Bellingham Writer Launches Quiz to Define Four Types of Slow Travel

Bellingham author Heidi Beierle launched a new website this month to help people identify their preferred style of slow travel. The platform features a quiz that categorizes users into one of four distinct approaches to experiencing the world at a slower pace.

Beierle wrote the book “Heidi Across America, One Woman’s Journey on a Bicycle Through the Heartland” after riding her bike across the United States. While promoting the book in libraries, bookstores, and bicycle shops, she noticed that readers were interested in the connection and adventure of the trip rather than just the physical act of cycling. She realized that many people wanted to slow down without necessarily buying a bicycle.

“You don’t have to ride your bike across the country to be a slow traveler,” Beierle says. “Anyone can do it.” Her new website serves as a guide for those looking to engage more deeply with their surroundings, regardless of physical ability, income, age, or safety concerns. The site argues that speed is relative and that the journey itself can be the destination.

The quiz identifies four specific styles of slow travel. Go Green emphasizes self-powered movement like biking or hiking, combined with public transit to minimize environmental impact. Rooted travel focuses on staying in one’s own community to notice local details, a style that is particularly accessible to people with disabilities. Stay Awhile involves living in a place for an extended period to immerse in its culture. Flow combines elements of all other styles to deepen everyday experiences, such as walking to a local event to observe seasonal changes.

Beierle recently completed a two-week book tour that exemplified these principles. She originally planned to visit Cheyenne, Wyoming, for a local authors' fair, but an unexpected stop in Billings, Montana, changed her itinerary. A reader named Andrew from Seattle contacted her after finding her book at This House of Books, a co-op bookstore in Billings. Beierle, who is a board member of Bellingham’s Co-op, learned of the store's connection to her and accepted an invitation to speak there. She describes this unplanned event as the essence of slow travel.

During her original cross-country ride, Beierle credits the kindness of strangers for restoring her faith in the country. She received offers of rides, meals, and lodging from people who knew nothing about her background. These interactions formed an unbroken chain of goodwill that she now encourages others to seek in their own travel.

For those ready to start, the website provides specific resources for each travel style. Go Green travelers can look to Bike Bellingham, Walk and Roll Bellingham, and Whatcom Smart Trips for local guidance. National resources include the Adventure Cycling Association, which has published bicycle route maps since 1973, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Stay Awhile enthusiasts might explore the blog of Maren Souders, a bicycle nomad and cat sitter. For all styles, Hostelling International offers communal lodgings in cities like Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, while Rick Steves promotes tours that avoid major sightseeing spots.

Beierle suggests that anyone can begin their slow travel journey immediately. She advises stepping out the back door, taking a deep breath, and listening to the environment around them.