The 2015 meet calendar is filling up, so I'd better claim the date now! The meetup location is Babe's on N. Genesee St at noon. It focuses on the construction of the viaduct and Court St interchange on the north-south arterial and includes many sites in the area.
The main tour includes the arterial construction, a couple abandoned bridges, the marcy-SUNY IT Parkway, clinches of NY 825 and NY 840, and more.
Main tour notes: http://nysroads.com/files/utrm15.pdf
There is also the possibility, depending on interest, of either a morning or evening tour featuring Herkimer County, including the Moss Road bridge over the canal, an old NY 5 bridge, a clinch of NY 171, the NY 5S freeway, and more. This tour would be hosted by Mark Sinsabaugh.
RSVP here or on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/404859499677782/
considering that I'm at my road meet cap, I won't be at this one.
Babe's... is that the place with the old embossed NY 87 shield on the wall? It sounds familiar.
At any rate, due to relative proximity to home my attendance is likely. Not for any morning extracurriculars, though, since it's a day trip.
Am interested. Will depend on ride.
Quote from: Duke87 on December 30, 2014, 01:53:33 PM
Babe's... is that the place with the old embossed NY 87 shield on the wall? It sounds familiar.
At any rate, due to relative proximity to home my attendance is likely. Not for any morning extracurriculars, though, since it's a day trip.
Indeed, Babe's was the site of the last Utica meet.
I have a reasonable shot at attending, though the lack of steamed hams is discouraging. Mmm, steamed hams.
I am, presumably, in. But it depends on my finals workload (well, it is senior spring...)
I've updated the OP to include the full tour information and a link to the Facebook page.
Wish I could go but will be in Dayton, OH for a toy show that weekend. Will be there in spirit :-)
Eh, this is close enough to home. Maybe.
Ooh, I'd like to do this. I'm a maybe for now, though, since this will also be near my finals time (and is outside of MD and adjacent states).
Doubt I can make this for reasons similar to Laura. Hard to break away for a day during the semester....it's also a 5 hour one-way trip from here.
If I'm not busy with finals maybe I'll drop in... What happens at a road meet?
Quote from: Buffaboy on January 10, 2015, 11:43:28 PM
If I'm not busy with finals maybe I'll drop in... What happens at a road meet?
*pulls out a Card Against Humanity*
Harry Potter erotica. That is what happens at a road meet.
Specifically, Hermione/Bellatrix slash where we find out what REALLY happened when they were captured in book 7.
Quote from: Buffaboy on January 10, 2015, 11:43:28 PM
If I'm not busy with finals maybe I'll drop in... What happens at a road meet?
I actually keep old meet notes for the ones I host on my website. Here's last year's Corning/Elmira meet: http://www.nysroads.com/corn14.php
The Harry Potter erotica, however, stays only in our minds ;)
Quote from: vdeane on January 11, 2015, 02:10:55 PM
Specifically, Hermione/Bellatrix slash where we find out what REALLY happened when they were captured in book 7.
Quote
The Harry Potter erotica, however, stays only in our minds ;)
You know... that usually means "not typed out"
I hate to break up a lovely thread of Harry Potter erotica, but the tour notes for the main tour should be ready to post online in the next couple of days.
Quote from: vdeane on March 30, 2015, 08:56:11 PM
I hate to break up a lovely thread of Harry Potter erotica, but the tour notes for the main tour should be ready to post online in the next couple of days.
Then let us continue to discuss it until you're ready.
The tour notes for the main tour are here: http://nysroads.com/files/utrm15.pdf
"Schuyler Street has the Conrail Railroad line running right through the center of the street"
Protip: despite their name persisting on all sorts of signage, Conrail has not existed since 1999. That line is operated by CSX today.
I guess we can now start an "Incorrect Rail Lines on Google Maps" thread.
Quote from: Duke87 on March 31, 2015, 08:27:28 PM
"Schuyler Street has the Conrail Railroad line running right through the center of the street"
Protip: despite their name persisting on all sorts of signage, Conrail has not existed since 1999. That line is operated by CSX today.
That's odd, because one of our projects include Conrail lines and we have coordinated with both CSX and Norfolk Southern. Protip: Conrail still exists.
Quote from: Alps on April 01, 2015, 07:24:12 PM
That's odd, because one of our projects include Conrail lines and we have coordinated with both CSX and Norfolk Southern. Protip: Conrail still exists.
So I just looked it up and... it's weird. Conrail as a rail operator ceased existence in 1999 as I mentioned, with its assets being divided between NS and CSX. But apparently there are some areas where NS and CSX share track, and for legal reasons these sections of track are owned by Conrail which in turn is jointly owned by NS and CSX.
In other words, Conrail still exists on paper, but not in any way that's meant to be visible to the public.
But the point still stands that that section of track in Utica is all CSX, not a shared asset. It therefore is incorrectly marked as Conrail.
I have updated the tour notes to account for the removal of the Hoag Road bridge and the addition of a couple more interesting things in Utica. I am considering moving the start time of the meet to 11 AM to give more time to the Herkimer County tour after the meet. If there are any objections, please comment; I anticipate making a final decision in the next couple days.
As I mentioned on Facebook, if lunch starts at 11 I'll be skipping lunch and meeting people for the tour. I cannot within reason make it to Utica by 11. Even making it there by noon is pushing it in terms of how early I have to wake up.
I'm in the same boat...since I'd be doing a day trip, and considering its a three-hour drive from here (longer depending on traffic...it is all two-lane roads, after all), I'd already have to be out the door before 9 just to arrive for a noon lunch.
As it is, I wouldn't be sticking around for a Herkimer County tour, because I'd be booking it back home.
I could come down Friday and stay the night, but I'm cheap. :pan:
I will not be able to make this one. I'll be in Massachusetts visiting family that weekend.
Quote from: Duke87 on April 12, 2015, 10:27:01 PM
As I mentioned on Facebook, if lunch starts at 11 I'll be skipping lunch and meeting people for the tour. I cannot within reason make it to Utica by 11. Even making it there by noon is pushing it in terms of how early I have to wake up.
Weak. I can easily get up at 7 for roads.
Given everything, I think I'll just keep it at noon.
Quote from: Alps on April 13, 2015, 06:31:27 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on April 12, 2015, 10:27:01 PM
As I mentioned on Facebook, if lunch starts at 11 I'll be skipping lunch and meeting people for the tour. I cannot within reason make it to Utica by 11. Even making it there by noon is pushing it in terms of how early I have to wake up.
Weak. I can easily get up at 7 for roads.
I got up at 6:00 AM for Scranton.
Quote from: Alps on April 13, 2015, 06:31:27 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on April 12, 2015, 10:27:01 PM
As I mentioned on Facebook, if lunch starts at 11 I'll be skipping lunch and meeting people for the tour. I cannot within reason make it to Utica by 11. Even making it there by noon is pushing it in terms of how early I have to wake up.
Weak. I can easily get up at 7 for roads.
Given that I'm not driving straight there (how boring!), I'd be leaving at 6 to make it there at 11. Which would mean waking up at 5:30. There was a time when I could do that, but that was a time when my normal routine had me waking up at 6:30 anyway. My normal routine now involves waking up at 8:30-9. Drag me out of bed before 7 and I guarantee you I'll be comatose.
I've decided to get my meet attending feet wet with this meet. I've wanted to attend a road meet for quite some time, but have never been able to go for one reason or another. May 2 is free and clear on my calendar and Utica is a part of NY that I've never been to. I am also looking forward to clinching I-88 on the way up as well as visiting a few new counties in NY. I'm definitely in for this meet and am looking forward to it! :D I'll be RSVPing on Facebook in a few moments too.
Quote from: signalman on April 18, 2015, 09:54:27 AM
I've decided to get my meet attending feet wet with this meet. I've wanted to attend a road meet for quite some time, but have never been able to go for one reason or another. May 2 is free and clear on my calendar and Utica is a part of NY that I've never been to. I am also looking forward to clinching I-88 on the way up as well as visiting a few new counties in NY. I'm definitely in for this meet and am looking forward to it! :D I'll be RSVPing on Facebook in a few moments too.
Since you're from North Jersey, any interest in carpooling?
Quote from: Alps on April 19, 2015, 11:34:37 PM
Since you're from North Jersey, any interest in carpooling?
Sure. I was planning on an all Interstate route up and back (boring, I know, but it's a long way up and back). Since I previously mentioned that I wanted to clinch I-88 on the way up, I was planning to take 80>380>81>88>Thruway east to the next exit for 890 west for a clinch of that too>Thruway west. The goog has that at 5 hours, 15 minutes of drive time. Factoring in at least one stop to pee and stretch that would mean leaving at 6 in order to make it to Utica by noon. For a return trip, I know that I'll be tired. So I was planning the most direct routing of Thruway east/south>287>80. Please let me know your thoughts.
Quote from: signalman on April 20, 2015, 01:52:22 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 19, 2015, 11:34:37 PM
Since you're from North Jersey, any interest in carpooling?
Sure. I was planning on an all Interstate route up and back (boring, I know, but it's a long way up and back). Since I previously mentioned that I wanted to clinch I-88 on the way up, I was planning to take 80>380>81>88>Thruway east to the next exit for 890 west for a clinch of that too>Thruway west. The goog has that at 5 hours, 15 minutes of drive time. Factoring in at least one stop to pee and stretch that would mean leaving at 6 in order to make it to Utica by noon. For a return trip, I know that I'll be tired. So I was planning the most direct routing of Thruway east/south>287>80. Please let me know your thoughts.
We can talk offline. I don't yet know what I'm doing for that weekend myself, I'm staying a "maybe" as long as possible.
As I posted to Facebook: I plan to make the reservation for the restaurant on Tuesday evening. I intend to have a couple extra seats reserved for last minute attendees, but it would be best to RSVP by then. I'll make the tour notes at Staples on Wednesday when I go grocery shopping.
Well, I'd say that my first road meet was a success. I had a great time and it was cool to meet those who attended. Thanks for hosting, Valerie. Also, a thanks to Mark Sinsabaugh for driving (not sure if he's a member here or not, if he is, I don't know his handle). I would have driven on the tour if need be, but I didn't really want to.
The regular group photo:
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11182202_792339114198338_5676317025046779743_n.jpg?oh=bf7a1d40217a9433ae07721add3269ae&oe=55E5503F)
Kneeling: Adam Moss (me - NJ)
Row: Doug Kerr (NY), Chris Jordan (NY), David Golub (NY), Valerie Deane (NY), Bill Allen (NJ), C. P. Zillacus (MD), Mark Sinsabaugh (NY), Anthony Costanzo (NY).
The not serious photo:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11149517_792339797531603_6284375126464444428_n.jpg?oh=10a4a47213ec624c5eaba5733a9005c9&oe=55C4B5F7&__gda__=1440780367_174e2c1a4086ca9b161c08e251408732)
Not only do I look idiotic, I threw out my neck doing that.
You all forgot the Send Help sign.
Adam, my name is Bill Allen. I'm not sure if I formally introduced myself to you or not. In any case, signalman could be my alter ego, I suppose. For the goofy pic, had I known that Valerie was going to attempt to put bunny ears on CP's head, I would have chosen a different place to stand. Her arm almost completely covered my face...oh well.
In regards to the Send Help sign, I heard someone mentioned that it was formally retired. Doug Kerr did have one on the back of a map though.
Here's my tour notes: http://nysroads.com/utrm15.php
I was there in spirit as well - it looks like a lot of progress has been made!
Quote from: signalman on May 03, 2015, 04:55:53 PM
Adam, my name is Bill Allen. I'm not sure if I formally introduced myself to you or not. In any case, signalman could be my alter ego, I suppose. For the goofy pic, had I known that Valerie was going to attempt to put bunny ears on CP's head, I would have chosen a different place to stand. Her arm almost completely covered my face...oh well.
My apologies on that. I thought I had your name via Valerie, but I went on the side of caution and used "signalman".
Quote from: signalman on May 03, 2015, 04:55:53 PM
In regards to the Send Help sign, I heard someone mentioned that it was formally retired. Doug Kerr did have one on the back of a map though.
Not necessarily. Had I been there, it would have been prominently displayed. :bigass:
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on May 04, 2015, 01:08:55 AM
Quote from: signalman on May 03, 2015, 04:55:53 PM
Adam, my name is Bill Allen. I'm not sure if I formally introduced myself to you or not. In any case, signalman could be my alter ego, I suppose. For the goofy pic, had I known that Valerie was going to attempt to put bunny ears on CP's head, I would have chosen a different place to stand. Her arm almost completely covered my face...oh well.
My apologies on that. I thought I had your name via Valerie, but I went on the side of caution and used "signalman".
No worries. It's better to err on the side of caution than to refer to me by the wrong name. In any case, thanks for editing your original post with my actual name. Before that meet, I was pretty much unknown in the roadgeeking community, although I'd like to become a bit more well known. It's been a hobby of mine for a long time. I tend to be quiet and shy, however. I also intend on attending more meets in the future as long as I'm able to make it.
I'd also like to thank Chris Jordan for all of his commentary and local information while on the tour. Like Mark, I'm not sure if he posts here. If he does, I don't know his handle.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 04, 2015, 02:29:21 PM
Quote from: signalman on May 03, 2015, 04:55:53 PM
In regards to the Send Help sign, I heard someone mentioned that it was formally retired. Doug Kerr did have one on the back of a map though.
Not necessarily. Had I been there, it would have been prominently displayed. :bigass:
It wasn't "formally retired", but the last meet in the Northeast where it made an appearance was Corning, more than a year ago. We just kinda collectively decided it had run its course and didn't care to keep featuring it.
Elsewhere in the country, the sign still sees some occasional action.