I took my first train ride ever to the JFK Inauguration from Philadelphia. Went in a passenger car full of paperboys who earned the trip as prize for selling so many new subscriptions for The Evening Bulletin. It sure was cold.

Yeah--anybody who can go should go. You will never forget the day.

I remember Carter ditching his limo and walking the parade route with his wife and his little daughter. I bet the Obamas will do something even more exciting and new. I'll be watching on TV--probably with tears streaming down my face. :)

Not that we're emotionally invested or anything...

Nahh....more that it's about the only good thing happening right now.

I remember watching JFK's ignaugural on TV when I was 5. That was pretty exciting in my Catholic neighborhood. This is the same, but to the tenth power.

New Age Woodstock :)

Well, the music was better at Woodstock.

I have an "I almost went to Woodstock" anecdote that nobody ever wants to hear. That's why you should go to DC if you can. It's a story that everybody will always want to hear, even 50 years from now.

Ah, the Bulletin. Nearly everybody read it. Sigh. :(

I still have my genuine over the shoulder newspaper delivery bag with the Bulletin name on it. I even used it while delivering the papers. Predates messenger bags by 35-40 years.

The mayor lifted the permit thing for the inaugural renting. So you can rent you apartment out without having a permit. Not that they would even go after you.

But i bet you could get over 1000$ for that just for a day!

But where would you stay?

To judge from some of the remarks directed at you on Bike Forums, I once thought YOU predated newspapers by 30-40 years. :)

I would serve $100 breakfasts to the people who get there at 5 AM and want a warm place to wait.

From some of those remarks, I suspect some BF posters form their opinions and point of view from what they read in tabloid/magazine headlines/Internet chat rooms, as well as what they learn from dorm/bar room chit chat and TV talking heads.

I'm in Balto., thought about doing this, but with 4 mil people in that space. I'll watch in on HD CNN.

I know. Whenever I hear them talking about you on TV I just change the channel.

Unless it's Willard Scott wishing you a Happy Birthday.

:p

If she's cute, I'll keep the bed warm. :D

Or I could just go over to a friend's and we'll drink beer for the day. :thumb:

The Slate tells how to sell Obama local. How about crossing party lines?
A bumper/bike sticker that says "Obama give US the bail out money"
$2.00 a sticker x 350 million.(census):)

Now that's a plan. $1000 for the day. Split it 70/30 with your friend since he's accommodating you, thereby allowing you to rent the place out.
You take $700 and buy whatever bit of bike gear you've wanted but been too cheap to buy for yourself.

There's a thread on the Touring Forum about a cyclist who plans to ride from LA to DC for the big event. He's asking for donations, and his equipment 'needs' include 4500 dollars for a camera.

He should forget about donors and just ask Congress for a bailout when he gets there. At least he isn't coming in a private jet!

:D

Metro announced that they are running a rush-hour schedule for virtually the entire day....

Biking in makes sense, but I would suggest that depending on where you live, try parking 10 miles away and then riding closer. Have shoes that you would be comfortable walking in, and bring enough layers that you will be warm just standing around for a while.

If they are right about the number of people, there will probably be *tons* of people walking all over the place. Sidewalks and trails are going to be full, and as you get closer you would end up riding in the street.

The thing that resembles this the closest is July the 4th, I guess. But that is in the summer and people would be comfortable hanging around all day. If you work downtown and have a building pass of some sort, bring it with you so you have a place to go in and warm up.

I can't decide if this thread is a joke or not.

^^^ The renting-your-apartment-out part is something I was joking about, but man.. I have to say that it's getting to be tempting.

Right now there are over 8000 listings on Craigslist if I search for "inauguration" in the Housing category.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/s...y=inauguration

My rental room has cable for only $2,900 and I'll throw in free breakfast :D I can also provide a loaner bike if you ride 56cm - 61cm.

The C&O canal is a straight shot into Georgetown and I suspect it won't be flooded with pedestrians. Finding parking close to the canal would be an issue.

Do you guys really get just how historically significant this election was for the whole world, not just for the USA? You know, my wife and I would love to go to the inauguration and I'm not even American! unfortunately we're not in a position to go.

If I were an American citizen, especially if I lived somewhere in or near DC, I'd be there.

Oh, damn... I can do that, too.

Let's see -- queen-size bed, comfy couch, just enough floor space for a sleeping bag, and some bikes. Here's the icing on the cake: I even have a garaged parking spot. I could host a few people here, park my car at work, and either sleep at work or at a friend's. And I could still head down for the festivities.

*edit* I've also got a Wii. :D

At least you'll be able to see and hear what's going on if you watch it on TV. I don't see the point in cramming in with 4 million people just to say I was there. Of course, I don't like Obama any more than the rest of the politicians.

^^^ Well, it's partly to say you were there, and partly to be with all those other people. That's why you go to a football game even if you're in the top deck and can hardly see the ball -- it's the energy of the crowd that makes it more fun.

Yeah, I get it. But not every American can go. It's going to be plenty crowded with "only" one per cent of the population there (3.1 million people).