Getting there

cocoa rageous · Post by **cocoa rageous** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:01 pm

I live on the east coast and was wondering the easiest or most cost efficient way to get myself and all my crap out there.

thanks
-cocoa rageous-

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:59 pm

Easiest or cost efficient? Hmmmmm. I would say that flying out is the easiest. Most airlines will let you check two large bags plus a carry-on.
You can get a tent, sleeping bag and basic camping gear on the plane.
Once you get to Reno, it's another 120 miles to the Playa. Renting a car or truck in Reno can be tricky, so you might want to try for a ride share
with a veteran.
Round trip air fare in is the 400 dollar range.

Reno is about 2,400 miles from the east coast. Driving out will take
48 hours if you don't stop, longer if you do. Sharing a drive out with
others might be cheaper, but will result in more time off work or less time on the playa.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:02 pm

If I were going to come from the East coast, here is how I would do it:

My first option would be try to team up with some others in my region and ride with them. Better to connect with them earlier than later.

Second option would be to fly out and connect with someone in Reno or San Francisco for the ride in.

There is no reason to haul all your food and water across country. Reno is a good sized city and has plenty of major supermarkets, department stores, and sporting goods stores. Haul your tent, clothes, and maybe some freeze-dried stuff you want to bring. Buy a cooler and the stuff that goes in it in Reno. Maybe give any extra usable food to a Reno food bank on the way home after the event:

Food Bank of Northern Nevada
994 Packer Way
Sparks, NV 89431-6441
Phone: 775-331-3663

The idea if you are traveling that far is to travel light. Load up with the heavy stuff at the end of the trip. Water is heavy, no sense paying for fuel to haul it over the Appalachian and Rocky mountains if you are driving. Also, the area from the Rockies to the Sierra Nevada is called the "Basin and Range" region. This means lots of smaller mountain ranges in succession as you travel across. We stopped outside Reno last year and filled up our barrels of shower water with local city water from the hose of an ex-neighbor who had moved to the Reno area. In 04 we watered up at the ice plant. Connect with folks, there are lots of options around.

But first I would connect with folks in your region. These people have made that exact trip before and have learned from the experiance. Many are happy to pass along what they have learned. You don't say where on the East Coast you are from. Check into Playa del Fuego.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:15 pm

I drive 2100 miles out I-80 to get to The Big Campout....A helpful formula is to take the distance that you'll need to travel, and then multiply that distance by .5......That will give you the degree of fun that the trip CAN be. In other words, if you choose to drive out there are interesting things to see along the way. But it IS a long haul, and NOT for everyone. Where on the East Coast? There's a Southern Route as well, and it's even MORE interesting overall....

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:19 pm

A few years ago there was a group from NYC that rented a few shipping containers and had them transported by rail to Reno and then trucked to the playa. I checked their website recently and it was down, but I believe the Rev. Billy was also a part of that group, so you might want to try sending him an email about it (if you live near NYC that is).

Desert Duck · Post by **Desert Duck** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:56 pm

A few years ago we had a group come out to camp with us. They ended up being called "The Massachusets Nine". They rented a big ass van and drove across, had crazy stories, all that. Check the Regional Burn board, you should be able to hook up with some folks out there and work together whether you fly out or drive.

cocoa rageous · Post by **cocoa rageous** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:18 pm

thanks guys, it looks like by plane might be the best route. i backpack often so packing light wont be a problem. i just need to figure everything out. i wont be 18 untill next year so iv got some time to get it all together.

p.s. bikes on planes?

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:44 pm

bikes on planes?

Bikes have to be boxed (go to your bike shop and ask for a bike box, if you're a good customer you'll prolly get one free, if not they might ask for a few bucks). Then you have to semi-disassemble the bike, put it in the box and check it on as luggage. Some airlines let you check your bike on for free, counting it as regular luggage (assuming you don't go over whatever luggage restrictions they have). Other airlines charge $50 to $100 per bike (Ouch!) In that case you're almost better off buying a bike in Reno, and then donating it to Goodwill (or sometimes they have bike collection in one of the towns on hwy 447 on your way out) Whatever you do, Do not leave it on the playa!

http://bittercyclist.blogspot.com/2005/ ... in-us.html

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:54 pm

cocoa rageous wrote:thanks guys, it looks like by plane might be the best route. i backpack often so packing light wont be a problem. i just need to figure everything out. i wont be 18 untill next year so iv got some time to get it all together.

See Louise's Web page at
http://civilizedexplorer.pbwiki.com/ind ... =CivExReno
for shopping for supplies in Reno

http://civilizedexplorer.pbwiki.com/ind ... pplies#bic
has info on bikes in Reno, including rentals and sales

http://pedalplaya.tribe.net/
is the biker tribe at Burning Man

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:54 pm

Many years ago (10ish) I bought some mountain biking maps from a trail bike association of some sort and they had a deal worked out with several airlines where if you were a member they waived the extra bike fees.

I did a quick web search and couldn't find anything on this, but something similar might still exist. Could be worth looking into if you have a playa-fied bike you just have to bring.

falk · Post by **falk** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:33 pm

Will you be under 18 in August? You may have a problem; I think you need to have parent or guardian to get in. Better check the web site.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:39 pm

Dork wrote:Many years ago (10ish) I bought some mountain biking maps from a trail bike association of some sort and they had a deal worked out with several airlines where if you were a member they waived the extra bike fees.

I did a quick web search and couldn't find anything on this, but something similar might still exist. Could be worth looking into if you have a playa-fied bike you just have to bring.

IMBA: The International Mountain Biking Association used to have the airline discounts but they don't seem to have it listed anymore. But their website does link to this place....

http://www.sportsexpress.com/

I've never used that service so I can't make any endorsements of it...but it might be worth a look.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:30 am

[quote="][http://www.sportsexpress.com/

Belongs in the "Sounds dirty but isn't" thread...