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Today’s PrideNomad™ Trivia:

In today’s email:

His Fetish Has Two Wheels: And it’s given him incredible freedom.

Hotel Rip-Off Time: Buyer Beware!

NomadHack: How to save on car rental fees

UP FRONT:

Traveling the World with a Bike in a Bag.

Scott Middleton’s unique travel strategy has given him unparalleled freedom as he travels the world.

Imagine this… you land in Athens and you only have a day to explore before you head to your next destination and you want to pack in as much history as you can.

How many sites can you see in a day? 

If you’re like most people, it might be less than a handful of places. You’re limited to tour buses, taxis, or other typical modes of transportation.

But not Scott Middleton.

When Scott arrived in Athens, he simply opened his travel bag, took out his bike, unfolded it, and rode all over the city, easily catching all the historic sites he wanted to see—and all before the afternoon rain!

Scott travels the world with a folding bicycle—similar to the ones you may see intrepid commuters use.

He’s made the bike a fundamental part of his nomadic journeys.

We met as members of the Sydney Spokes bike club and I discovered that cycling isn’t just a hobby for him, it’s a way of life.

I caught up with him recently at his Sydney apartment, where he revealed a collection that might rival a small bike shop.

While some people collect plants and antiques, Scott takes it to a different level. He collects bicycles.

Yes, I tease him that he’s got a bicycle fetish—but boy does this fetish take him places.

We shot the first video episode for our PrideNomad™ YouTube Channel, where he reveals exactly how he’s made the world a smaller, easy to navigate place—all because he carries a bike in a bag!

Click on the image and you can watch the episode in its entirety.

Picture this: rolling into a new town, unfolding your bike, and you're instantly ready to explore. No waiting around for taxis or figuring out bus schedules. It's just you, your bike, and the open road (or bike path, more accurately).

But it's not just about the bike. It's about the lifestyle. 

Scott's met all sorts of folks on his travels, thanks to his two-wheeled companion. There's something about rolling up on a bike that breaks the ice and gets people chatting. Plus, it's a great way to stay in shape while indulging in all those “must try” local pastries!

Now, I know what you may be thinking. 

"This sounds great and all, but what about when it's time to catch a flight or hop on a train?" Scott's got that covered too.

These folding bikes are a breeze to pack up and check-in: no more oversized baggage fees or side-eye from fellow passengers.

Scott sings the praises of the Brompton bike—it actually folds in thirds, which is how he gets it into such a small bag.

Scott lands in a new city, unfolds his bike, and within minutes, he's blending into the streets like a local, free from the constraints of public transport schedules or the hassles of car rentals.

Scott's bike lets him stop on a whim, explore an alley that caught his eye, or chase down that perfect sunset spot that's just out of walking reach.

Then there's the flexibility it offers. Scott's not bound to the tourist paths; he crafts his own routes. 

He's recounted times when he'd roll up to a hidden gem of a café or a secluded beach that he'd never have found if he were on a bus or in a taxi. And when it's time to move on to the next spot, he simply folds up his bike and hops on a train or a bus, with no fuss about bike racks or extra fees.

One of the most liberating aspects Scott loves about his folding bike adventures is the ability to navigate cities more intimately. Instead of viewing the world from behind a window, he's out there in it, feeling every bump in the cobblestones, catching snippets of conversations, and truly being part of the landscape.

The bike has also been a key to serendipitous encounters and unexpected friendships. There's something about the sight of a traveler with a folding bike that piques curiosity and breaks down barriers. Scott's had locals and fellow travelers alike approach him, leading to shared meals, tips on hidden spots only known to locals, and even impromptu cycling companions.

In essence, Scott's folding bike has been more than just a mode of transport; it's been his ticket to adventure, his way of connecting with the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. It's about the freedom to explore at his own pace, the flexibility to change plans on a whim, and the joy of discovering the road less traveled.

Here’s the best part—the bike is built for nomads. If you travel light, you can literally have your office on wheels. The Brompton is designed to easily carry your gear, which makes your nomadic journey super practical.

You might be surprised at how much more fun your journeys will be when you’ve got wheeled freedom!

BUYER BEWARE:

Booking a Hotel? Beware!

One of our PrideNomad™ subscribers reported that on a recent trip to Las Vegas for a conference, he found a terrific deal on a hotel on the strip for just $20 per night.

Now imagine 2 queens on the strip for just $20 (beds, that is!). Seems like a great deal. But it’s not what it appears. This particular hotel does a pretty good job of disclosing their fees:

The room really isn’t $20. It’s over 300% more when you add in the “resort fees”.

Most hotels in Las Vegas have resort fees—and many of them do a lousy job of disclosing them to unsuspecting travelers. Now you may still get a good deal, but you’ve got to be a detective BEFORE you book to be absolutely sure you know what the true price is.

Do your homework before you travel to save yourself stress and aggravation. Many of us don’t use the facilities that the resort fee is supposed to cover, which makes the fee appear to be quite a rip-off.

It’s our position that if they’re requiring these fees, they should be included in the room rate because they truly ARE part of the room rate. If they’re separate, we should be able to opt out.

Bottom line, BEWARE!

NOMAD HACK

It’s Time to Save on Car Rental Fees.

Car rentals?

Who rents cars these days, when Uber makes things so easy?

Well, if you’re a budget-conscious business person (or a self-funded startup entrepreneur), you need to watch every penny.

Uber or other similar services may not be the best solution.

Consider this. If you’re attending an event and are staying offsite (at a less expensive Airbnb, MisterB&B or other lodging choice), an uber back and forth might be pricey (it certainly was in Texas recently!).

Instead consider renting a car.

While you may get a great daily rate, if you don’t have homeowner’s insurance or other car insurance to take care of any accidents, you may need to get the car rental company’s supplemental insurance—which may cost more than the actual car rental fee!

Instead, consider getting travel insurance.

As an example, for a 4-day rental in Atlanta, Avis charges $148 to cover damage to the vehicle. On the other hand, a quick quote from WorldNomads.com revealed a price of just $95 which covers $35,000 of potential damages, PLUS a heap of medical benefits as well.

NOTE: If you’re traveling back to your home city, this coverage won’t apply to you—it’s limited to travel at least 100 miles from “home”.

Trivia Answer:

That’s it for this week. See you next week. Please share this with your friends!

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