Low car population in the east bay?

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:18 am

OK,I've been looking around quite a lot for rides and I've come to some conclusions. I have been offered rides from all around the area, if only I could get there. Of course, if I could get there, I wouldn't need a ride,right?

Now, it wouldn't surprise me to know that people in Berkeley are more conscious of the use of fossil fuels, more willing to have faith in (and patience for) public transit and less willing to mess with/pay for a car.

Nevertheless, this creates certain problems for the likes of me. There surely must be someone out there who can offer a ride to a nice girl who is doing it for her first time? Any ideas at all could help at this point. I'm really beginning to worry.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:36 am

I have been offered rides from all around the area, if only I could get there.

I assume this means you have a ride if you can get to their place?

If you're in need of a ride you can't expect that people are also going to be willing to go find your house. Why not spend the $20 and take a cab to meet them where they leave from? Or have a friend give you a lift over there? Public transportation?

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:40 pm

I have spoken with 3 different people who would have been more than willing to give me rides if I could get me and my stuff to even nearer where they live.

I'm curious. Can you carry all the stuff you plan to bring to burning man on your person in one load? That's what's required for public transit. Oh,and you have to be able to carry it up and down stairs, usually several times. Unless you require them to stop for you to buy stuff along the way (MY, aren't WE demanding here?) either you come completely unprepared or it can't happen.

I might be able to hire a cab that would fit most of my stuff, but the offers I've had have been so far out, that it'd probably be cheaper for me to rent a car and drive it out to the playa for what it'd cost in cab fares and sharing gas. I'm estimating it'd be between $50 and $70 each way for the distances described. (On average close to an hour and a half drive away.)

It's not like I'm not willing to compensate people or am insisting on being lazy and having other people serve me or anything like that. The limitations I describe are practical for anyone without their own vehicle.

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:10 pm

So I'm thinking about renting a pickup truck to drive out there.

Anyone from the East Bay in with me? Or maybe the city, although that's going the wrong way. ;-)

I figure I can haul stuff for people too, since that seems to be something people need?

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:48 pm

Can you carry all the stuff you plan to bring to burning man on your person in one load?

Not this year but it can be done assuming you stop to fill your water along the way. Since you mention car I assumed all your stuff would fit in a car. A large backpack and a couple suit cases or duffel bags should get most people riding in a car through the event and reasonable to move to a bus station or in a cab. Details are your friend. If you need a ride people need to know how much space you require. If you're upfront a lot of people are more likely to help rather than having to ask a bunch of questions just to figure out what you need.

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:16 pm

This is indeed true. I am up front with stuff usually. In my postings I itemize out what I intend to bring so they can get a good estimate. I always mention the significant costuming stuff and the water barrel, as well as the lack of bicycle. (I can't ride one right now.)

I am not coming at an issue sideways. I'm really curious about people's commentary on east-bayers not owning cars.

As it turns out, I advertised on Craigslist and got a bunch of responses for the rental deal, supporting my theory that people out here are more liberal than most. Go figure.

(I also would like to challenge you to carry "a couple of suitcases and a large backpack" even off and on a bus/train/etc. through 4-5 transfers. It's harder than it sounds. I did that through Europe, only without the tent, sleeping bag, food, shade structure or water, and I'm not as young as I was then.)

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:22 am

I used to ride the train from LA to Goleta about once a month, and when I had a camping trip I would have a full backpack (tent, sleeping bag, etc), duffel bag, and large sack of laundry (I mean stuffed from the month+ worth of dirty laundry I made). A couple times I took a bike too, but never with that full load of other gear. To and from Goleta to Isla Vista (which was still 1/4 mile from where I lived) I always had to hitch a ride, with all my gear. I think I always found one because I started seeking my ride well before I left from LA. Now the SF public transportation system is much different, but I've used it a few times and it seemed doable.

I usually don't just talk out of my ass. If there are limiting factors specific to your situation, things could be different, but it can be done. There is a difference between what one can do and what one is willing to do.

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:55 am

Fair enough. I hate to be the sort of person who throws money at a situation to make it go away, but I really don't want to be tired before I even get there. Maybe I'm just old.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:14 am

I hate to be the sort of person who throws money at a situation to make it go away, but I really don't want to be tired before I even get there.

Have you really exhausted all other options? All your friends and maybe even some of their friends only use public transportation or are busy? Are you really so overloaded with things you will not give up that you physically can't use public transportation? I'd try to repost a full description of where you can be to get a ride from, time you can leave and amount of junk you have to load up. Might also post asking for a ride from your place to where your ride can leave from with locations since there might be people who can help. Also don't use shared resources, first I was under the impression this was for sharing resources, second, this is one of the lower traffic forums so it's less likely someone who can help will read your post. Even if they read this one, there is not enough information for someone to know if they could help.

You could even ask if you could crash at the place you're getting the ride from if you can get a ride a day early.

hotlavalove · Post by **hotlavalove** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:04 pm

I need a ride too, if your going to do the rental truck route, Im in. I live in the east bay too, email me ryansmailbox @ gmail . com

longobord · Post by **longobord** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:02 am

I've had a lot of cool people respond to my truck idea. It's giving me the opportunity to get to know and help out a lot of cool people. I really like that. As a result, we're probably going to load up with 4-5 burners, at least 3 of us will be first timers. I think I'm looking forward to this a lot more than if I had gone with someone who owned their own vehicle. I'm not someone's guest, but one of a group of contributors.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:01 am

$20 for a cab ride?
To where?
From the SF airport to oakland is $35 up for a shuttle.
I think a cab is higher.
BART was $6 and it was a lot of fun carrying all my bags at once.
This was without a tent or sleeping gear or food or water or shade...

Which bags would leave on the public platform while you wrestled the rest down to the street?

Some public transit specifically says no luggage too.

People who don't have a car?
Imagine the horror!

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:31 am

I think cabs are cheaper elsewhere. $20 in a cab these days will get you... somewhere you can reasonably walk in good health unencumbered in an hour.

I've whittled the cost of the rental down to an estimated $75/per person. That's round trip, everything included.

And, by the way, although I have people interested, I am not sure I'm full up, if you're still looking for a ride. But we are stopping in Reno for a last nice meal, which you'll be expected to pay for yourself. :wink: (Leaving Sunday AM, returning by Monday PM.)