Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Getting to Monstertrack

Okay folks, this thing is 4 days away, and though I have nailed down accomodations (thanks AfterThisNap), I haven't secured a ride/plan to NYC yet, and was wondering if anybody had any advice for me. Here are my options:

1. Take a bus: Only bonanza/peter pan or greyhound are viable options that I'm aware of. I'd prefer a bus, but I don't think they let you take a bike. I'm not aware of any Chinatown buslines that come from Hartford to NYC. Any help here?

2. Drive (teh suck): Drive into the city and park it somewhere. Where to park? Garage? I'll be staying near Morningside, so would these (http://www.weparknewyork.com/UpperWest.asp) be good options? Or would it be smarter to park elsewhere?

3. Don't go: I'd really not like to take this option.

Of note: I've never driven in NYC, and never travelled there by myself. Much less with a bike. Please help.

AP,
this is an option for you, depending on when you travel (i have weekend plans to leave town). you could drive to bridgeport, leave your car @ my house, and take metro-north ($11) to nyc. some of the convenience of driving, none of the hassle (except for the actual driving part). look for other plans, but if our schedules line up, you're welcome to use a mostly safe spot (your car's not too nice, right?) in front of my house.

1. does hartford have a chinatown? how much are the buslines you mentioned?
2. i've driven in the city before, friday nights kind of suck, but it was fine. i'd be inclined to park on the street for free.
3. worst option ever.

my car is in a sad state of affairs right now. it sucks. i really want to go, but it's looking bleak.. i need a new wheel asap.

Do the chinatown buses even let you take a bike?

Edit: spud... the chinatown bus from philly to NYC is $20 round trip

I thought Greyhound was like the Fung Wah, where you can just stick the bike int he luggage part, and be done with it. Greyhound may make you box it, but call them to be sure.

yeah i think jitensha had to box his bike up for greyhound + fee.

AP,
this is an option for you, depending on when you travel (i have weekend plans to leave town). you could drive to bridgeport, leave your car @ my house, and take metro-north ($11) to nyc. some of the convenience of driving, none of the hassle (except for the actual driving part). look for other plans, but if our schedules line up, you're welcome to use a mostly safe spot (your car's not too nice, right?) in front of my house.
I never thought of taking a train. After doing a little research, it turns out you need a bike pass to do that. I will mail away for one, for future use, but I don't think it will come in time for this weekend. If only I'd researched that option before!

Thanks for the offer of parking though. We need to ride sometime.

Take the train, shants.

Greyhound definitely lets you take a bike (they say they require a box, but it doesn't seem to me like most drivers would care) and I've heard bonanza lets bikes on as well. Chinatown busses don't give a f**k what you bring with you.

Haha! so I could just bring 2 bikes, and throw em in the storage bins below? I wonder how much damage they'd incur....

worst comes to worst on Metro North you can just pay the $5 to the conductor for the bike pass, or say you are getting it when you reach Grand Central. Of course if you are staying in Morningside you should get off on 125th, but whatever.

Driving is not bad, especially if you are staying uptown like it seems you are. Unless you get lost it'll hardly count as driving in Manhattan. Parking isn't awful up there either especially if you are willing to park on Riverside Drive.

I never thought of taking a train. After doing a little research, it turns out you need a bike pass to do that. I will mail away for one, for future use, but I don't think it will come in time for this weekend. If only I'd researched that option before!

Thanks for the offer of parking though. We need to ride sometime.

You can just take your bike on metronorth without a pass. If a conductor asks for your bike pass, you ask to buy one from them. $5. Once you get to grand central, you can exchange your $5 temporary pass for a indefinite pass.

i've gotten hassled for not having a bike pass before. but every time SINCE buying one, when the conductor asks if i have one, i say yes, and then they keep going.

yeah, we'll ride sometime. i hear that the devil's gear in new haven has weekly bike games once the weather gets better (according to their website anyway)...

You can just take your bike on metronorth without a pass. If a conductor asks for your bike pass, you ask to buy one from them. $5. Once you get to grand central, you can exchange your $5 temporary pass for a indefinite pass.
WOOT! QP, PM'ed.

Dude, drive to Boston, park the car, and Fung Wah it down. Alternatively, there's some free parking in Flatbush, though I couldn't give you directions. As a last resort, bribe a Boston kid who's driving down to pick you up along the way.

also, dude, if you're staying in morningside, you'll have no problem with finding on street parking for free. as long as you're willing to circle the neighborhood in a mile radius, you'll find something that's good for the length of your stay.

yeah i think jitensha had to box his bike up for greyhound + fee.

yep. greyhound makes you box yr bike & hits you for an extra $20 each way. you can just roll yr bike into the cargohold on most chinatown buses & lock it to a support strut.