Bike Life

Ken Reinke, a diabetic and polio survivor, has turned his passion for cycling into an inspirational journey of over 9,000 miles post-60, sharing his love for adventure through both pedaling across the country and his book, "The Road Spoke."

Emma Karslake, an adventurer and cycling tour guide, shares her journey of embracing solo female travel, offering practical tips on bike maintenance and touring confidence, while fostering an empowering message for women to embark on their own cycling adventures.

Ben Clark is living his best life cycling through diverse cultures, navigating challenges, and sharing his global bicycle touring adventure while gaining personal fulfillment and inspiring others.

Mark Tovell captures the essence of Taiwan's diverse landscapes, welcoming locals, and the unique challenges of high-altitude roads while sharing his story and insights with fellow touring cyclists.

Scott Sharick, a resilient cyclist and photographer, has found an inspiring way to blend the freedom of around-the-world bicycle touring, the drive to maintain health after a stroke, a minimalist lifestyle, and a deep appreciation for the cultures of Southeast Asia.

Lisa Watts, author of "Crossing Bridges," shares her transformative 3,000-mile cycling journey along the East Coast Greenway, blending the thrill of long-distance biking, insights into aging gracefully, and the joy of meaningful connections.

Justin Wolfenberg and his children, Henry and Leila, recount their transformative summer cycling the Transamerica route, overcoming personal challenges and encountering heartwarming acts of kindness along their journey.

In this repeat episode from 2022, Sheelagh Daly, a holistic nutritionist and avid cyclist from Ontario, shares her inspiring journey of solo bike touring across Europe.

Spencer McCullough, an environmental advocate from Denver, combines his passion for cycling, nature conservation, and community building by embarking on a 411-day journey to visit all national parks in the lower 48 states, advocating for bike-friendly campgrounds along the way.

Liz Pomeroy, known in the music world as 0Stella, has seamlessly blended her passion for music, a dedication to environmental consciousness, and the adventurous spirit of long-distance bicycle touring.

Jeff Jinnett, an avid cyclist and experienced bike tourer, shares the challenges and rewards of his cross-country adventures, highlighting the evolution of gear and the camaraderie among cyclists.

Chris Clinch has embraced the simplicity of minimalism, faced life's challenges, including type 1 diabetes, with resilience, and discovered the profound hospitality of South America while advocating for sustainable travel and cross-cultural connections.

Jerry Gore, a passionate climber and humanitarian, shares his harrowing journey cycling from London to Kyiv to raise awareness and funds for children with type 1 diabetes, shedding light on the impact of the Ukraine war while inspiring kindness and compassion along the way.

Karolin Windhuber, a passionate cyclist and advocate for World Bicycle Relief, shares her transformative journey from Germany to Turkey, highlighting the profound impact of bicycles on rural mobility and the joy of slow travel.

Ken Francis and Philip Robinson, veteran touring cyclists, share their adventures of riding roller coasters, cycling through diverse landscapes, and the camaraderie that has fueled their 25-year journey together.

Agathe Daudibon, the tourism director at the European Cyclists’ Federation, provides an insightful overview of EuroVelo routes and shares how their partnership with Warmshowers is amplifying the global cycling community.

Florian Coupe, a passionate cyclist and adventurer, shares his remarkable journey of biking from France to Korea for the World Scout Jamboree, aiming to inspire youth through sustainable transport and the spirit of adventure.

Ville and Kristen Jokinen, a daring couple who undertook an adventurous 18,000-mile bike journey, share their tales of wildlife encounters, human kindness, and the unexpected community they found along the way.

Ken Francis and fellow Warmshowers hosts from Southern California share their enriching experiences of community building, reciprocity, connection, and the joy of hosting touring cyclists.

Giulia Baroncini, an adventurous bike tourer and blogger, shares her inspirational 5-month cycling journey, rekindling the spirit of early bike touring pioneer Luigi Masetti and the historical footsteps she followed from Italy to Chicago.

Alissa Bell, a passionate bike tourist and founder of Bike Sleep Bike and Exploring Wild, shares her journey from a life-changing trip in Africa to building a community project that showcases personal bike travel stories from around the world.

The Bennek family has embarked on a life-changing cycle touring adventure of intentional living, slow travel, and community connections as they navigate life on the open road.

Ride along on the adventures and challenges of Hanna Ollos and Jonas Sommer as they bike their way from Germany to Southeast Asia, promoting biodiversity and nature conservation.

Richard Martin, aka Murdock, discovered Warmshowers entirely by chance. Eight years and 200 guests later, Murdock has become a hosting legend!

Jane Hertenstein, a talented writer, and experienced cyclist, shares stories of her solo bike trips and the importance of documenting personal experiences through writing in a flash memoir style she created.

Melissa Pritchard shares her inspiring journey of cycling around the world and the transformative impact it had on her life and those she encountered along the way.

Kenneth Wilson, the highway cellist, shares his extraordinary “work of art” journey touring with his cello on his bike.

Meet Brandon Bell, who is on a bike journey of self-discovery to find his purpose and contribute positively to the world amidst the environmental crisis.

Meet Reija Kime, a cyclist and cancer survivor who embarked on a 10-week cycle tour through Europe, sharing her inspiring journey and experiences along the way.

In this episode of Bike Life, host Tahverlee chats with Ken Francis to discuss the transformative power of cycling, mental health, and the importance of connecting with others through platforms like Warmshowers.

Carolyn Stallard, a professor at Brooklyn College and a freelance musician, has found a unique way to combine the freedom of remote teaching, a love of music, a desire to give back, and the joy of bicycle touring.

George Balarezo shares his thrilling adventure through Ethiopia, the challenges he faced, and the fascinating stories he encountered along the way.

Ride along on the adventures and challenges of Hanna Ollos and Jonas Sommer as they bike their way from Germany to Southeast Asia promoting biodiversity and nature conservation.

Join us as we dive into Dan’s unforgettable cross-country journey and discover the transformative power of embracing the unknown.

Whether you're an experienced tandem cyclist or just starting, there are many benefits to tandem cycling with a partner.

At the age of 40, Tadeo Pueyrredon took his dream journey and biked the entire Argentinian Route 40, a trip of 5200 km that took him four months to complete.

Sara Qiu Ruan has embarked on a life-changing adventure, conquering her fears and cycling with the profound purpose of helping people.

First-time long-distance cycler, Tyler Diedrick, recounts this epic tale of a sometimes funny, sometimes scary, but always adventurous bike tour.

Adventurer, Jo Davies, is on an incredible adventure riding her bike from Boston, MA, home to the UK, via the “scenic route.”

Hear from the Warmshowers 2022 Bike Giveaway winner, retired fireman and professional grandpa Steve Diaz.

What do you get when you combine a historian interested in learning about people and a love of bicycling?

Sanna Ghotbi and Benjamin Ladraa are bike travelers and activists from Sweden, who are on an epic 2-year, 48 000 km journey through 40 countries to Western Sahara.

Meet Tucker Atwood, a math teacher, actor, author, and adventurer.

Richard Martin, aka Murdock, discovered Warmshowers entirely by chance. Eight years and 200 guests later, Murdock has become a hosting legend!

Meet Kanishka Poddar, the Bicycle Mayor of Ranchi, India.

You never know what will happen when you stay with a Warmshowers host; when Adriel Klein’s host’s door opened, he met the love of his life!

Kari Loya recounts his 73-day, 4,600-mile cross-country journey of a lifetime with his 75-year-old dad battling early-stage Alzheimer’s.

Pam and Glen Goodnough married 40 years ago during their first cross-country bike tour together and have not slowed down since!

With over 30 years of experience, John Bolton knows a thing or two about cycling and the gear that goes with it and shares his vast knowledge on his YouTube channel called Cycling on a Shoestring.

On separate bike tours, two people from different parts of the country cross routes in Midland, MI, and become Matt and Kathy’s first-ever Warmshowers’ guests.

Sal Garro shares his joy of cycling, how his tricycle became known as the Pizza Bike, and how it serves as his commuter vehicle, cargo hauler, family bike, and adventure machine.

Meet Tarra Gundrum who created possible by setting off on her first solo bike tour without knowing anything about cycle touring!

Meet UK resident Antony Butcher who cycled across America on a healing journey full of adventure and wonderfully serendipitous moments.

Sustainability, environment, cycling, community, leadership, and bamboo; these are all passions of today’s guest, Warmshowers Board Member Lucy Binfield.

If you have ever dreamt about cycling in Australia, then stay tuned to learn about the world-class, off-road cycling experience known as The Munda Biddi Trail.

Meet Ben Grannis who was so inspired by someone else’s story it prompted him to begin a 10,000 mile journey to raise awareness for distracted driving and promote digital wellness.

Daniel Stein believes you experience the best of humanity from a bicycle seat.

Anne Breedlove knows that retirement doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you set off for eight years of cycling approximately 30,000 miles through 21 countries!

Meet Joe Diomede, a cyclist who has pursued his passion for seeing the world on two wheels and has authored a book about his many adventures.

Meet Chuck and Susan Atkinson; they have hosted almost 300 cyclists in their home in the Balkans who have all left unique handprints in their lives.

If you are a cycle tourer who takes the ability to tour on your own for granted, then meet Priyanka Dalal who has overcome many cultural barriers to become the first known female solo cycle tourer from India.

Meet the Gillis Family and discover how bike touring with kids is the ultimate family bonding adventure.

Do you want to get into cycling without breaking the bank? With over 30-years of experience, John Bolton knows a lot about cycling and the gear that goes with it!

Meet Claude Marthaler – a self-described Cyclonaute. For Claude, traveling by bike is a way of life. He has spent the past 16 years biking around the world and has authored 11 books and bike travelogues. From 1994 to 2001, Claude spent an incredible seven years on a solo bike tour traveling through 60 countries and biking over 122,000 kms. He loves the mountains and hiking and has spent a lot of time crisscrossing the Himalayas by bike, concentrating on Tibet, the very center of his inner geography. Claude says he needs to move to be able to write, so that's why he is always on his bike. He believes it is a privilege to travel by bicycle, without walls and in closer contact with nature. Bike travel is very slow and has great purpose and intent. Claude lives by the motto of "pouring kindness" on others and giving back more than you have received along the way. Five things Claude wants you to know:People's kindness, helpfulness, and hospitality in poor countries are heartwarming.Many things are possible to realize, many more than one believes.Being open to the world in terms of time and attitude allows things to happen naturally.The Internet has reshaped our ways of bike traveling and looking at the world, not always for the better.Traveling and taking time on the road makes us creative and introduces us to interesting people. Time spent on a bicycle belongs entirely to us; we can be in the here and now, remaining empty and dreaming. You can learn more about Claude and follow his adventures on his website at Claude Marthaler- Cyclonaute. Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org and visit us on Facebook. Contact Tahverlee directly at Tahverlee@Warmshowers.org. Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley   Happy riding and hosting!

Storytelling, adventure, love of cycling, human to human connection . . . that’s what bike touring is all about and what you’ll see at Filmed by Bike’s Annual Film Festival.

Meet Dorothee; a 71-year-old retired grandmother concerned about climate change who hopped on her pink bike and rode 2500 km from her hometown to the COP26 Summit in Scotland.

The story of Peter and Tracy Flucke is like a book with many chapters centered around bicycling, together and alone, for more than fifty years.

Ken Francis isn’t one to slow down. When the pandemic hit, he knew he had to find a way to continue touring and hosting his beloved Warmshowers family.

Dave and Leo are not your typical Warmshowers hosts! In their thirteen years of hosting they have welcomed hundreds of cyclists to their Florida home.

Adam Swanson has virtually grown up on a bike. He was just an infant when his family took a bike tour across Mexico, and now, at 18 years old, he is on his first solo worldwide tour.

Bike touring helps us check in with ourselves and our needs; it nourishes our bodies and souls.

Two people from different parts of the country on independent trips cross routes in Midland, MI, and become Matt and Kathy’s first-ever Warmshowers’ guests.

Wheels of Fortune recounts the wondrous experiences a young couple encountered during their 14,000-mile bike trip across the US and Canada.

It started with a bike breakdown on a cycle tour through Namibia, Africa, in 2014. Was her tour over? What happened next would forever change Ursula’s life and the lives of countless children.

Meet passionate and seasoned cyclist Ken Francis, a longtime Warmshowers user, host, volunteer, and former Board member.

Meet Pinar Pinzuti, the founder of Fancy Women Bike Ride, a woman-only bike event held in cities worldwide. Pinar's goal is to bring more diversity into the cycling world and empower more women to ride more often.

Today, we are joined by Susan Doram who is a published writer, award-winning personal trainer, cycle coach, and worldwide solo cyclist.

Meet Ben Riopelle, a Vet Tech from Colorado who is combining his love for animals and conservation with a long dreamed about first-time bike tour.

We are joined today by Jerry Kopack who has bike toured through 17 countries. He is propelled by the curiosity of the “human experience” and lives by the mentality to always say yes.

We are joined today by Dan Beaumont. Dan is on an epic 4-month journey cycling 10,000km across Britain to raise funds for Mind Over Mountains.

We are joined today by Kevin Belanger. Kevin is here to share his wisdom, knowledge, and personal experiences on the important conversation of being queer in the outdoor community.

We are joined today by Aaron Stephenson. Aaron is a Spanish teacher who lives with his family in Massachusetts and uses his summer breaks to cycle for a cause.

We are joined today by Kevin Belanger. Kevin is the Manager of Trail Planning for the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Great American Rail Trail.

We are joined today by Lorraine Lambert. Lorraine is a “later in life” first-time cyclist who discovered her path after a traffic jam moment.

Today's episode of Bike Life, first brought to you last year, contains some great information on planning your next bike tour. Whether it is your first long tour or you are a veteran, you will learn something from our guest Bill Roy.

We are joined today by returning guests Tristan Bogaard and Belèn Castellò. Tristan and Belén have just released their latest book, 50 Ways to Cycle the World.

Today's episode of Bike Life, first brought to you last year, contains great information on hosting that we want to share with you again. Whether you are hosting for the first time or resuming hosting after the pandemic, our guest Ann has some great tips for you.

We are joined today by Sara Dykman. Sara, aka the Butter Biker, is a biologist, outdoor educator, and adventurer.

We are joined today by Katie Spotz. Katie is an endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author, and world-record holder.

We are joined today by Natalie Izzo. Natalie's first solo tour led her down a fantastic road to discovery, along with some wild and wonderful experiences along the way.

We are joined today by Hollie Ernest. Hollie is a botanist and forester whose dream is to ride around the world on her bike.

We are joined today by Antonio Piretti. Antonio is an Italian/Canadian musician who has just completed a 6000km musical bike tour through 16 European countries. He describes the trip as somewhat of a miracle in these "locked down" pandemic times.

We are joined today by Quintin Reich. Quintin is a cyclist and longtime Warmshowers.org host located on the Pacific Coast route.

We are joined by Harry Shepherd, a cyclist and environmental campaigner from England.  Today, Harry talks about what got him into cycling, his passion for the natural world, and an eventful journey across Europe during 2020. The trip formed part of the Team Townend Challenge, an annual cycling sportive held in the Lake District in memory of Niggy and Christian Townend, two cycling brothers who were killed on their bikes in 2010. Harry helps to organize the event with friends of the brothers each year.  When not on the bike, Harry works in environmental communications, promoting the work of organizations dedicated to protecting the natural world. You can learn more about Harry on his website at FollowTheShepherd.uk or Instagram at HarrySheph. To learn more about the Team Townend Challenge or make a donation, visit their website HERE. Join our community at www.warmshowers.org or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org. Instagram: warmshowers_org

We are joined today by Josh Garman. Josh is a touring cyclist who lives in the U.K. and recently cycled 600 miles across England ~ with E.T. as his co-pilot! Josh is an accidental touring cyclist who started his first tour with no prior cycling experience. He had spent time in Australia as a barefoot long-distance walker but had never considered a bike tour. When Josh returned to England, he learned about Chris Brannigan, a father who walked across England barefoot to raise money for his daughter’s medical treatment. Josh was captivated by this unique story and decided right there and then that he would do something to help. He came up with the idea of doing a cycle tour to raise funds for Chris’s charity, Hope for Hasti. While planning his trip on a gloomy, rainy day, the scene from the movie E.T. where Elliot rides across the sky with E.T. on his bike came to him. The vision brought such a simile to his face, and he decided that he would take E.T. along with him to bring attention to his fundraising cause. In 2 short weeks, with very little planning, a small budget, and way too much gear, he set off.  Josh spent a total of 23 days on the road. It was very slow going at the start, and he quickly realized that a mountain bike loaded down with gear is not the right way to travel on the English roads! Having E.T. along brought him tremendous attention. Josh spent the first night sleeping in a small tent, but people started offering him shelter after news of his tour got out. He spent 21 of the 23 nights on the road staying in people’s houses, some of which were Warmshowers hosts. Josh was overwhelmed by the kindness he received from total strangers on his journey.  On the second last day of Josh’s tour, he and Chris Brannigan from Hope for Hasti finally got to meet. His trip was such a magical experience for him that he knew he would do it again. For his next challenge, he plans to cycle 5000 miles around the coast of England, towing a bicycle camper he built to resemble a school bus while raising money for charity. You can learn more about Josh on Instagram at ExpeditionJosh, on Facebook, on Patreon, YouTube, or his website ExpeditionJosh.com.  To learn more about Hope for Hasti, or make a donation, visit their website HERE. Join our community at www.warmshowers.org, or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org. Instagram: warmshowers_org

We are joined by Josiah Skeats. Josiah is a people-focused author whose 3 year journey taught him to be a slow traveler. While studying law at university, Josiah came across an article about someone who had cycled around the world. The light bulb went off, and even though he was not a cyclist, he immediately started planning a solo trip. After graduation, he set out for his grand adventure to travel from England to Australia. Along the way, Josiah has fallen in love with bike touring, the experiences it brings, and mostly, with the people you meet. Josiah didn’t do much training to prepare, but he did tons of planning. He wrote a list of every obstacle he thought he would encounter on the trip and then tried to solve it. He laughingly recalls that a week after he set off, all his carefully made plans were discarded, and he decided to just wing it. A big turning point came for Josiah about a month into his trip. After rushing his way through Europe and central Asia, he met two fellow cyclists in Bosnia that significantly impacted him. They taught him it wasn’t about how fast you are going, but rather how slow. After this encounter, Josiah slowed way down, and his trip went from a planned one-year journey to three years. His goal became to seek adventure and learn about the people he met along the way. So many fantastic experiences came from that one decision back in university to cycle around the world. Looking back, Josiah is amazed that he dared to believe that a trip like this was possible. He urges everyone that if bike touring is something you are interested in, it is worth pursuing, even if you don’t have cycling experience. Josiah’s advice is to always be curious and open to the unexpected. Let your gut instincts guide your path, and you will be amazed at what opportunities arise.  You can reach Josiah on his website where he blogs about the projects he is working on at JosiahSkeets.com or follow his posts on Facebook at Josiah Skeets and Instagram at josiahskeets. Join our community at www.warmshowers.org or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org. Instagram: warmshowers_org

We are joined by Mike Dits. Mike is a corn-fed Indiana Hoosier and adventurer who now lives in Colorado. He is extremely passionate about clean energy and sustainability. Mike had his first bike touring experience as a sophomore in college when he spent a summer working with a non-profit organization called Bike and Build. After touring the country helping to build homes for those in need, he knew that a solo bike trip was in his future. After graduation in August of 2015, Mike set off for a 4-year solo trip around the world. The theme of his journey was promoting sustainability and renewable energy. He spent his time learning about clean energy and helping install solar water systems for families in Africa. After visiting 63 countries and 5 continents, Mike returned home in October of 2019. You can tell how impactful this trip was on him by the enthusiasm in his voice when he recalls the amazing people he met along the way. He says nothing is better than traveling on two wheels to take in the world's beauty while learning about diverse cultures. Mike's advice for anyone planning a long-term trip is to put yourself in the proper mindset. His motto for life is simple; look around, smile, and keep your hands open. Don't just look ahead or behind but look all around and be totally present. Smile to bring a positive energy, an energy with respect and humility to everyone that you encounter. Keep your hands open, to receive but also to give.   You can reach Mike on his website, Renew Ride, where he blogs about the projects he is working on at RenewRide.com. Join our community at www.warmshowers.org or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org. Instagram: warmshowers_org

We are joined by Anastasia Bouzdine. Anastasia is a 25-year-old woman on a mission to connect with humanity on a bicycle. Anastasia is an engineer, working in a male-dominated field and surrounded by men who do many sport challenges. She decided that if the men could do it, so could she. After trying a few short cycling trips, Anastasia made her first solo trip in September of 2020. She set off on an exhausting 10-day journey across the Alps with the end goal of taking a little swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Anastasia says that when she started, the trip was all about how far or how fast she could travel in a day. But after a few days, she realized that the trip was more about the experiences and the people she met along the way. Every day, the Warmshowers community welcomed and supported her. She was so encouraged by all of her hosts' warm hospitality, some of whom have become lifelong friends. The relationships she made prompted her to become a host herself. Anastasia loves cycling through the mountains, so she is planning on crossing the Dolomite Mountains in Italy for her next trip. For Anastasia, what started as a sport challenge to prove herself, turned into an extraordinary trip of transformation. In the end, it was the connections she made along the way that made the trip such a fantastic experience. You can learn more about Anastasia on her YouTube channel, Anastasia Bouzdine.  Join our community at www.warmshowers.org or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org. Instagram: warmshowers_org

In this episode, Andrew Lee joins the show to discuss awakening through bike touring. Andrew describes how he felt like he'd had some amazing life experiences that had led him to a spiritual awakening. He decided to have one last adventure and undertake a cycling tour across Canada to consolidate his experiences and inspire others before returning to his community to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. Andrew cycled across Canada following the acronym of H.I.L.L, which stands for Hope, Inspiration, Love, and Let Go. Andrew created the H.I.L.L acronym while tackling the tough hills of British Columbia. He describes how he thinks that there is something that happens to us when we overcome big challenges, or we take steps to push ourselves into uncomfortable places where you can learn resiliency, which can help us in every aspect of your lives.  We learn about Andrew’s experiences with wild camping and the challenge and excitement of trying to find free places to stay. Read Andrew's blog at http://allineedismy2barefeet.blogspot.com/ And follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/my2barefeet/ Join our community at www.warmshowers.org or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org INSTAGRAM: warmshowers_org