Lights Left On: Bike Traveling Eastern U.S.

Calverton, New York

Lights were left on for two weary bike travelers. A sweet couple greeted us outside, gave us a place to sleep, a warm shower, and a platter of bagels, fruit and coffee in the morning.

This month I am travelling home from Boston, joining different riding partners along the way. I’ve been using a website for bike tourists to find places to sleep throughout the country. These are people’s homes. They offer couches, rooms, floors and backyards for bikers. So far I have stopped in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York and I’ve been overwhelmed by the hospitality of strangers.

Incredible meals, engaging conversations, opening their entire home to people who live thousands of miles away. There is no cost and no catch.

So, why do they do this? I keep feeling so undeserving of such benevolent treatment. What makes someone give so generously to someone they have never met?

So, I asked them. And overwhelmingly, every host once had a stranger take them in, share resources, given them a place to rest and fuel for the road.

And they caught the bug. Kindness was one of the best things they had tasted and they couldn’t wait to go home and give it back.
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Our homes are valuable. Knowing you’ve worked hard to acquire all that you own, yet turn around and share all you have. That may be one of the most valuable gifts one can receive.