A Map and Some Numbers: 15,200 Miles Around the US & Canada on a Bike

 

My route in its entirety.  I have GPS data for every ride, except for one in the Yukon/BC where my GPS failed for some unknown reason. Click on the map to open in Google Maps and explore.  Figuring out how to make this map was a pain in the ass, so please click on it, zoom in/out/around!  If anyone ever needs to merge and filter a large number of GPX files, I can help.

People

Warmshowers Hosts: 78

Family/Friends Visited: 68

Strangers that gave me a place to sleep and/or food: 37+


Distance and Elevation Numbers

Total Distance: 15,226 miles (24,503 KM)

Total Elevation Climbed: 525,279 feet

Continental Divide Crossings: 6

Number of Rides: 242

Average Miles/Day: 63

Avg Miles/Day First 30 Days: 50

Avg Miles/Day Last 30 Days: 82

Biggest Week: 533 miles (across South Dakota)

Biggest Month: 2,012 (Sept 2014)

Longest 1 Day Ride: 119.3 miles (Heading east from Tetons)

Biggest 1 Day Climb: 8,592 feet (Skagway, AK to Tagish, Yukon)

Rides Over 100 Miles: 11


Bike Part Numbers (Purchased on the road)

Tires: 4

Tubes:10? Lots of patches!

Chains: 3

Cassettes: 2

Rear Dérailleurs: 1

Dérailleur Cables:  3

Wheels: 1

Handlebar Tape: 1

Pedals: 1 (set)

Cleats: 2 (sets)

Saddles: 3 (still haven't found the one)

Total Cost of Parts: ~$692


Money Numbers
How much did it cost?  I used my credit card most of the time, so I have a good idea. The numbers below are estimates based on reviewing 12 months of CC statements and some adjustments for times I remembered using cash.  The grand total is ~$9,280. 

My biggest expense was food.  I spent too much on food, about $450/month.  That is a lot, especially considering how many people fed me.  I am not exactly sure how I managed to do it, but I suspect the following contributed:

1. Eating a lot!
2. Indulging, especially in cities (smoothies, restaurants, bars, cafes).  Being very hungry, tired, and living cheap otherwise, I often let food be the exception.
3. Buying healthy food (fruit & veg are not cheap on a per calorie basis.)
4. Buying small quantities and pre-packaged/pre-washed items.  Not having a refrigerator and having space/weight limitations meant I was often buying items in the smallest available quantities.  1 orange costs much more per lb than a bag of 10. 

I spent a little over $1/day on lodging/camping, so did pretty well not paying for a place to sleep.  Most of that money was spent on camping fees in state or national parks.  I stayed in one hotel in Van Horn, TX, which I decided was a birthday present to myself. $30 well spent for a night out of the wind.

Other big expenses were a new smartphone, a couple airplane tickets, and several ferry rides.  No regrets about buying the smartphone and switching to Republic Wireless.  First off, the phone has a very good camera, much better than my old phone, and getting good photos without having to carry a separate camera was important to me.  Second, RW prices can't be beat.  I paid $300 for the phone, no contract and pay anywhere from $5- $25/month for service depending on which plan I am using. (You can switch twice a month.) Third, you can call and text via WiFi. This is very handy in remote areas and foreign countries. The service has some quirks and probably not good for heavy data users, but generally good coverage and certainly beats paying $50+ month to one of the giants.

I flew back to CT from Baton Rouge for my mom's 60th birthday, and that flight cost $450.  Then I flew from San Fran to San Diego after the Death Valley/Yosemite excursion with Emy.  No regrets on those expenses, but I think I could have down without the $569 in ferry rides, especially the long expensive ones (Key West to Ft Myers Beach and Port Hardy to Skagway).  Seeing Southeast Alaska was cool, but in general I'd rather be riding my bike. 

The most egregious expense of all: $32 in foreign transaction fees to Visa while in Canada.  That won't happen again!

	Totals	% of Total
Food	$5,362	57.8%
Lodging/Camping	$385	4.2%
Bike Parts	$692	7.5%
Misc Equip/Clothing	$698	7.5%
Ferries	$569	6.1%
Flights	$495	5.3%
Park Entry Fees	$151	1.6%
Misc Rec Act	$114	1.2%
USPS, Postcards, Gifts	$202	2.2%
Phone	$516	5.6%
Foreign Trans Fee	$32	0.3%
Amazon (Books)	$62	0.7%
Total	$9,280