Public Transit Weekend

for OCIN’s Flying Pig Weekend

April 3-5, 2009

 

Introduction:  OCIN has scheduled all events conveniently close to public transit.  And the city of Cincinnati has an excellent bus system that runs all weekend, including Sundays.

            So make this weekend an easy, cheap, different weekend...and learn to enjoy public transit and Cincinnati at the same time.   Don’t bring your car to Cincinnati - use public transit instead, and avoid adding to Global Warming.  All meets this weekend are located centrally, making transit a very feasible method to go and come on your own schedule.

            Therefore don’t be forced to live to others’ schedules this weekend  --  use public transit, and become independent!  Go and come whenever you please, to suit your own start times.

 

Pre-planning:

1.  Go to http://www.go-metro.com/maps.html and download the system map, and then to http://www.go-metro.com/schedules.html to download the schedules for Buses #18, #19, and #39 and print pertinent sections for your use.

 

2.  All fares are multiples of 25¢, usually $1.50, with a 90 minute transfer for another 25¢.  So get a roll of quarters, since you must have exact change when you get on the bus.   Taking a bus is different than driving; you MUST BE ON TIME, since you have to wait a long time if you miss your planned bus.  It is better to get to your bus stop 5-10 minutes early, than risk missing your bus.

 

3. Get a daypack stocked with a good book, a couple of sudokus to pass the time, a water bottle,  a couple of energy bars, your cell phone, a light jacket, your transit info, and a dry shirt to change into after your run.  Don’t necessarily bring a lot of money since you won’t have a car to lock your things in while you’re orienteering...you might even consider leaving your wallet back at the hotel since you won’t need a driver’s license, credit cards or ID to ride the bus.  And wear your orienteering clothes when you leave the hotel; you may not have a convenient place to change.  If you look a bit eccentric on the bus, so much the better...you’ll fit right in.

 

4.  Read up on Cincinnati.  It is a very old and cultured city.  One of the benefits of not having a car this weekend is that you’ll never have to worry about parking...or getting a dui citation!  You’ll be right downtown, and there are many attractions to walk to during your off-hours.  Find movies you’ve wanted to see, plays or sporting events within walking distance.  Mt Adams hovers above the downtown, and is an interesting area to explore...full of restaurants and clubs on its small, winding streets.  Pete Rose Way along the Riverfront is a nice walk, and leads to the Purple People Bridge, which is for pedestrians only and crosses the Ohio River to active Newport, Ky.  Once in Newport, there are numerous small restaurants and clubs, not to mention the unique Hofbrau House <http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/> a very authentic German beer hall with huge steins, wursts and an umpah band.

 

5.  Make hotel reservations.  Some options near your public transit routes include any of the hotels listed on the OCIN event Lodging section for Downtown Cincinnati.  Or you could select those in Newport, Kentucky, and walk across the Purple People Bridge each day to catch your bus at Fountain (Government) Square on Fifth Street...about a mile walk.  In any case, use your downloaded transit map (page 15 - Downtown) and locator maps on the individual hotel websites to get an accurate measure of distances you’ll be walking.

 

6.  Arrange travel to Cincinnati from your home.  For most, this means flying into Cincinnati International Airport (CVG).  Amtrak has only one train a day, arriving in the wee hours from either the east or the west.  But traveling by Greyhound bus http://www.greyhound.com/home/ is an interesting and lower-cost option.  For instance, there are a couple Greyhound buses from Indianapolis each day, and the fare is $15 for the two-hour ride...hard to find a flight for that price.  From Cleveland the fare is $41 and about 5 hours...not too much more time than you’d probably spend flying, when you consider the time going through security, coming in from a distant airport, and possible flight delays.  Also keep in mind that the Cincinnati Greyhound depot is only a mile or so from Government Square and can be easily walked.

 

7.  If you do fly, you should arrange transit from/to the Airport, which is actually in Kentucky.  Go to http://www.tankbus.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xa8qG5EFirE%3d&tabid=72 to download the Airport Express (Bus #2X) schedule.  Then go to http://www.tankbus.org/ to download a transit map for the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK).  The #2X bus picks up at several points at the airport, and runs to downtown Cincinnati (Fountain Square) in about 30 minutes.  It costs $1.50 and runs every 45 - 60 minutes on weekdays, and at 75 minute intervals or more on Sunday.  It is a few minutes walk east on 5th street from the TANK bus stop near Fountain Square to the Queen City Metro stops at Government Square.  So once you know your outbound flight time, you should back in enough time to determine the appropriate bus, then make sure your Sunday activities allow you to get to the bus stop on time.

 

 

Hotels:  Some options near your public transit routes include any of the hotels listed on the OCIN event Lodging section for Downtown Cincinnati.  Or you could select those in Newport, Kentucky, and walk across the Purple People Bridge each day to catch your bus...about a mile walk.  In any case, use your downloaded transit map (page 15 - Downtown) and locator maps on the individual hotel websites to get an accurate measure of distances you’ll be walking.

 

Cincinnati Airport:  The Airport is actually in Kentucky.  Take airport bus to your hotel.  Check with hotel at the time you make your reservation for the easiest method to travel from/to the airport. 

 

Cincinnati’s bus stops (other than Government Square) are simply marked with a red stripe on a phone pole or sign post.  Print your route and schedule information in advance because you will not find routes and schedules at most bus stops.

 

  

 

Event Schedule:

Friday afternoon:  Middle distance event, Mt Airy Forest, SW area.  Starts: 3-5pm

Take Bus #39 “Western Hills Upland” from downtown; buses leave Government Square at 5th and Walnut at 1:30pm or 2:15pm and travel north on Main St, one block east of Walnut.  The trip will take about 40 minutes, and you’ll get off at Westwood Northern Blvd as the #39 bus travels west on Montana Av.

            Walk northwest on Westwood Northern Blvd (about 1 mile), following OCIN’s Locator map, to turn right into the park.  Follow O signs to packet pick-up and Registration at Maple Ridge Lodge.

            On the return to downtown, the #39 bus passes your stop at about 5:30 or 6pm, getting you back downtown in time for dinner and a movie, or just relaxing in your hotel.  Or stay for the OCIN dinner and silent auction at Maple Ridge Lodge at 6:30 and take a later bus at 7:50 or 8:45pm.

 

Saturday morning:  Sprints at Burnet Woods; Starts: 9 - 10am

This is a 3-transit challenge today...but Cincinnati’s transit system and OCIN’s good weekend planning make it easy and fun.

            Take #39 bus again, which leaves Government Square at 7:50am.  If you expect to have a fast sprint, consider paying another 25¢ for a bus transfer, which is good for 90 minutes, and will save you from paying a second $1.50 fare this morning.  Remember to use the Saturday part of the schedule; buses only run hourly on Saturday, so it is important to get to the bus stop on time.  Ride this time for about 30 minutes, to get off on Clifton Av at the north end of Burnet Woods.  Ask the driver to alert you when to get off.  Walk east on Jefferson Av to turn right into the park to the Nature Center.  Use Burnet Woods OCIN Locator map for assistance.

 

Saturday afternoon:  US Relay Championships, Mt Airy Forest, NE area.  Mass start: 2pm

Once you have finished your run at Burnet Woods, walk back to Clifton Av to catch either the #18 or #19 buses as they go further out to run NW on Colerain Av.  Although these buses only run hourly on Saturday, either bus will take you to Mt Airy Forest, so you’ll not have to wait more than 30 minutes at the same bus stop you previously used on Clifton.  While you wait, you might have lunch; I recall a reasonable lunch place on Clifton, across from Burnet Woods.

            Get off either #18 or #19 bus at the northern entrance to Mt Airy Forest; again use the transit and OCIN Locator maps to navigate to the start area.  On your return, both #18 and #19 run back into downtown on Walnut, right to Government Square.

 

Sunday:   Long Pig at Mt Airy Forest.  9-11am starts.

Make arrangements for the front desk at the hotel to hold your bags, and catch the #18 bus back out to Mt Airy Forest.  The first bus leaves Government Square on 5th St at 8:20 and will get you to Mt Airy about 9am.   Use O signs and Locator map to find the start, which is different than yesterday.   Remember to use the Sunday portion of the bus schedules today; buses run less frequently, so again, it is important to plan ahead and arrive at bus stop on time.

            After your run, catch either #18 or #19 back downtown.  Take advantage of any time you might have to consider visiting Mt Adams, if you haven’t already.  Then take the Airport Shuttle out in time for your flight...and enjoy your last views of the Queen City as you fly home....comfortable in the fact that your right foot didn’t press any carbon into the environment this weekend.  And please give me a call with any comments or suggestions, so we can make these transit directions even more useful in the future.

 

 

Good luck,

   Clark Maxfield

   (773) 477-0987

 

Links

 

Flying Pig XIII Entry Information

Entry Form (printable version)

Location Maps

Lodging Information

Course and Map Notes

Start List / List of Entrants

USOF Membership Form

How to Use Electronic Punching

Flying Pigs Main Page

OCIN Schedule Page

OCIN Home

 

updated 11:40 AM 3/18/2009