So you think you do not have the money to do one (or more) of the 7EPICS!

Every time I am invited to a dinner or a social evening and the conversation turns to what I do for a living, someone always asks me the question, “Who can afford one your epic tours?”

The answer, in a way, is simple. According to no less an authority than Canadian Automobile Association, in 2012 the average cost of owning a small car like a Honda Civic (based on 16,000km of driving per year)  was $6,440. This figure takes into account insurance, license, registration, deprecation and financing. In addition, the annual operating cost of this same vehicle (including fuel, tires and maintenance) is $ 2,064 – for a total of $8,500. For a mid-size car this adds up to $10,120. Not included are such things as parking, tickets, car wash, tolls and deductible in case of accidents or other small damage. Let’s be conservative and say another $500 although it is likely much more.

All together (without monetizing your time wasted in traffic and the resultant irritation) this adds up to above $9,000 for Civic and over $10,600 for a midsize car. If you use public transport or, better yet, if you cycle to work you can easily save 90% of this money. Do this for two years and – Voila – you have enough money to go on any of our 7EPICS! Better yet, get your partner to join you on this plan thus enabling you to rent or sublet your house/apartment for a period of four months and there is another $5,000 to 8,000 of spending money.

Of course when I suggest this most people look at me as if I was a heretic or have just explained that earth is flat. After all can you imagine living without owning a car?