HobbesOnTour
Guru
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- España
I had an email this week from Warmshowers. Earlier this year they introduced a fee system for new and newish members.
They've been talking about their new app for a long time and appear ready to launch in January.
This is the relevant text:
I think this is a real pity.
I signed up several years ago (in NL) when I had no need for accommodation but as an interesting way to meet other touring cyclists.
As a host my experiences were mixed. One girl flew into Maastricht from Poland, bought a second hand bike, cycled to Rotterdam (staying with me on the way), cycled back a different way, sold the bike back to the shop (prearranged) and flew back to Poland!
I thought she was brilliant! Never done a cycle adventure before!
Of course, others, some even without bikes (!), just wanted free accommodation.
I've used it as a guest once (USA) although in this case it was a tourist office, I knew about it from other sources and Warmshowers was just the easiest way to make contact.
However, I have used it a few times when seeking local info.
A big problem is inactive users or out of date info. Several times I reached out to no response. I suppose a charge will cut down on that.
In any case, I see it as a retrograde step. I'd always suggest to anyone thinking of getting into touring to consider signing up for inspiration, if nothing else. There's now a barrier in the way of that.
To me, there's something iffy about charging people for their genorosity. Lots of hosts are former cycle tourists paying back the good experiences they have had or people with no interest in cycling but enjoy meeting new people.
They've been talking about their new app for a long time and appear ready to launch in January.
This is the relevant text:
I think this is a real pity.
I signed up several years ago (in NL) when I had no need for accommodation but as an interesting way to meet other touring cyclists.
As a host my experiences were mixed. One girl flew into Maastricht from Poland, bought a second hand bike, cycled to Rotterdam (staying with me on the way), cycled back a different way, sold the bike back to the shop (prearranged) and flew back to Poland!
I thought she was brilliant! Never done a cycle adventure before!
Of course, others, some even without bikes (!), just wanted free accommodation.
I've used it as a guest once (USA) although in this case it was a tourist office, I knew about it from other sources and Warmshowers was just the easiest way to make contact.
However, I have used it a few times when seeking local info.
A big problem is inactive users or out of date info. Several times I reached out to no response. I suppose a charge will cut down on that.
In any case, I see it as a retrograde step. I'd always suggest to anyone thinking of getting into touring to consider signing up for inspiration, if nothing else. There's now a barrier in the way of that.
To me, there's something iffy about charging people for their genorosity. Lots of hosts are former cycle tourists paying back the good experiences they have had or people with no interest in cycling but enjoy meeting new people.
