Rough surface conditions this year?

Rock Bottom · Post by **Rock Bottom** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:59 pm

Hey Everyone!

I just visited the playa on Sunday and, unless something changes in the next few weeks, it looks like cycling is going to be a real work out this year. Obviously the streets get packed down but the outlying areas are going to be a real challenge. The surface is so thick and soft that driving across the playa in a small SUV was pretty interesting. All of the tracks around us were over 2 inches deep and this was pretty much anywhere from the 12 mile entrance going west right through the festival location. Fat tires are a must this year...and I don't mean just the beer! :wink: I do have a couple pics that show the depth of the tire tracks right now.

Rocky

chiefdanfox · Post by **chiefdanfox** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:53 pm

OK. THAT was what I was looking for. DUSTY, like you read about. Dusty like you hear granpa talking about reading about it.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:02 pm

Hmmm.. Yeah, that is good info. So couple inches of fluffy crust with hardpack under. hmmm... I hope that either packs down or blows off by the time we all get out there. Sounds like we'll have dunes again this year.

Badger

Marscrumbs · Post by **Marscrumbs** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:08 pm

So Dune style stillsuits will be in fashion?

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:19 pm

Marscrumbs wrote:So Dune style stillsuits will be in fashion?

Still.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:24 pm

Looks like it's time to haul out the dustpunk gear.

The indie outdoor gear and surplus stores in Portland are advertising Burning Man wares. (As is Spartacus.) Lotsa goggles in PDX for $10 at Andy and Bax.

They used to have the finest collection of gasmasks in Portland, too.

-c

Ninth Path · Post by **Ninth Path** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:44 pm

Maybe someone here can help me with this...
I just bought an old 3 person tandem from craigslist. We took it for a test spin in a large parking lot and it worked fine, but it took some pretty hard pedaling to keep it in motion. If I'm reading this post correctly, can I assume it will be even TOUGHER pedaling than what we had in the parking lot? If so, this sweet sweet rasta painted 3 man bike may not workout...and I really want it to work out...thanks for any help for my newbie question.

Ninth Path

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:08 pm

Put the widest tires you can on it and you will have the best luck with it.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:14 pm

maybe a grappling hook to an MV?
James Bondish, perhaps?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:14 pm

Ninth Path wrote:Maybe someone here can help me with this...
I just bought an old 3 person tandem from craigslist. We took it for a test spin in a large parking lot and it worked fine, but it took some pretty hard pedaling to keep it in motion. If I'm reading this post correctly, can I assume it will be even TOUGHER pedaling than what we had in the parking lot? If so, this sweet sweet rasta painted 3 man bike may not workout...and I really want it to work out...thanks for any help for my newbie question.

Ninth Path

Give the bike a tuneup so it's easier to pedal and bring it. Chances are it will still be usable in many places and a lot of fun. Keep in mind the playa is FLAT so hard biking out there is still easier than going up a nice smoothe city hill.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:56 am

You could always add a hubgear to it or change the rear gearing.

Snow tires are best out there.
Fit the widest smoothest tires you can get.

I can't find the snow tires I rode on out there.
I did find some holy fuck ice tires out there that are impressively serious.

There are total slicks made for comfort, even for mountain bikes being used in the city.
Many with slight grooving.
Smoother the better for dust.
If you ride hard enough in drifts some grooving might help you.
I think smooth is best.
The snow tires had a shallow v pattern to them.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:18 am

Ninth Path wrote:Maybe someone here can help me with this...
I just bought an old 3 person tandem from craigslist. We took it for a test spin in a large parking lot and it worked fine, but it took some pretty hard pedaling to keep it in motion. If I'm reading this post correctly, can I assume it will be even TOUGHER pedaling than what we had in the parking lot? If so, this sweet sweet rasta painted 3 man bike may not workout...and I really want it to work out...thanks for any help for my newbie question.

Ninth Path

Did you have two or three people on it pedaling when you test-rode it?
If it's tough, then clean and lube everything and gear it lower, either by changing sprockets, getting a three-speed rear hub, or adding a derailleur from a mountain or road bike.

Ninth Path · Post by **Ninth Path** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:58 am

We had three people when we test-rode. Thanks everyone for all your help! I'm determined to make it work, so I'll take your suggestions and put in some work on the bike for easier goings. Wave hello when you see us!

Hoolie · Post by **Hoolie** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:13 am

Rock Bottom wrote:I do have a couple pics that show the depth of the tire tracks right now.

So, can we see them?

bdeywoo · Post by **bdeywoo** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:59 pm

It rained 5-6 days in the last month i would not worry too much about having fat tires. Especially later in the week.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:08 pm

bdeywoo wrote:It rained 5-6 days in the last month i would not worry too much about having fat tires. Especially later in the week.

You'll notice Rocky said he was just out there just a few days ago...

Badger

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:31 pm

Wide or skinny, I don't think knobbies ever help at all out there. I use Conti touring tires.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:10 am

There are hubgears with up to 14 gears.
7 is easy.
Sachs is supposed to be tough.
May be sold as SRAM now.

Make sure anything you use will take the torque of three people pedaling.

Rough surface conditions this year?

Rough surface conditions this year?

Dust 2" thick

Re: Dust 2" thick

My ride

Re: My ride

Re: My ride

tri tandem

Re: Rough surface conditions this year?