Since I'm really getting into the idea of going now.....

[transgirl]

With your support and encouragement, I'm becomming more confident about this journey now. I've spent hours today on here printing out supply lists and tips on everything. I haven't seen anything about a few questions I have though.

1. I can't afford to buy a bike once I fly into Reno. How would a little scooter work? (like the kid kind that you push with one foot).

2. Since camp fires are outlawed, are camp stoves okay to use? I just want to boil water and heat up canned goods.

[JRoyale]

With your support and encouragement, I'm becomming more confident about this journey now. I've spent hours today on here printing out supply lists and tips on everything. I haven't seen anything about a few questions I have though.

1. I can't afford to buy a bike once I fly into Reno. How would a little scooter work? (like the kid kind that you push with one foot).

2. Since camp fires are outlawed, are camp stoves okay to use? I just want to boil water and heat up canned goods.

You can get cheap bikes at Target for $70. I'm not sure a scooter will help all that much on the playa.

Camp stoves are fine. Just remember it can get very very windy on the playa and purchase and use accordingly.

[phil]

On scooters, it depends on the tires. My _guess_ is that the scooter would sink in the playa. Remember you'll be on dirt. See any scooters being used on dirt lately?

Camp stoves are fine - I'm sure 90% of BMers are cooking on camp stoves. Louise and I have been since we've been going to BM.

I have two contradictory theories on camp stoves. Generally, I buy the best I can for Burning Man because of the harsh conditions and the results of equipment failure may be harsh as well. However, camp stoves have rubber tubes, and the playa isn't level. So the tubes get stiff from the sun, heat, and playa powder, and the fittings get dirty and corroded, and food gets in the stove when it runs off my griddle and down into the recesses of the stove. So sometimes I buy a couple of cheap crap stoves and just toss them when they pass my limits of tolerance for crud and corrosion. Other times I buy a really good one - then end up tossing it for the same reasons. shrug - for your first time, I'd suggest a cheap stove, but I'd worry about it failing.

I have tried to cook with good stoves and bad in the playa winds, and it's hopeless. I've started bringing HeaterMeals (heatermeals.com) for those times we can't cook (but we have a health problem that _requires_ regular meals - your mileage will vary).

Be prepared with a back up plan for everything; be prepared to wing it; be tolerant of all aggravations, hassles, irritations, and crap. Be very tolerant. You'll be fine.

[ScoutDG]

I've seen scooters with fairly large wheels that might do OK, the but little ones w/ tiny tires won't. The playa surface has deep cracks from the sandy mud drying in the sun. The ride would be just too bumpy for little wheels. There are many people who do actually walk -- and may see more because they're not going so fast.

[Rusted Iron]

There are often cheap bikes available at thrift stores.

[frenchblue1]

Hmmm...I guess nobody gets that this is someones "sock" just writing a bunch of virgin posts.

[transgirl]

LOL. Who is "sock", .....a troll?

No, this is transgirl. My name's actually Jill, and I live in Honolulu.

Thanks everybody for your latest posts. I am going to call the airline and see if I can maybe just fly my bike out there. I have a lovely one I spent 20 bucks on, with big fat tires from a college student out here, I'd love to bring it. I'm just going to nix any scooter idea. Thanks for that advice.

I'm going to bring out Wally world's 33 dollar campstove. I went out last night and did window shopping with a list of all the needed items.

Anyone have any thoughts one those pop-up SHADE structures like they sell at Wallmart? It's only 30 bucks, and I will buy rebar in Reno to hold everything down with.
I figure, one 30 dollar tent, one 30 dollar shade structure, one 30 dollar sleepingback for down to 30 degree temp, one 10 dollar soft sleeping mat, and i'm good to go as far as shelter.

[Tiahaar]

LOL. Who is "sock", .....a troll?

No, this is transgirl. My name's actually Jill, and I live in Honolulu.

Thanks everybody for your latest posts. I am going to call the airline and see if I can maybe just fly my bike out there. I have a lovely one I spent 20 bucks on, with big fat tires from a college student out here, I'd love to bring it. I'm just going to nix any scooter idea. Thanks for that advice.

Hey hey, I use a kick scooter out there part of the time and it works pretty good! Not as efficient as a bike but it has 12" ballon tires and I'm light (140 lbs) so it rides over the playa, especially nicely on packed streets. Good for trips to the potties in the morning. Its faster than walking but more of a workout than biking.