BBadger wrote:Every year, one more person with the grand idea to bike to the burn. The idea usually involves someone in a motor vehicle hauling in all the necessary "self-reliance" stuff so that the cyclist can be free to pedal his or her way to the burn. It's like a safari where "bwana" has his camp hauled around by the natives. Some cyclists even wonder if they can get early entry like they deserve it.
Ok so you've heard proposals to ride to the burn before BBadger? Before you judge me, how the fuck are you getting to the burn? I'm not riding to be more ecologically sensitive than thow. In fact, if I could still drive my diesel Vanagon guess how I would get there? Having a SAG vehicle to carry things you can't carry on a bike isn't unheard of. If its just me either I'll send a couple of cubies ahead or I'll ride with one that will allow me to melt ice for water (the latter being the prefered choice).
Should I be lucky enough to find others to travel with me, then yes, there's going to need to be a SAG. I can arrange for the SAG with adiquate water and I've even been looking into shared housing something better than a patch of tents.
BBadger wrote:If memory serves, I don't think I've ever read any success stories. Maybe the people who have tried it have never come back alive? Maybe they just give up?/
Maybe you haven't looked as closely as those who have been interested in this mode of travel. There are actually a number of accounts of people riding to, enjoying, and then often riding home from the Burn.
http://www.cockrumville.com/biketotheburn/http://bikergogal.wordpress.com/tag/how ... rning-man/http://icetubesblog.com/2012/08/30/epic ... urney-guy/Now admitiedly there are relativily few people year-over-year that chose to make this happen. Even fewer of them make this choice and then chose to write a blog about their experiences. CGOAB is jam packed with mentions of "burning man" although more than a few people chose to cover the last leg by hitching a ride. And hey, maybe that makes sense, but with an organized tour with a SAG its completely possible. Regardless, I know it can be done because I've met people who have done it.
BBadger wrote:Usually a thread like this dies after a page or two of hearing replies like "YER GONNA DIE IN THE HEAT!! This ain't Seattle!", "Do you really trust that give-a-yard-to-the-cycling-'tard rule is going to save your ass from 8-hour-drive bleary-eyed burners trying to pass you in RVs hauling overloaded trailers--at night?" "Are you sure your bike park-baby-stroller-wagon is really equipped to haul in 90 pounds worth of water, plus food, a tent, shelter, etc.--for some-odd hundreds of miles?" "Hey man, your dried-out corpse will be considered MOOP."
Yea heard that, and while mildly funny I don't live in Seattle and I've toured across the Great Basin in the summer. So while it generally is hot, I know how to come prepared for it and am more often than not accustomed to the heat and elevation long before setting out on something like this.
BBadger wrote:"You've never even attended once? Why don't you see what it's like first before risking your LIFE, and the safety of those around you, on this inexperienced (and foolish) endeavor?"
Got it, already been and so I have some clue what to expect. Coming in from the east on a day before the Burn opens by way of a less traveled road (including the possibility of jeep roads) reduces the risk cosiderably. And I've heard those that would try to convince me that this is such and endevour, I just don't agree and have the skills and experience.
BBadger wrote:"Good luck! If you make it alive I'll share a beer with you."
Thanks, especially if I'm on my own I will take you up on that.