Still not quite awake, but will attempt a Report:
Arriving at the intended location on the 19th, I found a small camp on the corner of G, and quickly established that they were friendlies who did not require much space. Plenty space left for us. To make everything fit, we only had to partly overlap Sunbeam's kitchen in front of my shade structure, which may even have been an improvement.
We wound up being 11 people in our group.
The basic 8 of us were...
Figjam,
Maryanimal,
Sadie,
Sunbeam,
Grey Coyote,
Martini Steve
Kowtow,
Elliot.
Then Chuckularone showed up and turned out to be a superb bicycle mechanic to boot.
And when two young ladies started setting up behind us, they were invited to join us rather than "be outcasts", and thus Laura and Lex became full-fledged campers also, for the total of 11.
In addition, a nice couple filled in the empty spot that was left over in our generally rectangular area, but we saw little of them.
We still had a little bit of open space which we deliberately kept that way to avoid the "tent ghetto" feel.
44 bicycles were lent out, most by prior arrangement.
Countless bicycles were repaired, by up to three mechanics working at once. Huge thanks to all the mechanics!
For the first time, I set out a table with a set of tools for Do-It-Yourself repair 24/7. Not only did I not lose any tools, but I gained some!
Also, several tools were gifted to me in person.
And parts.... Donations of inner-tubes and other parts began months earlier, and continued thru the event. Some of these donations were substantial, representing "real money". On behalf of all the end users, thank you! We did not run out of any of the common size tubes, and we even have a good start on next year's supply. Same with pedals and saddles. It is a great relief that we did not run out of these key parts. Always best to have a surplus.
I did come up short of certain unusual tube sizes and various odd parts. I had neglected to bring tubes for the new 28" tires. And I continue to be surprised by all the skinny (pavement) 700 and similar tires, many of these (and others) with Presta valves. Live and learn.
I did bring 29" tubes, but did not need a single one. But no doubt will in future years, as more of these bikes are sold.
Of special note.... Brought one 26 x 4.0 tube for Beast/Dolomite and needed precisely that one tube. Then the owner gifted me that Beast at the end of the event. Pretty cool.
You may see references to various camp names: Not A Fucking Camp Camp, and Fish Out Of Water Camp, in addition to various versions of Elliot's Nekkid Bicycle Service and Beverage Station Camp. All the same Gang of 11.
Sunbeam served 750 Bacon Tamales. Much praise.
On the Beverage front, we served white wine, beer, ice tea with lemon, lemonade, and water. The wine from 5-liter boxes, the others in aluminum cans (and the water in plastic bottles). Ran out of the lemonade, but otherwise had plenty.
At times we did have a "hostess" to serve beverages, but at other times not, so we need to plan this better next year. To leave a customer thirsty is surely a sin.
Have not counted yet, so don't know how many of the Loaners were lost. But numerous bicycles were donated at the end of the event, so the Loaner fleet can theoretically grow. Trouble is, I can only haul so many! And I want to bring one of my 4-seat pedal cars again. So expect fewer Loaners next year -- the extras being stored for the future.
True to form, Yours Truly went nude at all times in camp, except some chilly early mornings and late evenings. One other mechanic, who worked two or three shifts, likewise worked in the buff. And two of our own campers went nude a bit around camp. Going nude, weather permitting, is simply marvelously comfortable. Going nude also "strikes a blow" for positive forces (like body-acceptance for all) and against negative forces (like moral double-standards), and I hereby invite more nudity in camp.
You may recall that some of my plans for camp features had to be cancelled because of a past health issue. One such feature was a water-misting system. Well, the kitchen had a surplus of water at the end of the week, and I re-purposed this water to an improvised plain-aire Extreme-Misting system, using parts from my bus's shower stall. This was a grand success, with Burners from the whole neighborhood taking advantage thereof.
By "Extreme Misting" I mean that some of the water reached the ground. But scattering of essentially clean water is perfectly legal, so long as we don't put so much water in one spot as to create mud. We even lucked out to have a BLM officer happen by, and he "signed off" on the system so long as there was no soap or other contaminant involved.
And much of the spilled water was soaked up in my rugs. (This made the rugs grotesquely heavy, but I managed to drag them onto the trailer in the end.)
This Extreme Misting must be repeated and expanded!
Renting the water tank and pump from MECO worked splendidly.
I think those are the highlights. Time for a nap.
I'd like to contribute some tubes next year.
)
