Modern Buddy

So, while I am still on track to be at Amerivespa, my route has changed and my planned riding partner still doesn't have her scooter running and titled... or even a permit. That being said I have been trying to find ways to maximize the funds while still having a good time.

My question is this: what other hotels other than the host hotel have decent rates but are fairly close by that riders have found. I am sure the main hotel is very nice, but $150 a night for someplace to store gear, pass out for a few hours and repeat while I am out on a rally seems a bit much. I mean, I won't be there long enough to enjoy the amenities since I have a whole rally to attend! A few other friends expressed interest, but only one of those lot even has a bike, so cost splitting isn't an option since I will be rooming solo.[/quote]

anthony wrote:https://www.couchsurfing.org/

I don't think I am looking to go that route per se. Just seeing what rates others have found in the area. It just happens to fall in the off season in my industry and I am taking a week off work to do the rally. But that is an interesting website

Dude just Motel 6 it as your mainly just looking for a resting place then get up early and ride to the rally... Think of it as camping except your in a hotel.

If I manage to go I plan to camp unless someone wants to let me sleep on the floor

Might want to try asking the SD folks: http://www.meetup.com/sd-scooters/

You really want to do a ride like that with a new rider?

ericalm wrote:Might want to try asking the SD folks: http://www.meetup.com/sd-scooters/

You really want to do a ride like that with a new rider?

No, I did not.... and I have been hoping she would bail out of safety. She seems to think that riding a vintage scooter hundreds of miles isn't physically more taxing than most sports. I think I may just pull the motel 6 route as long as its not too far from the action

post-cannonball, we stayed at America's Best Value (Padre Trail Inn). It's right across from Old Town, and is only a 2 mile ride from the Town & Country. Hotels.com shows them right now at $107 a night. Still a little pricey, but somewhat better. It was pretty clean, I had no problems with it.

Also check Hostels.com, there are a few downtown in the $25-$40 range. Another option, but they might be more strict about people coming in late at night.

at least some of us Tucson folks will be staying in the Extended Stay America. It's exactly 1 mile from the Town and Country and is $100/night. Not bad if you can find a room mate. One thing I found while looking at San Diego hotels is that many of them charge from $8 to $12 a day for parking (even if you're a guest) Extended Stay has free parking.

Howard

Maybe I'll see you there

Howardr wrote:at least some of us Tucson folks will be staying in the Extended Stay America. It's exactly 1 mile from the Town and Country and is $100/night. Not bad if you can find a room mate. One thing I found while looking at San Diego hotels is that many of them charge from $8 to $12 a day for parking (even if you're a guest) Extended Stay has free parking.

Howard

Maybe I'll see you there

Well, there have been some *major* health concerns that have cropped up that may cause issue with the plan, but I am trying my best to make sure everything is in line to get there. So far, it seems most of the folks from the Phoenix Scooter Club would rather trailer out the bikes than to ride them (it's only a 1 day trip!). As for hotels, it seems with a little research that the average hotel price is 23% higher than last year, and while I've found some slightly better deals, I am still looking at $400 for the weekend just in lodging. Add in travel expenses, inevitable swag purchases and food/drink and you're looking at anywhere from $600-$800 for the trip. Factor in that I am also losing a week of work and that makes for another $500 to $800 hit to our household budget. That may not be a lot to some folks, but with recent expenses coming up that kind of hits us hard. So, we shall see.

neotrotsky wrote: Well, there have been some *major* health concerns that have cropped up that may cause issue with the plan, but I am trying my best to make sure everything is in line to get there. So far, it seems most of the folks from the Phoenix Scooter Club would rather trailer out the bikes than to ride them (it's only a 1 day trip!). As for hotels, it seems with a little research that the average hotel price is 23% higher than last year, and while I've found some slightly better deals, I am still looking at $400 for the weekend just in lodging. Add in travel expenses, inevitable swag purchases and food/drink and you're looking at anywhere from $600-$800 for the trip. Factor in that I am also losing a week of work and that makes for another $500 to $800 hit to our household budget. That may not be a lot to some folks, but with recent expenses coming up that kind of hits us hard. So, we shall see.

I understand the budget "hit" very well. I, too, will be guilty of not riding the scoot, but it's not because I'm worried about the ride. After Amerivespa, my wife (who doesn't ride) will be putting the scoot back in my van and heading up Highway #1 for a few extra days of sight-seeing.

Howard

Heck, the 250 or so miles from LA to SD this weekend killed my butt and back!

ericalm wrote:Heck, the 250 or so miles from LA to SD this weekend killed my butt and back!

I wouldn't be doing a ride like that without a little training up. Already have done phoenix to Prescott valley and back twice this year, and next month has some time off to perhaps try Tucson and back. The agility isn't the smoothest ride but quite easy to work on and holds speed well. The problem is that my health may be degrading before Amerivespa... we have already notice issues and won't know more until I can come up with about another $10k for more tests and such (no insurance). So, every week is proving more and more that perhaps cost alone may not be the sole factor keeping me from San Deigo

neotrotsky wrote:

ericalm wrote:Heck, the 250 or so miles from LA to SD this weekend killed my butt and back!

I wouldn't be doing a ride like that without a little training up. Already have done phoenix to Prescott valley and back twice this year, and next month has some time off to perhaps try Tucson and back. The agility isn't the smoothest ride but quite easy to work on and holds speed well. The problem is that my health may be degrading before Amerivespa... we have already notice issues and won't know more until I can come up with about another $10k for more tests and such (no insurance). So, every week is proving more and more that perhaps cost alone may not be the sole factor keeping me from San Deigo

Good grief, sorry to hear.