Hullo! I am about to embark on a 3 month cycling tour of parts of Europe, starting in the UK and working my way back in a loop, most likely. I plan to wild camp, camp, and sometimes hostel, but I would also love to stay with Couchsurfing hosts and Warmshowers hosts a fair bit too. Please show me some love, and then come to Montreal or Nova Scotia someday :). If you can't host, I'd also be grateful for a hot shower, a place to store things or someone to hang out with or show me around a place -- bicycle touring can get lonely sometimes!

PS: On the Covid side, I am triple-vaccinated (shot plus two boosters of Moderna) and I also had and recovered from Omicron in March. I take it seriously, but I am not paranoid about it.

PPS: Please show me common human decency by replying to my requests, even if it's a copy and pasted "Sorry, I cannot host you" rather than never replying or simply declining without explanation. I would never do that to a potential guest unless they were ridiculous. Thank you.

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Bonjour ! Je suis sur le point de me lancer dans un tour d'Europe à vélo de 3 mois, en commençant par le Royaume-Uni et en revenant en boucle, très probablement. J'ai l'intention de faire du camping sauvage, du camping, et parfois des auberge de jeunesse etc, mais j'aimerais aussi beaucoup rester chez des hôtes Couchsurfing et Warmshowers. Montrez-moi de l'amour, et venez à Montréal ou en Nouvelle-Écosse un jour :). Si vous ne pouvez pas m'héberger, je serais aussi reconnaissant pour une douche chaude, un endroit pour ranger des choses ou quelqu'un avec qui traîner ou me faire visiter un endroit - le cyclotourisme peut parfois être solitaire !

PS : Pour ce qui est de Covid, je suis triplement vacciné (injection plus deux rappels de Moderna) et j'ai également eu et récupéré d'Omicron en mars. Je prends la chose au sérieux, mais je ne suis pas paranoïaque.

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- Nick

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe quite strongly in helping out folks in need with reasonable requests, as well as a sort of reciprocal karma system. I have been jaded occasionally regarding these views, but generally come back to them.

I also love meeting friendly and interesting people from around the world, AND traveling, AND avoiding annoying tourist crap for the most part AND not spending silly amounts of money on accommodation.

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Once upon a time I recommended CouchSurfing to other travellers and pretty much every person I talked to for more than 20 minutes. I have hosted many, been hosted by many, and attended many events.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Montpellier, Lyon, Nuremberg, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Ikaria, Athens, Patra, Florence, Lucerne, Biel, Bern, London, Halifax, Sydney CB, Vancouver, Portland Oregon, Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal - so far - great!

I've had very few bad experiences with Couchsurfing hosts or guests, perhaps 98% good to amazing.

I am also on Warmshowers, which is basically CouchSurfing for cyclists, and which is full of great people: http://www.warmshowers.org/users/belisarius

Interests

• animals
• amphibians
• arts
• culture
• humanities
• books
• singing
• dining
• cheese
• beer
• exercise
• yoga
• running
• walking
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• biology
• history
• psychology
• lakes
• rivers
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC:

I enjoy a wide variety of music. I am somewhat biased against modern country, pop music, and mumble rap. I enjoy very heavy metal, jazz, classical from around the world, old country, rock, electronica/techno, hip hop, folk, film music, various forms I've stopped paying attention to the category of, etc. etc.

TV:

Metalocalypse, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Chapelle's Show, The Wire, The Sopranos, The X-Files, South Park, Vikings, Spartacus, Rome, Star Trek: TNG, Samurai Jack, Black Mirror, The Expanse, Rick and Morty, etc.

MOVIES:

Oh, various films. I like cerebral films, documentaries, dramas, and sometimes comedies and mindless action too.

BOOKS:

I love books. I deeply-enjoy reading novels, short stories, non-fiction, and sometimes, poetry. I write Goodreads reviews on pretty much every book I read.

I also enjoy a good PODCAST, such as: Lex Fridman, Joe Rogan, Freakonomics, Bad Faith, CBC Ideas, Breaking Points

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

World Naked Bicycle Ride:

Cycled in the Halifax Naked Bike Ride (four times), including the main streets, once completely naked and thrice in a tuxedo thong.

(And cycled in two Montreal Naked Bike Rides)

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm always up for learning how to play guitar better - I'm STILL at 'beginner' level; I know the basic chords and can make the guitar sound pretty, but my finger speed is slow and I don't know any real songs: so if you want to teach me a song or some techniques/advice, every little bit will go towards my goal :) (PS: I CAN teach you the basics of guitar as well, I actually teach it to high school kids)

I also don't mind practicing and improving my mediocre intermediate French with you. I can teach you some basic French to get you around.

I am experienced in dealing with things such as: teenagers, internet research, basic bicycle maintenance, various exercises and workout routines, bicycle touring, bicycle commuting, Quebec, hiking and camping, book discussion, conversations about rambling political/philosophical/environmental/biological/psychological/sociological topics

I can ramble.

I get hangry (anger easily when very hungry)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Time, Energy, Kindness, Love, Respect, Thoughts, an Ear, Words, Tea, Chocolate

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United Kingdom

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