Another Warmshowers.org plug

[Shaula]

My husband and I had our 2nd experience with Warmshowers.org. Had a couple of guys that emailed me the day they wanted to stay. They were very sorry for the short notice but had not made plans originally to come through my town. I was a bit hesitant at first but so, so glad we accepted. They were so entertaining, very sweet and respectful. They were on their way to Maine from Key West, Florida. Found out one of the guys was the grandson to the former Athletic Director of University of Tennessee!!! If you have not signed up for warmshowers.org and were on the fence about it, I can tell you we have had a great experience thus far.

[jobob]

That's so cool.

I fantasize about someday having a place off the beaten path and somewhat near a bike tour route, with a nifty little guest cottage where I can put up visitors. It's fun to dream.

[lph]

Yup. I love the idea, and can get all gung ho about it, until I remember that any couchsurfers would literally have to sleep on our single couch in our tiny living-room. Either that, or share a bed with us.

[Tri Girl]

I signed up and we hosted two sets of touring cyclists, then my DH said he was uncomfortable with strangers staying with us and didn't want to do it anymore. And since it's OUR house and not just mine, I complied. If I was single, I'd host them all the time. We had a GREAT experience both times, but it's just not for him.

[eofelis]

We are on the WS list and have hosted some tourists. We enjoyed it immensely. Two years ago we had a couple of young women from the east coast stay with us for 2 nights. My SO enjoyed tuning up their bikes.

We have also hosted tourists that we happened to meet when they came through town.

Also two years ago we ran into a gentleman from NZ who was in the US with his mtn/touring bike. He was doing Ride the Rockies (it was starting in our town that year) and then touring on his own. It was so wonderful to meet Roger and we still exchange emails with him sometimes.

Just last weekend we were at the library and found a couple of young women who were touring through. We invited them to stay with us. They stayed two nights. John tuned up their bikes. We had a canyon hike planned and we took them along and they enjoyed it. Their blog is here: http://appetiteforadventures.com/

[AnnieBikes]

We are also on the WS list and over the past three or so years, we have hosted many cyclists. Every one of them was interesting, shared their stories, and was very respectful of us and our home, and MOST appreciative of our hospitality. We live 30 minutes from the Trans-Am Adventure cycling route and have picked up people there and they had a layover day at our home. We let them do laundry, feed them, and transport them back to the "trail." It has been a wonderful experience.

Last summer, two couples (my DH, me, and another couple) rode around Lake Ontario self-supported. We stayed in three WS host homes and were treated royally! What we did for others came back to us ten fold! I can highly recommend WS. If you are nervous about someone who calls, get their phone number, read their profile on WS and make your decision based on what others have said about them. If they joined WS this week and are now asking me to stay, I am hesitant.

It is important that you and your SO, DH, or partner are on the same page about it. If one does not want to have "guests" then you should probably abide by that, but WS is generally all cyclists who are looking for housing and anyone knows that cyclists are all awesome people!!!

We are also on Couchsurfing, but that is more anyone, and not cyclists so I am much more discriminating when reading the profiles. I have turned down several requests on there because I wasn't thrilled about what I read. However, we have met some great people on that site, too, and also stayed with someone who had stayed with us.

[Irulan]

This sounds great. I'd sign up in a minute but we are tearing our house apart in two weeks. Do any of these folks ever tent? We have a great back yard for tenting.

[Sky King]

This sounds great. I'd sign up in a minute but we are tearing our house apart in two weeks. Do any of these folks ever tent? We have a great back yard for tenting.

on the DH's last solo trip he set up his hammock in the back yard of his WS hosts. Being the Bike Hermit, he is quite comfortable being by himself and really enjoyed being able to be in the back yard as opposed to the house We are on the WS list but have yet to host anyone.

[Cynedra]

I thought about doing this, but my children as still so young that I wouldn't feel comfortable with strangers in the house.

[Chile Pepper]

I signed up a while ago, I think it was after Biciclista's story about hosting. I've had a few notes from people, but no one has actually shown up at my house (I live a little off the beaten path). Well, it looks like I might actually have a couple of guests tomorrow! I'll let you know how it goes.