Bike Life

Latest Episodes:

Murdock, the Hosting Legend Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

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

One day, on his way to work as a wildland firefighter, he met a cyclist on the road who had just climbed a steep hill and looked exhausted. He stopped to offer her Gatorade, which turned into an offer of a place to stay, and then dinner, where she told him all about Warmshowers. The rest is history.

In his eight years of hosting, Murdock has met incredible people from all over the world. He’s seen it all; unicycles, tricycles, families with dogs, you name it. For Murdock, it’s all about the story, and someone new with a unique story always comes along!

Follow Richard on Facebook and Instagram at @pinkmoondiving.

Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. Contact Tahverlee directly at Tahverlee@Warmshowers.org.

Today’s episode of Bike Life was hosted by Jerry Kopack, Warmshowers Board member and finance chair.

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

Happy riding and hosting!

The Bicycle Mayor of Ranchi Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

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

In 2015, Kanishka ran into a woman from Spain who was touring India by bike and thought, “who travels India by bike? That’s insane.” But she inspired him to hop on a bike for the first time in 20 years, and he experienced the sheer joy of exploring places at his own pace.

Fast forward 8 years, and now Kanishka is the Bicycle Mayor of his town, Ranchi. He works closely to connect his community with the government to support bicycling policies and make his country more bicycle friendly. Kanishka has fallen in love with bicycle touring and traveling in slow motion.

Fun facts about Kanishka:

He climbed some of the highest mountains while cycling in the Himalayas. From cycling in heavy rains to hailstorms and snowfall, he experienced it all while crossing notorious Himalayan passes.
While touring in Vietnam, he was invited right off the street to attend a wedding. Later he ran into a random 70-year-old man, and even though they didn’t speak the same language, they could communicate.
When he crossed the border between Thailand and Cambodia, he was almost mugged by immigration officers. He had the worst night in no man’s land between the two countries, but it taught him so much about himself, life, and beyond.

Learn more about Kanishka on his website Veloventure.in. Follow him on Instagram at @kp1200 and on Twitter at @kp1200.

Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. Contact Tahverlee directly at Tahverlee@Warmshowers.org.

Today’s episode of Bike Life was hosted by Jerry Kopack, Warmshowers Board member and finance chair.

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

Happy riding and hosting!

Harnessing Tailwind Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

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!

Adriel’s love for biking and charity work began with his first cross-country tour riding across America with a group called Bike & Build. After that trip, he took every opportunity to bike as much as possible.

On his second cross-country tour, Adriel relied mainly on Warmshowers hosts. After a long day touring, he arrived at his host’s home expecting to meet an older gentleman. But the door was opened by his host’s granddaughter instead, and it was love at first site. The rest, as they say, is history.

Adriel’s enthusiasm for life is contagious. He believes he has been blessed with a “good tailwind” and sees this as a metaphor for his obligation to help those going through the headwind.

Connect with Adriel and purchase his new book at Harnessing Tailwind. Follow him on Instagram at @harnessingtailwindpodcast.

Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org and visit us on Facebook. Contact Tahverlee directly at Tahverlee@Warmshowers.org.

Today’s episode of Bike Life was hosted by Jerry Kopack, Warmshowers Board member and finance chair.

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

Happy riding and hosting!

Conversations Across America Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Kari Loya got his love for biking and adventure from his dad, Merv. They took their first bike tour together when Kari was in his early teens and always talked about biking cross-country someday.

When 75-year-old Merv was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s in 2015, Kari knew that “someday” was here. With very little planning, they set off for a father-son journey of a lifetime; 73 days and 4,600 miles across America.

The adventure was a long goodbye for Kari and taught him the power of perseverance and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. Kari and Merv’s story will touch your heart and inspire you to seize the day with someone you love—whatever that means to you.

Connect with Kari at KariLoyaVO.com and get his book, Conversations Across America, on Amazon.

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!

One Pedal at a Time Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Pam and Glen Goodnough are living examples of the saying, “age is just a number.” They married 40 years ago during their first cross-country bike tour and have not slowed down since!

Now in their mid-60s, their retirement gift to themselves was to take a world tour, which they started in 2019. They made it through the Pacific Coast, New Zealand, and Malaysia before Covid forced them to return to the US. Never ones to be sidetracked for long, they picked up their tour in 2021 and haven’t stopped since.

Pam and Glen share their lifelong love of bicycling, their love of music along the trail, and their fantastic outlook on life. Their motto is to keep going, stay curious, and never stop wondering what’s around the corner!

5 Fun Facts from Pam & Glen:

They got married 40 years ago during a cross-country bike tour
They love music and travel with Pam’s fiddle and Glen’s mandolin
Road biking in Baja, Mexico, is doable!
They learned many valuable lessons after Glen’s bike was stolen in Tucson, AZ
Bike touring in New Zealand is not for the faint-hearted!

Learn more about Pam and Glen on Instagram and their blog at Glen’s Bicycle Blog.

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!

Shoestring Budget Dec 26, 2022

Show notes

Today’s episode of Bike Life aired earlier this year and quickly became one of our most downloaded shows of all time. With over 30 years of experience, John Bolton knows a thing or two about cycling and the gear that goes with it! He shares his vast knowledge on his YouTube channel called Cycling on a Shoestring.

John is passionate about the cycling community and gives honest, objective reviews, tips, and tricks in his videos. He shares low-cost products with great value and the resources you need to follow your passion for cycling and do it affordably. Whether it’s clothing, gear, bikes, routes, or components, John reviews it all.

5 Fun Facts and Observations from John:

He likes climbing mountains - yeah, he likes to suffer!
His Road ID wristband says, “ Pain is temporary; quitting lasts forever.”
Riding a bike gives him time to think and keeps him sane.
Patching tubes is still a thing.
You see the world from a different perspective from a bike saddle.

Learn more about John and follow him on his YouTube channel Cycling on a Shoestring, Instagram at @cyclingonashoestring, and Twitter at @ConAShoestring.

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!

A First Time for Everything Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Today’s episode of Bike Life aired earlier this year and attracted tremendous attention for its unique story. We are happy to bring it to you again and wish you happy riding and hosting!

Nate was biking cross-country on his first long-distance tour. Augusta (Gus) was on a 2 ½ month ride from Washington through Canada to Maine. Two people from different parts of the country on separate trips and routes. How did they come together? They crossed paths the same evening in Midland, MI, and became Matt and Kathy’s first-ever Warmshowers’ guests.

Nathan Babb, Gus Klein, and Matt and Kathy Rassette might have met by chance, but they all share a deep love of life, adventure, and cycling. In A First Time for Everything, hear how even though they spent just 14 hours together one summer, the connection they made will last a lifetime.

As Matt puts it, hosting is fun, and life is short so laugh much, ride far and stay tuned in!

You can follow Nate’s adventures in his Bike Journal and meet Augusta and Matt on Facebook.

Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org and visit us on Facebook. Contact Tahverlee directly at Tahverlee@Warmshowers.org.

Pizza Trike Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

The one thing missing from Sal Garro’s childhood was learning how to ride a bike.

As an adult, he was teased about being the only “grown-up” who couldn’t ride. With the help of friends, Sal finally got on two wheels. However, he lives in New York City, where traffic is fierce, and he just wasn’t confident enough to ride. Enter the adult tricycle; yes, it’s a thing!

Purchasing an adult tricycle was life-changing for Sal. Now he rides confidently around town with his kids and has even taken a few cross-state bike tours. Riding in NYC prompted Sal to get involved in street safety advocacy. He uses his YouTube channel, Pizza Trike, to bring attention to street riding/walking safety.

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

Learn more about Sal on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. If you want more information on tricycles, check out Worksman Cycles, Mission Cycles, and Belize Bicycle Company.

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!

Creating Possible Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

What do you do when you dream about taking a long-distance bike tour but know nothing about solo cycle touring? You buy a bike, load it down, and ride 60 miles through the Wisconsin countryside, that’s what!

Tarra has been passionate about the outdoors since serving in the United States Marine Corps where she learned to become one with nature to survive. This training gave her the courage and motivation to step out into the space of solo bike touring. Tarra’s time on her bike fosters her creation and helps her visualize what’s next in her life.

In Creating Possible, Tarra recounts how she designed her first solo tour around Warmshower hosts where she felt surrounded by kindness and bike education. Being a part of the bike community has had a profound impact on her inspiring her to do more extensive cycle touring including raising money to help others.

Tarra is a living example of what can happen when you believe in yourself, live outside your comfort zone, and push your own edges of what’s possible.

Fun Facts to Know about Tarra:

She is a USMC Veteran, mother, wife, and lover of Christ.
The Warmshowers community plays a big role in all her tours, and she is grateful to all her hosts.
To give back, she dedicates some of her tours to raising funds specifically for the Wisconsin 9-11 Memorial.
Tarra’s podcast, The Possible Project, is about people who are affecting positive change and making a difference.

Learn more about Tarra and follow her on her podcast, The Possible Project Podcast, on Facebook, Instagram, and her YouTube channel.

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!

Healing Journey Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

UK resident Antony Butcher considers himself a “terrible cyclist.” He likes to go on grand adventures and then put his bike away for long periods until the next big trip idea comes along.

After a mental health breakdown in 2017, the idea hit him to cycle across America from New York City to San Francisco. When he began planning the trip, he panicked because it turns out that America is a really big country! But the idea stuck with him, and after some training and a pandemic pause, off he went.

Antony used his journey to raise funds for multiple sclerosis (which his mother suffers from) and recover from his own mental health struggles. It takes real bravery to stand up and say, “I’m struggling, and I need some help.” Cycling is a great way to stay mindful and in the moment.

Antony is passionate about normalizing conversations around mental health, connection with others, and the wonderfully serendipitous moments that occur on tour. This world is full of adventures; say yes to as many as possible!

Fun fact: Antony stayed with 21 Warmshowers hosts on his journey and asked everyone he met to “graffiti” his bike by marking their initials on the frame.

Learn more about Antony by following him on Facebook, on Instagram @antonys_adventures, on Twitter at @antonybutcher, and by visiting his website, Antony Across America.

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!

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