post.
04-08-14, 12:36 PM
#33
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OK everyone, calm down please and keep it civil. OP might be trolling (after all he hasn't returned to the thread), but it might still lead to an interesting discussion.
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--Juha, a Forum Mod
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04-08-14, 12:47 PM
#34
Banned
The expensive part is keeping housing costs paid up while you are not there , and then adding the tour cost on top of that.
04-08-14, 01:14 PM
#35
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FWIW, I rode some with a young dude pedaling from CA to FL who had food stamps(don't know how.) He survived in many of the same ways the OP(troll?) has proposed, including a bit of charity from me. It certainly can be done. Will he learn anything that will turn him into a productive citizen? I doubt it. But likely no harm done.
Touring cyclists tend to get whatever assistance they need from trail angels. Makes the angel feel good and keeps the cyclist moving along. Win-win.
Touring cyclists tend to get whatever assistance they need from trail angels. Makes the angel feel good and keeps the cyclist moving along. Win-win.
04-08-14, 01:27 PM
#36
Senior Member
Sounds like you have a lot of growing up to do, regardless of the food stamp thing. Do yourself a favor and do a lot of thinking while you're out on this tour. And I don't mean daydreaming about the amazing girl who's totally gonna be into your kidlike thought process, food stamps, and is gonna absolutely fall for you on your first date to the local food pantry. Think about real things. Things that are actually happening. What's actually important. On the plus side, I think lots of time spent pondering what's really important can help a person grow up.
So you're going to take food stamps so that you can go on a bike trip? Wow. That's pretty much the kind of attitude that create the problem we have. Make sure you buy some booze and cigarettes with those hard earned food stamps too while you're out there. I'm glad to be able to work every day to pay for my hard earned bike tour and then help you pay for yours, since you'd rather do that than figure something out, work, and earn your way out of your current situation. 
Another option is, I have heard that even homeless vagrants can get food stamps (EBT cards). There is a process involved in getting those food stamps, so being a "touring cyclist who just wants to... probably would NOT qualify me to get food stamps. I could be wrong though. I don't know till I try.
04-08-14, 01:31 PM
#37
Banned
I had lunch one day in a park where the Prague Czechoslovakia Hare Krishna's had a bit of food available .
04-08-14, 02:20 PM
#38
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OP
I am planning my first one week tour for May, and I expect to spend $700-900. So I agree, it really doesn't cost that much to tour.
I am planning my first one week tour for May, and I expect to spend $700-900. So I agree, it really doesn't cost that much to tour.
04-08-14, 03:04 PM
#39
Senior Member
OP has enough cognitive ability to post here, and physical strength to ride long distances, so I'd say get a job and save up for your vacation. It's the best way to go, IMHO.
04-08-14, 03:39 PM
#41
Senior Member
Even if you stealth-camp - a subject which I will not go into right now - you'll still need at least $10/day for food. On the 1000-mile 12-day 'tour' I rode (Cleveland OH to Madison WI and back) 35 years ago, I ate one hot meal per day at a greasy spoon, diner or burger joint, and bought fruits and veggies to munch on from roadside stands along the way. Even back in the days of 35c burgers - 3-burgers, a small fry, small coke and a pie was around $3.
04-08-14, 03:51 PM
#42
Hooked on Touring
Well, if you know where to look - there are lovely places to camp - for free and in the open.
Such as along the Delta River in Alaska - -
Such as along the Delta River in Alaska - -
04-08-14, 06:20 PM
#43
Every day a winding road
+100000000000
OP,
You should be ashamed of yourself for considering such selfish adventure at this time. Your family need you more than ever at this time. A man (or woman) steps up and puts their own personal needs aside and helps their family the best they can. That said I know how hard it can be to convince parents that they need help. You will always be their little boy or girl no matter what. But you need to help out regardless of what they say. Go out get a job, help the family the best you can. If there is a little left over then you can save it up. Once your father gets back on his feet you can do your tour with your head held high knowing that you were able to do it with your own hard work.
04-08-14, 06:54 PM
#44
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I don't know why everyone has to be so hard on the guy. If affording meals is difficult for him, why shouldn't he take advantage of soup kitchens? That's what they're there for. I've volunteered at a soup kitchen, and I never considered anyone coming in to be a freeloader. They're just people who happen to be hungry. That's no crime.
The OP's plan, whether real or a troll, seems high risk to me. I've met the modern equivalent of hobos, and it's a tough existence. Staying put in a locale where food sources and shelter are known is hard enough. But add the unknowns of traveling and the increased caloric need of cycling, and that's a whole new game. Your overhead is low, but your margin of error is slim. There are alternate lifestyles to the rat race, but as the comments above indicate there is little tolerance from society as a whole. In reality, the OP is laying out a plan that's harder than an 8-5, mortgage, and club membership.
04-08-14, 07:18 PM
#45
Every day a winding road
The OPs family needs him/her right now and all he wants to do is run and on someone else's dime. Sorry but that is just plain childish and selfish to me.
04-08-14, 08:20 PM
#46
Senior Member
maybe OP could say he's doing the bike ride for charity! you know, he could
print up (okay, steal some flyers from the church...) some brochures showing
little brown children with big ol' bellies. really photogenic! pull them heartstrings!
don't gotta say WHICH charity you're doing it for, right? sensative, kumbaya
types will assume it's "for the chillins." yeah, and maybe bill gates will sponsor
you, too.
sure, 90% of whatever you collect will go for your expenses..............food, spare
parts, lodging, crack, hookers.............but i'm sure there'll be something left over
at the end of the tour (is there an end?), maybe a couple bucks you can throw in
a salvation army kettle......for charity......to feel good about yourself.
print up (okay, steal some flyers from the church...) some brochures showing
little brown children with big ol' bellies. really photogenic! pull them heartstrings!
don't gotta say WHICH charity you're doing it for, right? sensative, kumbaya
types will assume it's "for the chillins." yeah, and maybe bill gates will sponsor
you, too.
sure, 90% of whatever you collect will go for your expenses..............food, spare
parts, lodging, crack, hookers.............but i'm sure there'll be something left over
at the end of the tour (is there an end?), maybe a couple bucks you can throw in
a salvation army kettle......for charity......to feel good about yourself.
04-08-14, 09:02 PM
#47
Hooked on Touring
I stand corrected in my post above - -
I don't think you are yet in a position to appreciate Alaska.
I don't think you are yet in a position to appreciate Alaska.
04-08-14, 09:11 PM
#48
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I've noticed that people who actually interact with people in need are much less judgemental than people who do not. I don't know which is cause and which is effect. My personal experiences, whether I knew the cause of distress or not, lead me to think that compassion comes from getting close enough to recognize someone's humanity.
Their number one rule is: do not to be judgemental! It is hard sometimes, even though we are constantly reminded. But, treating all people with respect works really well.
Last edited by Doug64; 04-08-14 at 10:52 PM.
04-08-14, 09:35 PM
#49
Hooked on Touring
Humans make judgments - every hour of every day.
To say that we should not be judgmental is to pretend some false neutrality.
That does not mean to offer one's opinion where it is clearly not needed or wanted -
But when a person requests feedback - then if it is done fairly, but honestly, it is appropriate.
When we give out children everything - it loses all value.
When a person is 30, he or she should be on their own even in difficult economic times.
I can understand a person who has a financial setback - but I don't think this is the case here.
For parents, keeping a child dependent can also be an attempt to forestall becoming older.
It goes both ways.
Our poster here has many thing to deal with - far more than any bicycle tour would address.
If jobs are hard to come by, then volunteering in a soup kitchen daily would go far.
I love touring - but showing up every day for someone else is something that is far more valuable.
To say that we should not be judgmental is to pretend some false neutrality.
That does not mean to offer one's opinion where it is clearly not needed or wanted -
But when a person requests feedback - then if it is done fairly, but honestly, it is appropriate.
When we give out children everything - it loses all value.
When a person is 30, he or she should be on their own even in difficult economic times.
I can understand a person who has a financial setback - but I don't think this is the case here.
For parents, keeping a child dependent can also be an attempt to forestall becoming older.
It goes both ways.
Our poster here has many thing to deal with - far more than any bicycle tour would address.
If jobs are hard to come by, then volunteering in a soup kitchen daily would go far.
I love touring - but showing up every day for someone else is something that is far more valuable.
04-08-14, 09:41 PM
#50
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On your own is an illusion. We are all interdependent.
i agree the OP's plan is dangerous. Either he is skilled at this, or he will leave that it's hard or impossible. What better way to learn?
i agree the OP's plan is dangerous. Either he is skilled at this, or he will leave that it's hard or impossible. What better way to learn?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.