Touring - ever heard of warmshowers.org?

This summer I toured from Houghton, Michigan to Seattle, Washington, shortly after graduating from college. I used a Trek 520, and the store I bought it from recommended this organization called Warm Showers, an online list of touring cyclists who provide a place to crash, sometimes food, and often good company for cyclists passing through. In exchange, you offer up your place when you're able.

I signed up and ended up staying with 12 different Warm Showers hosts along the way, and I can't express how great of an experience it was. It added a whole other dimension to bike touring, not just seeing and hearing everything, or just meeting random people along the way, but meeting people who are friendly, genuine, and interested in hearing your stories. Often people would have an extra bed, cook me a full dinner, and leave their house to me in the morning when they went to work, trusting me completely. Sometimes people weren't even bikers, they just liked the idea of it all and wanted to help. It's hard to find that kind of treatment anywhere, it seems, and it was especially welcome on a trip like this.

Since returning I've seen quite a few cyclists passing through my area, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and surprisingly none of them have heard of Warm Showers. I have had a couple people stay with me and it felt great to repay them the kindness I had been shown.

Just wanted to share this and get the word out about a great organization (http://www.warmshowers.org/). Check it out on your next tour -- it's worldwide. Or sign up to be a host and meet some interesting people.

Fantastic resource. I met some interesting folks on my ride via warm showers.

im still trying to talk my darling wife ,,
around to the idea,she is a bit on the shy side..
i came across this site about a year ago,,
i think its a great idea..

not only warm showers list but hospitalityclub.org is also an international listing for those who travel overseas. Both are great and always an excellent way to meet new people.

chris

We love the Warmshowers site. We have made a couple really good friends through it. We have tried Couchsurfing and Hospitality Club too but prefer Warmshowers because it has a cyclists' mentality. People understand you can't give an exact arrival time, for example, like if you were taking the bus or train.

I've been hosted 2x and my hosts made me feel like their own family.
I'v hosted once and had a nice couple with us who have ridden to and are now in South America.

Question for those who have used WS as a guest. Do you bring the host a gift?

I have been a warm showers host for the past few years and have always enjoyed meeting fellow cyclists passing through my prairie town in Canada. I hosted a total of five cyclists this summer. Most of them were on cross-Canada treks and stayed for an average of two days. I think part of that is the bike shop I have in my basement though I prefer to think it is my excellent cooking! The last felow was finishing a 6 year round the world adventure and he had the most delightful stories to tell! As he pulled into my yard, the second spoke of the day pulled through his rim so we had fun rebuilding his wheel. I heartily recommend Warm Showers to all touring folks. I am located in Regina, Saskatchewan. If you're out this way and on the list, give me a call. :)

I used Warm showers on my recent charity ride (http://bicyclecommute.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/melbourne-to-sydney-for-charity/) and i have to say the guys we met were awesome, I cannot recommend the site enough

thanks warmshowers

There is also CouchSurfing.org. It is international and seems to have more active members than hospiltalityclub.

As said, the great thing about those sites is getting to learn a little bit about life in the region but it really is great when you are traveling to other countries.


The biggest problem I have with these organizations, is knowing when to not overstay our welcome. Some hosts will insist on doing you various favors such as runs to the store etc. I don't know if I should take them up on the offer or politely decline the offer and take a chance of insulting them (this is especially difficult in different cultures). Of course if someone stayed with me, I would have no problem with trying to accommodate any of their needs as long as they are reasonable.

Another problem I have with being host is, I don't think I would let people stay at my place unless I was there. But I know a number of hosts have no problem with this.

Couchsurfing can be a good idea if you are younger (college age) and don't mind partying with them.

The age of CouchSurfer hosts cover a wide range, but it does seem they are mostly on the younger end.