Did anyone commute to the starting point last year using GO trains?
I just checked GO's schedule for weekends travelling from Burlington... unfortunately, the first train on weekends stops @ Exhibition Grounds @ 8:00 am making it difficult to arrive & get acquainted before the opening ceremonies @ 8:00
I wonder whether the Go Train will have some extra runs earlier in the morning on the 12th? This would certainly alleviate quite a bit of vehicle congestion.
I got there around 6:30am last year, and was early - it gave me plenty of time. There were other people there, and it gave me some time to relax, get my overnight bag on a truck.
They also had a maintenance area to ensure you had no bike issues - i got my tires filled up, and filled up my water bottles, had some food, hit the washroom, and then got a place near the front before heading out.
How late can you get to the start (a) if you come by bike or with your bike that morning and (b) if you have to pick the bike out of the coral if you left it on the Friday?
Last year we got there around 715 am, but had already eaten breakfast. We grab our bikes out of the overnight area and were at the back back back of the pack. Do not think we started riding until about 845 am??? It took a while for the 3000 riders a head of us to get going. Also, did not get to see/hear much of the opening since we were that far back. Not complaining, just explaining! We actually like riding when it is a bit less congested.
Best time savers, in my opinion - eat at home or before you arrive to avoid having to get to the food area and get in line etc - fill your water bottles beforehand, it is always chaos of everyone trying to get bottles filled at the pumping stations...and you usually end up getting soak as people are just getting used to the pumps - have your bike ready to go, whether you drop it off the night before or bring it the morning of - do the on line registration before the 31st so you get your package mailed to you and do not have to line up EARLY
In my opinion if you were just arriving on the GO at 8 am and only had your bike you would still be there before the last riders left, you would just have to be prepared to be at the back. You would still need to get your gear bag on the truck if you had one.
This is my first year and i'm wondering What about if you are getting a ride? can you get IN through the main gates? My support gals would like to see the opening ceremonies as well and then follow the ride along (after everyone has left of course) by car. Now i'm questioning where they would park?
The R2CC help desk advised there's day parking many lots on CNE grounds so I'm driving and parking @ one of the parking lots (for a fee) We're to congregate @ the Direct Energy Centre... I'm not sure about entry through the main gates. It probably all depends on the arrival time ... the earlier the better chances of parking closer to the main departure point.
Hi - to answer your question about entering through the main gates - it's not likely. I volunteered last year & if I remember correctly, it is blocked but there is staff/volunteers who do traffic control and will direct you to the nearest entrance. This event runs like a well-oiled machine & they normally have all the bases covered. And as Bykrunski said, there is lots of onsite day parking; your friends shouldn't have any trouble finding a spot.
Last year the Princes' Gates was the official start and site of the opening ceremony. They were not open to any traffic. From the unofficial fly-overs of the course I'd assume that the east-end entrances (Princes and Newfoundland) will not be open. The best approach is from the west side: Dufferin, British Columiba and Ontario Streets.
Herbie wrote:
Hi - to answer your question about entering through the main gates - it's not likely. I volunteered last year & if I remember correctly, it is blocked but there is staff/volunteers who do traffic control and will direct you to the nearest entrance. This event runs like a well-oiled machine & they normally have all the bases covered. And as Bykrunski said, there is lots of onsite day parking; your friends shouldn't have any trouble finding a spot.
