When I ask you how you get outdoors, the first thing I reckon you think of is catching the train, getting the bus or just driving. What if I told you that you can get away from the city and explore the great outdoors for FREE!
The activity of hitchhiking is riddled with mainstream misconceptions and fears. Getting into a random person’s car can be just as scary as picking up a stranger. Often there is nothing to fear, MOST hitchhikers are just seeking adventure, finding new ways to explore destinations and go with the flow. Or at least that has been my experience of hitchhiking. Those giving lifts are also often likely to be people just up for a chat and some company on a long trip.
Emily Smaling and Ellie Craven, have hitchhiked across Europe and the UK for charity, the pair agreed that the experience is extremely rewarding, and allows them to make so many nice memories, delving in and out of people’s lives.
Hitchhiking received a fall-off as a result of Covid-19, but a surge for its revival is in our midst as people are finding ways to reconnect with the outdoors following the two year hiatus.
Ellie Craven, said: “I couldn’t recommend it enough, it creates serious character building when you are hitchhiking on the side of the road or at a service station in the middle of nowhere whilst chucking it down.
“But you never know who you might meet! We’ve met visual artists, Twitch streamers and all-round lovely people.”
Explore Staying Safe
For those that are super anxious about exploring the world of hitchhiking there are some measures you can take for your safety.
Emily Smaling, said: “If you are going as a pair or a three, it is always safer to not go alone and bring a guy with you, making sure they’re the first and last out of the car is just an extra precaution to make the trip safer for your group.
“You probably won’t have any problems with language barriers in the UK, but when we were in Europe, finding a lift is ten times easier if you know a little bit of their language.”
On top of this, you should always tell someone where you are going and where you are. This could be just taking an AirTag and giving it to someone you know so they can keep checking, or shoot somebody a text every time you get yourself a lift.
It can also be beneficial to remember the number plate of the vehicle before you get in.
Tips and Tricks
If you do happen to be contemplating sticking out the thumb and searching for a lift there are some tips that can help you get a lift and on your way much quicker. Remember to ALWAYS be safe.
Ellie said: “Making a colourful sign, with paint and pictures, can make you look more approachable, wearing silly clothes and not taking yourself too seriously can also help.”
Emily followed this up by saying, “A smile goes a long way, you can have fun with it. Remember you don’t always have to take the lift, it’s your choice just as much as theirs.”
There are useful websites that can give you advice on hitchhiking hotspots, one of the more useful is hitchwiki.org, a collaborative website that gives tips on hitchhiking providing tips, maps, and forums.
When you do get a lift, feel free to ask if they can take you a little further than you asked them before, more often than not they’ll be more than happy to.
