Bike Life

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 [email protected].

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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

Lucy grew up cycling in the UK lake district and always dreamed of taking a long bike tour. She got her chance after university when she moved to China and took a three-month tour through China, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The unique part is that she did it on a bamboo bike.

Riding a bamboo bike is quite the conversation starter. Few people realize that there is such a thing! Lucy’s interest in bamboo led her to become a Ph.D. candidate studying Bamboo Industry Management at the University of British Columbia.

The world of bamboo is a whole ecosystem unto itself and rides in perfect harmony with Lucy’s passions.

Learn more about Lucy by following her on LinkedIn, on Instagram and by visiting her work at Research Group, Alternative Journal, and World Bamboo Organization.

Visit these sites to learn more about bamboo bikes and how to get one; Boomers and Bam-Bu Bicycles.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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If you have ever dreamt about cycling in Australia, then stay tuned. After today's episode, you will want to update your bucket list to include the world-class, off-road cycling experience known as The Munda Biddi Trail.

Rhonda Oshanek, who works with the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, joins us to share her experiences and fills us in on all we need to know about the trail, including the best time to plan a trip to experience it for yourself.

Munda Biddi means 'path through the forest' in the local Noongar Aboriginal language. The Trail traverses Western Australia's Darling Range and southern forests through eucalyptus bushland, granite outcrops, and unique wetlands.

Southwest Australia is a global biodiversity hotspot where you will discover plants and wildlife found nowhere else. Few places can boast about a 1,000 km trail built through an undeveloped natural corridor!

5 Things to know about the Munda Biddi Trail:

• The trail offers a fun adventure ride immersed in a unique Australian forest for cyclists of all abilities (beginner mountain biking experience needed).
• Encounter a wide variety of wildlife and flora, including kangaroos, emus, birds, lizards, snakes, and amazing wildflowers in Spring.
• The Munda Biddi traverses a very diverse landscape.
• You can find facilities (campsites) along the route, including water most of the year.
• Dwellingup, Collie, and Nannup are just a few of the towns along the route with bike-friendly resources.

Learn more about the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation by visiting their website MundaBidda.org.au and following them on Facebook and Instagram @MundaBiddiTrailFoundation.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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Meet Ben Grannis. He was so inspired by someone else’s story it prompted him to take action in his own life. In August 2021, Ben began a 10,000 mile journey to raise awareness for distracted driving and promote  digital wellness. 

Mission Driven recounts how one family’s response to tragedy taught Ben the importance of community, the impact we make on others, and the need for awareness in our digital age. We catch up with Ben in the middle of his ride and despite being temporarily sidelined by injury, he is determined to complete his mission.

5 Observations from Ben:

• He feels vulnerability can open you up to the world and many unknown opportunities.
• He believes there is a LOT of good in this country that can overpower the anger if we listen to it.
• His dad rode the TransAmerica route as part of the Bike Centennial in 1977.
• To date, he has ridden 5826 miles to promote his mission.
• He wants you to be aware that nine people are killed every day in the United States by crashes involving distracted drivers.

Learn more about Ben and follow his adventures on his website, Eyes Up Ride, and Instagram at @EyesUpRide.  Learn more about the charity Ben supports and its mission at TextLess Live More.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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How do you experience the best of humanity? According to Daniel Stein, you experience it from a bicycle seat. Daniel believes other people view cyclists as trustworthy individuals making them more open to interactions.

Originally from New York City, having lived in Chicago, and now living in Mexico City, Daniel has a unique perspective because he uses his bicycle as his primary means of transportation. Being a city cyclist, he advocates for more bike lanes to increase bike access anywhere in the world.

In today’s episode, Daniel recounts how he had minimal bike maintenance experience on his first tour and was helped by so many along the way. Now he is ready to give back and shares some tips and tricks he has learned since that first trip.

5 Fun Facts about Daniel:

• He believes you meet the best of humanity on a bike.
• Arguably, the loneliest place he has biked was the northern Nevada desert. Still, it's the part of the trip he remembers most fondly for the discoveries/personal realizations about his life that he made. He shares that it was epiphanic.
• He strongly advocates for more bike lanes in cities and towns and bikeable highways between them. He would love to organize with other community members for greater bike access everywhere.
• He hopes to never depend on a car again.
• Every pedal stroke is pedaling for peace since it doesn't require fossil fuels and the wars we fight for them.

You can learn more about Daniel’s 2013 tour from Chicago to San Francisco in his blog Bike Big or Go Home. 

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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When you think of retirement, do you wonder how you will fill your days? Do you think retirement may be boring? It doesn't have to be according to today's guest. Meet Anne Breedlove, a seasoned cyclist and soon-to-be author. 

In 2008, Anne and her husband retired at 54 and 61 to travel the world by loaded bicycles. Before grandchildren, they spent eight years cycling approximately 30,000 miles through 21 countries. Cycling into Retirement recounts Anne’s experiences on the road, the fantastic people she has met along the way, and how cycling is really about bonding with others.

Are you interested in how Anne and Jim got started in cycling? Then, stay tuned because Anne is working on publishing a book about their early adventures. Watch for Part-time Nomads: Learning how to Travel the World on Bicycles (while raising two kids and holding down day jobs) coming to a bookshelf near you soon.

Anne’s Reflections:

• The richest part of her and Jim's travels was their time with Warmshowers hosts. They learned and benefited so much from the kindness of strangers.
• In 1971, she posted an ad in her high school newspaper looking for someone to cycle across the USA with. She finally achieved this goal with Jim in 2008.
• The most momentous stretch in their travels was the 14 days it took them to cross Australia's Nullarbor.
• A 38-hour storm in Mongolia damaged their tent's zippers beyond repair.
• Their second favorite way to spend a night is free camping in the middle of nowhere, sitting with a cup of hot tea and journals after a day of vigorous cycling. Being alone in nature is the pièce de résistance.

Learn more about Anne Breedlove and follow her adventures on her new website, Anne Breedlove, and on Instagram at @speedyab6.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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If you are an avid cyclist who has dreamed about traveling the world, meet Joe Diomede. Better known as Bicycle Joe, this cyclist has pursued his passion for seeing the world on two wheels and has authored a book about his many adventures.

Cycling has changed Joe’s life, and he has spent many years working and living on his bicycle. Inspired by his bike life, Joe recounts incredible memories he and his family have had while cycling and living in various countries.

Joe has spent time in Africa helping provide bikes for people in need and believes the best part of cycling is that it is accessible to everyone. Joe thinks any story that explores the infinite possibilities cycling can add to life is an empowering story.

5 Fun Facts to Know About Joe:

• He was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He used to be a motorcyclist but saw his first mountain bike in Japan in 1987 and never looked back. Back then, Joe and some friends put together the first dropped handlebar mountain touring bikes.
• He spent nine years traveling and working worldwide, with his bicycle being his primary means of transportation.
• He met his wife 26 years ago on The Tibetan–Chinese border. He was on a bike, and she was traveling with friends by bus. He talked her into buying a bicycle and traveling with him into Tibet. 26 years later, they still ride their bikes, tour, and are Warmshowers hosts.
• His bike life led him to work in and own bicycle shops for over a quarter of a century. He never stopped traveling, mainly by bicycle. He and his wife have two children who grew up on bicycles and in bike shops, and now they are both mountain bikers and work in bicycle and ski shops in The Pyrenees in France, where the family now lives.
• He has written a book recounting the central part of his two-wheel travel life. He also has a cycling article in a British magazine called Permaculture Magazine, Issue No. 111.

Learn more about Joe and follow his adventures on his website, Cycles of a Traveler, and on YouTube.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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Can you imagine hosting almost 300 people in four years? That’s precisely what Chuck Atkinson and his wife have done.

Chuck and Susan are ex-pats from the U.S. They flew to Istanbul in 2011 with the idea of pedaling on their recumbent trikes for two years. Outside of a few breaks, the couple has remained on the road across the Atlantic for years.

Four years ago, the Atkinsons decided to settle in Shkoder, Albania, along the Balken coast for the winter months. When they began hosting with Warmshowers, they had no idea how many people routed through Shkoder. Hear why they love to host and how their guests have left unique handprints in their lives.

5 Fun Things that Chuck Atkinson wants you to know:

• The people Chuck and Susan have met while traveling have been amazing and supportive of their journey.
• In all of their days pedaling on this Earth, they have NEVER not been able to find a place to sleep on any given night.
• Traveling by bicycle offers a unique experience and a different way to see the world.
• The Balkans are an amazing place to explore by bicycle.
• The people of the Balkans are amazingly friendly, and it is very safe to ride there.

Learn more about Chuck Atkinson and follow his adventures on Facebook.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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

When Priyanka started touring, not one person in her circle had any experience as a touring cyclist. But she didn’t let that stop her! In 2014, she traveled to Europe to complete her first solo cycling tour from Berlin to Copenhagen. She was hooked and over the last eight years, she has had many adventures. 

Join us as she explains how she has overcome cultural barriers to find the freedom to follow her dreams and become an inspiration to women cyclists everywhere. 

5 Fun Facts to Know About Priyanka:

• When Priyanka started her first tour in 2014, she had never ridden a geared bicycle. So it was only on her second tour in Australia that she understood how gears worked.
• Priyanka has always traveled solo, except for one time in Taiwan when she was with a group.
• She is entirely vegetarian, including a no-egg diet on all her tours. However, she shares that maintaining her vegetarian diet is more challenging in some places than others.
• Contrary to many other cycle tourers, she doesn’t ride that many kilometers per tour because she likes spending more time in specific places. For example, during a month-long cycling trip in Thailand, she only covered 1000kms.
• Priyanka has completed long and short cycle tours in 7 different countries around the world (including India).

Learn more about Priyanka and follow her adventures on her blog, MapRoute Travel Blog, and her podcast, MapRoute.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

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Do you believe your bike touring days will be over if you have kids? Meet Ed and Jocelyn and their two boys as they share their bike touring experiences as a family.

This Canadian family joins the Bike Life Podcast from Europe, where they are on a six-month adventure taking them from Spain to Norway.

In this episode, they share their current and past experiences of what it is like to do long-distance touring as a family of four. Ed and Jocelyn have discovered that bike touring with kids is the ultimate family bonding experience.

Enjoy listening to Ed, Jocelyn, and their boys as they share how they are biking from one fun thing to the next as a family.

5 Fun Facts to Know about the Gillis family:

• Ed and Jocelyn biked from Vancouver to Tijuana on their honeymoon.
• They started touring as a family when the boys were ages 3 and 1 (with Chariots, XtraCycles, WeeHoos, Bike Friday tandems, and now their bikes).
• When the boys were 7 and 5, they took a six-month trip (6,000km) through Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia.
• Last summer, they biked through the Rockies.
• Ed & Jocelyn have just published their first book, “Bike Touring with Kids: The Oceania Odyssey.”

Learn more about the Gillis Family and follow their adventures on their website and blog, Yukon4Explore, or Instagram at @yukon4explore. Get their book; Bike Touring with Kids: The Oceania Odyssey.

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

Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les Konley

Happy riding and hosting!