Cycling, Soccer, and Service

Ever wonder what happens when you combine cross-country cycling, charity work, and a love of soccer? Follow Jessica Lawrence’s epic journey from Connecticut to San Diego, raising money for youth sports and catching professional matches along the way. It's part travelogue, part fundraiser, and entirely powered by two wheels and determination.From chance encounters with strangers to moments of personal growth on the open road, this conversation captures what makes long-distance bike touring so special. Whether you're planning your own adventure or need a dose of inspiration to do something bold, Jessica’s story will give you plenty of reasons to get pedaling.Catch up with Jessica on her website Pedal to the Pitch, and follow her on Instagram at @jessicasarahlawJoin our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Executive Director Tahverlee directly at [email protected] this and all episodes of the Bike Life Podcast on YouTube.Special thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

After spending six years living in Tanzania, Naomi Rouse and her family decided their return to the UK would be anything but ordinary…they'd cycle home from Berlin to Bristol. Discover what drew them to Tanzania in the first place, from the stunning landscapes and warm local hospitality to the everyday adventures of village life, chapati dinners, and learning new languages on the fly.Naomi shares how embracing simplicity and discomfort, whether navigating dusty roads in Africa or planning a multi-country bike journey across Europe, brought her family closer together and reshaped their perspective on travel and connection. If you're curious about trading comfort for adventure or need inspiration to chart your own unconventional path, this conversation offers both the grit and the humor to get you moving.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Executive Director Tahverlee directly at [email protected] this and all episodes of the Bike Life Podcast on YouTube.Special thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

What happens when you combine the spontaneity of bike touring with the expressive soul of a trumpet? Follow Ines Hartmuth’s unique journey through southern France, where music, movement, and intuition replace rigid plans and routines. It's a story about breaking free from everyday expectations and discovering what emerges when you travel without a fixed itinerary…from playing trumpet for cows in the countryside to connecting with strangers along the way.Explore how stepping outside comfort zones creates space for creativity, personal growth, and genuine human connection. Whether you're seeking a different rhythm in life or curious about what it means to be truly present, Ines offers inspiration for embracing uncertainty and finding meaning in each moment on the road.Catch up with Ines on Instagram at @ines_hartmuth and on her websites, Ines Hartmuth - German and Ines Hartmuth - French.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Executive Director Tahverlee directly at [email protected] this and all episodes of the Bike Life Podcast on YouTube.Special thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

Follow Eliza Sampey, an adventurer and physical therapist who has turned van living and bikepacking into a lifestyle spanning the North Cascades, Pakistan, Guatemala, and beyond. She shares stories of navigating remote singletrack with pack rafts, crossing international borders by bike, and using simple solutions to keep gear secure, proving that resourcefulness and simplicity are key to authentic adventure travel.From providing humanitarian aid in post-hurricane Puerto Rico to wild camping under the stars, Eliza offers practical wisdom on staying physically resilient during long journeys and building community on the road. Whether you're an experienced bikepacker or just beginning to explore unconventional travel, discover how slow travel and preparation can transform your relationship with wild places and help you tackle any challenge that comes your way.Catch up with Eliza on Instagram at @elizasampey, on her website Eliza Sampey PT, DPT, and follow her on Substack.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Executive Director Tahverlee directly at [email protected] this and all episodes of the Bike Life Podcast on YouTube.Special thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

Tired of wrestling cardboard boxes through airports after a bike tour? Then Bikeflights, a cyclist-founded shipping solution designed specifically for touring cyclists and event-goers, has the answer. Sue George, VP of Bikeflights, shows us how easy it is to ship bikes, e-bikes, wheels, and gear with support from a bike-loving team that understands the unique challenges of traveling with your ride.Discover practical packing tips, shipping options through local bike shops or directly to hotels, and insights into how the bike shipping industry has evolved. Whether you're planning your next cross-country adventure or heading to an event, this conversation will help you travel smarter and hassle-free.Visit Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed! For a limited time, use promo code WARMSHOWERS to get 10% off your first shipment.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

What does it take to circle the globe by bicycle? Follow Ted Eliason’s four-year solo journey across 56 countries and over 82,000 kilometers. A journey propelled by a desire to escape the corporate world and experience life at pedal-stroke speed. From sandstorms in Kazakhstan to chaotic Indian roads, he shares stories of unexpected kindness, raw challenges, and the transformation that comes from pushing far beyond your comfort zone. Rich with reflections on fear, resilience, and human connection, Ted’s story reveals how long-distance cycling can fundamentally shift your perspective. Whether it's tackling language barriers in Latin America or finding comfort on unfamiliar roads, he reminds us that the world is both bigger and more welcoming than we imagine.  Catch up with Ted on Facebook, Instagram at @bikingthebluemarble, and on YouTube at @tedeliason3483 Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

Follow Tyler Epstein, a high school teacher and coach, who embarked on his first cross-country bike tour, riding nearly 2,700 miles from Missouri to the Oregon coast in less than a month. Trading his usual coaching duties for a lightweight gravel bike, he battled mountain sleet, equipment failures, and tight deadlines while discovering how athletic grit and adaptability fuel epic adventures on two wheels.Beyond the physical challenges, Tyler discovers the transformative power of bike travel, where unexpected encounters with kind strangers and personal breakthroughs become as memorable as the landscapes themselves. It's a compelling reminder that some of life's most profound lessons happen when we venture beyond our comfort zones and trust in the journey ahead.Catch up with Tyler on Instagram at @tysrides and on YouTube at Ty’s Rides.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

Would you leave everything behind to cycle through 35 countries—even if you weren’t a cyclist? That’s exactly what Simon Brain and his fiancée did, turning a bold idea into a three-year journey across the world.They share how curiosity carried them from wild camping and cultural surprises to tense encounters with border patrols. Along the way, they discovered resilience, deepened their partnership, and experienced the generosity of strangers. From the sensory chaos of India to Mongolia’s vast silence and the friendly roads of the U.S., every mile reshaped their understanding of adventure.Their story is a reminder that you don’t need all the answers to begin—you just need the courage to leap, pedal forward, and trust the road ahead.Catch up with Simon on Instagram at @weridebikesplaces and on YouTube at We Ride Bikes Places.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

What drives someone to cycle from Italy to Iran—and back again—through more than twenty countries?   Matthias Schwarz takes us on a journey sparked by friendship, shaped by world events, and enriched by the connections made along the way. From Balkan fountains to Iranian hospitality, every mile reveals both striking similarities and unique differences across cultures.Along the route, challenges and rewards unfold in places few cyclists ever visit, from Saudi deserts to bustling Middle Eastern streets. Stories of generosity, resilience, and the kindness of strangers illustrate how traveling by bike can transform perspectives and cultivate a genuine sense of community. Matthias has written a book called Persian Wine. Get your copy HERE.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!

Ever wonder what it’s like to cycle 60,000 kilometers across continents with nothing but a shoestring budget and a love for simplicity? Isaak Vanthomme takes us on a five-year journey from icy Canadian roads to the jungles and highlands of Central and South America—facing challenges, embracing minimalism, and forging unforgettable connections along the way.Packed with stories of adventure, companionship, and sustainability, this episode shows how traveling by bike opens doors to local communities, unexpected friendships, and a deeper connection with the world around you. Whether you’re a traveler, a cyclist, or simply curious about living fully with less, this episode will inspire you to slow down, adapt, and embrace the journey.Catch up with Isaak at @worldofjacky on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.Join our community at Warmshowers.org, follow us on Instagram @Warmshowers_org, and visit us on Facebook. You can also contact Tahverlee directly at [email protected] thanks to our sponsor, Bikeflights – the best in bicycle shipping service and boxes, guaranteed.Theme Music by Les Konley | Produced by Les KonleyHappy riding and hosting!