Neil_B

It doesn't take that long for an adult to learn to ride. To ride well is another matter. I'll let you folks now how long once I learn myself.

Cyclebum

Most if not all state and federal parks have a day use fee. $2/3. Not bad for a hot shower and whatever else they offer. That being said, I have stealthed outside the gate, gotten up very early, pedaled in, showered and left. Figured my taxes covered that.

spinnaker

Actually they don't. That is why you pay $2/$3 to cover the costs. Especially if you do not live in the state.

I pay $600 a year for a boat slip in a State park. I don't mind paying because that's the cost and it would be unfair to the other taxpayers to pay for my slip.

It is only $2-$3, let the moths out of your wallet and pay up just like everyone else or don't use the showers.

staehpj1

True. That may or may not be a major hurdle. Depends on age, fitness, attitude, and natural ability. I am impressed that folks learn as adults, but for some it is probably easy.

I wouldn't be too shocked if someone succeeded in learning to ride and then doing a coast to coast trip in short order. I would be impressed though.

staehpj1

You are doing great. Given the age you started at and the physical limitations you had, I think your level of proficiency is very impressive.

buzzman

While I respect your desire to "play by the rules" don't you think in the grand scheme of things an occasional cyclist pulling into a state or federal campground to get a "free" shower is hardly something to get all that hard ass about? I would save that ire for the CEO's at AIG and General Motors. If someone is traveling under their own power and on the cheap it's hardly worth the energy to get so freaked out about something like that IMO.

Bacciagalupe

I would say instead that it is beneficial for everyone. The park management will be able to officially add you to the count of people using the facilities, and you contribute a small amount to the maintenance of the park.

kayakdiver

Most all state parks in washington state are coin or token operated so it matters little if your camping at the location or not. No day use fee either. Of course other states do it different.

It all depends on your location........... yep.

positron

Break into foreclosed homes all the way across the country. Document your squatting journey, think up a clever title and sell it at Sundance for release next year.

gpsblake

That's cool also.

And that's the beauty of bike touring, there is no "one way" of doing it. Some only stay in hotels, some are fully supported with vans, some do what you do, some do what I do, some do a mixture of everything.... It's really up to personal preference.

gpsblake

Or just eat only at McDonald's during your entire trip, then make a Sundance film of how much weight you lost while eating at McDonald's three times a day during your trip.

ricohman

Half of the fun I've had touring is meeting people in campgrounds and such.
I would really think you are missing out on a lot by going this route.
That is, if you can at all.

chrishg

i did this a lot in europe. it's pretty chill. i don't think anyone would bother you, and i would recommend it.

Neil_B

Thank you. I fixed my first flat on the road yesterday. Another milestone reached!

staehpj1

I agree that it is unlikely to lead to any problems for you. I personally wouldn't be likely to do this though. The reason? I would not want to contribute to the impression that bike tourists are bums. I feel like being an ambassador for cycling is a good thing to do. Engaging is sketchy behavior goes counter to that.

I manage to stay somewhere with running water often enough that I seldom go more than a day or so without being able to have at least a sink or hose bath and can always manage a shower or a dip in a river at least every 3-6 days. Being dirty hasn't killed me yet.

All that said, if you do free load a shower in this manner, I think it highly unlikely that anyone would be likely to do more than chew you out and ask you to leave and even that isn't too likely. I think this is true as long as you don't make the situation worse by exhibiting a bad attitude. A display of attitude might escalate it into an arrest type situation and you could wind up with a night in jail and maybe a fine.

Cyclebum

Not so much moths in the wallet. I camped outside because this park wanted $16 for a spot to pitch my tent for 12 hours. At that rate, it'd cost you $5840 to park your boat. I didn't pay the day use fee because the gate didn't open until 8 and I was ready to go at 5. And, I certainly do think my taxes support this park enough to cover a 5 minute shower. I'll do it again given the right circumstance.

That being said, we should all make a point of paying our way when appropriate. This includes spending a few dollars at each convenience store we stop at to use the bathroom, or just hang for a while.

Bumming xcountry on a bicycle is, with much ingenuity, possible. It's done by homeless people. I've met several in my travels. I have a young friend whose being tutored by homeless people on how to survive with no money. He plans on trying to pedal cross country for next to nothing just for the challenge of doing it. Maybe not the best ambassador for 'respectable' touring cyclist, but certainly will be an interesting endeavor, and a PhD in 'street smarts' for my friend. I wish I could go with him.

spinnaker

I never said it was impossible just overly optimistic. People need to know what they are up against. If they chose to fight the odds then good for them. If they succeed then yes very impressive.

spinnaker

That is a different subject and no one is getting freaked out here. The point is your tax dollars do not pay for costs in parks that require fees for various services. It is up to you to make your own value judgment with yourself. Just don't fool yourself.

As for cheating for a $3 shower as opposed to the fat cat CEOs. It brings a (supposed) conversation between Churchill and a socialite to mind:

Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?
Socialite: My goodness, Mr. Churchill... Well, I suppose... we would have to discuss terms, of course...
Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds?
Socialite: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!
Churchill: Madam, we've already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.

buzzman

I like the story but must admit the analogy of trying to get a free shower and ripping thousands of people off of the their life savings or prostituting oneself just doesn't work for me.

spinnaker

The point is that it has nothing to do with the amount of money.

Now I do agree that the one probably deserves to be boiled in oil and the other probably just a scolding from a bitter park ranger.

spinnaker

and my favorite (supposed) Churchill quote:

Elizabeth Braddock: Mr. Churchill, this is a disgrace. You are quite drunk.
Churchill: This may be well and true, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.

Niles H.

Cops are very unlikely to take your bike, unless you are in particularly uptight areas (Marin County rangers and cops will often take your bike, no questions asked and no excuses accepted, if you are in areas that have been closed to bikes; the same can and does happen in some Wilderness Areas, which are also closed to bikes; the Na Pali Coast in Hawaii is another such area -- they will even take your backpacking gear and hiking boots, bike or no bike, if you are camping in certain areas without a permit). Most areas, though, are not nearly so strict.

You should be aware of whether a trail or an area is closed to bikes, and what the local policies are.

You should also be aware that many trails have very rough or rocky surfaces which may be all right for hiking, but terrible for cycling. Other, smoother trails are fine for cycling (if open to cyclists).

Authorities are extremely unlikely to put you in prison, unless you are doing something outrageously bad, or do something to inflame the situation. You are much more likely to be warned, scolded, kicked out, etc., or perhaps cited or fined. Although many places are closed to cycling and to camping, there are many others that are still open.

It used to be fine to camp on the beaches near the town of Bolinas (north of San Francisco, on the Point Reyes Peninsula), which had a reputation as a hippy town with permissive attitudes toward such things; and for years, it was fine to camp there. Then they started ticketing people, but it didn't mean much -- it was too cumbersome for the courts to follow through, and most people got away with ignoring the tickets. A few years ago that changed, and now you will be fined and will have to pay the fine unless you want further escalations of your troubles.

It helps to keep in mind that most areas are not like this; but it is also helpful to realize that areas differ quite a bit -- and to do some research or asking around, to learn and get a better sense of what the local policies and attitudes are, before freecamping (whether with a bike or without one).

jcrouse

With a few exceptions, you're allowed to camp anywhere on Forest Service or BLM land for free. Campgrounds will cost you but just throwing down a sleeping bag somewhere is free so, in many places here out West, you don't need to "stealth" camp because it is perfectly legal. Other exceptions are sensitive areas (due to rare or threatened plants or animals) or areas that have been overused and are in bad shape. These areas will be posted. Most states in the West are made up largely of Forest Service or BLM administered lands so camping is widely available. You don't need any type of pass to enter or camp in the vast majority of FS or BLM lands. Passes are generally only required in areas that receive a lot of use and access is being somewhat controlled to protect the area. I know there are FS lands in other parts of the country and I'm assuming their camping policies are similar but I could be wrong.