Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 15:17:04 -0400
Reply-To: Cesar Baptista <cesarali@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Cesar Baptista <cesarali@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Questions and favor to ask of our NYC list members....
In-Reply-To: <931A0C57EC93D211999E0000F863375D0284780E@ammobile.com>
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> My friend and I are headed up to NYC on Sat evening May 6th for the big bike
> ride though the city on the 7th (http://www.bikenewyork.org/). It start
> early Sunday morning from Battery park. I'd like to take the Westy (sportin'
> new Fiamma rack) up and crash in it over Saturday night.
>
> Is there anyone willing to donate a driveway and bathroom for the night?
> Maybe interested in getting a beer/dinner late sat night? Talk VW and such?
>
> If not, any recommendations on a good place to Stealth camp in the area? Ya
> know, don't want to run into some unfriendly local indigene at 2am.
Battery Park City (the apartment complex built to the north of that park) is
very safe (JFK Jr. used to live there.) You could get yourself a parking
spot on the street (stake out a block for half an hour or so.) It is very
quiet, relatively for NYC down there, if you have curtains, I'm certain you
will not be bothered. I put up signs (no bigger than a sheet of paper) that
say "Nothing, Nada Zilch" on them and so far in 3 years my Golf has not been
bothered. As for a bathroom, you may have to bike over to the World Trade
Center and use the public ones (two minute ride). Maybe there is a Barnes
and Noble or other big chain with public bathrooms (check swithboard.com).
>
> Can you take bikes on the subway there?
Yes. You have to stand in line and alert the booth attendant to open the
service gate. Once you're on the platform go to either extreme of the train
just to have the most room
> Are we better parking out of town and training it in?
Not necessary. I did that once when I was in college and the car got stolen
out of a NJ parking garage!
> Lastly, what are your recommendations for parking during the tour? I don't
> think the Westy will fit in many garages in Manhattan
Not true, garages are plentiful and take all kinds of vehicles and there are
tons of open lots everywhere.
> so I was thinking about parking on Staten Island where the tour ends.
You could do that, but Staten Island is poorer and more desolate and has
more desperate people per square mile than Manhattan (not scientifically
arrived at but you'll have to trust me.) I would leave the van parked on the
street in Battery Park City, and then take the Staten Island Ferry back to
Manhattan after the race. It drops you off next to Battery Park. Just don't
leave anything visible inside your van from the sidewalk. You could also
make it look a little more "city", like leaving your hubcaps at home and
getting it good and dirty (muddy water splashdown, maybe?) And make up some
signs that basically communicate that although you have out of state plates
that you have a New York City state of mind, like the aforementioned
"Nothing Nada Zilch" or my favorite "You already stole everything!"
If you won't relax knowing your Fiamma rack could be getting pryed off
at any moment while you're out pushing pedals around the big apple, then
take your Westy up to the West Village and you'll find plenty of lots and
garages. Expect to pay somewhere in the $20/12 hrs range. (Look between
Houston St (South) and Little West 12th (North) and West Street (West) and
Hudson St (East).
> Thanks all!
>
> Mikey
> `87 Westy
> nasty old Pug road bike.
>
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