Bike show

[grifscoots]

Well, since Houston didn't blow away howz bout it? Bike Show (http://show.motorcycleshows.com/IMSBrandManager/v42/index.cvn)

Anybody in Houston wanna line up a hotel and the night's entertainment?

[Wipedout]

Well I can help put together a plan here if we have a few that would like.

A while back I talked to the people at the Flyer Saucer which is just a train ride away from the reliant park area and they can do a large group in a private room if we have enough - otherwise just a few tables. Couple of Downtown hotel near there as well. You don't really want to stay in the area around Reliant Park IMHO.

Let me know what I can do to put a Houston gathering together
Im sure we have some other local riders willing to help as well

R

[eatanner]

Deb and I will be in Houston that weekend for a wedding. Our only commitments are a Friday evening dinner and the wedding on Saturday. This will make the weekend sooooo much better. Count us in. Any of the hotels along the train line between Reliant and downtown will provide easy access to the venue--just gotta have a bike friendly staff and parking.

[grifscoots]

Well, a good hotel with a great restaurant and bar would be poifect. Know of one?

[Wipedout]

Well, a good hotel with a great restaurant and bar would be poifect. Know of one?

I will check out the train route and start making some calls this week

Let me see what I can find

R

[grifscoots]

Kewl, I know I'm looking forward to it. Sandy could care less, unless some of the gals go... you know... shopping.:rolleyes:

[munson]

Well, since Houston didn't blow away howz bout it? Bike Show (http://show.motorcycleshows.com/IMSBrandManager/v42/index.cvn)

Anybody in Houston wanna line up a hotel and the night's entertainment?
Looks like Sweetpea and I will be working a booth at the Fort Worth show this year. Y'all have fun.

[grifscoots]

Grif & Sandar the mag
Monte & Debbie

[eatanner]

Grif & Sandar the mag
Monte & Debbie
Edgar and Debby (Probably in the truck)

[Wipedout]

Im talking to a few - Id like an idea of who will want a room as well as how many for happy hour

[varoom]

Im talking to a few - Id like an idea of who will want a room as well as how many for happy hour

Susan and I are probably in - I'm a frequent stayer (flyer, renter, ...) points whore so we'll probably be at the nearest Marriott property. As long as it's in crawling distance, count us in for happy hour.

[grifscoots]

And eats, good eats.

See the list started above your post.

[grifscoots]

Susan and I are probably in - I'm a frequent stayer (flyer, renter, ...) points whore so we'll probably be at the nearest Marriott property. As long as it's in crawling distance, count us in for happy hour.

Snob!:D

[Paul_Yeager]

For those unfamiliar with Houston's geography, the bike show will be held in what us old-timers think of as the Astrodome complex, now known as Reliant Center. This is on the south part of Loop 610, and adjacent to Houston's light rail line. The line runs north from the Astrodome almost 8 miles to the north end of downtown.

There are hotels downtown and a fairly fancy one about mid-way between downtown (the Warwick) & the dome. I expect they're in the $125-200/night range, but could be wrong. There are also national chain motels along the Loop 610, which goes right by the dome complex, and those are probably under $100. I'm pretty sure there is a Marriot close to the dome, and I know Senor Kluthe has expressed an interest in that.

Riding the light rail downtown puts you into an area of bars & clubs, some with live music and no cover. Janice and I found a hot Dixieland jazz band from New Orleans down there a couple of weeks ago, the New Birth Brass Band, and they said they were going to be playing there every Friday "from now on." They were playing in a bar adjacent to a seafood restaurant that's supposed to be pretty good (St. Pete's Dancing Marlin), but there are several good restaurants and bars around there.

We'd love to get with you all when you're here, and Friday evening for drinks and music would be a lot of fun. Then gang up and go to the show on Saturday, or whatever. Anyway, it'll be fun to see youse guys again, and hopefully we can all get together.

Let me know how many folks are wanting to come, what price range is OK on the hotels, & I'll post some specifics.

-Paul

[lad]

Deb and I will be in Houston that weekend for a wedding.

So, Edgar, are the two of you riding over for the wedding, in Tux and Formal? :p

Count me in for the party.

If I haven't sold my house yet, I'd have room for 2 to 4 in spare bedrooms, or more if you don't mind 'campin' on the carpet, and garage parking for 2 or 3 bikes. I'm about 10 miles/ 10 minutes due south of Reliant.

I've gotta be in Tulsa, for work, on that next Monday morning, so I'll have to leave on Sunday for a nice ride up.


:bmw:

[grifscoots]

This in from Monte:

Hey bud,

Rooms are a little scarce around the show at least from what I am finding on the web. Best rate I can find so far is at the Hamton Inn. 1715 Old Spanish Trail for 86 a night. http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dl...x=&itty=&from=f You plan on going Friday and back Sunday? Let me know and I will make reservations.

Monte


Anyone know if this is a viable and workable place to stay. Also, safe, I've been around the part of town the show will be.

[varoom]

Paul,

Thanks for doing the legwork! I think there are plenty of places for me to stay - I just want to stay at any Marriott property (Courtyard, Residence Inn, etc) because I need 18 more nights this year to keep platinum status ;). Heck I found a Courtyard near 288/610 with rooms as cheap as $89. AND - fellas, for those of y'all bringing the wife, it's near the Galleria mall :). I could be wrong, since it's been 6-7 years since I've been to Houston, but traffic might be heavy in that area. Don't know 'bout crime demographics - isnt' everywhere in Houston...? Nevermind, I won't bust on Huge-Town :D.

[Paul_Yeager]

Attached are 2 jpegs showing the Astrodome area and many of the hotels/motels surrounding it. These are all pretty nice places and security should not be a problem. Although South Main and Old Spanish Trail (OST) historically have been somewhat rough areas, the Texas Medical Center and the dome complex itself have substantially nicened the area up.

In addition to the hotels, note the 2 train stations. The Homestead Village on the south end and the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the north end of image 1 are both quite nice and the closest to a train station. Also close is what's shown on the image as the Wellesley Inn and Suites, which is now the Extended Stay Deluxe at 1301 Braeswood. Unfortunately they are full of Katrina evacuees and have no rooms. I haven't called any of the others.

Richard, there is a Residence Inn on Main @ Braeswood noted on map 1, which is a Marriott hotel. Their number is 713-660-7993. It's not really walking distance to the train, but is certainly close to the general area.

There is parking for the train at the Texas Medical Center Transit Center. The cost each way is $1 per person. Often no one checks to see if you've bought a ticket, but saving a buck wouldn't be worth the hassle if suddenly someone were to show up.

As mentioned previously, there are a number of bars and restaurants at the north end of the train line, some with live music. One of those, St. Pete's Dancing Marlin (www.dancingmarlin.com), has a live Dixieland band on Fridays, and no cover.

Hope this helps.

-Paul

PS - on the pictures, it's best to download them & then open them with something that will let you view them at 100% to be able to read the detail.

[grifscoots]

Anybody come with something viable? My preferences are a place that has a restaurant and a bar so when we land, we land. No mas traveling. I reckon we can just ride to the show, but after, land and party.

Any thoughts?

[varoom]

Okay - I hope this link works, searching travelocity for hotels in the zip code of 77054 I got these (http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel/HotelAvailability.do?SEQ=11290653916019112005&hotelQKey=-6107485419860395687). Ignore the one in GA ;) - I think their software may be AFU :eek:. There's a Marriott in the list for only $89 - it's 2 miles to the dome from there. This one has a specialty (seafood) restaurant, a regular (read more reasonably priced) restaurant, and a bar & grill.

There's a Renaissance for $89 as well - another hotel that should have food and drinks a-plenty. 5 miles to the dome.

The Holiday Inn on Kirby Drive is $90, has one restaurant and one bar but is right next to the dome.

[grifscoots]

Otay, you're looking for a Marriot propsity, correct? That one work for you?

[grifscoots]

I just talked Richard and we're gonna go for the Marriot. The good restaurant's, bar and rooms just does it for us. Two miles from the show. Sold America.

We're talking leaving Friday and coming back Sunday. Sandy's gonna take la trucka and do the Galleria, so if any gal's are interested...

[varoom]

I just booked mine - that link I posted earlier is bad now (those links are based on sessions that timeout after x minutes).

If y'all want to book this place go to travelocity.com,
click "Search Hotels" under the hotels tab up top. When the new page loads,
click the "Search by: Address, Points of Interest, Specific Hotel" link at the bottom of the search box. When the new search page loads, just need to fill in 3 places (under search by address): zip code, dates, and hotel name contains (I used Marriott).

Attached is jpeg showing what to fill in (okay, I know you guys can figure all this out but I just got a cool application for screen captures :)).

[grifscoots]

For us dummies, or those not using Travelbotchity, the addy is Marriott at the Medical Center, 6580 Fannin St, Houston 77054

[varoom]

For us dummies, or those not using Travelbotchity, the addy is Marriott at the Medical Center, 6580 Fannin St, Houston 77054

Uhhh, I think the dummy would be somebody who posted how to query up on travelocity then fails to put the dayem hotel name or address in the post! :eek: :(

[varoom]

Although the Marriott has some good restaurants, I find myself slowly being seduced by the siren song of a Churrascaria :eek:. Is there any interest in having dinner Friday night at Fogo de Chao (FDC)?

For those unfamiliar w/ Churrascarias - I don't know the exact translation but basically they are Brazilian Steak Houses - it's like a buffet for meat eaters!!! I'll be honest w/ you - it's probably more expensive than a lot of places, it's a flat price per person ($40-$50 range if I recall) and it's not for those of you on a diet, but if you want eat some really good food (and lots of it) this is your place. Just don't fall for all the small foods that are also freely available: salads, sushi, fruit, appetizers - you name it. This is decadent eating at its best :) :)!!!

Here (http://%3Cb%3Ehttp://tinyurl.com/85azl) is a link to a description of FDC and an article (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/diningstory.mpl/dining/cook/2784762) about FDC's competitor so you get an idea what a Churrascaria is like. And here (http://www.fogodechao.com/) is FDC's home page.

Quoting from the Houston Chronicle describing FDC: 'It is first and foremost a hedonistic mecca for lush red meats and red wines. Everything else, except the impressive service, takes a back seat.'
Quote taken from this link: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/diningstory.mpl/dining/cook/2784762

[munson]

Uhhh, I think the dummy would be somebody who posted how to query up on travelocity then fails to put the dayem hotel name or address in the post! :eek: :(

This dummy fingered it out, and Sweetpea and I will be there, too.

[Dick]

Hey, Muns - you comin' to the Houston show too??

[munson]

Hey, Muns - you comin' to the Houston show too??
Yepper. The booth deal at the FW show went bust. Sweetpea's sister and bro-in-law live In H., so we can combine a trip to see family and friends and bikes!

[Dick]

Wooohooo - I am still pondering how to make it to the Houston show. Now I gotta ponder harder, cuz you and Swee'Pea are gonna be there. OR - maybe the pondering just gotta lot easier. Maybe I can double up on the honey-doo-doo list and cop a kitchen pass?!!

Cya there (iffy, serious, maybe!!).

[munson]

Well, we hope you can make it. It's been months since we've seen you! :)

[grifscoots]

That be pure wonnerful that Muns and Sweepea are goin and smoothe fantastical that Dick is a ponderin!

[grifscoots]

My leetle beyotch daughter in law always tries to ruins rides for us. She was talking to Sandy and when she found out we were going to Houston for the bike show declared she was holding our grandson's birthday party that weekend. His birthday is weeks away from that weekend and Sandy smoothe put her foot down and told the gal how the cow ate the cabbage.

Dodged another one.

[dwsdad]

I reckon I oughta go get me a room reservation 'fore they're all took up!

[munson]

Dodged another one.

Whew! That was close! We are looking forward to hangin with all our buds.

[dbfly]

The nutcracker market is at the same complex as the bike show in Houston, so if the gals come you may need a truck and trailer to get home! What day are most of you coming in, would be great to get the Houston group together with everyone for a dinner.

[grifscoots]

I know Richard, Monte and I are coming in Friday night. The gals are bringing la trucka, can you spell Galleria?

Din-din and a get together with you rowdy Houstonites sounds ga-reat!

[Paul_Yeager]

Are folks mostly staying at the Marriot Residence Inn, or all around the 'Dome area? If all at the Marriot, the locals like myself could meet you all there some time for din-din either Friday or Saturday or both. Say 7ish to start the imbibing?

If all around, should I look for a restaurant in the area that would be convenient for a meet-up?

Riding the little train downtown on Friday is also a possibility. Quite a few restaurants, bars & some live music down there, and the train is very easy.

[munson]

Are folks mostly staying at the Marriot Residence Inn, or all around the 'Dome area? If all at the Marriot, the locals like myself could meet you all there some time for din-din either Friday or Saturday or both. Say 7ish to start the imbibing?

If all around, should I look for a restaurant in the area that would be convenient for a meet-up?

Riding the little train downtown on Friday is also a possibility. Quite a few restaurants, bars & some live music down there, and the train is very easy.

We are staying at the Marriot at the Medical Center arriving Friday afternoon. We are game for whatever you put together.

[varoom]

Hey Paul, not sure what the others want to do, but I'm pondering a night at Fogo de Chao.

[grifscoots]

Meat!!!

[Paul_Yeager]

Fogo de Chao isn't near where you guys are going to be staying. It's 20 - 30 minutes away, depending on traffic. I'll ride around the 'Dome area & look for a good steak house. I'll also get some specifics on what's going on downtown in the way of food & music. 'til tamale...
-Paul

[grifscoots]

Richard and I are going to leave Friday, early afternoon. We plan on landing at the hotel and then running over to the "all meat, all the time and plenty of nada but meat" for din-din Friday.

[Paul_Yeager]

There are many franchise places around your hotel, and one old time Houston steakhouse, 1/2 mile from the Residence Inn: The Stables. Here's all I could find about it online:
http://national.citysearch.com/profile/9873519?raid=178273

It's a pretty good steakhouse, though I haven't been there in years. Did you have something specific in the "nada but meat" dept, or would that work? Anyway, let us know where you're going to land & we'll try to join you. It could also be a possibility for Sat. night.
-Paul

[Dick]

Wooohooo - I am still pondering how to make it to the Houston show. Now I gotta ponder harder, cuz you and Swee'Pea are gonna be there. OR - maybe the pondering just gotta lot easier. Maybe I can double up on the honey-doo-doo list and cop a kitchen pass?!!

Cya there (iffy, serious, maybe!!).

Whoa - this one hurts!! :( Butt, gotta do whateye gotta do. And I gotta bail on the Houston m/c trip. Told Doug yesterday that I tried to git all my duck eggs in a row, butt just couldn't git'erdone. Would like to thank Doug for his generous offer of letting me ride his LT (Toad is w/o brake light and horn at the moment - fix on the way) alongside he on his Concourse - butt unfortunately, that didn't solve my attendance problem(s).

So, Muns and SweetPea - I'll catch up with you guyz at the Hard 8 on the 19th (promise!) and I'm gonna miss the camaradarie from the rest of you folks, too. Have a great time at the show, y'all - Xmas is just around the corner if you wanna practice swiping your c-cards!!!

Best to all

[grifscoots]

Whoa - this one hurts!! :( Butt, gotta do whateye gotta do. And I gotta bail on the Houston m/c trip.

Best to all

Man! That is a bummer!

Hey Paul, the meat thang is that Brazilian place Richard wrote about.

[Paul_Yeager]

Sounds good on the meat thang. Here's their website: http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/houstonTX.htm
The easiest way to get there from the Dome area is to take South Main south to Loop 610, turn right & go west and around to US 59. Exit 59 South & go to the Westpark exit. Turn right on Westpark to Hillcroft, right on Hillcroft to Westheimer, left on Westheimer and you should see it a couple of blocks down (I think on the right!). That route should miss the worst of the traffic, though it may not feel like it when you're in it!
What time you guys planning on being there? What time you planning on being at the Moto Show on Satiddy?

[andy]

12:00 noon at the BMW booth Saturday?

Just so that we can meet up with everybody? Dunno yet 'bout the Friday night, I might have to bail on that one, but am still trying.

[grifscoots]

Kewl, sounds good Andy. How bout Saturday night?

[andy]

Satirday nite we're game. I still have to talk to SWMBO But I think we are. At least I am. I think.

[eatanner]

I've got a couple of doc appts on Friday and then the wedding rehearsal gig. Saturday I'll be at Reliant until around 1, I guess. Hopefully we'll be finished with the ceremony around 4pm and free for fun after that.

Anyone staying someplace other than Med Center Marriott? BTW, we'll be in the pickemup which has a cover on the back if stuff needs to be returned to CenTejas on Sunday.

[dwsdad]

I'll be down Sat morning. Reckon I'll meet y'all at the BMW booth around noontime. Be my first time to meet some of y'all.

[grifscoots]

I'll be down Sat morning. Reckon I'll meet y'all at the BMW booth around noontime. Be my first time to meet some of y'all.

Who are you?:p

[dwsdad]

The other Boerne-ite, of course!

[andy]

I don't know if there is already something planned for a restaurant for Saturday evening. If not I'd suggest a restaurant close to where I live (my stepdaughter works there) and they have excellent food and live entertainment. If interested I can find out what kind of entertainment is there.

We might even get their private room.

Drawback is that it is about 20 miles north of the reliant center (I45 & FM1960)

[munson]

I don't know if there is already something planned for a restaurant for Saturday evening. If not I'd suggest a restaurant close to where I live (my stepdaughter works there) and they have excellent food and live entertainment. If interested I can find out what kind of entertainment is there.

We might even get their private room.

Drawback is that it is about 20 miles north of the reliant center (I45 & FM1960)

Great seeing you and Lynette, Andy! Thanks for letting me try out the B'man. It was fun!

[munson]

I'll be down Sat morning. Reckon I'll meet y'all at the BMW booth around noontime. Be my first time to meet some of y'all.
Glad you could make it, Doug. It was great to see you.

[dwsdad]

Great to see you again. Can't wait to see your new Bergman. Just remember : P A R K I N G B R A K E