Getting To Bike Week - Without a Bike - Ideas?

JasonG · 06-08-2006, 12:17 PM

Ok, the family and I want to visit Bike Week for a day. Mid week, I would assume is better.

Now since we dont have bikes ( nor do Car Seats legally fit on bikes ), the idea was to go to the Weirs Docks by boat. The question is, where do we launch that has minimal traffic? I am assuming if I get off rt 93 at exit 23, go right to Meredith and launch there, I will hit minimal traffic. We can then boat down to Weirs and check out the event.

Any thoughts?
Jason

TomC · 06-08-2006, 12:29 PM

or maybe limit the dock time. i can't recall, but I know it isn't "business as usual" with the docks during Bike Week...

Woodsy · 06-08-2006, 12:30 PM

Jason...

If you go before thursday, it will be easier for you just to park at the Weirs. There will be parking at the Weirs Beach Community Center (next to the Fire Dept) among other places. I think they charge $10.

You can also park in Meredith or Lakeport and take the train.

If its a nice day there will be next to no chance of finding space at the Weirs docks. They block off the back 1/2 and there are still a few fingers that need repair.

Woodsy

Seaplane Pilot · 06-08-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonG

Ok, the family and I want to visit Bike Week for a day. Mid week, I would assume is better.

Now since we dont have bikes ( nor do Car Seats legally fit on bikes ), the idea was to go to the Weirs Docks by boat. The question is, where do we launch that has minimal traffic? I am assuming if I get off rt 93 at exit 23, go right to Meredith and launch there, I will hit minimal traffic. We can then boat down to Weirs and check out the event.

Any thoughts?
Jason

Meredith will have a lot of traffic as well. Depending on where you are coming from, you could take Rt. 28 up to Alton Bay. You could either launch in Alton Bay or drive up Rt. 11 to Ames Farm in Gilford.

However: be aware that in past years (not sure about this year) Laconia has closed off the Weirs public docks to boaters. That's always been a pet peeve of mine - screw the boaters who are up here spending money all summer long. I love bureaucrats...

JasonG · 06-08-2006, 12:55 PM

On a seperate though, we are planning on coming up sometime that week after bike week as well. However, I know that the weirs closes down. Bad news for the kids. Any idea when the peir arcade & food locations re-open?

Weirs guy · 06-08-2006, 01:01 PM

A. Take the train from Meredith. Cheap, easy and all the locals do it.

B. Everything should be open the week of 06/26 as school lets out around here sometime the week after bike week (and all the "help" is available). There are some arcades and pizza joints open right now though, so even the week after there should be some activities to enjoy.

Kevin C · 06-08-2006, 01:37 PM

Last year we tied up at the Weirs dock on the weekend without a problem. If you are bringing the boat up for the day you could drop it in at Fay's Boatyard.

By car there was parking on the other side of the Weirs Bridge in the mini-golf / Dunkins parking lot for $20.

First time I ever was there during bike week. Spent no more than an hour there and then got outta Dodge.

ACutAbove · 06-08-2006, 05:11 PM

you can also take the small boats over to the weirs from the meredith town docks, or you can put your boat in over at the center harbor town docks to stay away from the traffic..just a thought..

WeirsBeachBoater · 06-12-2006, 08:15 AM

Thursday through Sunday Shuttles leave Meredith to Weirs $10 roundtrip Great way to get to the heart of the action!

Rockdaddy · 06-12-2006, 09:23 AM

When has BIKE week turned in to Family week? bring ear pulgs for the kids

Dave R · 06-12-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockdaddy

When has BIKE week turned in to Family week? bring ear pulgs for the kids

Over the last 20 years or so it's evolved into a "Disneyfied" event. Kinda like 42 street in NYC.

Airwaves · 06-12-2006, 07:54 PM

If you are dragging a boat with you I am thinking the suggestion re: Alton might be a pretty good one.

I am NOT bringing the boat up this week, although I will be at the lake from tomorrow until Sunday.

I gave a friend a heads up and she says she has not put her boat in yet either.

More to do with high water than bikes!

Good luck,

Eki · 06-13-2006, 04:23 AM

>> When has BIKE week turned in to Family week? bring ear pulgs for the kids

LOL, yah... it's a real wholesome event

jrc · 06-13-2006, 07:49 AM

I"ve gone off and on for twenty years. Although wholesome is not the first word I'd use, the atmosphere has toned down a lot, especially from a visual perspective. All of the public nudity is gone. Most of the public drinking is gone, (still a lot of public drunkeness). I see a lot less motorcycle antics, like wheelies and burnouts. I see a lot less fighting, thankfully no recent gang fights with deaths involved, but also very few one on one scuffles.

Now, I'm sure all this stuff still happens. But the huge police presence pushes it out of sight. Unless you look for it, you may never know it's there. A casual visitor to bike week, sees Italian sausages, tee-shirts and pins. And a bunch of dentists and accountants dressed up like tough guys.

Weirs guy · 06-13-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

All of the public nudity is gone. Most of the public drinking is gone, (still a lot of public drunkeness). I see a lot less motorcycle antics, like wheelies and burnouts. I see a lot less fighting, thankfully no recent gang fights with deaths involved, but also very few one on one scuffles.

Ah, the good old days.....

baja-mama · 06-14-2006, 06:25 AM

We had no problem yesterday finding dock space around 10am. Here's how it looked when we left around noon.

06-08-2006, 12:17 PM	#1
JasonG Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 310 Thanks: 48 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	Getting To Bike Week - Without a Bike - Ideas? Ok, the family and I want to visit Bike Week for a day. Mid week, I would assume is better. Now since we dont have bikes ( nor do Car Seats legally fit on bikes ), the idea was to go to the Weirs Docks by boat. The question is, where do we launch that has minimal traffic? I am assuming if I get off rt 93 at exit 23, go right to Meredith and launch there, I will hit minimal traffic. We can then boat down to Weirs and check out the event. Any thoughts? Jason

06-08-2006, 12:29 PM	#2
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 554 Thanks: 10 Thanked 30 Times in 21 Posts	i think they close the Weirs docks or maybe limit the dock time. i can't recall, but I know it isn't "business as usual" with the docks during Bike Week...

06-08-2006, 12:30 PM	#3
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,952 Thanks: 80 Thanked 971 Times in 433 Posts	Jason... If you go before thursday, it will be easier for you just to park at the Weirs. There will be parking at the Weirs Beach Community Center (next to the Fire Dept) among other places. I think they charge $10. You can also park in Meredith or Lakeport and take the train. If its a nice day there will be next to no chance of finding space at the Weirs docks. They block off the back 1/2 and there are still a few fingers that need repair. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

06-08-2006, 12:55 PM	#5
JasonG Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 310 Thanks: 48 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	What about AFTER Bike Week? On a seperate though, we are planning on coming up sometime that week after bike week as well. However, I know that the weirs closes down. Bad news for the kids. Any idea when the peir arcade & food locations re-open?

06-08-2006, 01:01 PM	#6
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	A. Take the train from Meredith. Cheap, easy and all the locals do it. B. Everything should be open the week of 06/26 as school lets out around here sometime the week after bike week (and all the "help" is available). There are some arcades and pizza joints open right now though, so even the week after there should be some activities to enjoy. __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

06-08-2006, 01:37 PM	#7
Kevin C Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 103 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Last year we tied up at the Weirs dock on the weekend without a problem. If you are bringing the boat up for the day you could drop it in at Fay's Boatyard. By car there was parking on the other side of the Weirs Bridge in the mini-golf / Dunkins parking lot for $20. First time I ever was there during bike week. Spent no more than an hour there and then got outta Dodge. __________________ Skipper of CIRCUITOUS Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. Author Unknown.

06-08-2006, 05:11 PM	#8
ACutAbove Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Holderness Posts: 219 Thanks: 7 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	you can also take the small boats over to the weirs from the meredith town docks, or you can put your boat in over at the center harbor town docks to stay away from the traffic..just a thought..

06-12-2006, 08:15 AM	#9
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	Take the Doris E. or Sophie C. Thursday through Sunday Shuttles leave Meredith to Weirs $10 roundtrip Great way to get to the heart of the action!

06-12-2006, 09:23 AM	#10
Rockdaddy Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 24 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	When has BIKE week turned in to Family week? bring ear pulgs for the kids

06-12-2006, 07:54 PM	#12
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	If you are dragging a boat with you I am thinking the suggestion re: Alton might be a pretty good one. I am NOT bringing the boat up this week, although I will be at the lake from tomorrow until Sunday. I gave a friend a heads up and she says she has not put her boat in yet either. More to do with high water than bikes! Good luck,

06-13-2006, 04:23 AM	#13
Eki Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	>> When has BIKE week turned in to Family week? bring ear pulgs for the kids LOL, yah... it's a real wholesome event

06-13-2006, 07:49 AM	#14
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I"ve gone off and on for twenty years. Although wholesome is not the first word I'd use, the atmosphere has toned down a lot, especially from a visual perspective. All of the public nudity is gone. Most of the public drinking is gone, (still a lot of public drunkeness). I see a lot less motorcycle antics, like wheelies and burnouts. I see a lot less fighting, thankfully no recent gang fights with deaths involved, but also very few one on one scuffles. Now, I'm sure all this stuff still happens. But the huge police presence pushes it out of sight. Unless you look for it, you may never know it's there. A casual visitor to bike week, sees Italian sausages, tee-shirts and pins. And a bunch of dentists and accountants dressed up like tough guys.

06-14-2006, 06:25 AM	#16
baja-mama Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 214 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	No problem finding dock space at the Weirs We had no problem yesterday finding dock space around 10am. Here's how it looked when we left around noon. Attached Images