930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: bellenseb on April 20, 2005, 12:44:00 pm
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I'm tired of hearing Baltimore destinations described as being "only 40 minutes from downtown DC". I never make it downtown-to-downtown in less than an hour, even with minimal traffic. How do you all do it?
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Drive up New Hampshire to hit the beltway one stop before the 95 split. Usually about 75-80 on 95 north.
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New York to 295 to 495 to 95 to Baltimore. That is 45-55 minutes if you hurry. I have made it to rte 100 from DC at night in about 35 minutes, and have made it from rte 100 to baltimore in 15.
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it all depends on where you are going in each city.
but the parkway is the best way for me. i almost never take 95, unless its way late at night (past 2am) cause you have those drunk people going 110mph and there's only 2 lanes going each way!!!!
unless i hit a traffic snag, i can get from my house in Northern Baltimore to the 930 club in 50 minutes and thats counting 10 minutes getting through Baltimore.
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The best way to get to Baltimore is to say "Hon" a lot. Also, it wouldn't hurt if you had syphllis, or were a junkie. Baltimore is a state of mind, you see? It used to be known as the "City That Reads", but the new slogan is THE CITY THAT SMELLS.
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yeah, the b-w parkway works best for me too.
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i always take 495 coming from mont county. im sure there's a better way, but thats the only way i know up there.
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MARC train.
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Originally posted by Dupek Chopra:
The best way to get to Baltimore is to say "Hon" a lot. Also, it wouldn't hurt if you had syphllis, or were a junkie. Baltimore is a state of mind, you see? It used to be known as the "City That Reads", but the new slogan is THE CITY THAT SMELLS.
actually, Baltimore is starting to look more like a real city. and not just 3 blocks from the harbour. Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill and the Downtown are all areas that you see less junkies and more people jogging.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
MARC train.
the MARC train that doesnt run on weekends and only runs til like 10:30pm on weeknights and costs $7 each way and takes longer than 40 minutes and will only drop you off at the stadium or MICA?
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Originally posted by white man from town:
Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
MARC train.
the MARC train that doesnt run on weekends and only runs til like 10:30pm on weeknights and costs $7 each way and takes longer than 40 minutes and will only drop you off at the stadium or MICA? [/b]
Yes. The MARC train that permits you to drink before travelling and has cabstands outside the stations and allows you to forgo scrounging or paying for parking and makes sure your car isn't broken into.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Originally posted by white man from town:
Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
MARC train.
the MARC train that doesnt run on weekends and only runs til like 10:30pm on weeknights and costs $7 each way and takes longer than 40 minutes and will only drop you off at the stadium or MICA? [/b]
Yes. The MARC train that permits you to drink before travelling and has cabstands outside the stations and allows you to forgo scrounging or paying for parking and makes sure your car isn't broken into. [/b]
still doesn't make up for the fact that it's extremely inconvenient if you want to go to a show or plan on staying late.
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
still doesn't make up for the fact that it's extremely inconvenient if you want to go to a show or plan on staying late.
oh, I'm sorry. I guess I just assume that people drink till dawn, as I like to. That makes taking the first train in the morning quite convenient.
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
still doesn't make up for the fact that it's extremely inconvenient if you want to go to a show or plan on staying late.
or if its Saturday or Sunday!!! you know, the two days most of us have off!!!!!
oh, and the MARC train that runs to the Stadium stops running at like 6pm!
Chimbly, do you really use the MARC train as a convenient way to get to and from Balt/DC? good for your daytime weekday trips to the Zoo, but you've used it for a show?
oh, and you can drink ON the MARC train actually....
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i believe that even the cost of the Amtrak roundtrip is worth it.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
still doesn't make up for the fact that it's extremely inconvenient if you want to go to a show or plan on staying late.
oh, I'm sorry. I guess I just assume that people drink till dawn, as I like to. That makes taking the first train in the morning quite convenient. [/b]
some of us get UP at dawn to go to work?
i guess the bike shop opens late ;)
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
i believe that even the cost of the Amtrak roundtrip is worth it.
$32?
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$32 gets you:
- no worries about DUIs
- no traffic concerns
- no need to pay parking
- no need to waste time looking for parking
- no fear about where is okay to park
- time to read, knit, listen to music, and drink on the train
- a bathroom (handy for drunken rides home)
- a snack bar (on select trains) that serves beer
- 2 (and possibly more) productive hours of your life back.
and i will say no more on the issue.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
and i will say no more on the issue.
good cause you make no sense at all.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
The MARC train that permits you to drink before travelling and has cabstands outside the stations and allows you to forgo scrounging or paying for parking and makes sure your car isn't broken into.
...and doesn't run on weekends or after any normal time you might want to get home after a show, even a pretty early weekday show.
Chimbly, this crusade you're on is getting kind of tedious (I'm trying to think of the least not nice description....).
I'm amazed by the Baltimore drive times -- I can never get to BWI in less than 45 minutes from downtown, so don't know how folks make it into to downtown Bmore in the same (or the Baltimore clubs, which seem to all be on the nothern side of the city...)
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Originally posted by Bags:
Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
The MARC train that permits you to drink before travelling and has cabstands outside the stations and allows you to forgo scrounging or paying for parking and makes sure your car isn't broken into.
...and doesn't run on weekends or after any normal time you might want to get home after a show, even a pretty early weekday show.
Chimbly, this crusade you're on is getting kind of tedious (I'm trying to think of the least not nice description....).
I'm amazed by the Baltimore drive times -- I can never get to BWI in less than 45 minutes from downtown, so don't know how folks make it into to downtown Bmore in the same (or the Baltimore clubs, which seem to all be on the nothern side of the city...) [/b]
What club, besides the Ottobar, is on the north side of the city limits of Baltimore City? I'm actually asking, as I really don't know. I guess there's Rendezvous on 25th but that's not really a club.
I guess the appropriate question is what time are you usually leaving and which way are you heading out? If you go north out of the city, up Georgia, 13th or New Hampshire you can easily get on the beltway within a few stops of both the BW parkway and the I-95. Otherwise you'll spend an extra heap of time driving around the edge of the city. I live around Takoma and it normally takes me 15 minutes or less to get from my doorstep to Dupont by car...about 5-10 minutes or so to get from here to the beltway (all lights behaving as they should), and about 25 minutes on 95 N to 395/MLK split in Baltimore...from which it's just a quick 5 minute trip up to Fells/Canton or Sonar and a 10 minute trip up MLK to Howard and then up towards JHU.
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Originally posted by j_lee:
What club, besides the Ottobar, is on the north side of the city limits of Baltimore City? I'm actually asking, as I really don't know. I guess there's Rendezvous on 25th but that's not really a club.
Ottobar and The Mojo Room are the only places i've wanted to go....Fletcher's as well, but I've never been so I don't know where it is.
PS, I should clarify, I meant either north or east Baltimore -- ie, other side from D.C. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just that it's further than the "40 minutes" folks always like to quote you when mentioning the DC/Balto trip.
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the Recher is in North baltimore, or should i say, north OF baltimore and is much farther than 40 minutes from DC.
DC is like 35 miles from Baltimore but no, you can make it from said desitination in DC to said destination in Baltimore in 40 minutes....ever.
:)
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Originally posted by sonickteam3:
the Recher is in North baltimore, or should i say, north OF baltimore and is much farther than 40 minutes from DC.
DC is like 35 miles from Baltimore but no, you can make it from said desitination in DC to said destination in Baltimore in 40 minutes....ever.
:)
Based on what I've seen advertised at the Recher (which is in Towson) there's usually no need to go there if you live in D.C.
Did you mean you CAN'T make it to said destination in Baltimore in 40 minutes?
Years ago when I lived in Baltimore I made it from the doorstep of my apartment on East Preston to the Parking Lot at Nation in 35 minutes easy.
It can be done...probably not within the boundaries of the legal speed limits but it can be done.
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Originally posted by j_lee:
Based on what I've seen advertised at the Recher (which is in Towson) there's usually no need to go there if you live in D.C.
the recher may be the best place to see a show in the area, still hard to choose it over a show in dc though
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Originally posted by j_lee:
It can be done...probably not within the boundaries of the legal speed limits but it can be done.
I've made it to Boston in 5 hours and 20 minutes before too, but lets just say, it cant happen all the time.
and yes, i suppose its more likely to get from Bmore to DC in 40 minutes, if its after say 10pm.
and Nation is super easy cause you barely have to get off the highway and you're right there!
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Originally posted by Bags:
Chimbly, this crusade you're on is getting kind of tedious (I'm trying to think of the least not nice description....).
How to say this in the least not nice way?
I'm just finding this love-for-driving crusade a little tedious, especially since I live here and have to breathe the air that unnecessary car trips pollute and all that.
Besides, check my original post. It said "MARC train." That's all. I didn't go ranting about cars. I just promoted train. It's certain (how to say this nicely?) overly-defensive-car-fanatics that keep making this into an argument. I'm shit tired of it myself, but it's not going to stop me from advocating for smart alternatives.
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chimbly, I am certainly positive that we would all rather not drive. i CERTAINLY hate driving, not because i am polluting your air, but because i think its going to end my life one day.
anyway, if we lived in a world that public transportation was affordable, accessible and efficient (Europe), then i am sure we would all be driving less.
its cool that you have an extra $32 to ride the Amtrak or can stay out til 5:50am whenever you go out. but dont say anyone loves driving cause they dont.
in fact, i think you are in cars plenty, you just bum rides from other people....which is also really cool.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
I'm just finding this love-for-driving crusade a little tedious, especially since I live here and have to breathe the air that unnecessary car trips pollute and all that.
wah wah wah wah wah, oh my god, you cry constantly....
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Originally posted by white man from town:
actually, Baltimore is starting to look more like a real city. and not just 3 blocks from the harbour. Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill and the Downtown are all areas that you see less junkies and more people jogging.
Yeah, Baltisnore is starting to look downright gentrified. I miss the old industrial rot & stink. Baltimore's old charm is that it was always a dangerous, dirty eastern rust-heap. That's becoming a memory as the health nuts take over.
What in the hell would you know about it anyway...aren't you from goddamned Ontario, or something?
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Originally posted by white man from town:
anyway, if we lived in a world that public transportation was affordable, accessible and efficient (Europe), then i am sure we would all be driving less.
i actually think its the other way around, if we lived in a world where gas was $4-6 a gallon (Europe), then i am sure we would all be driving less, public transportation or not.
http://www.energybulletin.net/4906.html (http://www.energybulletin.net/4906.html)
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Originally posted by white man from town:
in fact, i think you are in cars plenty, you just bum rides from other people....which is also really cool.
carpools are fun.
no, i really don't want to argue. i just think while everyone is saying 'i like to take road #3263' i can say 'i like my train.'
in the ideal world, we all know, all good bands would play nextdoor to our houses. ah, voltaire.
and by the way... tho' it's not obvious here, i don't actually talk about transportation much in my day-to-day life. it's just always coming up on the board for some reason. actually, i think this board is probably the only place i interact with suburbanites.
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Chimbly-
I gotta agree with Bags. As someone who worked in the transportation reform community for quite a few years, one of the biggest roadblocks I saw facing that community was the condescending holier than thou attitude of many of my colleagues. All it does is alienate the very people that they were trying to convince, convert or whatever.
Not everyone who gets behind the wheel of car is an ignorant earth hating neanderthal you know.....
I don't think any reasonable person would argue that cars are destructive to the environment, that the transportation system as it exists today is not an equitable one, that the feds earmark too many dollars for highways and not enough for public transportation, that dot's should fix the dilapitated roads that exist before building new ones, that the creation of new transportation infrastructure does not take into account the associated environmental impacts....blah blah blah blah.
But the bottom line is some of us need our cars.
I am done.
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by white man from town:
anyway, if we lived in a world that public transportation was affordable, accessible and efficient (Europe), then i am sure we would all be driving less.
i actually think its the other way around, if we lived in a world where gas was $4-6 a gallon (Europe), then i am sure we would all be driving less, public transportation or not.
http://www.energybulletin.net/4906.html (http://www.energybulletin.net/4906.html) [/b]
maybe not the other way around, but certainly yet another reason to do so. If gas prices here were $4-$6 a gallon, I would still be faced with almost an hour commute (public trans) instead of my 12 minute car ride, and the MARC train would still not be a viable option for DC shows or weekend trips.
i hate driving though, scares the piss out of me, on the highway at least.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
but it's not going to stop me from advocating for smart alternatives.
but the train is not a smart alternative for most people, if it's an alternative at all. if you want clean, fresh air, move to a nice and simple rural area. . .
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$32 to Baltimore and back? thats smart!
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Please stay away from Baltimore. It's always a good idea to avoid cities that Tom Clancy likes.
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Originally posted by white man from town:
$32 to Baltimore and back? thats smart!
but given gas prices + parking it might be cheaper for a single driver...
what annoys me is its almost as cheap for two people to drive and park at the 9:30 club then it is take the metro. especially during the week when they collect parking at the greenbelt station until midnight.
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
especially during the week when they collect parking at the greenbelt station until midnight.
i have never, ever even once, paid to park at the Greenbelt Metro station, and i have never come or gone after midnight. did they just start doing that?
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yup... post parkingate at wmata they collect parking until the station closes now, they also require the use of a smartcard to exit. the irony of course is they still pay someone to sit in the booth until closing. it's $3.50 and i can't believe they collect that much more money in the couple hours they extended it. one can save money by using the meters after a certain point.
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Originally posted by Dupek Chopra:
What in the hell would you know about it anyway...aren't you from goddamned Ontario, or something?
haha. i am from Ontario! but i have lived here for more or less 10 years. (give or take 2 in Boston). seriously, i am amazed every time i drive around this place now.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
I'm just finding this love-for-driving crusade a little tedious, especially since I live here and have to breathe the air that unnecessary car trips pollute and all that.
It wasn't as much this particular thread as ALL of the threads. I think folks living out of town or doing things not conducive to public transport isn't exactly a "love for driving crusade." I take the bus a LOT, but you know, I DO love driving. I lived in DC without a car for 8 years, and I am DAMN happy to have one again.
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Bike-talk is the Brit-pop of 2005 on this board. You can't escape it.
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Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
GGW...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you vote republican in the last election? What's a GOP'er like you doing with a bike...shouldn't you be driving an Escalade or something out there? ;)
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
something about taking it apart and packing it in a box. at least that's what one friend of mine did.
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Originally posted by chaz:
GGW...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you vote republican in the last election? What's a GOP'er like you doing with a bike...shouldn't you be driving an Escalade or something out there? ;)
I like to slum it sometimes.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
I've shipped it FedEx and I've taken it on the plane. FedEx is way cheaper and you can insure it (unlike the plane). I have a CrateWorks (https://www.crateworks.com) box that I use.
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
FedEx is way cheaper and you can insure it (unlike the plane).
Be careful with this... both FedEx and UPS have refused insurance claims by people I know for damaged bikes. Why? They say they were 'improperly packaged'. Basically, unless they package it themselves, they have the right to claim you packed it wrong and deny your coverage.
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GGW's a republican, he can afford to have them pack it for him! ;) Meanwhile, aren't I the lefty liberal with the Escalade?!?
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
Be careful with this... both FedEx and UPS have refused insurance claims by people I know for damagd bikes. Why? They say they were 'improperly packaged'. Basically, unless they package it themselves, they have the right to claim you packed it wrong and deny your coverage.
Most people don't know how to properly package a bike. A cardboard box generally doesn't cut it. Use a bike specific box/case, put spacers in the frame/fork where the wheels go and secure things properly and you'll be fine. FedEx and UPS don't package stuff for you, so by that definition they can deny any claim of anything shipped. Best to take photos if you are paranoid. I've shipped and travelled with my bike quite a bit and never had anything damaged despite the box showing some abuse.
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
I've shipped it FedEx and I've taken it on the plane. FedEx is way cheaper and you can insure it (unlike the plane). I have a CrateWorks (https://www.crateworks.com) box that I use.
Thanks. Do you use the regular cardboard model?
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No, I have the PRO XL-C. I've used it a good bit and it's been lent out a lot too and is still going strong. It was a bit cheaper when I got it a few years ago. You might be able to find an online coupon, I know I did when I bought it.
BTW, it's a lot lighter than the hardcases you get at most bike shops, so it keeps the shipping cost down.
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I'm waiting for Chimbly to tell you that you should ride your bike out there....after all it's the socially responsible thing to do. :D
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Originally posted by chaz:
I'm waiting for Chimbly to tell you that you should ride your bike out there....after all it's the socially responsible thing to do. :D
Maybe I don't spend enough time around here, but I don't mind Chimbly advocating alternative transportation. Being a Baltimoron I wish the MARC ran all the time and I'd sure like to drive my car less than I currrently do.
Power to the pedal Chimbly!
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
Power to the pedal Chimbly!
thanks for the first good word i've heard all day. these boardies can get vicious. and i'm not just talkin' sid vicious.
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Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
thanks for the first good word i've heard all day. these boardies can get vicious. and i'm not just talkin' sid vicious.
Ya just need to Steamroll 'em
;)
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damn straight.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/jkeisenh/surly.jpg" alt=" - " />
(but now I have sugino 75's!
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On a good trip, it takes me about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Hunt Valley to DC. Oddly, about 25-35 minutes of that time is just getting from my apartment to downtown Baltimore! Driving through downtown Baltimore is usually the very worst of the haul. (Hunt Valley is in Northern Baltimore County, maybe 5-7 miles north yet of the Recher Theatre.) I have to allow 2 hours if I'm going to Iota.
I've learned a very long time ago that those estimated times are almost always the absolute minimum with you being the only car on the road and no red lights, train stops, cops, etc, to impede your journey. I think it's more of a marketing ploy than anything.
Generally, I take 295 if I'm going into DC proper. When I go to Bethesda, which is where I sometimes work a part-time job, I take 95 to 495 because it vears a little to the west and shortens the trip a little as opposed to my regular 295 jaunt.
Would love to have the option to take reasonable public transportation to and from DC sometimes but not only is it not reasonable, it just doesn't exist for the events and times that I need!
Chimbley, if you are MARCing it up to Baltimore and partying it up until 5:30AM, than you must either be attending house parties or boozing it up with some of the homeless locals on the streets because Baltimore has a 2:00AM closing time.
Lastly, requiring drivers to pay to park while Metroing it, only discourages one from using public transportation, especially if you happen to not have anyone to share expenses with! Carpooling is another one of those things that is great when possible but impossible if there is no one else going your way and somewhat within your time frame. And then there are sometimes situations where people must have some flexibility to come and go and lug tons of shit, all of which is not carpool friendly. (Different subject brewing here.)
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
I've shipped it FedEx and I've taken it on the plane. FedEx is way cheaper and you can insure it (unlike the plane). I have a CrateWorks (https://www.crateworks.com) box that I use. [/b]
I was quoted over $500 to ship my bike to Ireland, using Fedex, UPS and Airborne. I ended up taking it with me as checked luggage and paid $0!!!! Trust me, they aren't going to lose a bike in a box.
Take your bike to a bike shop and pay them the $20 or whatever it is to have it packed for shipping. It's money well spent.
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that oft-quoted 45 minute figure is Beltway-to-Beltway, or at best, city limits to city limits. It has no practical relevance, because it doesn't matter if you've arrived somewhere until you're actually out of your car and there.
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Originally posted by O'Mankie:
Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Does anyone have any experience with sending a bike across the country?
I need to get my steed out to Durango in August.
I've shipped it FedEx and I've taken it on the plane. FedEx is way cheaper and you can insure it (unlike the plane). I have a CrateWorks (https://www.crateworks.com) box that I use. [/b]
I was quoted over $500 to ship my bike to Ireland, using Fedex, UPS and Airborne. I ended up taking it with me as checked luggage and paid $0!!!! Trust me, they aren't going to lose a bike in a box.
Take your bike to a bike shop and pay them the $20 or whatever it is to have it packed for shipping. It's money well spent. [/b]
Yeah, overseas is free on planes, but in the US it's around $75 each way. No need to pay the shop when you've got a box and no what you are doing. If you don't, pay the $20...
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i've often joked that many of my destinations in the DC/Balto area are 45 minutes away... this of course without traffic.
whenever i go back to the motor city to visit the 'rents, my sense of how far something is off. what i estimate will take 45 minutes is actually only 30 minute.
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
Originally posted by chaz:
I'm waiting for Chimbly to tell you that you should ride your bike out there....after all it's the socially responsible thing to do. :D
Maybe I don't spend enough time around here, but I don't mind Chimbly advocating alternative transportation. Being a Baltimoron I wish the MARC ran all the time and I'd sure like to drive my car less than I currrently do.
Power to the pedal Chimbly! [/b]
Of course I don't mind Chimbly advocating for transportation reform.....I worked in the tranportation reform community for many years and am at least sympathetic, if not an advocate for all the points she raises. The problem I have is her constant allegation (subtle though it may be) that all non-city dwelling car owners are somehow ignorant, un-cultured, un-enlightened etc.
Many people (my self included) have job/jobs, kid/kids - and cars are simply necessary to meet all the demands presented to them.
Chimbly can't seem to be able to understand that some people's lives present a different set of circumstances that just can't be met with a bike and a fare-card.
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People who FedEx bicycles are gay.
<img src="http://www.w3bdevil.com/forums/Gay-Country.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by Dupek Chopra:
People who FedEx bicycles are gay.
So I'm happy.
You used to have much better pictures Helen. Is this the best you can do???
<img src="http://www.w3bdevil.com/forums/Stupid-InternetPolice.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
<img src="http://www.w3bdevil.com/forums/Stupid-InternetPolice.jpg" alt=" - " />
i love that movie.
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Originally posted by My Name Is Mud:
So I'm happy.
You used to have much better pictures Helen. Is this the best you can do???
<img src="http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/5501/10.jpg?1114183947693" alt=" - " />
Here's another gaye biker that needs crating and shipping.
<img src="http://www.freakingnews.com/entries/10000/10479KQsP_w.jpg" alt=" - " />