Being a guest

GUESTS REACH OUT TO HOSTS

On Bunk-a-Biker, it is up to the guest to ask the host for accommodations. It takes a little time, effort, and maybe a small detour, but that is the "price" to pay for a free place to stay and to be welcomed into someone's home and life. This community is set up to help traveler's along their journey so if you're trying to stay with someone as a destination stop, make sure to let them know your intentions when you message them. Most bunks are for 1 night, but you can ask for more and it will be up to the host whether they can provide that.

THE NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT

If you set up a stay and aren't going to show up for any reason, communicate that to your host. A NO CALL NO SHOW is a major reason that hosts quit hosting and also a reason for your profile to get a negative mark on it. The hosts may rearrange their plans to accommodate you so please show consideration to them. It is okay to cancel so long as you tell the host as soon as you can, whether that be the day of or the next morning in the case of a breakdown or emergency.

NO MEANS NO

Our hosts are just normal, motorcycle loving people who have space for a guest and that means they may not always be available when you ask. If a host says no, simply thank them for responding and try the next host. Do not argue, demean, demand, or berate them for denying your request.

HOW TO MAKE CONTACT

- Open the map and find hosts near where you are heading. Each pin says what that person offers and how they want to be reached. Follow what their pin says.

- Start your initial message with YOUR NAME, "Bunk-a-Biker" so they know where you got their contact info, WHEN you're asking to say, and for HOW long. Also include whether you have other riders with you, children, pets, or if you're not riding for any reason. (Example, if you're hauling a motorcycle behind a truck, let the host know up front.) Also offer to send photos or social media links after the host responds.

*** Cell carriers and email service providers will block messages from new contacts that include links and photos. Wait to send those until after you get a response ***

- Our recommendation is to ask 1-3 days in advance, but no more than 2 weeks out because our hosts often don't know what they'll be doing that far in advance. Remember, this is not a hotel system that you can reserve and guarantee a stay months in advance.

- We also recommend that our hosts ask for personal details so be prepared to provide them. You are walking into a stranger's house, but they are welcoming a stranger into their home. Get to know each other a little bit by sharing.

ASK FOR INFORMATION EARLY

We provide options for the host to list whether they allow alcohol/cannabis/other drugs, their preference on weapons, what time they sleep and wake, when you are expected to leave, which parts of the house you have access to, if they have pets, if they allow pets, how long you can stay, whether they will provide a meal or not, etc. If their pin does not provide that information, make sure to ask in advance.

Knowing early gives you time to make other plans if something does not work for you.

STAYING SAFE

You know you are safe, but your host does not. They are being as cautious about letting you in as you are about going in. Try not to ask anything of them you would not be happy to provide yourself.

Recommendations:

- Tell a friend or family member where you are staying, who with, and how you found them. Check in while you are there.

- Meet somewhere public first, if you want to - a coffee shop or a diner gives both of you a neutral place to get to know each other.

- Post about your excitement about your upcoming host on the Facebook groups so lots of people know who you're going to stay with.

- Send a photo of the front of the house and the vehicle plates to someone you trust.

- Photograph the space you used, before and after, in case anything is ever claimed.

- Do not hand over documents that would affect your ability to leave. Keep valuables and papers out of sight or on you.

- Never be afraid to decline a stay upon arrival or leave early. Trust your instincts and do not be polite at the cost of feeling safe.

BEING SOMEONE THEY ARE GLAD THEY SAID YES TO

If you have never stayed with a stranger before, we have some recommendations on how to behave. We want you to have a good time in Bunk-a-Biker and to be welcomed back by our hosts.

- Shower when you arrive. Genuinely - it is asked for often enough to be on this page.

- Bring or buy a small gift or token of appreciation if you want to. Poker chips, stickers, keychains, small souvenirs from your home area, or offer to bring something to provide towards dinner like beer or wine. (This is not a requirement.)

- Ask about the sheets before you leave. Strip the bed and put the sheets in the washer if asked or leave it as is if they say so. Always leave their home and property as good or better than you found it.

- Ask before helping yourself to their food or drinks, and do not assume a meal is coming. Offer to do the dishes, clear the table, cook, or be ready to feed yourself.

- ALWAYS respect their preferences of alcohol, cannabis, weapons and drugs on their property.

- Hosts are often excited to spend time with you so let them know if you need a shower or to rest before sharing stories. They're riders too and will understand.

- Be ready for an adventure! Many hosts absolutely love to show you around their area, go for a ride with you, or just tell you where to check out when you leave. Have an open mind and consider their recommendations, you may just find some cool spots you would never have known about with a web search.

- Keep your gear tidy and respect quiet time in the evenings.

*** Some personalities simply do not fit. If that happens, be civil until you leave. ***

*** We recommend that you avoid conversations about politics, religion, gender, and anything else that tends to be controversial. Friends are made by talking about motorcycles, not polarizing topics. ***

WHAT WILL GET YOU BANNED

There are many reasons that someone can get banned from Bunk-a-Biker and they are rarely things done by someone unaware or by accident. If hosts report that a guest is rude or acting entitled, the admin will reach out and recommend you change behavior. We try to help you stay a member of BaB in every way we can, but here are a few reasons why you may not be welcomed in the community anymore. Please read the RULES page for the long version.

- Leaving rubbish behind.
-Deliberately damaging property - riding on their grass, flattening plants, breaking things. Accidents happen; talk about them.
- Stealing.
- Getting drunk or high and becoming a problem.
- Treating the house like a hotel and the host like staff.
- Staying in the guest room the whole time. The point of this network is the people. If you want to be left alone, get a motel.
- Anything sexual or perverse - propositioning a host, touching without consent, offensive jokes nobody asked for.
- Not taking no for an answer.

IF YOUR BIKE BREAKS AT A HOST'S HOUSE

Talk to your host how long repairs will take and discuss what to do. If they can accommodate you for longer, offer to buy groceries and help out with chores while you wait for your parts to come in the mail. Some hosts may not be able to host you for a prolonged period so be prepared to find alternative accommodations.

IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG

If anything possibly criminal happens or you don't feel safe, leave, get somewhere safe, and/or contact the police.

For anything else, try to sort it out between yourselves first. If that fails, email us. If you think a host should not be hosting, tell us as soon as you can.