Bicycles of Black Rock City

BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. — For the most part cars are not allowed in Black Rock City and there is no subway.

One can travel the dusty expanse of the city on foot or maybe an art car, but the fastest and easiest way to get around is by bicycle. Of course the 5 mile per hour limit for art cars applies to bicycles, but it’s still fast to get around.

Once burners arrive in the city, their cars or trucks are parked in their camps and left until it’s time for the exodus. There are exceptions for emergency and law enforcement, of course.

Early in the week, I took advantage of the open space of the deep playa to ride the fastest sprint I could. I brought my brakeless track bike, complete with narrow tires and 78-inch (6.3 meter) gearing. I pun to the top of the gearing over the playa surface, which is like concrete with small bumps covered in baby powder.

If you go fast enough, it smooths from bumps to vibration. One needs to keep in mind the unicycles, chariots and other creations and the occasional soft spots in the playa surface. Or maybe being distracted by people shouting Shakespearian quotes in the manner of the Macho Man Randy Savage. I had to do some explaining to my Irish counterparts.

Most people — the smart burners — have fat tire cruisers or mountain bikes and don’t have high-speed runs across the desert. They slowly cruise from camp to camp, or maybe to some art installation or the porta-potties. Maybe to center camp or BMIR.

Bikes are the de facto way to get around and not only a vehicle for transportation but a vehicle for self-expression.

The kid was shooting people with the water gun whilst being pulled around.

Want to shoot fire with a propane puffer? No problem, fuck yea.

These trucks are a welcome exception to the no driving rule.

Embrace the dust. There is no escape from it.