Totally Newbie! Has anyone ever riden a bike to BM?

Unspecified Biggs9 · Post by **Unspecified Biggs9** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:05 am

Hello burning people! I'm very excited to be coming to the States (from Australia) and coming to The Burn. People all over the world have talked it up

But my big question is "Has anyone ever been crazy enough to ride a bike to Burning Man?" I'm not 100% sure of my travel arrangements but I'm sure a bike is not a viable option for me

I'm not THAT naive! But just wanted to see if it has been done.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:07 am

Yes.
Mostly crazy australians.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:43 am

There were two girls in either '05 or '06 who biked from the east coast. There was a thread here from them that we could probably find if we looked hard enough. I, personally, have been to Burning Man enough times that I want a posh living environment while I'm there. Between the huge cabin tent, water misters, lounge chairs, full kitchen set-up, and three coolers full of meals (along with all the rest of my stuff) I don't think I'd make it out of my driveway on a bike. That load probably weighs four times what I do.

Unspecified Biggs9 · Post by **Unspecified Biggs9** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:58 am

[quote="JezebelinHell"] I, personally, have been to Burning Man enough times that I want a posh living environment while I'm there. Between the huge cabin tent, water misters, lounge chairs, full kitchen set-up, and three coolers full of meals (along with all the rest of my stuff) [/quote]

At least you have your priorities sorted JezebelinHell, I'm still trying to figure out whether I should camp or sleep in a rented car or try and find some room in an RV. I just don't know! I'm usually a decisive person but BM has got me all hot and bothered

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:58 am

You might not want to start in Australia. Weather's a bit wet along most of the route.

Funky Monkey Mech · Post by **Funky Monkey Mech** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:14 pm

Ugly Dougly your one of the many people i want to meet off of e-playa... as for the question at hand.... i would recommended looking on ride share and tribe i am sure you can find people offering rides from San Diego, Los Angles, San Fransisco, Seattle, Portland.... any one of them cities.... try to find a ride then fly into that city.... and see if your ride can just get you from the airport or something.... know that one of my camp mates is coming from the land down under... he is flying into San Fransisco and then getting a ride from somebody.... usually if you help pay for gas you can find a ride....

Funky Monkey Mech · Post by **Funky Monkey Mech** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:14 pm

Ugly Dougly your one of the many people i want to meet out on the playa... as for the question at hand.... i would recommended looking on ride share and tribe i am sure you can find people offering rides from San Diego, Los Angles, San Fransisco, Seattle, Portland.... any one of them cities.... try to find a ride then fly into that city.... and see if your ride can just get you from the airport or something.... know that one of my camp mates is coming from the land down under... he is flying into San Fransisco and then getting a ride from somebody.... usually if you help pay for gas you can find a ride....

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:17 pm

A friend of mine called me on that very subject tonight. Your conditioning will most likely be the determining factor. You will need to make guaranteed arrangements to have what you need brought to the playa for you and a way to meet up with those supplies. Good Luck

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:11 am

saw a thread in here bout sharing the cost of a class A RV....don't what a class A motorhome is, unless its a tractor trailer set up. I wouldn't ride a bike up, with all the idiots driving up..road is a little narrow in spots

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:29 am

Class A are the big ones based on their own chassis up to and including the interstate buses with custom aluminum frames.
I don't know what the semi RVs are called.
The high end is way up there.
They did one here recently, just trim.
Mirror polished stainless over the whole thing, $25,000.

Some of them are pretty nice.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:29 am

Pick any state's CDL requirements and they'll spell it out. Note: a CDL MAY be required for non-commercial vehicles depending on size and weight. Some states MAY allow you to drive one without a CDL within state lines, but cross that birder and you're into federal regulations. I snagged the Ohio as an example, but the info is fairly standard.

Who Needs a CDL? â€“ Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.01 (D)

You need a CDL if you operate any of the following vehicles:

1. Any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds;
2. Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds;
3. Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver;
4. Any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver;
5. Is transporting hazardous materials for which placarding is required under subpart F of 49 C.F.R. part 172;
6. Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is designed to be operated and to travel on a public street or highway and is considered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be a commercial motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motorized crane, a vehicle whose function is to pump cement, a rig for drilling wells, and a portable crane.

Classes of CDL licenses â€“ Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.12 (B)

The classes of CDL and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation of are as follows:

1. Class A â€“ any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
2. Class B â€“ any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds.
3. Class C â€“ any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a Class A or Class B vehicle, but that is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting hazardous materials in an amount requiring placarding, or any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:13 am

i rode a bike from rochester to BRC in 2002.

a MOTOR bike...

i have seen some hardcore idiots trailering all their shit behind their 21 speed mountain bike on the road to gerlach.

i dont recommend it, as they almost got whacked by the numerous RV's that go bombing down the road, often piloted by people who have never driven one...

or worse, a vehicle with A.I.D.S....

(asian in driving situation)

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:18 am

I have a CDL..think DMV needs to update their Class descriptions...and I saw a Peterbilt Motorhome on the cover of a magazine last night..it's all becoming clear.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:43 am

There is an exception to CDL requirements for motorhomes. Anyone can drive them no matter how big, air brakes, whatever.
Kinda' scary.
I don't see it changing either, because it would kill the RV business.

As for riding a bike to Burning Man, sure it can and has been done, the real issue is how to carry all your necessary stuff.
A guy from New York camped next to me last year, and he'd come on his motorcycle. He was having a pretty tough time. Tiny, hot, dusty tent, crappy food, little to drink, etc. A week in the desert is a long time to not have good living arrangements. Or bathing arrangements.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:25 pm

Nevada does require non-commercial class a or class b licenses for RVs of larger size if registered in state. I do not know how this applies to rentals.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:39 pm

I think the air brake thing varies state to state.

Unspecified Biggs9 · Post by **Unspecified Biggs9** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:13 pm

Good point Goddammit! or should I say Captain Goddammit!
A few cold beers, some good food and a couple of decent washes over the week might do me good. I hear some African tribal women never wash their bodies, they just rub sand on it to clean themselves. Not so sure about that one though. Did you see any bike riders trying that trick?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:34 pm

If memory serves, Class A in California, Requires Air Brake Test... Combo Test..PreTrip Inspection..Alley Docking..Backing..Parallel Parking..and Driving Test...and thats with a trailer

Although Combo might not be Required..was for me, cause I was going to be pulling trailers..so I may be totally confused here..

all other endorsements are optional..Doubles..Hazmat..Tanker..Passenger

Oh! and if I want to get a motorcycle license, I have to retake my CDL tests..don't know why.

As far as hauling gear on a bike..they make trailers..but might not be enough

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:55 pm

I know a Burner who rode his recumbent bike from Seattle to BRC...forget, took him 7-8 days. He had a full-on camp to receive him when he got there, so traveled light. Surprising he made it since he is not in very good shape. And will be the first to admit as much.

Fried_Eagle_Mind · Post by **Fried_Eagle_Mind** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:18 pm

[quote="Simon of the Playa"]
or worse, a vehicle with A.I.D.S....

(asian in driving situation)[/quote]
Bwahahahha
[img][/http://www.creepygif.com/images/full/10.gifimg]