Bikes - anyone delivering to the playa?

designbunny · Post by **designbunny** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:26 pm

I'm flying in from Sydney, Australia.

I would like to secure a bike before coming in, and wondered if there was a service run to deliver bikes to the playa... if i reserve & pay in advance?

I'm not sure on my plans of getting to the Burn & the bike is one of those objects that won't fit in normal cars, and so would be hard to find a lift with it... if it was delivered it would save me a big headache!

Any help would be appreciated :)

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:14 pm

I've seen places along the way from Reno to BM that have bikes for rent, but I haven't heard of any that deliver to the playa.

Not all that dependable, but there are bikes (green or yellow or some color) that are available to everybody on the plyay. You are supposed to use it to get to your destination and then leave it for the next person.

JK

dubovitch · Post by **dubovitch** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:30 am

is there a lot of yellow bike? because for a foreigner, it's hard to bring it...

I've read that some bikes was sold (about 30 dollars) on the road of empire and Gerlach, but i'm not sure there is a lot...

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:33 am

dubovitch wrote:I've read that some bikes was sold (about 30 dollars) on the road of empire and Gerlach, but i'm not sure there is a lot...

I will ask, when I get back Monday.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:33 am

I have seen a trailor full of bikes, but that was early in the event (when my husband got in before the gate opened) and I don't know how quickly they go.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:55 pm

There was someone renting bikes out there.
I don't have contact info handy.

Most bikes I've seen for sale aren't impressive.
Many need some work, especially a better seat and higher post.
Buying a cheap bike in a store may be a better option sometimes.

DoriumLux · Post by **DoriumLux** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:10 pm

The people I host here from Hawaii and Canada generally buy cheap bikes from Kmart. They haven't in awhile since I store them here. However, I've heard there is a dude in San Francisco who runs a bike store and sells refurbished bikes for the playa for super cheap. I'll try to find the name.

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:19 pm

BTW bikes are not required.

I always go on foot a few days out of the week and catch rides on art cars.

The only compelling reason I have for bringing a bike is to haul the trailer with the fuel station for our conclave. And the ocasional run for ice.

designbunny · Post by **designbunny** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:25 pm

I went in 2007 and I found my bike to be the most useful item!

The playa is huge and you can sometimes be waiting a long time to get on an art car, and then you have to go where they want to go. I much preferred having my own transport.

I walked a little, but found it was too hot most of the time, and you got a nice cool breeze from cycling :)

professorzed · Post by **professorzed** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:35 pm

[quote="gyre"]
Many need some work, especially a better seat and higher post.
Buying a cheap bike in a store may be a better option sometimes.[/quote]

That's a good point Gyre. I fully intend to bring my own big, fat, puffy, cushy bike seat covered in lamb's wool when I fly, as well as some bike lights. Unless you like sitting on burning coals, try to cover the seat with something other than black leather. The cost of shipping your bike by plane just isn't worth it. Taking my own seat is important, because I am just breaking it in. Even a brand-new gel seat isn't as good as a gel-seat that has been broken in.

Some other people have suggested you could buy a crappy (but new) bike from the local Wal-Mart ahead of time and have them keep it for you when you get there. I can't remember what this service is called, but you would pay for the bike at a Wal-Mart in Melbourne or Sydney and tell them you will be picking it up in Reno, Nevada.