Welcome to The Subsersive Tourist

This blog is dedicated to helping travelers avoid rip-off expenses and unnecessary costs. We hope that will be obvious when you read the posts. The first two will be on Orlando and Washington DC. All will be simple personal experiences by travelers wanting to enjoy a trip. Whether on business or not, a trip should be enjoyable, enriching, history-making, or in some other way successful, so in other words all trips should be "travel for pleasure".

I solicit guest posts.

Washington through the side door

Baltimore, trains and D.C.’s rent-a-bikes

by Bill Edmonds

Mission: Conduct seminar on how to write effective op-ed articles for writers, editors and others with the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, in Washington.

Transportation issues: Flying into Washington is easy. National Airport is just across the river. But National is crowded, the security lines are excessively long, and the accessibility comes at a cost — flights are often full and seldom discounted.

The subversive choice: Fly to Baltimore instead flights are easier to book and usually cheaper. But don’t take a taxi from Baltimore/Washington International to D.C. It is long, boring and expensive. Instead, take the train. Here’s how. But please note: The cheap train heralded here, the MARC, runs only on weekdays.

BWI’s bus to the trains: Once your flight touches down, dash through the BWI terminal for the doors that offer taxis, hotel vans and other transportation. Look for the sign to pick up the shuttle bus to the Amtrak/MARC station. The bus is free, and the ride is short — 15 minutes or so. MARC — the local commuter train service — promises a bus will show up every 12 minutes (there are fewer buses in the wee hours, so expect one every 25 minutes from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Get your ticket: The bus drops you off at a slightly baffling, but fortunately small, rail terminal. Go in, get your ticket to D.C.’s Union Station. Do not go Amtrak unless you must. MARC tickets are cheap — $6 one way for this trip ($5 for students, $3 for seniors and those with disabilities). Amtrak charges much more.

Get on your train: You have to cross the tracks, via steps and an elevated walkway, to get to the far side, where you will pick up your train. A number of trains may come by. Make sure you get the right one. The loudspeaker announcing trains is, alas, hard to understand, so ask questions. Most of the travelers are local folks — few tourists use the MARC — and they can help you get on the right ride. Like commuters everywhere, they are in a zone of their own, but they don’t mind helping with a quick answer. Don’t be shy.

Enjoy the ride: I’ve ridden the MARC trains a few times, all in the afternoon, and the cars were all but empty (I’m sure they fill up with the morning and afternoon hordes of workers). Sit back and enjoy the views, the roomy seats and the time to catch up on e-mail. Don’t expect amenities. This is low-budget, get-the-job-done travel. There is no bar service. I couldn’t even find a soda machine.

How long did it take? My time on the MARC train was about 45 minutes. The shuttle ride was another 15 minutes, and I was in the ticket office and standing by the tracks for 20 minutes or so, so budget two hours or so from when you land to when you arrive at Washington’s Union Station. You might beat this in a cab, if you have the dollars and the tolerance for many miles in a smelly Crown Vic.

Union Station — rent a bike: Once you are at Union Station, you can catch the local subway to your destination, catch a cab, of course, or … walk. Washington is a great walking town. If your meeting is a long walk away — as was the case when I arrived last August and needed to get to the Dupont Circle hotel — ride a bike.

The District of Columbia’s Capital Bikeshare offers easy rental of sturdy, three-speed bicycles. You can pick up one of the 1,200 big, red bicycles outside Union Station or at 140 other locations throughout the city. You rent a bike any location, and leave it at another of your choice. Nice system.

The weather was nice on my August trip — surprisingly comfortable for deep summer in the swamp that is D.C. — so I started my trip on foot.  But the late afternoon sun was in my face, I got a bit steamed and stopped to rest ... right in front of one of the city's bike-share racks.

What the heck ... Quick swipe with the Visa ... off I go. 

My ride to my hotel was short — about a mile and a half in city traffic during the afternoon commute — but a blast.

Using Capital Bikeshare is a great way to see the city. There are lots of folks on bikes and on foot. I started my ride in seedy territory and witnessed the status of the homes and businesses slowly changing with each turn of the wheel.

Find a nearby Capital Bikeshare rack: The hotel doorman didn’t know what to make of the guy on the bicycle, had no clue of what bike-share was about and could offer no guidance about where to deposit my ride.

After some uncertain negotiation, followed by a firm, "I am a guest," he escorted me and the bike were into the lobby, where the concierge advised me that there was a Capital Bikeshare rack a half block away.  Excellent!

But … I didn't want to turn it loose.

So after checking in and dropping off my bag (which had been riding on the rack on the front, later joined by my sport coat, both held in place by a bungee cord bolted to the bike), I took off for some exploring.

I didn't go all that far, maybe four or five miles, but saw embassies, impressive homes, that park where the poor congressional aide was found strangled a few years ago, more impressive homes, a street for hipsters, a ton of bars and restaurants and, after a quick stop for directions, the Dupont Circle bike drop.

The natives: Drivers were great. They know what to do around cyclists, and, boy, does that make a difference. I’m an experienced bicycle commuter, and I found Washington’s drivers to be more aware of cyclists than are drivers in my Southern city.

The bikes: The Capital Bikeshare bicycle is nothing you would buy. It is a heavy piece of work. But it has a step-through frame, which is most convenient, big, thick, flat-me-not tires, a Shimano Nexus hub with three speeds —though it needed more when I got into some hills in my explorations — and a Shimano generator hub, lights and reflectors. Kickstand, too, but no bike lock.

Cost is $7 for 24 hours of use on any bicycle. First 30 minutes is free; a fee per hour after that. I think all of my riding cost me another $5 (way cheaper than a cab).

Next morning, I grabbed one of the few remaining Capital Bikeshare rigs around the corner — the bikes are popular — and headed across town for my seminar with the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council. Another great ride. I left the bike at Union Station’s Capital Bikeshare rack, which was nearby.

Find the bikes — get the app: Making use of Capital Bikeshare depends, of course, on finding the racks that hold the bikes (and hold them hard — they don’t budge until you pay). So, where are the racks? Hey, there's an app for that.

The return trip: You catch the MARC trains to BWI airport at D.C.’s Union Station. I was baffled by the ticket system. After too much puzzlement, I discovered I could buy a ticket from a machine and didn’t have to stand in the long Amtrak lines (the Amtrak counters will sell you a MARC ticket). As always, figure out in advance your train number and where to catch it. That can be tricky business in Union Station for those new to the place. New trains are announced by — per usual — a hard-to-understand loudspeaker, so head’s up. Once on the train, kick back for the ride to the station near BWI, clamber out and wait for the bus (the bus stop is poorly marked — just hang around and pay attention if you can’t find it). The shuttle drops you right where you began, at the doors of the Baltimore airport.

Get local knowledge: I discovered this alternative — the MARC trains — through a friend of a friend who lives in Baltimore. The local source knew all about it, told me where to catch the shuttle and explained the Amtrak vs. MARC fares. As travelers know well, local knowledge can’t be beat. Take advantage, when you can.

Scot Benton rear-ended by car

Guest Post by Scot Benton. Originally posted to his facebook page.

The 1st world is jammed with "make it or break it" moments. It's difficult however to fall completely out of contention for the big promised prize - remaining a participant in the Great American Dream. But there are times...

A cyclist's greatest fear is being hit from behind by a motorist. Staff in Emergency Rooms call bike/car accidents "human versus car." There is a very ugly term they use for cyclists getting hit from behind. They call it a "Death Warrant."

I have survived several close calls in my life - on and off the bike.... I was hit head-on by another cyclist who was riding the wrong way in a bike lane in pitch black conditions, in another crash, I went over a guard rail on my way down a descent, going slightly over 50... And then there was the time I was pitched over the handlebars by a giant speed bump in a bike lane on a federal highway, that was caused by a giant pine tree root growing under the pavement. That last mishap was the most frightening in that I saw the bump at the very last second, but I could not go around it because of a car coming up from behind at 60mph. And so, over the bump and over the handlebars I went, contorting myself in the air in order to stay to the right out of the path of the car... I managed. I am here to whine about it all. Still here, huddling every morning in my little 1st World cocoon, still privileged, albeit mentally tempered by my brushes with happenstance.

When one is "hit from behind" it raises flags amongst cyclists. Leaves people who hear about it happening wondering sitting in cubicles at career jobs they choose to ride to most of the time (and I am one of them) - wondering "should I buy a rear view mirror? Could this guy have prevented this rear-ending by having a little sliver of glass properly installed to his helmet? To his bike? Which is better?" wondering a million things, but then there is that something none of us like to address, ever - the slight terror of it all...

How does it happen that a motorist on a wide, uncrowded city street - a driver who later tells police he saw "bright flashing red lights" but somehow became confused by them - sees cyclists and runs into them anyway?

Ive had two weeks of recovering from this latest interaction, my first ever with a car, and all I can say is, I am terrified... I have avoided a billion car doors, cars passing me and abruptly turning right. You name it, it's happened - and I have come out with no more than a few scrapes and a wavering level of numbness. In spite of it all though, I have stayed and I remain, consistently positive. I stay to the right, let cars by - i recognize that drivers are out there to get places - i wave them past when I can see the lane is clear - I give the "universal thumbs up" - and I move forward...

But getting rear-ended when I was on the white line on the right side of the road, with a rechargeable rear light blasting away, this is completely a new emotion, again, slight terror.

I cant speak of the incident from direct memory, it rendered me quickly unconscious - I don't recall the minutes before nor after. I woke up in the emergency room surrounded by people in scrubs. I saw beyond the staff working on me, first my sister, my friend who had been riding behind me, and my mother. My head was swimming from the concussion and my head has continued to do so, to a lesser degree as time goes by, but even now it isn't quite right. Some of you are saying right now, "but was he ever quite right?".

Witnesses reported that our rear lights and headlights were extremely bright. My friend who was riding directly behind me was miraculously unharmed, but she found herself unable to hold back from speaking at the top of her lungs to the despondent driver who hit me - who exited his car and came to stare at me lying unconscious in a contorted position on the pavement. "To the extreme right" I was lying it is said.

Stories are supposed to be comprised of elements, even well-written personal/non fictional accounts, all I can think to say is that, even though I have a bruised neck and also a hairline fracture in a vertebrae in my neck - although I suffered massive bruising, to my back where my lower back took the right side mirror off the car, to my left calf, left knee, and to my hip - all of which are turning orange purple and blue now - in spite of all that, I am happy.

And certainly there is that shadow of helplessness, the fear of getting rear ended, but I will be back commuting and training as soon as the doctor gives me the ok. I will most likely rig up a way to ride with two taillights, and maybe some led lighting as well. But life goes on.

I wish I could make some statement against impaired drivers, against impaired people in general. But I am not certain of anything right now. I just feel very fortunate. Sometimes - hell, all the time when I am riding, 50 miles from any city, my meditative state takes me far far from the planet and I see myself as if from space as just one soul amongst billions and billions of people. That even happens to me sometimes as I ease slowly and carefully across town. I am just thankful to be here.

Thanks to my mother and the rest of my family spread out all over the planet, thanks to my best friend and to all the people who believe enough in the power of a bicycle to lay down their differences and just help - with Bicycle House. Thank you.

P.S. I should say that all of us who ride... We are ambassadors for commuting, for cycling. Any of you who know me are well aware that although I race as well as ride everywhere I go, when I am in town, I am amongst the most cautious of commuters. I trailer dogs around most of the time like to the grocery store, so I don't have to lock my bike! And I was once even a full-time bike messenger! I learned from people like Kyle Gates, Bernard Georges, and Chris Cooper, that slow and steady brings in the steady cash. So, remember folks! Be careful and realize people are watching you. Charging around town is dangerous and it makes bikers look - stupid and selfish! Ok, that last part was my rant for the day....

My Mini-Vacation in Alabama - Part Deux

Wednesday
Got the morning call from my buddy Shaun at the dealership. The parts supply truck out of Jacksonville comes every Mon-Fri without fail.

Except today. Don't know why, but Shaun suspects a breakdown.

Weezie has her own queen bed, and with her regular food in the truck, she's living off the Shoney's buffet next door. She is doing much better than I am. I am bored, my back hurts, I can't get any real work done. Late today my new best friend Shaun calls to say the loaner car had turned up and I can use it. I jump in it. It's a Chevy Cruize. This is not a bad little car. I enjoyed driving it. My sentences are getting shorter. After 48 hours at I65 exit 211, I do what all good Southerners do for a break from TV and go to Wallmart. A bag of carrots! Diet Coke sweetened with Splenda! Some more Tums and Excedrin! Sweet Home Alabama!

Thursday
My wise and exalted mentor and friend Shaun did not call ... at 10:55 (5 minutes before checkout time) I swallow pride and call him. He was going down his list of people to notify that parts have arrived - and would you believe, I was next on the list! My truck is "in the air"! Yahoo! Weezie and I celebrate by driving to a nearby lake and taking a long walk.Then we go and check out the new Love's truck stop for a while. There really is a LOT to do here, if you have wheels! And only a few more hours to kill! 3:30pm Central Time we have the trailer hitched up, fuel at Love's, and are on the road.

Thursday Night Special
Heading back to Tallahassee, I realize I am on the route Rod takes from Nashville to Donalsonville, GA, and it will be supper time when I pass through. We meet and catch up over Chalupas and Tecate at Old Mexico Inn in D'ville. I get a quick tour of his establishment. Then Weezie & I head out for TLH. Home about 10:00pm.

The Oath
(Hand on Knuth, vol 1): I will never, ever, travel by truck again without my laptop, so help me Donald.

Chris Lacher

My Mini-Vacation in Alabama

Mission: visit Mom in Athens, GA and pick up Kathy's Gravely in Florence, AL. 3 days/2 nights.

Saturday
Tallahassee to Athens to visit Mom. Stay w. Ellen.

Sunday

I had a nice drive from Athens to Florence. That's one of these "you can't get there from here" trips, at least not in a hurry. But it goes through areas I have not been in, except maybe once at night in the '62 beetle on the way to Suwannee TN. Near lookout mtn, through Mentone, the only place in Alabama where there is skiing (on snow). Florence is a nice place, I could see spending a few days there and enjoying the food and river scene. Muscle Shoals is both a sister city and a place in the river, the headwaters of Pickwick Lake, where Rod & I picked up the TenTom waterway on the way to Mobile on the Bertram.

Monday
Pick up the Gravely and trailer, looks great. Head down to Tallahassee. Stop at I65 rest area at MM 212. G2 will not crank! Clearly a fuel issue (what else, in a diesel). So I'm in an interstate rest area with a non-operating truck, trailer, gravely tractor, and a dog (Weezie). Hmm.

Call AAA. They can't help with the mechanical, but can tow. (The truck, but not the trailer. Also won't take the dog.) I find a GMC dealership one mile away at exit MM211! Have the truck towed there. Service people expect it and get started ASAP. Meanwhile, Weezie and I set up at a picnic table w. my ice chest, weezie's water bowl, a flashlight (in case...), weezies small binkie, and my jacket. I might look like a transient person, but I do my best immitation of a person who has it together and start watching for trucks coming through with an empty 2"x2" receiver on the back. I'm glad I trimmed my beard before leaving. I strike gold in about 45 minutes - a Dad driver who scoots to the restrfoom and a grown daughter who looks like a person who would like dogs. I approach with care not to scare (note: don't immitate a panhandler) and just come out with it: will you tow me, my dog and my trailer to the next exit,and then me and the dog to the one after that where there's a motel?

I learned somewhere along the way that people will do stuff if you just ask nicely and forthrightly. They did. (I have their contact info,they haven't heard the last of this.)

Tuesday
Now, the next morning, I have the news: the fuel line sprung a pinhole leak and was causing not enough pressure to the injection system. The entire fuel delivery system is corroded and needs replacing. (I know, this could be bogus, but it sounds right to me. G2 came with a lot of rust that had been covered up with new undercoating. I've already had to abate the entire rear half of the truck because if this.) Bottom line at this point: parts need to be ordered, I will be here until tomorrow.

Strange coincidence

I have stayed at the motel before - when I was on the way down from Nashville with newly acquired Van Diesel I spent the night here before going to see Dusty's folks in Montegomery the next morning.

The Trailer
I was worried about the trailer & tractor parked out at the dealership last night. My phone pal Shaun (service manager, will meet tomorrow) confirmed it was still there this morning. He will pull it inside tonight.

There was a Plan B
Kathy called Dusty (in CA) who called his brother David (in AL) who called a friend Steve who lives near here in Clanton. They were ready to mobilize a help mission to the rest area if I had no luck getting hitched up. Steve has called a couple more times to be sure I was OK. Great job, family and Alabama.

Lessons

• The cell phone with Web services helped figure out my options from the rest area, in particular locating the dealership and it's phone number.
• I should have brought the laptop even though I was not planning to use it. Stuck here for 48 hours I would have been more productive.
• Need to put a wall plugin mini-usb charger in the emergency kit. (The car charger doesn't work without a car attached.)
• Mostly our kit was adequate: jacket, stocking cap, rain gear, dog binkie, dog water dish, flashlight all used,

Tomorrow (Wed)
Expect to be back on the road no later than 5:00pm central time.