Keeping Connections Alive

We are joined today by Quintin Reich. Quintin is a cyclist and longtime Warmshowers.org host located on the Pacific Coast route.

During college, Quintin worked for a bike equipment manufacturer and developed a keen interest in bike touring. In 1991, he took an extended tour through Europe and was profoundly affected by the experience. The concept of complete strangers offering help, hospitality, food, and fellowship was amazing to Quintin.  The connections he made, random acts of kindness he received, and the freedom and sense of adventure he felt on that trip totally changed him.  

Over the years, his busy career as a mortgage broker curtailed his bike touring. It has been 30 long years since Quintin took that first bike tour, and he still dreams of touring again someday. In the meantime, Quintin hosts cyclists as much as he can. Both through Warmshowers.org and by introducing himself to cyclists passing through the area. Offering hospitality is Quintin’s way of repaying the help and fellowship he received during his bike tour in the 90s.

Quintin has made lifelong friends while hosting and loves that he has been able to stay in touch with many of the cyclists he has hosted. In fact, his family took a trip to Europe a few years ago and connected with a former guest of his. Although there have been times when Quintin felt burned out on hosting, he has never said no to a guest. His guests’ stories and adventures have enriched his life so much he feels he gets more out of the experience than they do.

If there is one lesson Quintin has learned over the years, it’s that the freedom of bike touring is all about connection. His advice is to stop, slow down, open yourself up, and really participate in the experiences and people you meet along the way.

Join our community at www.warmshowers.org, or you can reach Tahverlee at tahverlee@warmshowers.org.

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