Warmshowers is the name of an online, long distance cycling community. Much like Couchsurfers (if you’ve heard of that), they run a map and messaging system that hooks up cyclists in need of services and hosts who offer them. These “services” can be anywhere between local knowledge exchange, the use of laundry facilities or even a bed for the night, a warm shower (there it is!) and a hot dinner!
It’s advisable for cyclists using the service to offer at the very least a good travel story in exchange for the incredible kindness shown by these hosts. Although I have left gifts, thank you cards, beers and (at my poorest) did all the washing up and cleaned up the host’s kitchen in return.
For a lone cyclist this service was indispensable. There was nothing more valuable to me than arriving at a hosts home and finding someone smiling at me, asking me how my day was. It’s a free service but those smiles were gold dust.
In my world; globalisation and freedom of movement (if you have the privilege, and it IS a privilege) mean that a sense of “community” can easily be disbanded. In my own experience I have never lived near family, have had parents who moved away from their own and have struggled to make sense of what the word “home” meant for me. But I think I can say with confidence that the community of Warmshowers creates temporary homes on a daily basis.
Remember to give back, always.
bitter/sweet 