Jul 7, 2009 2
High Heaven
Welcome to our High Sierra Music Festival 2009 blog recap. Each of our four, intrepid co-workers who attended the festival will share with you our insights, experiences and strenuous moments. Enjoy!
My heart burst this weekend, into a thousand sparkles of light. Never before have I encountered such a wonderful collision of natural beauty, glorious humanity and perfect escape.
Two weeks ago, Peter and Andrea, with a little help from the rest of the crew, started stripping, cutting, tearing, unscrewing, sanding and painting the ’77 Airstream that was parked in our lot (a gift from Ross’ grandfather). Our dream was to convert a cramped living space into a spacious traveling showcase for our company, and to transport our fleet of Radishes, known as the Red Hot Roots, to festivals for event organizers to green their event and learn more about Xtracycle longtails.
Airstream Updating
Official Tour Shirt
As usual with our small company, everything was down to the wire. Our initial departure time was slated for 10AM on Wednesday. That expectation started to crumble as soon as our intern, Nathan, texted to inform me the night before that he crashed in the Port of Oakland alley cat severely damaging his face and totaling his ride. With him being down and out, I had to BART over to SF to pick up our Red Hot Roots Tour shirts Wednesday morning. Which is always fun considering that bikes are not allowed until 8:45AM.
I snagged the shirts (they are sexy, and instead of Plastisol we used a water based ink for a soft feel – Jeff of the Loin hooked us up!), sprinted back to BART and rolled into work right around 10AM, thinking we’d be ready to roll. Turns out the universe said, “Whoa, Nelly,” and made us tackle a variety of problems and finaglings before finally leaving at 6PM. I’ll leave Ross and Nate to detail their U-Haul experiences.
10 Snug Xtracycles
With our fleet stowed safely in the “belly of the whale” (thanks Gary Fisher), we were finally on the road. Traffic was in full effect on 580N, but we were stoked just to have the bay breeze rushing in the cab. Cherries and raspberries filled our famished bellies as we headed north.
Just as we crossed the Richmond-San Mateo Bridge, our high-tech U-Haul F150 alerted us to low tire pressure. A quick scan out the window revealed a hissing sound out of the front tire. We pulled over, and in 5-minutes flat (pun intended) managed to drop the spare, wrench off the flat and get back on the road. Quite possibly one of the easiest, most fun flats ever. Oh, and it helps to have three mechanically inclined people to make it easier.
Knowing that our delayed departure had already shifted our plans, we took a leisurely approach for the rest of the drive. Glorious weather graced us the entire way, we even encountered a swarm of dragonflies between a massive apricot grove just as the sun was setting.
Streamsettin'
A wonderful Thai restaurant re-lit their stoves for us despite the fact that we arrived past closing time. We gorged ourselves on some yummy red and green curry while chilling in the Airstream.
Back on the road, Ross easily navigated the twisty turns leading to Quincy. Despite traveling in the evening, the three-quarters waxing moon helped sprinkle light on the deep Yuba river gorge below. Nate was right, this ride does make you feel like you’re on a human scale train set.
Once in Quincy, we started seeing festival direction signs. This is where we learned one of our biggest lessons: persons in yellow (PIY) jackets are given strict orders not to believe, or help you, in any way. They are only there to point, say, “No,” and insert you back into a line until someone else with official status can point you in the correct way. We drove around asking PIYs where sponsors line up and arrive. Finally, after about four different PIYs, we ended up at the entrance of the Will Call lane, but not after one dude tried to scalp $20 from us for “allowing us to park in line.” Nate, still on his A-game despite the long day and late night, asked for a receipt, which threw a wrench in the spokes of the scammer. We got our Hamilton back and motored on through the grass, Airstream in tow.
Finally, a PIY with some power/knowledge, named Sasquatch (small feet though…), guided us to the front of the line. Since it was past 12AM, the Will Call box office was closed. Content with this information and position in line, we brushed teeth and claimed a bed in the bala de plata.
Holding the Line
6AM rolls around with a friendly knock from Sasquatch alerting us that we need to be in the cab of the U-Haul, despite the fact that they won’t let anyone in until 8AM. So, we wrench ourselves up from slumber, letting Nate sleep, thinking we could handle it between Ross and I. A fun dance ensues between the car, some PIYs and the Will Call box office (a line I find out I’m not supposed to be in or cross). 7AM rolls around with still no clue as to what’s going on, other cars are getting their tickets and parking passes, despite us being first in our line. Time to wake Nate. He rises, cellphone and ID in hand and pursues a person with fanny-pack (PWF). This seems to be the ticket since dude walks up to the Will Call line and returns with our tickets and pass, but no instructions on where to go.
Ross Using Inertia to Help Us Find Our Way
Joy! We have the tickets and decide to at least start moving since it’s harder to tell a F150 and 31′ Airstream to turn around. Our new strategy, ask every PIY where sponsors might setup. Tim, a fairly knowledgeable-seeming PIY, suggests that we get in the back of the line of RVs waiting to get into the RV camping spot. This seems foolish, and thankfully Nate was finally able to ring Casey, on of our points-of-contact for the festival. He gave us the lowdown, pointed us to Gate 3 and said ignore everyone and head over there. Thanks Casey, you saved us hours of frustration.
With our newly charged conviction, we confidently uttered the words, “We’re heading to Gate 3,” to our PIY friends who seemed relieved to have this silver behemoth leave their territory. At Gate 3, a helpful Jeff led us into the RV grounds, we were the first ones in and were allowed to snag the spot of choice.
Dialing 'er In
We eyed up a corner under some gorgeous pines to set up shop. With a few turns and twists by Ross, we got the Airstream level and parallel to the dirt path.
The three of us took charge in setting up camp. Our EZ-up tent secured the corner and became our bike repair space. We unloaded the Red Hot Roots fleet and I started to do a final quality check on them before our virgin riders embarked on their maiden voyages.
From the moment we started setting up camp, we made friends with those around us and those passing by. The weather, a glorious 85° and calm, helped the happy feelings stick a little bit more. Hal showed us his shaft-drive bicycle that he picked up from his local Salvation Army store. Lucinda allowed us to set up our tarp covers using her pole system, and Carl, Jeff and the gang offered us to chill at their pad whenever. This same thread of smiling, happy, friendly people followed us throughout the festival.
Nate and Ross Share the Lowdown
Casey was the first to take off on a Red Hot Roots Radish. Being the first to show up, and the one to help us out of our PIY funk, I gave him #1. Turns out, Casey went to school with my best friend, Luke, so that mutual connection was an added bonus to the immediate friendship that sparked between us. Dave, the High Sierra organizer, swung by to pick up his Radish. He was stoked to be free of his golf cart and its noise and girth. From there, various other event heads visited our booth to learn more about our longtail cargo bicycles and how much fun they can be. Sarah, from Merchandise, took off on one; Bindu, from Artist Liaisons, rolled off on a Passenger Kit outfitted Radish and later sent for another one to bolster their crew.
With the majority of the fleet out and about, Ross, Nate and I took off to explore the festival grounds and see just what was in store for us…. And with that, I leave the story telling to continue with them and Lauren. Happy trails!
Another Happy Test Rider
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