Rideshare Offer/Request Maryland, DC, Virginia

[lawschoolsucks]

Hi all,

I am a 25 year old recent graduate.

I am trying to get out to Burning Man for the very first time. Currently it looks like I am going to have do so without knowing anyone else going. That being said, if anyone is heading out there from Maryland, DC, or Virginia, I can meet you. I would obviously share gas and other expenses. I could come to wherever you is convenient.

Conversely, if there is enough interest, I wouldn't mind driving out there myself. I have a Ford Explorer that would comfortably seat 3 others, besides myself, along with our belongings. If there is a group of friends that needs a ride, I'd be happy to plan that out.

As a third option, if anyone reads this and can offer me a ride from say Reno or San Francisco, I could get to either of those cities by train or air. By then I hope to have a bike and my water, along with what other possessions I'm bringing, so there would need to be enough room for those things.

I'm open to really anything that can get me there. I just graduated from law school and have wanted to do this since high-school. Now is my chance. Unfortunately, I am 2700 miles away.

Help? If you would like to get in touch about possibly sharing, traveling together, etc., my email is [email protected]. If you want to talk on the phone, email me and I'll get in touch with you.

Thanks,

Chad

[Ratty]

Hi Chad, Welcome to eplaya. You may want to revise this plan.

I have a Ford Explorer that would comfortably seat 3 others, besides myself, along with our belongings.

Your vehicle would fit 2 people and their gear if you hung the bikes on the outside. That is a LONG way to travel and you will need some space.

[lucky420]

You could fly to Reno and rake the burner express bus from there. Lots of people come out solo and make amazing friends and connections. There is also a burner express camp.

Best of luck to you

[Bless]

Have you connected with any of the local DMV burner groups?

[lawschoolsucks]

No I have not connected with anyone yet. I don't know any burners and can't think of a time where I've ever met one. My last 25 years have been burnless.

[some seeing eye]

The Greeter page has some must reads.

There are many Burning Man packing lists. Search the Internet, ePlaya and there was a good compilation of packing lists on reddit r/burningman.

DC to BRC and side trips would be a great adventure. If you drive in, there might also be some lightweight passengers needing a ride near the event.

You are also looking at about 100 pounds of water per person filled nearby.

Studying is all consuming, but I wouldn't wait until August to plan your trip and packing list. In-person advice from local burners is invaluable.

[lawschoolsucks]

When you say filled nearby, is there a particular place that works best, or just anywhere works? let me know. thanks!

[Captain Goddammit]

I've got to strongly agree with Ratty, an Explorer does not have room for four burners plus all their gear. Hell I don't consider it adequate for one.
Hopefully you've read up on exactly what it takes to live at Burning Man.

[mgb327]

PM me and I can talk to you on the phone. I don't have room to haul another person out there, but I am near Charlottesville.....I have a Suburban and a pop-up camper. Barely enough room for me and my stuff. 4 people in an Explorer will be a cluster. 2 max. But, YMMV.

[Bless]

You should start attending some of the local, weekly burner events in DC. Get to know the community.

You can start by joining a couple of the Facebook groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcburners/

https://www.facebook.com/dcburners/?fref=ts

There are usually weekly events at Local 16 and Zeba on U St. and in Columbia Heights, respectively.

In addition to there being a DC-based village on the playa, we also send out a couple of shipping containers each year. If you want, you can rent space and send all your junk out that way. I'm sure there's also room in the village if you need a place to camp.

Another place to start is the DC-based camp, IAMU: https://www.facebook.com/Its-All-Made-U ... 8/?fref=ts

Good luck.

[el brew ho]

Bless gave good advice. Definitely hit up the weekly meet & greet upstairs at Local 16, Thursday evenings starting around 6 or 6:30. I expect to be at Transformus this week, may get down there next week.

Next Friday there is a local project fundraiser party at Gallery O on H, for this project: http://incendioart.org/ (FB event listing wouldn't link here successfully, sorry for their lame site policy).

Also, the DC containers (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-burni ... 2930623111) still have some shares available for shipping stuff, you might use them as a way to accommodate more passengers driving out.

I've driven DC to BRC twice, it's a long haul, plan enough rest (I had to wake the driver twice before we bit guardrail on one trip!). Fun to drive if you've got the time and money, flying into Reno is cheaper and rides to the playa are plentiful once the event opens, not so much if you have the early arrival pass (unlikely you do, first time out).

[el brew ho]

ps - you did not say that you had a ticket. Do your best to have ticket in hand before you hit the road. There are usually tickets available, being plugged into the community can help. If you see me at the Incendio event next week I might be able to point you in the right direction to find one...