Jerseysbest

That map does look revised. The last one I saw had most bridges off limits to bicycles too.

BarracksSi

While I'm at it:
https://voices.washingtonpost.com/ina...T2009010702404

There's a lot of stuff on that page.

boneshake

This link gets you to a complete map showing suggested routes, road and bridge status, restricted areas, and the bike valet locations. This is going to be a very bike-accessible event. As with any big event in downtown DC, biking is the only sane way to get there.

jamesdenver

I biked to the Obama acceptance event here in Denver. All roads around the stadium were closed - so people ended up just walking IN the roads and spreading themselves out, making it difficult to bike fast and in a straight line.

Returning at night I meandered slowly and weaved carefully in between pedestrians on the long Colfax viaduct, and didn't get going normally until I got back to real traffic with cars, (how's that for ironic.)

Still the best way to go - plenty of other cyclists too. Everyone else had to walk a couple miles to their cars, or wait for packed buses and trains.

mjw16

No way! We'll be safely tucked away at home with all necassary provisions: beer, chips, wine, and other snacks and grilling supplies. I imagine that even bikes will have a tough time getting in and out of the city, I'm already noticing the pedestrian gates and jersey barriers on my daily commute. We'll watch it on TV. One option for Alexandrians, Market Square will be broadcasting live on a jumbotron. I imagine Old Town will be packed too.

CCrew

The Washington Post Provides Inauguration Transit Alerts
For D.C. Visitors, Residents Using Mobile Devices

Text, E-mail Alerts; Twitter, RSS Feeds; Mobile site Help Users Navigate Crowds, Traffic

WASHINGTON, D.C.—January 13, 2009—The Washington Post today announced it will provide transportation alerts to people using mobile devices in the D.C.-area on Inauguration Day. The tools will report traffic delays and tips to help people avoid congestion and navigate crowds. Users can sign up for text and E-mail alerts, follow a special Twitter or RSS feed or visit Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com.

“With millions of people expected to attend one of the biggest D.C. events in decades, we’re experimenting with new ways to bring users the information they need to easily get around the city,” said Jonathan Krim, Assistant Managing Editor for Local News at washingtonpost.com. “Our mobile alerts will provide news and advice on the quickest routes to and from Inaugural events and the areas to avoid, helping people keep from getting stuck in transit and spend more time witnessing this historic moment.”

The alerts will provide information on closures of roads, bridges subways and bus routes, weather updates, and other news affecting how people can avoid gridlock. Visitors and residents can also send in information about what they are experiencing in their areas. Users can provide information by text message, Twitter or E-mail. The two-way dialogue with users will help The Post deliver the best, real-time information to all who sign up.

Mobile alerts will begin at 5 a.m. on January 20th. They are available on both Web-enabled and non-Web enabled mobile devices and will run throughout the day and evening. Users can sign up to receive mobile alerts using the following link:
www.washintonpost.com/inaugurationsurvival

• Text alert—Sign up for mobile alerts by texting “INAUG” to WPOST (97678). (Users will receive up to 30 messages a day.)

• Twitter—Register on Twitter for follow “Dr. Gridlock.” Post Transportation Reporter Robert Thompson provides personal transit updates, plus links to important news articles: www.twitter.com/drgridlock

• E-Mail alert—Sign up to receive E-mail alerts. The E-mail address to send information to The Post is: tellus@washingtonpost.com

• Mobile Site—Go to Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com’s mobile site: www.twp.com/inauguration

This is one of The Post’s first large-scale initiatives using mobile technology and user collaboration to deliver local transit news. After Inauguration Day, users will continue to receive relevant D.C.-area or national news alerts, unless they choose to cancel this service (standard text messaging rates apply on all SMS services).

On washingtonpost.com, users will also have the opportunity to submit questions and join in a live discussion with Director of Public and Government Relations for AAA Mid-Atlantic Lon Anderson on January 15th at 2 pm ET to get tips on travel to, in and around the region. Eric Weiss and Lena Sun, hosts of the regular “Roads and Rails” discussion, will be available on January 19th at 11 am ET. A transcript from the Post’s local transportation expert Robert Thompson, from his regular “Dr. Gridlock” discussion earlier this week, is also available.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...nt/liveonline/

The Going Out Guide lets users quickly find near-by restaurants, bars, clubs and events from their mobile devices. Users can visit The Going Out Guide at the following link:
www.twp.com/gog
The Going Out Guide is also available to iPhone users as a downloadable application:
www.washingtonpost.com/mobile

The latest Inaugural news, maps and event information is available on Inauguration Central, washingtonpost.com’s source for all Inaugural news.
www.washingtonpost.com/inauguration

The Washington Post’s mobile site is available at the following link:
www.twp.com

GodsBassist

Plus a bajillion. The whole place already looks like it's going to be a zoo. I'm actually going out to Leesburg for the weekend, lol. Screw this noise.

BarracksSi

One of the stories I heard on WTOP today was about whether we've "scared people away" by closing the roads and talking up the transportation nightmares.

Then again, it's history in the making, as lame as the cliché is. The whole world has been talking about it. I really wouldn't be surprised to see at least a couple million people put up with the hassles just to be a part of it.

Roody

A friend's son also lives in Arlington. He said that usually when huge crowds come to DC, it's because they're pissed off about something. At least this time they're all happy!

InfiniteRegress

++++++++++++1. No way in he** you would get me down there. I've grown up here and been to quite a few inaugural events. Essentially you're just packed in with thousands of people, a** to elbow style, and you can't see a darn thing. It's usually freezing to top if off. If you'd like to experience that, just ride the Metro during rush hour. It's basically the same thing. We're not even planning on leaving bed that day. I just came back from getting coffee at Union Station and it's already a madhouse over there.

InfiniteRegress

Yeah, just hearing about the '68 riots here as a kid scared me. ANYTHING that involves a crowd in DC, whether a positive or negative event, can turn ugly quickly. A number of years ago, my neighborhood had a block party and a few too many people showed up from other surrounding neighborhoods. A mini-riot broke out and it took the police a little too long to get things under control. Crowds in DC are NEVER a good thing.

boneshake

Oh, come on. I've been to plenty of crowd events in DC and only one has had any kind of problem like that (even when I wasn't close enough to see it, I'm talking about media reports later). I've been to two inaugurations, the Million Man March, the fireworks, and about 20 or 30 marches and events on the Mall. This is not 1968, and it's not a neighborhood block party.

The only time I've been in a crowd in DC where there was a scary moment was a Klan parade on Pennsylvania avenue. The protestors were very pissed at the Klan (as they should be) and I stayed on the fringes. But I expected that at a Klan rally.

nmanhipot

Not! Edit: Or at least they shouldn't be.

BarracksSi

The High Heel Drag Race draws one of the most fun-loving crowds I've ever seen. The police were there just in case any troublemakers showed up, but when I talked with them, they were nearly bored -- they were almost useless.

boneshake

I think the entire HHDR is troublemakers, by definition.

BarracksSi

How can a ten-foot-tall Washington Monument costume be a troublemaker?

Well, maybe the Fanta "Girls"..

InfiniteRegress

I go to these every year. Yes, they are generally pretty tame, mostly because a large crowd of predominantly gay men (although it seems to be getting less gay each year) can only be so dangerous. Although, I did manage to break a bone in my foot at the last High Heel Race. A 6'5" tall guy in drag came over to take some pictures with us. He stepped on my foot and I heard a snap. I didn't even feel anything because I was so cold that my feet were numb. But he fractured the small bone on the outside of my foot (thankfully, it didn't interfere with cycling, only with wearing normal shoes and running).

InfiniteRegress

Haha...ok, but the KKK deserves a good riot! The thing that scares me about DC events, aside from full-blown rioting, is all the crime that can and often does take place. Pick-pocketing is very easy at these crowded events and then, because the police become concentrated in one area of town, crime in just about every other neighborhood goes up. I have a place in NW DC (Petworth) and whenever there is a major event downtown our crime skyrockets. I've seen minor disagreements at July 4th events turn into fights right there on the Mall. In addition, things aren't as well-controlled as everyone leads the public to believe. Not for me. IMO, there is just too much potential for trouble and I'd rather stay far away from it. I also have a problem with my tax dollars going to finance so much of this hoopla, but that's another frustration I'll have to work out in another forum

HC203

I'm planning on riding down from Baltimore. Same route as I did back in November with a BF group, Baltimore's Washington Monument to the one in DC.
Anybody interested in joining up pm me.

CCrew

Personally I think it's going to be a PITA trying to get around down there on a bike. Sure, no traffic to contend with, but that just means every Tom, Dick, and Jane will be wandering willy-nilly in the middle of all the streets. It'll be like MUP walkers on crack.

Thank god my employer did a work from home proclamation! :-)

BarracksSi

If I try going to a concert or something, I'll be on my FS MTB, not my CAAD8. I won't have to look for pavement (or even a walking path, for that matter.. ).

scorch

When are these drag queen races?? id love to see them

InfiniteRegress

Every year, the Tuesday before Halloween. The actual race starts at 9pm, but the fun usually begins around 7 with street parades and all sorts of fun. Dress warm or drink heavily, it's usually cold.

BarracksSi

Bike Valet locations and restricted zones mapped out on Google Maps:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.341949&z=11

Lots of people driving and walking through my neighborhood right now, too -- a lot more than usual, anyway. I'm gonna head out and see what the Mall is like.

boneshake

Petworth? Well, I'll stay out of Petworth then. The Mall is pretty safe. Pickpocketing is something you have to worry about in every city, all the time. And July 4th is a bunch of hot sweaty drunks waiting for hours in the sun for a bunch of lights and things that go boom. That's almost as bad as the Klan.