Biking to Burning Man

Lessley · Post by **Lessley** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:08 am

Is there anybody out there who has considered, or would consider, planning a bike trek out to Black Rock City this year, leaving from the Bay Area?

If so, drop me a line and let's talk!

-Lessley

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:55 pm

I would do that for sure.

Problem is, too much shite to bring and some responsibilities that require me being there early. Have you done other riding getaways?

satireDUN · Post by **satireDUN** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:46 pm

hhhmm...i think this is a GREAT idea, and we should try to make it work.
i probobly wont be in good enough shape to actually BIKE, however, maybe someone with large-ish vehicles,which if there were only a few people biking maybe icould help by transporting stuff? or maybe we could build a trailer for the bikes? i dont know. i could definatly try to bike,but that doesnt really solve anyhting. i just htought id offer some ideas...

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:11 am

Yes, largish vehicles... My vehicle is large and already pretty much full. If there were perhaps some people going that could take the time to only travel up to 150 miles a day then this could work. But, I do not think that I would let just anybody drive my vehicle with all my stuff. This would have to be coordinated with some local folks. Perhaps burners with no ride to the event that had the time to take a few extra days off from their regularly scheduled programs...

Lessley · Post by **Lessley** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:51 am

Are you guys talking about having a "large vehical" to transport
1. your bike trekking gear, ie: tent, food, campstove, sleeping bag
2. your Burning Man gear, ie: psychadelic rainbow cloak, hammock, misting apparatus, frozen sea scallops, 1 million containers of H20?

If you mean number 1, I think this would be tough. We'd basically need people to be our support van. Not impossible, but a pain to figure out. Probably better to outfit bikes with paniers or a tiny trailer to store stuff.

If you mean number 2, this depends on your situation. I go with a theme camp each year that rents a truck, so I could throw all my stuff in there to meet me at the event. If you go solo, you'd need to hook up with other burners to transport your BM stuff, and go light. What are your situations?

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:35 am

#2...
I have a project to work on that requires me to be at the site the thursday before the event starts, so, this is somewhat a logistical nightmare, not impossible though. And yes, I would have to find somebody to essentially drive my vehicle basically in a support vehicle role, i.e., drive to the next pre determined camping spot for the night.
Would you be able to leave a couple days early, or when do you plan on arriving at the event?
How many miles a day would you be willing to ride?
Would be fun if perhaps this could turn into a larger group of riders but, that poses problems in and of itself.

Release Me · Post by **Release Me** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:47 am

The ride there would be the easy part. The ride back, I imagine, would hardly be enjoyable.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:05 am

I would not ride back... My truck will be there.

Lessley · Post by **Lessley** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:03 pm

If you have to be out there the Thursday before the event, BullD, I think that makes it difficult, at least for us to plan this together. Without having maps, I would guess that it would be probably a 5-6 day ride just to get there. Remember you have to go over the Sierras. I was planning on arriving on the playa around Wed or Thursday OF Burning Man, because I can't get more than 1 week off work.

And yes - I was planning on throwing my bike in a truck and getting a ride back, not biking back.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 5:17 pm

from Marin to Reno is about 220 miles, then of course add to it the herky jerky routes, which actually are not that bad, and were talking at most another 50 miles. So, to make it simple, just round that up to 300 miles. depending on you're daily average you can figure it from there. I would average 100 miles per day, even with the Sierras. From Reno to BRC it's not so bad but lots of wind. So, figure a full day from reno battling wind and heat.
Yes, you and I would not be able to plan this together. Good luck though. Look me up on the Playa, I will be giving rides/tours on my orange and red pedicab.

Is there anybody else out there that would want to ride to BRC?????

mr. fang · Post by **mr. fang** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:04 pm

Just wanted to pitch in some friendly safety advice:

Please don't bike down Highway 447 at night. The many people driving into BRC (some in very large vehicles) can't see you as well as they can in daylight, and may be tired enough to have slower reaction times.