Tips for Riding a Reliable Playa Bike All Week Long

A mountain biking friend and I started our no-nonsense playa bike repair in 2009. We figured we’d help Burners out by repairing a few flat tires. Little did we know that it would be so popular! After five or so years of camping solo, we formed Camp Brewhaha. We’re a no bullshit, fiercely independent cast of characters who have somehow managed to coexist for the past seven or eight years. We always end up in the 6 o’clock sector. For 2023 look for our unique flags at

: 400;">6:15 & G.

After more than 10 years of doing bike repair at Burning Man, I have decided that perhaps it’s time to try a little preventative maintenance. And so, I’m giving you all a little pre-BRC bike advice in an effort to make you more self-sufficient and reduce our workload.

Peeps — trust me, your bike will save your Burn! Yes you need water, food and shelter. But without a bike, your Burn is going to be a lot less enjoyable!

Finally, do ride your bike as much as possible before the burn. This will get your ass accustomed to being in the saddle and give you a feel for how comfortable the bike is, so you can make any adjustments before the Burn and not have to do it while you’re there.

Post Burn, always wash your bike down a couple of times with vinegar followed by hot soapy water. Then oil your bike with a good bicycle lube.

I am a firm believer in the KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) principle for anything I do in Black Rock City. So for me, the ideal bike is as simple as possible:

Note: Before attempting any bike repairs or Magic Juicing on the playa, please ensure you put down a tarp or something to protect the playa and collect any MOOP that may fall off your bike.

If you choose to ignore all of this sage advice, at the very least make yourself a spray bottle of Magic Juice and bring it along. After 10 years of trying every kind of bike lube imaginable with limited success combating the devastating impact of playa dust on a bike, the only thing that truly works is our tried and true Magic Juice. It is simple but very effective at removing playa dust and applying a very thin lubricant that will not attract playa dust.

Magic Juice Recipe: Mix ¼ cup of baby oil or mineral oil with 4 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray all the moving parts of your bike with this daily and watch the magic happen.

Note: Magic juice is only meant to be used on the playa to get you through the Burn. Don’t use it on your bike when you get back home!

There are so many light systems out there, but the most important thing in my mind is that you are visible from all four sides. So for example, lights on your wheels alone are only visible from the side, not from the front and back. Likewise, a light that’s only on the front of your bike is only visible from the front.

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There you go folks! You can find us at Camp Brewhaha bike repair (6.15 & G) open from 2 pm to 4 pm most days. We leave tools out for DIY bike repair 24 hours a day. If you are nice, there is generally someone there who will help you repair your bike.

: 400;">Come say hi! We are a jolly bunch who don’t take bike repair too seriously.

Cover image of repairing a bicycle on playa (Photo by Mark Nixon)

John Briant is a default world ship captain, sailor, mountain biker, spearfisherman, tiny house builder and van-lifer. At-home no bullshit bike repair hack.