chula... first time going, travel tips? flights/ hotel/ etc? Options

[bmxmom156]

we may be going to chula for the race in june- first time going out there...

are there any tips you can offer as to flights ( wow very pricey what i have seen so far) hotels etc for a first timer? also with the numbers being so high/ moto count wise would be better flying back east on monday am? suggestions are greatly appreciated.. someone mentioned to me that wed evenings were the best time to book flights price wise...any truth to that?

do they have any extra practices before the national(thurs) would it be better to get there a day early? it looks like friday is national day #1, saturday is olympic trials, sunday is national #2, is that correct? so that means the normal friday practice would be on thursday? if anyone can confirm, thank you in advance/

thanks

debby

[MikeCarruth]

Southwest is awesome to fly to San Diego--free bags, and they have a pretty good schedule to SAN.

I have found that there is a "sweet spot" on their fares which is about 30 days prior. Any more, and the fares seem higher, less than 30 can be OK to about 15 days, then they go up again.

For example, in looking at MDW-SAN now for June 14 arrival and June 18 departure, the fare is $431.60--only $55 less than I got last week for my March trip (12 day advance). We are clearly not in the sweet spot yet (plus fuel prices have spiked, so maybe that is nullifying some of the savings).

I am going to book that trip in early May, and expect a fare of about $345 (again, from Chicago).

The two hotels I like the best for that trip are the LaQuinta or the Ramada on Bonita Road and the 805 freeway.

The ramada is about $60 a night, including free Internet, which suits me just fine. Neither are BY ANY MEANS "luxurious." But "acceptable" for a BMX stay. If I wanted to stay "proper," I'd be at the Loews Coronado Bay or the Lodge at Torrey Pines, $187 or $365 a night, respectively (but way-far from the track).

I like the Bonita Rd. hotels for conveneince to both the track and the hotel, and because they have free Internet that's reliable. The LaQuinta has a better breakfast bar than the Ramada, but there is a Dennys right across the parking lot, so that's an option, if you are inclined to eat at a place like that (I was, for my first three trips, but now that I am a veggie, they don't really serve anything I can eat).

Bonita road hotels are about 20 mins from the track, and about 25-30 mins from the airport (no traffic), plus a Starbucks on the way to the track (via Telegraph Canyon Road), which is a major bonus for me! I am a huge creature of habit, so it just may be my OCD that likes Bonita road location, because of the familiarity and proximity to places I frequent when i go there...but lots of BMXers stay there...saw Mariana Pajon in the Elevator a time or two, which is always quite pleasant.

There is a Costco, and Wal-Mart near the track, and I always stock up on bottled water and fruit/snacks for the stay and race days as my first order of business when I hit town. Also a Trader Joe's on the way from the track to the Hotel--also a huge bonus which I hit a few times on a four day stay.

Hope these tidbits help. Feel free to reply with any follow-up questions. Hope to see you there.


Best,

M

P.S. Don't forget that the June Chula Race features both the US Olympic Trials and the National BMX Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Be sure you're in the right place at the right time for both of those.

[bmxmom156]

thank you so much what great info...

[bmxmom156]

well so far the southwest option is a no go from newark. too many stops almost doubling the flight /travel time . i guess its not big in this area yet. there is one from jfk but for the $50 extra id rather go non stop and make sure the bike gets there w/us. the prices i am seeing are over $500( up $50 from about a month ago.) im going to keep checking each week to see if it drops.(united/continental) even same as compared to hotels.com , expedia etc..

if you hear anything or any specials please let me know. we are traveling from newark to san diego.

also i assume you have to arrive on wed if the practice is thursday that seems like a change compared to other nationals in years past from what i was told.

any other info y9ou can offer is appreciated.

thanks
debby

[g-mo]

Drive to LaGuardia and save a couple hundred bucks per ticket.

[bmxmom156]

i already checked that out gmo its about an $80 taxi/limo ride one way plus we have at least 3 ppl plus luggage/ bike bags which wouldnt fit we have to get a van/ transport. its rush hour too which can be iffy from nj.

newark is 15 mins from us so i guess i have to pay for the convenience. i just wish southwest was flying out from there. they were supposed to increase flights from newark last yr i dodnt see it yet.

thanks for any info you all can offer..i appreciate it!

[g-mo]

All that would fit in a limo with no problem. You'd be saving $200+ on each ticket. Leave 3 hours early if traffic is a concern. A quick search on Kayak has tickets out of there for a little over $300.

[bmxmom156]

is it true that the cost of ticket to watch the time trials on sat are $50 a person? please say it aint so....it only lists a "vip pass" for viewing and that no day of ticket sales will be available. do they expect to fill the stadium w/vip passes what happens to the normal folks whow have multiple familty members who cannot afford that price per person? any info ? thanks