Homesteading Bike Tour

Narwhalin · #1 08/12/09, 09:15 PM

Hello! This is my first post, so a little background on myself...

My name is Rick. I am 28 and from Wichita, Kansas. I have lived here in south central Kansas for my whole life. I first became interested in homesteading due to my Mom giving me a healthy stack of Mother Earth News, although I have been moving towards a philosophy of self-sufficancy for some time now. I commute to work by bicycle (I don't own a car) and just raised my first garden this year with the help of my two roomates.

I have been planning a tour on my bike with my Mom (who will be driving) that should occur next year sometime. After some thought, I want to orient this tour around homesteading, hopefully going from place to place meeting many different people and learning what they are doing out there!

I am a bit stumped about how to put this together. Internet searches seem to be fruitless so far...what I am getting is websites for places that have preserved old homesteads rather than working homesteads. Could anyone give me any guidance on this?

Thank you!

Sparticle · #2 08/12/09, 10:26 PM

I'd bet it would be easy to make friends here and I bet you'd be able to put something together. This is a nice group and we are all over.

We sold our homestead and are trying to find another so we are in transition. There are many established homesteads represented here though and I'm sure you could learn so much.

Good luck!

Narwhalin · #3 08/12/09, 11:00 PM

Good idea! I have also found this site: http://www.organicvolunteers.com/index.asp and also a few farms that have websites by refining my search a bit more.

I will certainly try to get to know the folks around here as I am researching over the next year...

PulpFaction · #4 08/13/09, 01:00 AM

Homesteading means so many different things to different people, perhaps you should start by narrowing it down to things that you're most interested in. What would you hope to learn through this trip? Do you want to foccus on those living off grid, those that are most "self sufficient" and only buy a few staples from the store, people who are making their homesteads pay for themselves through some kind of business, specific cultivation techniques, livestock, et cetera.

If you outline your specific goals it will be much easier to network with people and come up with a trip map. I think the WOOF network is an excellent place to start, especially combined with this forum.

Keep us updated as plans start to develop, and if you're looking for people in specific areas (location wise, or as pertaining to your interests,) post them here and I bet you would get find many willing hosts.

Ohio dreamer · #5 08/13/09, 05:44 AM

Look at festival, demonstrations or classes that might tie in with what you want to see. That might help you map out your route. Then try to fill in the spots between events.

Wisconsin Ann · #6 08/13/09, 06:45 AM

As others said, homesteading means so many different things to different people. To some, it's sustainable living...as in you make/create as many of your needs as possible without having to put in an outlay of cash. Growing your own animals, who reproduce replacements for you. Then growing the grains/hay/feed for those animals as well as yourself.

To others here, homesteading means moving to the country and having a few chickens for eggs. It can be a nebulous dream that is an ideal to some.

Figure out what you're interested in. Do you want to see small farms that raise animals and sell produce? Or folks who are trying to establish communal farms where they exchange with each other?

Are you interested in the alternative energy things that are available now (solar or wind power perhaps?) Or are you MORE interested in power from the past? Diesel engines that are powered on peanut oil (did you know that was the original design?) or perhaps the solar ovens or burning wood efficiently? (if any of this paragraph tickles your interest, I can suggest the Renewable Energy Fair in early June, up here in Wisconsin...big thing with hundreds of exhibits ...see this thread. )

There are some great heritage garden centers around, if you're looking for old style veggies and fruits instead of hybrids. Saving seeds and continuing old varieties is a whole world unto itself

If you're interested in seeing how people live in a smaller way, little of the "keep up with the joneses"...perhaps a route set up through people you meet on HT will be the way to go.

whatever you do, good luck with it, and keep a journal of the trip. Video or diary. Would be very interesting to follow

kbabin · #7 08/13/09, 01:13 PM

You also might check into http://www.wwoofusa.org/ it is like ww.organicvolunteers.com

Kev

Narwhalin · #8 08/13/09, 04:09 PM

Thank you everyone for all the good suggestions...really opening up my eyes here! I have to teach a few drum lessons, but will be back later...then I can probably go more into detail about my specific interests....

**Ross** · #9 08/13/09, 04:24 PM

Not sure where you're from but you have an interesting idea. Hope you join in around HT a little more we'd all like to get to know ya! Welcome.

Narwhalin · #10 08/15/09, 11:14 PM

Thanks, Ross!

As far as my interests go, I am looking toward buying land with a few like-minded friends and building my own house using some sort of alternative to contemporary stick-frame homes. I will use some sort of renewable source to run the home. Also, I would like to grow my own produce, raise chickens for meat and eggs.

I am looking forward to learning from all of you folks, and will be checking into some cool festivals, fairs, and demonstrations about the things I am interested in...

Big Dave · #11 08/16/09, 07:14 PM

Sounds like you are a canidate for the Dancing Rabitt

turtlehead · #12 08/16/09, 07:33 PM

Others have given good ideas and suggestions. Me, I just wanted to say "Welcome" and it sounds like you'll fit right in here. When you do your tour (sounds like a GREAT idea, BTW) then I do hope you'll blog it or something so we can ride along vicariously.

If you're interested in earth sheltered (underground) homes then you could research those and hopefully put some of them on your tour. Or cordwood homes or straw bale homes or earth ships. Or maybe look at some of each and take the best from what you see.

I'd think in Kansas you'd have good solar and wind power, so you might put some of that into your tour as well. I think if you hang around here and post fairly regularly, in a year you'll have a few HT friends to visit as well.

Yvonne's hubby · #13 08/16/09, 08:37 PM

If your tour gets you as far as south central Ky, there are numerous homesteaders in this area, I fer one will be more than happy to show you our place, and introduce you to a fairly large group of fellow veteran homesteaders. We have been resettling little family farms here in south central Ky for over 30 years. I have a fair collection of old "Mother's" tucked away in the closet. By old I mean pre glossy pages. Prolly most in the seventies and very early eightys. Bring yer bedroll and a jug of yer choice, coz the nearest legal liquor store is 50 miles away. I'll call the gang together while yer here and you can join in a grand evening of music and sharing of homesteading stories.

Narwhalin · #14 08/16/09, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Sounds like you are a canidate for the Dancing Rabitt

What's that?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtlehead

If you're interested in earth sheltered (underground) homes then you could research those and hopefully put some of them on your tour. Or cordwood homes or straw bale homes or earth ships. Or maybe look at some of each and take the best from what you see.

I am most attracted to rammed earth at the moment, but I know I have a lot to learn! I would be interested in seeing all of those types of homes and talk to the people who built them...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne's hubby

If your tour gets you as far as south central Ky, there are numerous homesteaders in this area, I fer one will be more than happy to show you our place, and introduce you to a fairly large group of fellow veteran homesteaders. We have been resettling little family farms here in south central Ky for over 30 years. I have a fair collection of old "Mother's" tucked away in the closet. By old I mean pre glossy pages. Prolly most in the seventies and very early eightys. Bring yer bedroll and a jug of yer choice, coz the nearest legal liquor store is 50 miles away. I'll call the gang together while yer here and you can join in a grand evening of music and sharing of homesteading stories.

That is much appriciated! My Mom wants to go to Maine, and I just learned of the Nearings and the Good Life Center there. So, I am thinking of starting there. I am sure we would be going near enough on our way back to justify taking up such an offer. Looks like one of the premier bike routes goes through Berea, near Mammoth Cave, etc:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/rout...pg=detail&s=10

So, again, thank you! I will keep you in mind for our trip...

Yvonne's hubby · #15 08/16/09, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narwhalin

That is much appriciated! My Mom wants to go to Maine, and I just learned of the Nearings and the Good Life Center there. So, I am thinking of starting there. I am sure we would be going near enough on our way back to justify taking up such an offer. Looks like one of the premier bike routes goes through Berea, near Mammoth Cave, etc:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/rout...pg=detail&s=10

So, again, thank you! I will keep you in mind for our trip...

I just checked the map on yer link, the "E" in "mammoth cave" looks to be in our pasture, so if you make that loop, yer right handy to our place. Give me a heads up when yer plannin yer trip and we'll leave the light on for ya.

roachhill · #16 08/17/09, 04:44 PM

I'm just getting started but if you come my way I'd be happy to let you set up camp and we could spend an evening bouncing Ideas off each other. I live in northern Pa near Westfield,Pa so If your route is taking you this way drop me a line. I'll even throw a couple steaks on the grill. Have you looked into earthbags or earth filled tires aka earthship construction they look more homebuilder friendly then some other earthen construction methods.

Narwhalin · #17 08/17/09, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roachhill

I'm just getting started but if you come my way I'd be happy to let you set up camp and we could spend an evening bouncing Ideas off each other. I live in northern Pa near Westfield,Pa so If your route is taking you this way drop me a line. I'll even throw a couple steaks on the grill. Have you looked into earthbags or earth filled tires aka earthship construction they look more homebuilder friendly then some other earthen construction methods.

Thank you! I really appriciate all of your support. I am really looking forward to learning from you all...

I have only looked at earthships a little bit, and I have just recently learned of earth bag construction. What I like about earthships are the features like gardens inside the house, running off of rainwater, recycling (safe) wastewater to the gardens, passive solar design (I think)...generally the whole concept. I don't like the looks of them typically...to me they look like they are more like spaceships, and I mean that quite literally. The designs I have seen are not exactly what I desire.

So, I wonder, should I just grow up and forget about looks, or am I on to something? I would have to live with this decision for a long time, so I want to like it, but I also prioritize functionality above asthetics.

On the other hand, most of the designs I have seen with rammed earth look quite nice to me. I wonder, what is it about earthbag and rammed tires that make them easier for the builder than rammed earth? Just simply the lack of a frame? Also, is there any way to make an earthship or earthbag home look less like adobe and more like rammed earth?

roachhill · #18 08/18/09, 09:27 PM

I think it's just that tires and bags are small jobs that 1 person can handle. You can just do 1 at a time until your worn out then stop. I don't know about changing the look anythings possible. Personally I bought a log cabin kit before I even realized all the options.
I'm serious about providing a spot to get some rest you'll probably need it. So if you decide to take me up on it just send a private message and we'll work out the details. I've got a few books on alternative construction and electricity you might enjoy taking a look at also.

roachhill · #19 08/26/09, 01:31 PM

I was wondering If you've ever done a bicycle tour before? I don't ride anymore but I did for several years. If you haven't done it and you have questions you can ask me it's a topic I actually know alot about.

Natural Beauty Farm · #20 08/26/09, 01:59 PM

Hey if you make it down to the central route you are welcome here. Bike trail along with 7 others comes through our town. Land here started as a co-op of different building/living ideas and we are always open to new ones and people. Right now an off the grid, self sustaining house is in the works. Plans for underground and a dome are coming together.

The Good Life Center is life changing. I hope you get to meet some really dedicated caretakers there. I was lucky to find it as a teen and volunteer with the original ones. They challenged everything I thought about life and society and made me a better person.

Good luck on your journey. Remember to take it slow and go out of your way to meet and see the strange and odd, they will teach you more about life than any text book.