Posted June 29, 201113 yr I've been thinking about start a RTA Bar Crawl to promote living in Cleveland proper, using public transit and somehow benefit a charity. But first I thought I should have a trial RTA day. That was this: http://mildlyrelevantthoughts.com/2011/06/rta-day-and-the-ensuing-bar-crawl/ After talking with some fellow Clevelanders, I'm confident an RTA bar crawl would be successful. We're still in the early stages, but I wanted to start a thread just to garner interest. I sent out a potential route to a brewery blogger for feedback and I have a graphic designer creating a flier and map. Still looking for suggestion on a charity in Cleveland. My thought is something that people can see the benefits immediately. Thoughts? Looking at having this sometime in August. Let me know if you have any questions! Cheers, Joe
June 29, 201113 yr Love the transit pub crawl idea. Can't wait to see the itinerary. Thanks! I'll be posting updates on here. Still need thoughts on a charity. Is there a group that pays for RTA passes for low-income folks?
June 30, 201113 yr I'm down. And I can bring plenty of drunks. Great! Have a charity in mind? You're Little Italy, right? That was on my "proposed" route. Unfortunately not every neighborhood is connected very well on the weekend, but I think it'll be fun!
June 30, 201113 yr This is an awesome idea, I am totally down Thanks! I have a suggested route and working on a date. Sometime in August!
June 30, 201113 yr I'm down. And I can bring plenty of drunks. Great! Have a charity in mind? You're Little Italy, right? That was on my "proposed" route. Unfortunately not every neighborhood is connected very well on the weekend, but I think it'll be fun! Yep. And I can help with any proposed University Circle/Little Italy places (and route ideas). Let me know.
June 30, 201113 yr I don't live downtown so I guess I won't participate, but what if the $ went to the DCA?
June 30, 201113 yr How about All Aboard Ohio as a sponsor of the event? www.allaboardohio.org We're a nonprofit that promotes transit use for economy, fun and safety -- all three are represented with a possible "Rails and Ales" event! We might be able to get a volume discount on Day Passes, but we'd also like to raise some funds for All Aboard Ohio's transit advocacy efforts too. Any suggestions? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 30, 201113 yr ^Just be careful with the name- that one sounds an awful lot like the "Ales on Rails" that the CVSR hosts.
June 30, 201113 yr ^Just be careful with the name- that one sounds an awful lot like the "Ales on Rails" that the CVSR hosts. A number of tourist railroads nationwide have Ales on Rails events, not just CVSR. But there is a need to differentiate from what CVSR does. So if anyone has another suggested name, I'm all for it! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 30, 201113 yr What about a graphic using Pub both vertically and horizontally? PUBlic Transit/PUB Crawl
July 3, 201113 yr Apologies for the late reply! I stopped receiving notifications for some reason... Anywho! Here's the route I had in mind. The main neighborhoods it passes up on are Tremont and Collinwood. But unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a great way to get there via RTA on a Saturday. So here we go! Start at Kamm's Corner. Take 86 bus to the Westpark Station, Red Line to W65th station and walk up to D-Shoreway. (36 minutes) 26 bus to W. 25th, walk down to Ohio City. (16 minutes) Take 81/35/22/Red Line to E. 4th. (10/10/14 or 14 minutes) Waterfront Line to Shaker Square (20 minutes) Walk to Larchmere (5 minutes) 48/48A bus to Adelbert and Murray Hill (13 minutes) Walk to University Circle Red Line back to start Thoughts? Thoughts on number of bars per neighborhood? I would also like 1-2 people at the start of the group and 1-2 people at the back of the group with smart phones, so they can keep an eye on upcoming buses/trains. Nothing's set in stone, but this just seemed to be the most efficient and make the most sense. Also looking at the last weekend of August, Saturday the 27th. Cheers! Joe
July 3, 201113 yr Good first plan. My first thought is I would recommend making it a little more simple. Minimize the chance of people getting left behind or allow them to easily catch up. This means we may have to cut back some of the stops. My suggestion (actually reverse order to yours): 1) University Circle/Little Italy 2) Shaker Square/Larchmere 3) Downtown 4) Ohio City We may want to create a facebook page similar to Cleveland Critical Mass. We could update in real time where the group is at that point, so people could catch up...or simply create a schedule or two hour blocks each for area. Secondly, letting RTA know might have some benefit.
July 3, 201113 yr Just to be clear the "Waterfront Line" is only used to describe the track leading west out of Tower City and to the waterfront area. Going between Shaker and Downtown(Tower City) you'd say you're taking the Green Line or Blue Line.
July 3, 201113 yr Good first plan. My first thought is I would recommend making it a little more simple. Minimize the chance of people getting left behind or allow them to easily catch up. This means we may have to cut back some of the stops. My suggestion (actually reverse order to yours): 1) University Circle/Little Italy 2) Shaker Square/Larchmere 3) Downtown 4) Ohio City We may want to create a facebook page similar to Cleveland Critical Mass. We could update in real time where the group is at that point, so people could catch up...or simply create a schedule or two hour blocks each for area. Secondly, letting RTA know might have some benefit. Is there a spot for general parking at University Circle? I'm only familiar with various museum lots. If we nixed Kamms Corner, Ohio City has that parking lot by Great Lakes with plenty of street parking available and might make a good starting point. But now I'm thinking that perhaps Ohio City would be the most "happening" spot to end the night. I guess it depends how many will stay out drinking or call it quits as soon as we get to the end. If so, thought it might make sense to include a coffee place at the end, for folks looking to sober up. Just a thought. Creating the FB page now... I planned on sending updates with my phone throughout and hoped others would, too. I've been in touch with RTA. They can't get involved officially. But I'm in touch with someone who works with city council who said he knows someone that might be able to help with RTA if we get a big enough following.
July 3, 201113 yr CLEjoe, The 86 isn't a very direct route and doesn't run so late on Saturdays -- only to 7 p.m. A better service is the 75 which runs all night and goes straight from Kamm's to the West Park station via Lorain.... http://www.riderta.com/pdf/75.pdf The 81 route goes through Tremont and runs 24 hours. Admittedly it is hourly, but you've suggested hourly bus routes elsewhere. You might consider the 26 from the West Boulevard station to Gordon Square, or the 20/22/35/81 from the 26 to the Market District of Ohio City. Chances are one of those buses will show up in a few minutes of waiting at Detroit/W25th. BTW, about 10 years ago, I co-wrote a guidebook called Car Free in Cleveland. The section I wrote was on how to get to/from the city's major attractions, schools, shopping centers and various neighborhoods, as well as to surrounding cities big and small. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 3, 201113 yr Thanks for the info! I used google maps to get times on all routes. I remember thinking 86 didn't look direct, but it said it was slightly faster than using Lorain for some reason. I did a search of Ohio city to Tremont on a Saturday and it didn't look like there were any convenient routes. I think I noticed that the 81 is a convenient route on the weekday, but google maps didn't suggest it on my hypothetical Saturday test. I'm on my phone now, but will do more searching later!
July 3, 201113 yr But now I'm thinking that perhaps Ohio City would be the most "happening" spot to end the night. I guess it depends how many will stay out drinking or call it quits as soon as we get to the end. If so, thought it might make sense to include a coffee place at the end, for folks looking to sober up. Just a thought. That was my rationale for the reverse. Ohio City is more happening at night, and seems like a more logical and central ending point. University Circle and Shaker Square are more happening by the day/evening.
July 3, 201113 yr I did a search of Ohio city to Tremont on a Saturday and it didn't look like there were any convenient routes. I think I noticed that the 81 is a convenient route on the weekday, but google maps didn't suggest it on my hypothetical Saturday test. The 81 takes a more direct route through Tremont after 7-8 p.m. weekdays and after about 10-11 p.m. weekends so its departures probably won't show at some Tremont stops after that time. I am more old-fashioned, so I resort to using the actual RTA timetables.... http://www.riderta.com/pdf/81.pdf "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 4, 201113 yr That would explain why I didn't see it. I did my search earlier in the day to Tremont, not at night. I think I'm going to be going with Murray Hill's reverse route, cutting Kamms. I like the idea of starting small. If it's successful, we can either include more 'hoods or focus on other areas. Did we all join the Facebook group? Should be getting a design for the event tomorrow. Perhaps I can post a flier on here that you all can spread around your respective neighborhoods?
July 5, 201113 yr Include bikes and you might receive more interest. I didn't originally include bikes, because there's already the amazing Cleveland Critical Mass and you can't drink and bike anymore than you can drink and drive. I think CCM already shows off how accessible Cleveland is via bike. I hope the RTA Bar Crawl shows how accessible Cleveland is with nothing other than RTA and your own two feet! I was, of course, planning on posting at CCM and inviting them for the "ride."
July 7, 201113 yr I really want to do this! I've done the rapid, but never the bus. I'll have to remember to sign up for the FB group and see what happens.
July 7, 201113 yr I really want to do this! I've done the rapid, but never the bus. I'll have to remember to sign up for the FB group and see what happens. Absolutely! The more the merrier.
July 20, 201113 yr So if anyone has another suggested name, I'm all for it! Not a name, but a slogan: Grab a brew or two On the Waterfront, Red, Green, and Blue
July 20, 201113 yr So if anyone has another suggested name, I'm all for it! Not a name, but a slogan: Grab a brew or two On the Waterfront, Red, Green, and Blue Hahah nice
July 20, 201113 yr I think I follow one of you on twitter, I saw someone I follow tweeted about this earlier today.
July 20, 201113 yr I think I follow one of you on twitter, I saw someone I follow tweeted about this earlier today. Probably me!...? @MildlyRelevant
July 20, 201113 yr So if anyone has another suggested name, I'm all for it! Not a name, but a slogan: Grab a brew or two On the Waterfront, Red, Green, and Blue "No DUI on RTA" "Beer. Rapid. Home. Safe." Or "Get RTA'ed" "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 20, 201113 yr RSVP to the RTA Bar Crawl! https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169904673079779 Let's do this!
July 21, 201113 yr Could someone send me the info on this in a PM because I recently deleted FB. Thanks!
July 21, 201113 yr Done! Suggestion - why not update this thread with all the crawl information as there may be others interested in attending that dont use FB/twitter or other social media platforms.
July 22, 201113 yr You got it, Dude! Info on Facebook: RTA Bar Crawl is an upcoming drinking/public transportation event taking place in Cleveland proper. The goal is to show people that getting around Cleveland without a car is easy, safe and a whole lot more fun than driving around the 'burbs, making sure you have a designated driver. Saturday, August 27, 2011 Meet at West Side Market in Ohio City W.25TH, walk to Red line Rapid stop (1:00 PM) University Circle/Little Italy via Red Line Rapid (1:30-4:00 PM) Larchmere/Shaker Square via 48/48A Bus (4:30-6:15 PM) E.4th Street/Downtown via Blue Line or Green Line (6:45-7:45 PM) Return to Ohio City/W.25th for final destination via Red Line (8:00 PM – close) *Times (except the starting time) are approximate Watch for the bar location and charity announcements coming soon!
July 22, 201113 yr Where will you meet in West Side Market. It's a pretty big place! How about at the stairwell to the bathrooms at the corner of Lorain and West 25th? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 22, 201113 yr We planned on the corner of W. 25th and Lorain. I'll make it more clear when I get back to a computer. I've been in touch with RTA since I first stumbled across the idea and they love it. I've chatted with them via Twitter and email. They just can't officially endorse it, because they're funded by tax dollars. Cheers! Joe
July 22, 201113 yr You might want to pick an actual location. Great Lakes, Bier Market, and the new Market Beer garden are all right there..along with Garage, Dragon Fly, Velvet Tango Room and the Olde Angle not to far off. Also note...Saturday is a Market Day and that whole area will be a zoo, anybody thinking of driving there to start their day will need a Plan "B"...especially at 12-1 PM. I might or might not be able to convince the wife to get on board with this one. But there is a very straightforward rout that would serve as a stupendous bar crawl. The 26 Bus Down Detroit. It probably passes more than 40 bars/bar restaurants between the Swinging door saloon in Rocky River (and the RTA Transit Center in river is not very far from the Rocky River Brewing company) and Scorchers at e 12th St. It Runs every 20 minutes during Peak times and 30 minutes off peak. It also runs 24 hours a day. The 25 down Madison might be slightly better for bars, but it doesn't have the "strength of schedule" Detroit Rd in just Lakewood has more than enough bars for a pub crawl all its own. Starting at Around the corner and ending at brothers lounge. My unscientific survey counts about 20 possible stops. No walking, no changing modes of transport...just get the next 26.
July 22, 201113 yr Thanks for the feedback. But the goal with this crawl was to include various public transit options that many suburbanites haven't used, most notably the Rapid. We also want to keep this crawl in Cleveland proper to show young professionals the benefits of living Cleveland proper while showing off multiple neighborhoods in the city limits. We'll also be getting off the Rapid stop in University Circle to show off the constriction going on to folks who are unfamiliar with the latest happenings. We have bars on board and are in talks with others that we'll slowly be revealing over the next month along with the charity that will benefit. Let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers, Joe
July 22, 201113 yr very kewl. Obviously people can come and go at will, but 1 pm - 2 am is an unsustainable pub crawl. (6 at the earliest) 8- midnight (2 am at the latest) with the "organized" part of the crawl being from 8-midnight works best in my opinion (backed by extensive experience). Plus you are going to have issues with people eating...It is hard enough to get drinks for 20 people all at the same time, let alone having everybody try to order food at the same time. (unless you have something arranged) You might want to call it something more like Urban RTAdventure ( with Beer) or Explore Cleveland without an vehicle (with Beer). Or make it More like a "poker run" that people do on Motorcycles except you need to use public transportation. Now that would be pretty cool in my opinion. Maybe idea/event #2... or a scavenger hunt Hey Jerry feel free to steal that Idea.....could team up with some charity. $50 bux gets you a number (like in a 5k) an all day bus pass and 5-10 locations like say the Art Museum, shaker square, little italy, R & R HOF, Gordon Square, the Airport...... I was actually on a plane with somebody coming back from vegas who missed their flight to vegas because of snow, and she lives 100 yards from shaker square and did not even think of getting on the train that was running perfectly fine and was how I got to the airport. Scavenger hunt...everybody completing it gets put in the Hopper for the "grand prize" Flat screen/new shoes/ and a years supply of monthly RTA passes. Money goes to Coats for Kids or a scholarship fund or some other worthy charity. Heck just go propose that idea to some charity, that way you aren't actually "involved". I go to a lot of charity events...gain a lot of weight eating and drinking for others, give back while losing a few lbs and doing something more engaging than writing something down on a silent auction page, but not as strenuous as a 1/2 marathon. [EDIT] Talk to the Conways at Great Lakes Brewing Company they also run the Burning River festival, big on the environment/sustainability could be a perfect tie in.
Create an account or sign in to comment