Cyrus is invading San Francisco Oct 3-7

[cyrus buelton]

San Francisco Monster Owners,

You heard it. I am coming to San Fran October 3rd (arriving 530p) and leaving Wednesday Morning the 7th.

I would love to meet up with all of you and have some general fun, mixed with shenanigans.

Decided to splurge on my company and stay at the Intercontinental San Francisco.

I am in town for the AFP Conference (Association for Financial Professionals.....who would of thought they'd accept me?)

Currently my only evening obligations are Sunday night, but that ends at 8p (free booze!). So Monday and Tuesday are free. I arrive in the evening on Saturday at 530 and with jet lag......I suppose some redbull will fix any tiredness for a night out.

Probably owe several of you cocktails for my on board assholeness, so I will pay up on that!

I've never been to the area, so am really looking forward to it. I hear it is a nice city with plenty to do.

I will not have transportation, but am not adverse to public transportation, as I enjoy using it since I never get to here.


First order of business:

getting from airport to my hotel. Is there a train or bus I can take? I despise taxi cabs, so I avoid them at all costs.



Spidey - We must share some bourbon 

[Spidey]

Spidey - We must share some bourbon 

Yup.     The Blonde turns 807 on Oct. 3, so I can't meet up that evening.

First order of business:

getting from airport to my hotel. Is there a train or bus I can take? I despise taxi cabs, so I avoid them at all costs.

If you're flying into SFO, it's easy.  Take the tram at the airport to the BART station.  Buy a ticket from the machine (I think it's like $8).  Take BART toward Pittsburgh/Bay Pt.  It'll be the train that everyone is getting on.  It runs about every 20 mins.  That'll take you through SF.  Get off at the Powell Street Station (Market & 5th).  Your hotel is two blocks away on Howard Street at 5th.  You're pretty centrally located for public transportation.  Be aware that if you intend to ride a cable car, the wait on the weekends (and often during the week) can be 1-2 hrs.  As you can imagine, they're a popular tourist attraction.

I don't know how much time you have from your conference, how early you get up, how jet lagged you will be and when you have to register on Sunday, but if you can spare two hours and if we can rustle up a bike for you, there's a good short ride to take early Sunday morn morn.  It's our lunchtime hooky ride loop--across the Golden Gate bridge, up Mt. Tam, loop back across the cliffs of Hwy 1 (if it's not too foggy), and then back across the Golden Gate.  It's about a 45 mile loop from your hotel w/ tons of tight twisties and it'll allow you to check the Golden Gate off your must-see list.  If you have more time, there are longer loops with even more twisties.  We'll see about finding you a bike if you're interested. Here's a vid of the route:  Hookie Ride

It doesn't seem like you have a lot time during the day away from you conference, but here are some moto-specific ideas if you want to sneak out.

Oct. 4, eh?  If you need a racing fix, there's MotoGP and WSBK that day.  Both the Dainese Store (S. Van Ness btween Howard and Mission) and Ace Cafe (Mission and 14th) should be showing the races if you want to take a break from the conference.  I know Desmoquattro often watches the races at Ace and sometimes there is a gathering at the Tiger den in the eve for pizza and races.   

If you want to see some moto eye-candy, the general area around the Mission and on its edges is really good.  Munroe Motors (Ducati, Triumph, Husky, MV, Benelli?) is at Valencia and 15th.  They always have eye candy around.  Scuderia West (KTM, Victory, Bimota, scooters) is by Zeitgeist at Duboce and Valencia.  They're the best gear shop around and they often have sweet Bimotas sitting on the floor.  The Dainese Store is nearby there as well, as well as CycleGear.  Desmoto (independent wrench) is at Ninth & Howard.  It's worth wandering in just to look at all the bikes around. 

[mostrobelle]

Welcome!  Let me know when the 'Geist night is set up and I'll try to make it.  (Apparently I have a habit of forgetting.   )

[cyrus buelton]

Spidey -


Thanks for all the great info on the route into the city from the Airport! I prefer public transport over a high priced cab ride which usually loops you way out of the way to collect more fare, at least been my experience every where else. That seems like a very easy commute into the city via train, which will be very helpful when I leave Wednesday morning. Probably will need to allow more time, I think my flight is at 11a, so I will see how busy it is on monday and tuesday to allot more time.


Wow, that ride sounds amazing! I would totally love to do that. I am an early riser, I don't jet lag too terribly bad. I have some ambien, so probably will take it so I get a solid 8 hours and up by 630-7a on Sunday. I had the same sort of trip last year to Vegas and that method seemed to work to right myself on time adjustment.

Probably best if you could find a monster for me (you break it, you bought it method....but I am not a hard rider as you will maybe see.) as I've had a few shoulder surgeries and the ergonomics of a sportbike will about do me in after 2 miles.

Also, we have flat roads with mild twisities here, so I might be a bit slower than you guys!!!!! I'll hang in the back, just tell me where we are meeting up after . I more ride for enjoyment.


As for time from my conference..........hmmm.........lots of extra time. I've got functions Sunday evening, but am done by 8p. I'll have to check the schedule on Sunday when I register (afternoon is fine for that, so morning is wide open).

the rest of the week I just have to attend a business lunch one or two days, then a few seminars here and there. Basically more of a vacation then all day business deal. I try to get my obligations out of the way on Monday, so that leaves tuesday to jack around.


What bar do you guys usually watch the GP Race at?

I'll wear my special t-shirt.......you won't be able to miss me....

[desmoquattro]

Thanks for all the great info on the route into the city from the Airport! I prefer public transport over a high priced cab ride which usually loops you way out of the way to collect more fare, at least been my experience every where else. That seems like a very easy commute into the city via train, which will be very helpful when I leave Wednesday morning. Probably will need to allow more time, I think my flight is at 11a, so I will see how busy it is on monday and tuesday to allot more time.

A couple of quirks with BART to/from the airport:
1) It costs $8.50, since they added a special tax...like $4 or so. A cab ride will be about $40 with tip.
2) It takes quite a bit longer than a cab. I live 3 blocks from a BART station, and it takes me an hour on BART...15 minutes in a cab.
3) Depending on the airline you're taking it can be a very long walk. Have a look at the terminal map here:

United and American are in terminal 3, which is a reasonable walk. Almost all the other airlines are in terminal 1, which is a pain...even with the new tram. Allow plenty of extra time.

And if you can get in a ride, we'll figure something out.

[cyrus buelton]

I am flying in on American, so it looks like I'll be good with your directions.


BART seems simple to use and cost efficient, much better than a cab. I despise cabs for the most part and avoid them at all cost.


Thanks for all the helpful info.

Looking forward to seeing if you guys can scare me up a bike for the ride 

[B.Rock]

I am flying in on American, so it looks like I'll be good with your directions.


BART seems simple to use and cost efficient, much better than a cab. I despise cabs for the most part and avoid them at all cost.


Thanks for all the helpful info.

Looking forward to seeing if you guys can scare me up a bike for the ride 

It's a little slow going but really you just sit there and read or look out the window for most of the trip and it's pretty easy. Steel yourself for the hike up the hill to the hotel from Powell. It's only like 6 blocks to the Mark Hopkins, but they're entirely vertical blocks. It might be wise to stop at Johnny Foley's on O'Farrell and get a couple pints of strength.

[Spidey]

It's a little slow going but really you just sit there and read or look out the window for most of the trip and it's pretty easy. Steel yourself for the hike up the hill to the hotel from Powell. It's only like 6 blocks to the Mark Hopkins, but they're entirely vertical blocks. It might be wise to stop at Johnny Foley's on O'Farrell and get a couple pints of strength.

I think he's staying at the Continental just south of Union Square, which is two flat (or slightly downhill) blocks from the Powell St. Station.  That shouldn't stop him from drinking though.   

[B.Rock]

I am a dumbass. I was thinking of the IC Mark Hopkins. 

[cyrus buelton]

I am a dumbass. I was thinking of the IC Mark Hopkins. 

I almost booked at that one until I saw there were two.

That shouldn't stop him from drinking though.   

You are correct about that. It's hard to keep me out of a bar..........

[MendoDave]

Here is what you can expect for the BART schedule. its about a half hour trip to down town, but of course the train will be leaving when you get to the gate, so then you can hang around for twenty minutes on the empty platform.

But if you PM me your address I'll send you a BART ticket that I have with plenty of fare left on it. That way you wont have to figure out the ticket machine for the first time while everybody is getting on the train.  

[cyrus buelton]

Here is what you can expect for the BART schedule. its about a half hour trip to down town, but of course the train will be leaving when you get to the gate, so then you can hang around for twenty minutes on the empty platform.

But if you PM me your address I'll send you a BART ticket that I have with plenty of fare left on it. That way you wont have to figure out the ticket machine for the first time while everybody is getting on the train.  

PM Sent 

I'll buy you some beers for the good gesture

[cyrus buelton]

All,

I have no problem renting a bike for the Sunday ride, but it will be very hard considering my inbound flight time.

I have no problem borrowing someone's monster. I can provide proof of insurance and financials to secure that if I did cause damage to the bike, I could fix damage. I don't ride hard and would gladly ride in back of the pack so I can ride at my own pace. Just give me proper instructions on where the meet points are!!!

If anyone ever visits Ohio (god knows why you would), my bikes are available. Hell, I just let a british co-worker borrow my S4r for the weekend. It came back in one piece.


If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. That's fine. I'd at least like to catch the GP race with you guys at a bar.

[desmoquattro]

All,

I have no problem renting a bike for the Sunday ride, but it will be very hard considering my inbound flight time.

I have no problem borrowing someone's monster. I can provide proof of insurance and financials to secure that if I did cause damage to the bike, I could fix damage. I don't ride hard and would gladly ride in back of the pack so I can ride at my own pace. Just give me proper instructions on where the meet points are!!!

If anyone ever visits Ohio (god knows why you would), my bikes are available. Hell, I just let a british co-worker borrow my S4r for the weekend. It came back in one piece.


If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. That's fine. I'd at least like to catch the GP race with you guys at a bar.

I can hook you up. PM for details.

Besides: Spidey vouched for you tonight...wait...did I really say that?

[cyrus buelton]

I can hook you up. PM for details.

Besides: Spidey vouched for you tonight...wait...did I really say that?

Dude, that rocks! I will PM you back and we can chat tonight.


Wow....Spidey vouched for me??

Are we in bizzaro world?