BikingBis.com has some great ideas on how to get cheap lodging on your next cross country trip. My favorites… setting up camp illegally on people’s land and talking your way to 10% off for the “TransAmerica Bicycle” discount at a hotel.

On any long distance bicycle tour, lodging could easily be the biggest expense. When you’re at home, you don’t think twice about taking a hot shower after your 50-mile ride, plopping down on your soft couch or taking a nice nap in front of the TV.

Do that on a long bike tour and you’ll soon be taking out a second mortgage on that home. Here are 8 suggestions from that harshest teacher of all, personal experience, and things I’ve read about touring on the cheap.