Washington tourism is giving notice: cyclists are in need of shelter—and they’re willing to pay for it.

For the fourth time, Washington will host Cycle NC’s coastal ride April 17–19, and welcome over 1,200 cyclists descending on Washington and the eastern North Carolina roadways. Already, the city’s nearly 400 hotel and bed and breakfast rooms are booked, but there are still plenty of people looking for places to stay, according to Lynn Wingate, director of Washington Tourism Development Authority. What that translates to is an opportunity for locals to get out of town and make some money in the process.

“Our B&Bs are booked and our hotels are booked, which has led people to start calling and saying, ‘We need a room, where do we stay?’,” Wingate said.

Wingate said plenty of people have taken advantage of the opportunity to rent their vacation houses, primary residents and even a single room to people in town for the event, but she’s looking to get the word out for the benefit of cyclists and people with available space — people like Washington resident Lydie Jennings.

“I’ve got a friend who lives in Augusta (Ga.), and for the past 20 years, they’ve rented their house out for the Masters (golf tournament). There’s no reason we can’t do that here,” said Jennings, a local real estate agent who has rented her family’s Bath home, and primary residence in Washington, to cyclists in previous years.

“It was great. They were very nice people. We basically set it up as a vacation rental for four nights,” Jennings said. “We had a really good experience.”

“These are all responsible adults who are gainfully employed — it’s not like you’re renting your house to a bunch of college students,” Wingate said. “These are people who are respectful of the place they are staying in.”

While many of the cyclists will stay in tents on the Washington waterfront and others will take advantage of hotels and B&Bs in nearby Bath, Greenville and Williamston, there’s a huge market for those who want to be in on the downtown action, without a commute.

There are a few ways potential renters can set up their rental: by contacting WTDA or posting on Cycle NC’s Facebook page. Those willing to rent set their own price — WTDA and Cycle NC stay out of that part of the process, serving as facilitators, but not brokers.

“We put them on a list and we share that with those calling, “ Wingate said. “We give contact numbers for those who have the rentals.”

With so many cyclists coming to town, in addition to Cycle NC staff, and family members along for the weekender, Wingate expects up to 1,500 people in downtown Washington that weekend, which makes for an appropriate opening for the tourism season.

“This really kicks off our summer season of events. It will be the start of Music in the Streets, too, so it will be good weekend to showcase our hospitality and what Washington has to offer,” Wingate said. “That’s why the Cycle NC people come here — for that reason.”

For more information, contact Lynn Wingate at 252-948-9415, ext. 202.