Invitation to join warmshowers.org

[mucknort]

Since a search for the term warmshowers.org turned up nothing on this forum, I'll post this for those that don't know about warmshowers.

If you are a bicycle tourist and aren't aware of warmshowers.org, I'd like to introduce you to it and invite you to sign up. It is a place for bicycle tourists to find like-minded folks willing to share their yard, floor, or extra bedroom space while on tour. It is also a place for empathetic home owners to add their house as a place to host touring cyclists. Registration is free and it is a non-profit operation. (I've never received any spam after signing up.)

http://warmshowers.org/

My motivation for posting this is two-fold. One is to spread the word for other tourists, the other is that it'd be great if more people would sign up as hosts. We are planning out our 6000 mile ride across the US starting this summer. We will camp plenty, but it will be nice to occasionally stay in yards or homes and get a shower. Unfortunately, there are large sections of the US where warmshower hosts are few and far between (as shown on their online map). I signed up to host, figuring if I'm gonna use the service to find hosts then I better volunteer as one, but so far haven't hosted.

There is another site called couchsurfing.com, but I like that warmshowers is dedicated to bicycle touring.

Erik

[JimF]

Wonderful organization. I've hosted and been hosted. Great hosts and guests.

[bikemanNY21]

thx for sharing, i will definitely check iT!

[nthabiseng]

Hi Mucknort,
I am a member of both WSL and Couchsurfing.  You can join the group "cyclists who host" in CS so that you are connected to touring cyclists.  We hosted a cross country cyclist last year thru CS; there is overlap with WSL which CS is aware of; there is another group for that.  I plan to use both when cycling x-country later this year.  If you come thru Milwaukee, you're welcome here--as long as your profile looks ok 

[destination]

I am hopeful, but, it takes "two" to agree on the details...

[RussellB]

A few days ago, I made a list of all the cities along the TransAmerica trail for which a search on warmshowers.org turns up at least one active member. Obviously some of those members might not be hosting at any given time, but this let me know in what towns it might make sense to at least look for a warmshowers.org home stay (I took out a pen and wrote a "W" next to each such city on my maps so I'll remember to check).  In case this would help anyone else, here's my list:

http://www.oboeguide.com/xc2010/cities.html

[mucknort]

In case this would help anyone else, here's my list:

Fabulous RussellB! If you plan to do the same for the Northern Tier in the next week or so, please let me know.

[Shane]

Some of my warmest memories from my coast2coast tour are my warmshowers hosts.....

Shane

[rvklassen]

A few days ago, I made a list of all the cities along the TransAmerica trail for which a search on warmshowers.org turns up at least one active member. Obviously some of those members might not be hosting at any given time, but this let me know in what towns it might make sense to at least look for a warmshowers.org home stay (I took out a pen and wrote a "W" next to each such city on my maps so I'll remember to check).  In case this would help anyone else, here's my list:

http://www.oboeguide.com/xc2010/cities.html

The WarmShowers site map will provide an overlay (just check the box) for ACA routes.  It doesn't appear to be complete, but the TransAmerica, Atlantic Coast, Northern Tier, Pacific Coast, and on Great Parks / Great Divide (?) appear to be there.

[roadrunner555]

  Staying with strangers on their property or in their homes is very dangerious.
We have no idea what kind of people we are staying with are like. What are you're thoughts.

[John Nelson]

Staying with strangers on their property or in their homes is very dangerious.
We have no idea what kind of people we are staying with are like. What are you're thoughts.

Is this a troll?

Cross the street is dangerous. Sitting on your couch is dangerous.

[mcparsons]

Staying with strangers on their property or in their homes is very dangerious.
We have no idea what kind of people we are staying with are like. What are you're thoughts.

Because when you stay in a campground you know all of those people. 

Seriously, we are far too obsessed with safety.  Tales of the waylaid traveler are as old as traveling so it is not just a "these days" thing. Don't be stupid, but don't let fear get in the way of living. Hence the bike.

[staehpj1]

Staying with strangers on their property or in their homes is very dangerious.
We have no idea what kind of people we are staying with are like. What are you're thoughts.

Since you asked...
Given that your two posts so far are this one and one asking if it is safe to carry a small propane cylinder in your trailer, my thought is that you are either trolling or more than a bit paranoid.

Stays with strangers are usually some of the high points of my tours.  As far as risk goes I figure I am more likely to be harmed by a car or truck than by a host.

[driftlessregion]

I have to agree that staying with strangers has been highlights of my tours. Once, at a restaurant in the woods in the middle of nowhere in Oregon, a couple heard us lament that our intended campground didn't exist so they invited us to stay with them. Great night of conversation, pizza and beer. Everyone should read Travels With Willie by Willie Weir (available in Adventure Cycling website) where he "initiates kindness" by seeking out strangers and gets himself invited into their homes or yards.

[mucknort]

After riding from Boston to near Seattle we have stayed with over a dozen warmshowers hosts and loved every experience! Still on the road and will write more later.