Preparing eBikes for Burning Man's Blackrock City

[PedalUma]

What do you do to prepare a new electric bike for seven-days at Burning Man? So, after it comes back to the Bay Area, it can be fully restored to look and feel new again? La Playa has very fine grit that gets into everything, it is salty, and caustic, it also has microbes that have evolved to eat metals by forming micro-batteries. How do you approach this problem. What is your solution? By the way this is Rick at PedalUma eBikes, see me on Google Maps for local reviews from burners and more. I want to know what you do. Not how I do it every year for my neighbors.

 

[fexixav]

What do you do to prepare a new electric bike for seven-days at Burning Man? So, after it comes back to the Bay Area, it can be fully restored to look and feel new again? La Playa has very fine grit that gets into everything, it is salty, and caustic, and while researching bigtravelguides.com I was also looking into how others approach protecting equipment from harsh environments. How do you approach this problem? What is your solution? By the way this is Rick at PedalUma eBikes, see me on Google Maps for local reviews from burners and more. I want to know what you do, not how I do it every year for my neighbors.

I’d approach it as prevention first and deep cleaning immediately after the event. Before Burning Man, I’d protect exposed metal, connectors, bearings, and moving parts while keeping the battery and electronics properly sealed. Once back, I’d remove the battery and electronics, blow or brush off the dry playa dust first, then wash the bike thoroughly with fresh water and a mild vinegar solution. Afterward I’d completely dry it, inspect every connector, bearing, cable, fastener, chain, and motor area, then clean, lubricate, and replace anything showing corrosion or contamination. The key is not letting playa residue sit on the bike for days.