There are a few bike camps at Black Rock City and they may be able to help you, but remember one of our basic principles at Black Rock City is Radical Self Reliance; that means You need to be proactive to help yourself.

Whether your bike is coming for the first time or the fourteenth you, and or your Campmates,  should have these survival items with you.

1.) A spare inner tube or two.

    Check the size on the sidewall of your tire.  Write down the numbers you see and go to your local bike shop to pick up one or two.

2.) Basic tools to remove a bike wheel and install a tube.

Adjustable wrench, Phillips Head Screwdriver, and two {minimum} nylon tire levers.

3.)  Air compressor or floor pump.

NOT a mini frame pump.  Mini frame pumps are very difficult to use without causing damage to the tube.  Get a basic floor pump which is easy to operate and can be purchased for $20-$50.

4.)  A jumbo can of lube and several rags.

Which Lube to use??  “Wet or Dry?”  Some people stop by Betty’s Bike Shop and won’t use the Free Lube I have unless it is a dry lube.  They heard from a friend…”It has to be a dry lube here else it will be worse than no lube.”  That is absolutely FALSE!!!  Read the directions on a container of “Dry Lube” and it will tell you …”apply liberally to a clean chain.”  I don’t know about you but I have never seen a clean chain at Burning Man.  The Playa dust will stick to any and all chains.  Whether it is WD-40, Tri-Flow, White Lightning, or something else when you are in Black Rock City you need to lube your chain.  Use a Lubrication Station and put cardboard or carpet under the bike so you don’t contaminate the Playa.  After lubing the entire chain grab a rag and wipe off all excess moisture so the lube primarily migrates to the pivot points.

Dry lubes are a thin wax based lube that do not collect as much dust or dirt (White Lightning, Finish Line Teflon-Plus, Pedros Ice Wax, Pro link, etc…) are advised as once applied they do not attract as much dirt and dust.  Get some of this stuff, follow directions on the bottle, and bring the rest with you.  Wet Lubes work as well and are certainly better than nothing (Tri-Flow, Finish Line, WD-40).  Once wet lube is applied it is important to grasp the chain with a rag in your hand and pedal the bike so you can wipe off all the excess lube.  Some people stop by Betty’s Bike Shop and won’t use the Free Lube I have unless it is a dry lube.  They heard from a friend…”It has to be a dry lube here else it will be worse than no lube.”

5.)  Crank Bearings.

Crank Bearings for American style One Piece Crank.  If you ride a single speed Coaster Brake Bike (pedal backwards to stop) you should bring at least two of these with you.  In 2017 every shop in the city ran out of these bearings by Wednesday.   If you don’t want to walk or pedal a Janky bike you should bring some with you.