Getting To & From the NYC-DC Ride
Getting to NYC
We recommend you arrive in New York City by 6pm on Friday September 20th (the day before the ride), so you can register and get everything squared away!
Many of you are coming from the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region. We highly recommend using our Climate Rider Google Group as a resource for recommended travel options and coordination. (You were added to the All Rider Google Group and your local Google Group when you registered. If you can't find the Welcome message from the Google Groups or are having trouble of any sort, email andrew@climateride.org and he'll get you sorted.)
BUS
Bus options have improved as a number of smaller companies have entered the market. Some new busses offer more leg room and Wi-Fi. Many Climate Riders have used and recommended the following services to get to New York City: Bolt, DC2NY, Megabus, Vamoose, and ivymedia.com. Some bus companies, including Bolt, allow you to place your bike under the bus as checked luggage.
TRAIN
Amtrak is generally more expensive but more spacious than the bus. It services Washington DC, the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast corridor and beyond. Visit their website to see if train service works for you.
You have the option to send your bicycle as checked baggage (you will need to pack your bike in a box), but it must go on a checked baggage car. Not all trains have a checked baggage car, so you may have to send it on another train. Call your local station to see if the train you would like to take is scheduled to have a checked baggage car.
You can arrive at the Amtrak station with your bike for your scheduled departure time, purchase a bike box for $15 (you must know how to turn your handlebars and remove seat and pedals), package your bike, and send it on the later train to your destination ($5 for DC-NYC Penn station). Then you can take whichever train departure you choose and pick up your bicycle the next day at the destination. Don't forget your claim check. If you are taking the train from DC to NYC Penn Station, the checked baggage car departs at 10 pm.
Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL Washington DC Amtrak station direct: 202-906-3260.
TAXI
Not all taxis accept bike boxes in the trunk. Some riders, who travel light, unpack their box and ride to their hotel. Some riders have hired a minivan or limo service. These are just ideas; you may want to call ahead for details and quotes. JFK airport to Manhattan in a taxi is a flat fare of $45. From LaGuardia it is $30. These are estimated fares for regular taxis, which may not take a boxed bike.
PLANE
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), in Queens (at the south end of the Van Wyck Expressway), primarily handles international flights. Getting to and from JFK.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), also in Queens (on the Grand Central Parkway), mainly handles domestic flights. If you're flying in from anywhere in the U.S., chances are you'll come through here. Particular exceptions include Continental Airlines. Getting to and from LaGuardia.
Newark International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, handles both domestic and international flights. It's a bit further from the city than the other two airports, but it is generally less crowded and has more modern facilities. Getting to and from Newark.
SUBWAY and BUSSES: For public transportation from the airport, check out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
SHARED AIRPORT VANS: SuperShuttle operates from all NYC airports: www.supershuttle.com.
Transporting Your Bike
Many first time riders have big questions about getting their bike to the event. While it may seem complicated, it's not. You have a few options for getting your bike to and from Climate Ride. The best option will depend on your itinerary, timing, and budget. Plan on spending a little time to research which option works best for you.
Shipping: If you ship your boxed bike to NYC you MUST have a receiving address. Your hotel might be willing to accept a package for you, but call ahead to be sure. Shipping costs may vary from $50- $100 depending on destination. Compare UPS and FedEx, as charges may vary widely.
Flying with your bike (boxing required): -- If you fly with your bike, all airlines have handling fees for checking bikes, payable at the ticket counter. When making your airline reservations, please check the rate and any restrictions for checking your bike.
Disassembling and Boxing Your Bike:
Disassembly: If you need to ship your bike, most likely you will need to disassemble it. This means removing the pedals, seat, front and rear wheels, and handlebars, and deflating the tires. Each part should be wrapped separately in bubble wrap. You can do this yourself, or most bike shops will do it for you for a cost of approximately $50.
Boxing: Most bike shops offer boxes, but you should reserve one early as they may be in demand. There is usually a small charge of about $10 for the box. If you are boxing your bike in a hard-shell or plastic bike box, please email blake@climateride.org to inquire about space for transporting it in the luggage truck. We can carry only a certain number of plastic bike boxes in our luggage truck; if there is space, we will carry it for you. We can transport cardboard bike boxes during Climate Ride for you to re-use at the end.
More details are available in the Travel Planner, which will be emailed to you when as soon as it's ready.
Feel free to email info@climateride.org any time if you have questions!
Starting in NYC
The trip start will be in downtown New York City, at the DCTV building, 87 Lafayette St. on the border of Downtown and Chinatown in lower Manhattan. You should plan to arrive at DCTV on the afternoon of Friday, September 20th for registration from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm. You can drop off your bike, fill out any last-minute paperwork, and join us for our kick-off party from 6 pm - 7 pm, and a quick formal welcome at 7:30 pm.
The next morning, Saturday, September 21st, the ride begins! You should arrive at DCTV between 8 am and 9 am to drop off your luggage, prep your bike, and pack snacks. Give yourself time to get organized before a mandatory 9 am safety talk, and the official start of the ride at 9:30am!
Feel free to email info@climateride.org any time if you have questions!
Hotels in NYC
If you need a hotel, here are a few links to get you started.
Remember May is a popular month to be in NYC!
www.hotels.com
www.kayak.com
www.ny.com/hotels/budget.html
http://nymag.com/urban/guides/nyonthecheap/travel/hotels.htm
(neat link from New York magazine of cool boutique/budget hotels)
If you like hip, Euro-style and affordable, we recommend the Pod Hotel in Midtown.
Use www.hotels.com to get the best rates (don’t book directly through the Pod website). They have bunk rooms with shared bath and nice double rooms with private bath. This is where we stay when in NYC!
Another recommendation is the Paramount Hotel in Times Square, considered chic and affordable for NYC. Use www.hotels.com to get best rates.
After the Ride in DC
The ride will end on Wednesday, September 25th at about 5 pm at The Yards Park, south of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, near M St SE and New Jersey Ave SE. The earliest you would want to depart Washington DC after the Ride is 7 pm on September 25th.
However, we highly recommend that you visit with your members of Congress on Thursday, September 26th - many Climate Riders cite this as a highlight of the ride! If you are planning visit with your Member of Congress on September 26th, we suggest you not make plans to leave before 3pm. You don’t have to attend all scheduled meetings, so if you need to leave earlier than 3pm, it just means you might miss a meeting. We do our best to schedule all meetings before noon.
More details can be found in the Travel Planner.
Leaving DC
You've got lots of options for leaving our nation's capitol. Check out information on busses and trains in the 'Getting to NYC' tab.
In addition:
PLANE:
There are 3 airports in the DC area:
Ronald Regan Washington National (DCA) is close to town but only services certain carriers
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a little further out, but will get you pretty much anywhere
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is further out still, but may be a good alternative option.
SUBWAY AND LOCAL BUSSES:
For public transportation to the airport or around DC, check out the Metropolitan Area Transit Authority at www.wmata.com.
Check out the Travel Planner for more details on bus, train, and plane options, as well as tips for bike transport.
Feel free to email info@climateride.org any time if you have questions!