If you've ever wanted to give bicycle touring a try, but felt deterred by the cash you'd need to lay out for a nice bike, panniers, racks, clothing and other specialized gear, take heart. There are ways to beat the system, and a guy named Nick Lubecki wants to show you how.
Three years ago, Nick was a college student when he and a buddy decided to take a bike tour from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. His rig? A 1972 woman's Raleigh Rampar with a bright orange milk crate attached to the rear rack.
Nick has now refined his approach to bike touring on the cheap, and was profiled recently in Dirt Rag magazine where he shared his unconventional approach in a very interesting piece called "Anyone can ride 1,000 miles. Anyone." For instance, Nick claims to find enough food on his trips by foraging outside of pizzerias, bakeries, etc., for their discards and leftovers that he can get by on many days without having to buy food along the way.
Read the full article to hear more about his approach to nutrition ("eat like a fat person"), how to equip yourself for a trip without spending a dime, and more. The link is to the full article is here: Do-It-Yourself Bike Touring
Photo - Brad Quartuccio / Dirt Rag magazine
Comments
How Fun !!! Very inspirational & some wise advice…I’m a teacher with time in the Summer. I am seriously thinking of just hopping on my wheels for a two day trip, to see how how “light” I could go with the bare essentials…hmmm…
Melissa, I hope you give it a try. I’ve run into quite a few teachers on the road. I envy your work schedule. I’d love to have more time in the warm summer months to tour.
Tailwinds, Jack