The haunting photo by Logan Mirto shows some of the estimated 5,000 bicycles left by Burners who couldn't be bothered to take their sand cruisers home. One commenter said that the image looked like "Amsterdam Central in a dust storm." Some speculated that a number of the bikes might have been stolen or borrowed before they were discarded.
The mass littering of two-wheelers was condemned by other, more conscientious Burners, who admonished their brethren and reminded them of the Burning Man credo "leave no trace."
"If you left your bike @ Burning Man.... you are a {insert foul name here}!! Come on folks, we can do better!" wrote Jeffrey Pankey on Facebook.
His post got plenty of attention. Trucks began rolling in from Reno to collect the bikes.
"FOLLOWUP TO TUESDAY'S BIKE POST!! HOLY S—! After 850+ shares, Reno showed its true spirit," Pankey wrote. "ALL DAY LONG A SEA OF TRUCKS AND TRAILERS. THE BIKES ARE ALMOST GONE!! Amazing the power of the internet. And the trucks are still coming up 447. Thank you, Reno. Please share our thanks."
Black Rock Desert is reportedly again bike-free. Bureau of Land Management spokesman Kyle Hendrix could not confirm that all of the bicycles had been removed, but said the post-festival cleanup usually takes a few more days.
Maybe next year, revelers will be more careful with their fat-tired transportation.