Biking to BM 2005

lubelle · Post by **lubelle** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:21 pm

We are going to BM 2005, we are driving, and we have friend who is planning on biking to BM. We live up in Canada about an hour out of Vancouver. If anyone knows anyone who has done this before, or has any advice please email me. I will pass the information on to our friend.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:36 pm

Biking as in bicycle or as in motorcycle?

The main problems are exposure to the elements and lack of storage capacity. It's in the high desert and the drive up takes you through some remote areas and I think mountain passes from where you are.

There could be rain, it could be very hot during the day, it could be rather cold at night, and the final approach into the city will generally either be really dusty or really muddy.

Most people bring a lot more gear than will fit onto any type of bike (unless it has a trailer) so your friend will have to either figure out a way to do without some of the bulk (such as buying ice at center camp and melting it to get water) or someone else will have to haul up the gear.

If someone else does haul up the gear, it may be harder than anticipated to find them on arrival, so the friend should carry enough stuff to be self sufficient for a day or so just in case.

Someone posted that they wanted to bicycle up before the last event.. I wonder if he was able to pull it off? It's certainly possible if you deal with the above issues and play it safe.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:40 pm

http://www.bikereader.com/contributors/ ... krock.html

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:45 pm

Has he done long distance bike trips before? As long as you are hauling he stuff, it should be okay, as long as he knows what he is doing and is prepared to be self sufficient. A friend biked from Van down through Mexico a number of years while ago and he had a great time.

One note from our drive down last year- I would advise against bike riding from Arcata, CA inland toward Redding. Very hot and dry, narrow winding road with lots of ups and downs. Gorgeous drive, it would be great on a motorbike but I think it was a little narrow for my own bike comfort, although he might be in to it. It was really beautiful, and actually, not that many cars. So yeah.

And hi lubelle, I'm in the Koots.

lubelle · Post by **lubelle** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:44 pm

Its a road touring pedal bike he will be riding. He does lots of road riding and will be training for the trip.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:06 pm

It is a LONG LONG way between towns (and shade) out there. I would be afraid he couldn't carry enough water. Does he have experiance in long-haul summer desert touring? I am serious, it can get extremely hot and if he gets into trouble, by the time someone comes along it can be too late. I would take one of those satellite distress beacons with me if I was going to make a trip like that.

Discosybil · Post by **Discosybil** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:43 pm

The highway going to burningman can be pretty scary due to it only being 1 lane traffic each way. I would be more worried about the traffic with no bike lanes. I've seen people walking and on bikes throughout the year (not often) but if they are experienced, I'd imagine it would be quite the experience to remember for a lifetime.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:46 am

i was actually thinking of putting together a reno to blackrock bicycle trip with a bunch of my friends...i dont know if its a plausible idea though...i have to take some time to sit and do some planning...how long do you think it would take?

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:19 am

After BM on Tuesday when the hot springs were opened again I ran into a Japanese man who set out from SF, rode to the Grand Canyon, heard about BM and rode up there and spent the week. He managed to get by on the bare minimum of water with a little trading between campmates. He said he had a great time and I admired him for taking the art of minimalization to it's peak. The last time I saw him he was heading North along the UPRR tracks and Jungo Road heading towards Winnemucca. One look at him and you knew he wasn't lying...he rode the distance.

I remember him saying that 447 from the South was tight and scary. But coming in from the North it shouldn't be that bad. But a road bike on those rough roads??? I'd look at a hybrid bike instead of the road bike. But yeah, it's definitely possible to do it.