Motorcycles / RFK

Call the DC SEC and ask about the helmet (should be OK) 202-547-9077 (you really can get a decent answer when you call them). I know others have parked their bikes in the RFK lots (I guess chain to a lamp post?) The neighborhood should OK to park in (no ticketwise) but I think safer to park in RFK lot.

K

 

I say just drive that sucker right through the "volunteer" entrance and do a bunch of laps around the concourse getting the CSC dipsh!ts chasing you and then right back out.

Tim

 

I have a bike, and i have thought about riding to the games. I always figured I would lock my helmet in a fellow barra members car during the game, and ask members to park cars around the bike so it cant be stolen.

 

I've actually seen a biker bring his helmet into RFK. Of course just because someone one working the doors let him in with it doesn't mean that the person you see doesn't decide that helmets are banned in RFK. As for street parking during the game I don't think there are any legal spaces. Of course the only game I've rode my bike to is a reserve game.

 

Problem is that he has to work until 7:00. By the time he gets from Tysons to the stadium lots, I think most everybody would be inside or on the way inside.

 

So If I ride my Harley down from Michigan for a match I should probably leave it at the hotel and take the Metro? Might be a good idea regardless if what I've heard about the Barra tailgates are true.

But seriously. Is theft and vandalism a big problem in the parking lots at RFK? I was in town for Rolling Thunder a couple of years ago and didn't have any problems anywhere. I would appreciate your advice.

 

Well, there was a big hubbub lately about Nationals players cars getting broken into a supposed secured lot while they were on an away game trip (but the dopes left their credit cards and cd players in their cars). The neighborhood around RFK is hit or miss (like there are really nice condos on one corner and then section 8 housing across the street) so your ride is probably safer at RFK lot (I think they patrol the lots during the games but not sure).

Taking the Metro would be cheaper ($10 parking vs $2.70 to ride the train) and then no drinking and driving issues (which as a non driver I always appreciate). Lots of people take the Metro so you'd be in good company.

K

 

i've had various bikes at games for several years and the only problem i had was one night when we played LA and bunch of salvadorans showed up to cheer for them. somehow my bike ended up pushed and smashed into McOwens car. One broken mirror and dent in his door. no big deal. i wouldn't worry, just park in well lit area.

as for barra tailgates, that would be good reason in itself to leave at the hotel. i speak from experience ;-)

 

I've parked my car on A St SE for about a decade or more and never had any problems. There are more "no parking during stadium events" sings now that the Nationals are also using RFK, but you can still park free west of 16th St (3 blocks from Stadium/Armory Metro entrance).

I'm cheap.

 

It's all true!

 

No problem making the second half kickoff leaving from Tyson's on Friday night at 7. That was the one you were talking about?
Plan a bit longer to walk home after your bike gets jacked.

 

I wouldn't park a nice bike in the RFK lots. They allegedly have security, but their main job seems to be making sure our beers are in cups, not bottles. Since I usually drink good beer, that's not a problem for me.

 

That's because even DC crooks aren't stupid enough to fvck with a few thousand bikers.

 

That's a good point. It is a special weekend for Bikers in DC. The cops were letting us park on the sidewalks all over town. One officer told me if I got a ticket to give him a call on his cell and he would take care of it. I guess the bikers get a lot of extra love that weekend. Doesn't hurt that a lot of DC cops are either veterans, or bikers, or both. They did make us feel very welcome!

Thanks for all the advise everyone. Can't wait to get to my first live United match. I just need to work out the when.....

 

Yes, theft is a problem at RFK. I had my old Honda Accord broken into and had cell phone and about fifty cds stolen. (yeah, foolishly I had just bought a 50 holder). They attempted to get my cd player but the motherf#@$!ers couldn't get it out. Ha! Most of the cds were ones I had made, what the hell are they going to do with those? This was at the US v Panama game last year.

 

Wasn't that a friendly against El Sal? I don't think it was a league game, because after the game I saw your bike was tipped over in the tailgate area. Then I closed the tailgate down and when I got my car (the lot was nearly empty) there was a guy hanging all over my car. I got in and he moved off, but the next day at home I noticed a taillight was smashed. Don't know if the guy did it, or another crew did it, but I think it was a non-league game at any rate.

So the short answer would be to not park the Motorcycle in a high-traffic area where the disappointed SJ Ultras will have a target to take out their Donovan-less frustrations.

Thx,

Jay!