By LISA BRITTON

Baker City Herald

Six thousand bikers arrive in Baker City Friday for the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally.

Baker City has about 550 rooms in motels and bed and breakfasts.

A bit of a discrepancy there, you might say.

To make sure that all arriving bikers have a place to sleep, the Baker County Chamber has helped hook up visitors with the community.

andquot;We asked locals to offer tent space, RV space, or even rooms in their home,andquot; said Karen McClinton, Chamber information specialist.

The Chamber kept a list handy for motorcyclists.

andquot;People could call us when they realized, in a panic, they waited too long to get reservations,andquot; McClinton said.

The Chamber took names, then returned calls with contact information.

andquot;They were very impressed we called back,andquot; she said. andquot;It made Baker City look really friendly people are willing to open their homes.andquot;

Some set a fee for the weekend, while others just ask for a donation, she said.

Another option new this year is to pitch a tent in the practice football field at Baker High School.

The fee, $10 a night, supports the school’s athletic programs.

andquot;So we don’t have to fundraise as much locally,andquot; BHS Principal Jerry Peacock said. andquot;We try to capitalize on these outside dollars coming in.andquot;

Also, students involved in athletics will take shifts to watch the bikers property, dump garbage cans and answer questions about the area.

andquot;It’s an opportunity for (the motorcyclists) to see what kind of kids we have here,andquot; Peacock said.