Where to Stay Along the Way

As you're probably already aware, Adventure Cycling route maps contain service information such as restaurants, service stations, grocery stores and lodging options. For the latter, we include the usual suspects of hotels, motels, hostels, and campgrounds chosen for their proximity to the route whenever possible.

All of the above are great choices for an overnight stay. And yet, there is another way known as couchsurfing. It's a chance to stay with a local and get the real flavor of a place. Sometimes an offer is made quite unexpectedly and informally through a simple conversation at the diner or grocery store. However, it can also be planned for in advance.

There are several networks available to facilitate the process, a few of which are WarmShowers.org, CouchSurfing.org, and GlobalFreeloaders.com. I'm sure if you did a search online you could come up with others.

Generally speaking, there are few requirements of a host, really only one: a free place to sleep for the traveling cyclist. This could be a yard to pitch a tent in or a guest room in the house, or anything in between. Though there is no monetary cost to the guest, s/he is expected 'pay the favor forward' once the traveler has returned home. It's really the only way a proposition such as this can sustain itself. Of course, few hosts would turn down an offer of help around the house, a meal at a local establishment or bag of groceries. Oh, and the evening would not be complete without storytelling. I have a hunch this is why many people sign up to be hosts. The stories they hear over the course of a summer feeds their own travel bug and aspirations.

Have you participated in couchsurfing? What was the best part for you?

--

GeoPoints Bulletin is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from Adventure Cycling's route network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.