First trip to BM

Mellobiker · Post by **Mellobiker** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:54 am

Hi I'm Randy. I live in Madison wisconsin. I'm a biker, and I like to take a couple of trips cross country each year. This year will be my first Burning Man. I am kinda an old dog @ 50, but I still feel like a pup. I used to live in Ventura county California, back in the 70's. Used to go to a place called sespe hot springs. Its way back in the mountains, a clothing optional place, where all kinds of people would gather on the weekend. There was a kind of feeling of freedom and community about the place, and I'm hoping that Burning Man is siimiliar. Looking forward to meeting some interesting folks, an having a good party. If ther is anybody from this area who want to caravan out, just drop me a note and we'll work it out.
C-ya.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:05 pm

Hi Randy, I think you will find that BM is definately clothing optional, although many (most) wear some clothing or costumes. I think there is a sense of community, although sometimes it get's debated just what that means. I am not a biker, but it sounds like fun. At least as long as it doesn't rain!

If you haven't already read the survival guide on the homepage, I encourage you to. One thing about BM that is a little different than other events is that it is in the middle of a dry lake bed (ie-desert) and it is a pack-in / pack-out event (except for the porta-potties - those are provided). That means you'll need to bring in a couple of gallons of water a day, plus all the other camping gear needed to survive in a desert during a windstorm (or rainstorm). Ice can be purchased at Centercamp (as well as coffee), but nothing else (no food, etc). I would imagine this would be kind of hard on a bike (even with a trailer). I have seen people do it, but it appears to be the exception...

You may be able to get your water and other gear brought to BM by your Regional group. You can find out who they are by looking on the home page for Regional Contacts. Sometimes if a group is big enough, they will contract a truck to haul gear. Or you may be able to find a local group that is willing to bring some stuff down for you. The time to start is now, as many groups start cutting off any more new member around June.

Good luck on your adventure, if you make it look me up for a beer! (how to do that where 35,000+ are camping is another topic...)

Mellobiker · Post by **Mellobiker** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:21 pm

Thanks for the tips. Actually I'm thinking about heading out that way with a RV, and trailering a dirt bike. that way water and toilets are no problem.
If I do change my mind and take the Harley, the only problem would be water. I'm kinda hoping to talk a few others from Madison to go along. Then I could have some body else drive the RV and I'll bike out. I am really up for this. I saw a show about it on Free speech TV. That along with the stories that others have told me, has convinced me that this is an event I don't want to miss.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:38 pm

Just so you know, if you've got a dirtbike in a trailer behind your RV when you get to the gate, you'll have to leave it in longterm parking.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:09 pm

Man, I cant imagine having 9 days of food and water and clothing on a bike! How would that be done? Just going in for one or two days might not be a problem but man o man ...

Mellobiker · Post by **Mellobiker** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:17 pm

Well yeah thats the problem,eh? I figure I can strap on about a five gallon water jug...I thought the festival was 6 days. I can also get 3 changes of clothes in the saddlebags.......then there is the food issue. I can do it, but I'm thinkin the RV would make it easy. Is there an extra charge for RVs?

regarding long term parking....would I have to leave the bike (its small), or just the trailer?

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:29 pm

An RV would be no problem (lot's of people go that route) other than some people think it distances you from your neighbors...(pay them no mind...

...and no there is no extra charge. Some people bring 18 wheelers (to carry all their stuff...) and cranes (to erect art & structures)

...the issue with bikes is that riding them is verbotten! at BM (safety reasons), yet due to past infractions now the gate people impound motorbikes (unless it is your only ride, then you are allowed to park it at camp). So, if you are trailering a bike, it looks like you plan on using it, so it would be impounded for the event. But it doesn't sound as if that would apply in your case...

Looks like you have already done your basic homework! I hope to see you in 2005! Let me know if you have any other questions (there is also a "Frequently Asked Questions" thread that is good to read at least once...)

Tiara · Post by **Tiara** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:52 pm

Dirt bikes (or any off-road vehicle not licensed as an art car) on trailers would be impounded in "long term parking" outside the event gate. This area is not patrolled or protected. No responsibility is assumed for vehicles left there.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:19 pm

Word.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:20 pm

Oh, and if you do go on your bike - and some people do - it stays parked. No riding it for any reason during the event.

Mellobiker · Post by **Mellobiker** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:38 pm

Well it sounds like I should just leave the bike at home. I'll either Rv it or Van/tent. Thanks for the advice. It would have been a bummer to haul all that extra weight for nothing.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:24 am

A little closer to That Time I'll get more organized about this idea, but for now- I'm trying to organize informal get-togethers for those coming out I-80, whether from the East Coast, Midwest or West....possible rendezvous points are the big truckstop in eastern Iowa, North Platte, Nebraska, Wendover, Utah and Winnemucca....just an opportunity for fellow burners to meet and greet on the long road. More later.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:27 am

You don't want to stop in Wendover, Utah. It's a trailerpark wasteland. You want to stop in Wendoever, NV, about a half mile down the road. Cheapest place to refuel, too. If I'm not part of your pilgrimage, Robo (I want to go early again, but not sure I'll be able to), I recommend stopping to eat at the Flyin' Pig in Winnemucca if it's the afternoon, or at the Terrace (I think it's called) for breakfast.

Renie · Post by **Renie** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:38 am

Look in to the Department of Mutant Vehicles, they can tell you what constitutes an art car. With a few modifications you may not have to leave your bike at home.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:12 am

Ranger Genius wrote:You don't want to stop in Wendover, Utah. It's a trailerpark wasteland. You want to stop in Wendoever, NV, about a half mile down the road. Cheapest place to refuel, too. If I'm not part of your pilgrimage, Robo (I want to go early again, but not sure I'll be able to), I recommend stopping to eat at the Flyin' Pig in Winnemucca if it's the afternoon, or at the Terrace (I think it's called) for breakfast.

Thanks for the tips on eats- And you are correct, I MEANT to recommend the Wendover in NEVADA. Very interesting place to take a morning stroll....

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:45 pm

I was thinking about this the other day, and there is an answer. One of the 2 things that you CAN buy at BM is coffee - and ICE. Figure you get about 3 quarts out of a 7 lb bag, so if you come early, you could conceivably go to Center Camp, get a couple bags, and get your RDA of H2O that way. We're planning on re-using our ice water for washing, but it could be used for drinking as well! Just remember you have to figure a way to save the water, and also pack out your trash, but you could get a few nalgene bottles, fill them with ice, and let them melt in a secure location (that won't be blown away - remember the winds on the Playa can be fierce!)

Of course... if you have a full dresser, and maybe a sidehack or a trailer (or a sidehack *and* a trailer) you could pack enough in to really do a full blown camp. Depends how creative you are at tying stuff down!

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:18 pm

You're not going to want to drink the water that you use to keep your food cool. It'll be nasty and dirty, and no matter what, the food will leak into it a little bit. Plus you're reaching in there to get things out, et cetera. You can use melted cooler ice for washing, but don't drink it unless you want to get a good view of the inside of the REMSA tent.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:50 pm

I wasn't thinking of drinking food cooler water (EWWWW!!!

Now **that** IS sick!!) but as a back up water source for a biker coming for the whole event who *can't* pack in the requisite 10-15 gallons for hydration on top of all his basic mandatory essential gear. (Camped off motorcycles before, it *ain't* easy!!) I wouldn't try it on anything less than a full dress bike as it's the only way I can see getting the basics (Tent/shade/sleeping bags/clothes/food/BMS) out there.

We tried doing that at a music fest last year, and it worked well, as long as you had a second container for the ice bag (they do leak). The water, if not the greatest, is better than drinking dust. From about 6 feet down...

But hey, what a way to meet people... inside a REMSA tent... Ohhh yeah, what fun! <<NOT!!>>

born2ski1 · Post by **born2ski1** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:21 am

Hey Randy
We'll be leaving from Green bay on the friday prior to the start. We have an RV with room if you're interested in joining or if you need some gear hauled so you can take your bike let me know. we'll be joinign a group from out there with approx 50 people in our camp. there will be atleast 20 leaving GB that night that i'm aware of already. Either way look for the packer flag above our RV and stop in for a drink if things don't work out.

157 left til he burns!!!

First trip to BM

First trip to BM

Qu

leaving the bike at home

Water magic for bikers...