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Are you really biking there?
Yes! Riders fully recognize that this isn’t a Sunday afternoon ride to the local coffee shop. Even in warmer temperatures, 140 miles on the saddle is no joke. That it is winter in the high desert, where the weather can shift at the drop of a hat, makes your decision to ride one that should not be taken lightly. It will be cold, windy, and possibly a little snowy (hopefully not too much!).
Make sure your bike is in tip-top condition. We’re working on getting pre-ride tune-ups donated from local bike shops. The sooner you let us know you’re riding, the more likely it is that you can benefit from this. If you’re not sure if everything is working correctly, it is important that you get someone to check it out. Also keep in mind the fact cell phone service will be unreliable for most of the trip (and totally unreliable when we get there). Though we will have a support vehicle, in case of emergencies, riders should be fully prepared and mostly self-sufficient.
Though Flagstaff just got slammed with 2 feet of snow, the bulk of our ride will be at lower elevations and the weather is predicted to be around 50° and sunny during riding days. However Big Mountain is back up at 7000 feet, so be prepared for cold nights and possibly more snow.
Q: Does this ride cost money?
No, there is no fee, but you are expected to be self-sufficient. Food, water, and clothing costs money, as well as being sure your bike is ready and has extra tubes, etc.
Q: Are there any age restrictions?
Yes, you must be at least 18, unless your parent or guardian will be attending as well.
Q: What will I need to bring with?
This is not an exhaustive list and you should be able to to decide what you need for a winter ride and cold weather camping. For some help we recommend checking out IceBike.org for a lot of information about cold weather biking. We have the link set to their pages about necessary clothing. We also will have a support vehicle to lug our gear, so be sure you bring what you need.
A bike
Gloves (more than one pair)
Work gloves
Long underwear (more than one pair)
(relatively) waterproof boots/gaters
Layers (see IceBike for more details)
Facemask
Hat (more than one)
Waterproof pants
Lip moisturizer/protectant
Herbs/teas/medicine
Biodegradable toilet paper
Towel/ Hand towel (more than one)
Biodegradable Tampons/pads
Biodegradable soap
Warm socks (lots!)
Scarf or something to shield your neck
Protein bars/other quick snacks
Padded bicycle shorts/pants
Arnica!
Water (lots)
Though housing should be taken care of while we’re there, we may need to camp along the way
Tent
Matches, lighter
Cold weather sleeping bag/pad
Cookware
Propane
Firewood
Water
Food (bring enough for the entire trip, but we will be doing communal meals and expect to shop together before we leave, so if you join up hopefully you can help plan the menu)
Headlamp/flashlight
Batteries
Bike supplies (We have had some donations of supplies, but what you can provide for yourself will be great)
Patch kits
Extra tubes
Chainlinks
Chain oil
A couple small pumps
Allan wrenches
Tire ironsQ: What kind of bike should I ride?
It’s your call. Keep in mind the following: while most of the ride will be on paved roads, the last 30 miles or so will be on a dirt road. The weather will also be unpredictable. Make sure your bike is suitable for riding on light snow and mud. We will be riding commuter, cyclocross, and mountain bikes. Road bikes and cruisers are likely a bad idea. Some of us are even looking into studded tires (if you do this, look into the titanium studs rather than the aluminum ones, which tend to grind down and snap off)
Q: How fast are you going to ride? How many miles per day?
Most of the folks riding are in pretty good shape and ride nearly every day. While we do want to put in as many miles as possible each day, however, we’re not jerks. We obviously won’t leave anyone behind. If you have chronic health/respiratory problems or if you feel out-of-shape, this probably isn’t the ride for you (consider donating instead!). Also keep in mind the high altitude, which can affect people in different ways. Stamina and endurance are more important than speed. For those riding, we will find a steady, comfortable pace, and we will motivate each other! On the trip there we expect to ride about 65 miles a day for the first two days on pavement, and doing the last 20 miles through the coal mine on the third day. The riders will decide together on the best plan of attack for the return ride based on the journey up to Black Mesa.
Q: Are you bringing water for the entire trip?
We will carry as much as we can and also refill at a water transfer station near the coal mine (3 miles from our stay place.
Q: I’ve never been to the reservation before and I’m nervous as to how to conduct myself.
Q: Each rider should thoroughly read the cultural sensitivity and awareness guide and be prepared to sign a statement saying that you understand it.
Q: I have never done a winter ride before, what do I need to know?
The website IceBike.org has a great breakdown of winter riding, from the clothes you need, to how how to handle your bike on ice and snow. It is a great read and has some excellent advice for how to be a year-round biker! Here is an excerpt from their website:
Most of us are just ordinary folks who get this addiction to bicycles that simply will not live within the bounds of a summer. Others just don't want to spend the cash for a car and all the costs that come with motor vehicles. Some of us have serious personal commitments to being car-free, other have temporary problems of liquidity, and others of us just like cycling way more than any rational person should
After the challenge of the first winter, ice-biking takes on an air of normalcy, it becomes a practical and rational way to get out and enjoy the weather, and the trip.Q: What exactly will we be doing when we get there?
We will be doing things similarly to the Black Mesa Caravan and working directly with Black Mesa Indigenous Support, please read through their caravan description to learn a lot more than these chintzy paragraph long FAQ's. Families living in resistance to coal mining and relocation laws are requesting self-sufficient guests who are willing to give their time, especially in the winter for various small repair projects. It is likely that we will be helping repair a roof for one of the families who were not helped during the Thanksgiving caravan. Since it is crucial to have good help out there and not create more work for the families, all supporters are required to read and sign the cultural sensitivity and awareness guide.
Q: I want to donate an item to the people of Big Mountain, what do they need?
There is a great list that BMIS provides on their website that can be accessed through this link. Additionally, we are accepting cash donations through this website that will be used for direct support for the people of Big Mountain. You can donate via paypal from the module on the right hand sidebar of any page on this website.
Q: I can't believe you did not think of this obvious question I have, what do I do now?
Our volunteer FAQ elves worked tirelessly, late into the night, trying to read the minds of all the sleeping boys and girls dreaming of riding to Black Mesa for the Solstice, but the communication elf recently broke their antenna and the signal gets spotty at times, but luckily we have this amazing contact form where you can ask any question you want and the FAQ elves will send you a personal answer. If they deem it a good question they will even add it to this page.
