ePlaya

A few years ago, somebody assembled a list of camps that offer bicycle repair as well as other mechanical repair, including their specialties (welding, bikes, electronics, etc.).
This list was marvelously useful -- it allowed us to send customers in the right direction when we could not assist them ourselves.

So far, I know of these.

Wonder camp – 4:30 / HAL

Camp Armageddon Bike Shop -- 2:30 / C

Hammer & Cyclery -- 3:30 / G

BRC Welding And Repair -- 3:00 / A

McGyver's Union -- ???

Flat Tire Cafe -- ???

Pandora's Lounge & Fixit Shoppe -- ???

My camp does primarily bicycle repair, both full service and D-I-Y, at 3:00 and G.

Cool info, had no idea there were so many repair options. Looking forward to being naked and learning more about how to fix bicycles this year.

Year or two ago, I saw a sign on the fence at Yellow Bikes, listing bike service camps and individuals. There were... I think 24 entries.
The question is, though.... Do they repair bikes, or only fix them?

My ignorance apparent. There's a difference? Going to assume repair is better

What about Playa Bike Repair. They pre-rent bikes to fund their camp. It's viewed as a douche move for those of us who struggle to get our bikes to the playa ourselves. But...they serviced 4,000 participants in need last year. When your chain breaks are you really going to judge them? No. They are members of the East Bay Burners. 9 o'clock Plaza this year.

Thanks for getting this list together Elliot! The information for Black Rock City Welding & Repair is correct. 3:00 and A in the Portal.

We will be offering repairs, trouble shooting and general tinkering help from 10am to 4pm and will have a self repair station. Hours may deviate a little based on camp activity or urgency of repair needed.

Gears & Beers which is more along the lines of Mutant Vehicle repair is at 4:15 and Dewey per their post in the 3:00 FB group.

Elliot, you are awesome. I'll make my annual pilgrimage to drop off a six pack of tubes again this year.

I had the pleasure of camping next to PBR last year and saw their operations. A line of broken down bikes literally all day long and an amazing crew of mechanics who somehow helped every person in need. They are superstars.

I give the biggest love to anyone who takes a week off of their life to volunteer to help people. We all know you could be spending that week in Hawaii or Peru or anywhere but the playa. To then spend your days working, wrenching, helping - thank you for whatever it is that makes you tick - you are awesome.

Shoes?

My camp does basic shoe repair. Glue soles back on, laces, a little stretching, a little sewing.

Tacoma is for Lovers 3:15 & Bender

BRC Hardware is returning for its 19th year on playa. We are at 9:15 and Rod’s Road this year and are available for all sorts of General fix it help and know how.

Anyone looking for mechanics? I was planning to do BB overhauls at my camp but just as easily could set up shop at a place handling other logistics.

Eladimir wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:40 am

My ignorance apparent. There's a difference? Going to assume repair is better

For once... an assumption that makes no-one an ass.
Ever heard of the Italian automobile brand FIAT? "Fix It Again Tony".
A fixed bike soon needs fixing again.
A repaired bike remains repaired for a considerable time.

Quite a few of our customers report that their bike has been fixed repeatedly at various locations.
We regret we cannot restore to these good folks their precious time that was wasted.
But we can often repair the problem once and for all.

("It ain't braggin' if'n it's the truth."
--Will Rogers)

Zubeneschamali wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:05 pm

Elliot, you are awesome. ... ... ... ... ....

Thank you -- on behalf of my camp-mates, who actually do all the awesome stuff! Forwarding this to all of them.

evathedefiler wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:46 pm

Shoes?

My camp does basic shoe repair. Glue soles back on, laces, a little stretching, a little sewing.

Tacoma is for Lovers 3:15 & Bender

Was it you I told about the old cobbler's shop in my childhood neighborhood?

So... so far we have:

Wonder camp – 4:30 / HAL.

Camp Armageddon Bike Shop -- 2:30 / C.

Hammer & Cyclery -- 3:30 / G

BRC Welding And Repair -- 3:00 / A Portal.

Gears & Beers -- mostly Mutant Vehicle repair, reported to be at 4:15 and Dewey.

Shoe repair! Tacoma is for Lovers, 3:15 & Bender

BRC Hardware -- 9:15 and Rod’s Ring Road, all sorts of general fix it help and know how. (And famous for their wide selection of hardware, as I recall.)

Bike Gods – both Full Service bike repair and D-I-Y, reported to be at 7:45 / D.

Flat Tire Cafe – reported to be at 4:30 & C.


McGyver's Union -- ???

Pandora's Lounge & Fixit Shoppe -- ???

My camp does primarily bicycle repair, both full service and D-I-Y, at 3:00 and G.

OK. So you intentionally left off PBR? That says more about you than it does about them.

So... so far we have:

Playa Bike Repair (PBR) -- 9:00 Plaza, performs 4,000 bike repairs every year.

Wonder camp – 4:30 / HAL.

Camp Armageddon Bike Shop -- 2:30 / C.

Hammer & Cyclery -- 3:30 / G

BRC Welding And Repair -- 3:00 / A Portal.

Gears & Beers -- mostly Mutant Vehicle repair, reported to be at 4:15 and Dewey.

Shoe repair! Tacoma is for Lovers, 3:15 & Bender

BRC Hardware -- 9:15 and Rod’s Ring Road, all sorts of general fix it help and know how. (And famous for their wide selection of hardware, as I recall.)

Bike Gods – both Full Service bike repair and D-I-Y, reported to be at 7:45 / D.

Flat Tire Cafe – reported to be at 4:30 & C.


McGyver's Union -- ???

Pandora's Lounge & Fixit Shoppe -- ???

Next, we need someone to continue this effort. I am glad I started it, and now I simply must get off the computer and prepare for the real Playa.

So, long story short ...

Better to break down on the East side of the clock face.

Correct me if I'm wrong Elliot but you want someone to take this list and format it in an easy to read manner possibly arranging it by address and print about 150 of them out on reasonably tough paper and distribute them to the repair camps and Playa Info.



Got it! Now we need a volunteer to gift this.





p.s. I like it when my camp is listed by it's placed name Black Rock City Welding & Repair. I know it's natural to abbreviate and spell and out but the name field in the placement application is short enough that I have to use an & to get the whole thing in there. Accuracy first!

I can take this on.

I needed this last year when my prewar steel frame came apart. I really thought I was out of luck until someone said they do welding at Wonder.

I'll format this tomorrow and post a sample here for an edit or two, and a final so that people can print their own. I can also bring a bunch and take them to each camp on the list for handouts.

Awesome topic! Looking forward to the formatted list, will post it in our camp's common shade area!

Elliot wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 11, 2018 11:14 pm

evathedefiler wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 25, 2018 8:46 pm

Shoes?

My camp does basic shoe repair. Glue soles back on, laces, a little stretching, a little sewing.

Tacoma is for Lovers 3:15 & Bender

Was it you I told about the old cobbler's shop in my childhood neighborhood?

I don’t think I’ve heard that story.

Yeah Spacetime. I know you made the list where did it go? I need a copy at my camp too. When we adjust bike seats and put on the foam and fur, people want all kinds of repairs. List, list, list. Pretty please.

Hey Ratty, There is an unspoken rule ( or up front that I'm not 100% aware of) about publishing aggregated camp real addresses prior to gate open. At least that is my interpretation of the few instances I have been involved with. Please stop by BRCW&R after gate open and pick up a copy of the info from us. 3:00 and A

MacGyver's Union -- 7:15 & F

Pandora's Lounge & Fixit Shoppe -- 6 & D

Via the 2018 Unofficial Map