Warm Showers More Than Saving Water With A Friend

Being on the road and "out there" is one of the highlights of my life. As I sit here, I am contemplating getting "out there" again as soon as possible. This time, I hope my trip is as a brand ambassador for Blackburn Design #beablackburnranger2016 and as an advocate for bicycle touring!



When we are on the road there is something we all need but have troubles finding. We can rent a hotel room in an emergency situation (if there is one). But if you are "out there" enough, you know hotel rooms kind of ruin the "out there" feeling. They also become exorbitant if used too often.

Instead, there is a phenomenal program called WARM SHOWERS, in which generous people open their homes for a night to legitimate bike travelers.
Warm Showers says on their website: 

"The Warm Showers Community is a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. People who are willing to host touring cyclists sign up and provide their contact information, and may occasionally have someone stay with them and share great stories and a drink. All members agree to host others either now or in the future, but for some members hosting may be in years or even decades in their future."

Instead of "saving water, shower with a friend", Warm Showers makes a gift to traveling cyclist who need it the most.

Every situation is a little different. Some homeowners will allow you to pitch your tent in their front lawns. Others will invite you into their home to use a spare bedroom and bath. In both cases, you probably get what we really need, a shower to wash the road wear off, and a chance to charge up those critical devices.

Having stealth camped on multiple locations in the bushes but within feet of a major highway, I can speak to the sense of safety Warm Showers hosts provide to their guests. Of course, they can't open their homes to everyone, or they soon become a boarding home and the gift to travelers turns into a job. Rather, it is a special match between the host and the cyclist in which, for a short night, the cyclist gets the things he/she needs the most and the host pays it forward.

In 1993, two friends, Terry Zmrhal and Geoff Cashman thought it would be cool to set up a hosting service for traveling cyclist. Roger Gravel began to update and manage the list. In 2005, Randy Fay added the mapping feature so people could see on the map where their host would be.

A small group of people manages Warm Showers which is a non-profit organization. There are over 80,000 members with locations throughout the world, though primarily U.S. based.

As a bicycle tourist, (and having hosted a Blackburn Ranger), touring is not just about bicycles. It is about the people you meet along the way!

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You can apply to be a Blackburn Ranger here.

You can vote for me as a Blackburn Ranger here.

Be A Ranger 2016 Samuel Littlefield

Here is the latest #beablackburnranger2016 video!  Looks like a lot of people are tuning into the Blackburn program.  We wish every one of them the very best as they make their push to be a Blackburn Ranger.

You don't have to win the Ranger program to be "out there".  Anyone can go, it is just a matter of deciding that is what you want to do.  Sure, it is a challenge to take this much time off and ride that many miles, but you have to be willing to do it for yourself first, and as a sponsored rider second.

Last year there were over 30 applications from people who wanted to be a Blackburn Ranger.  They only choose 6.  But nothing stops the guy who really wants this.  

While the Blackburn Design team ask rangers to choose between the Pacific Coast and the Great Divide, there are many routes across the country one can choose from and plenty which need to be discovered.  

#beablackburnranger2016 Tim "hot spring" Paynter

I love getting away from the crowds.  This hot spring is a magical spot!  These kinds of unknown springs are the perfect place to find tranquility and spirituality in nature. 

Bicycle adventuring is about discovering new places, new things.  Ways to get away from the din of business life, of the cities, of crazy people, and just have time to nurture.

You can go an amazing distance on a bicycle if you try.  Just pedal away, with a far distant goal, and one day, you will ride right up to that distant place.  The secret is putting one pedal after the other, keep it going, even when it is wet and cold.  

Bikepacking the Fraser Canyon

Iohan just blows me away with his videos and his adventurous spirit. While not everyone can live adventures like these, we can all live them through watching others. But the idea is to break the mold, to get out there and do it! 

 At first, a small cross country may be your big adventure. Sometimes it is enough, but once have been bitten by the bike-paking bug, nothing short of a major effort will do. Here is to Iohan and all of the adventurous spirits who give us inspiration to get out there and live our dreams!

Remember the ones who put it all on the map for many of us:  The Adventure Cycling Association.

Eugene wants to #beablackburnranger2016

Next Application to #beablackburnranger2016

The #beablackburnranger2016 program is in full swing!  Many people are applying.  By the looks of it, they are all well qualified and really know how to create an interesting video.

In today's times, it appears rare for a company to return something to the community.  Blackburn Design is doing that with their ranger program.  Rangers are brand ambassadors.  They test new equipment, talk to people, ride adventurous routes and encourage others to get "out there".

I applied for the Ranger program because I love adventure.  I am the kind of person who wants to see what is down every wandering road.  Riding a bike for me is not enough.  I want to go farther, do more and be fully prepared for whatever I meet along the way.  When it comes to bicycle gear, that is always a challenge.  Weight is critical.  Durability is critical.  There are no "repair shops" along many of the routes I ride.  Having the right gear for the right job is what a successful tour is all about.

If you have what it takes, you can still apply.  Why not?  It is a great chance to do your part in helping this community of adventure enthusiasts grow.  You can apply here!

BE A BLACKBURN RANGER 2016

Here is a video by Blackburn Media. If you have what it takes to be a ranger, this is your chance! Several people have applied already.  Whoever Blackburn Design chooses, you can be sure the riders love adventure and know how to tell a story!