Touring cyclists get the warm shower treatment

If you are planning a self guided cycle tour then the website warmshowers.org may be your saviour for accommodation options.

Warmshowers.org is a worldwide reciprocal hospitality site specifically for touring cyclists, offering in home accommodation for travelling cyclists on their cycle journey.

With over 10,000 worldwide members there is sure to be a bed and a warm shower somewhere along your planned route.

"It's a bit like couch surfing; people offer their homes and their beds to touring cyclists. They are people who just like to meet other cyclists," web master Randy Fay.

"It is freely given hospitality, there is no commercial purpose."

Hosts and touring cyclists are connected through the warmshowers.org website where both parties are able to view individual profiles and make a decision on whether to provide accommodation or whether to ask for a bed for the night.

"It always helps if you know the right questions to ask. If you are a cyclist and you see that the host has cats and you are allergic to cats, then obviously this is not the accommodation option for you," Mr Fay said.

For more details go to www.warmshowers.org