[SDCBC] Miramar AirShow by Bicycle - still the way to go

[Dave White]

Do not trust all you might read:  An Air Show article on page 33 of the  
Union-Trib Night & Day section today (10/12/07) includes the following  
note regarding bicycling to the annual MCAS Air Show:
"Patrons are also encouraged to bike to the event – though bikes are  
not allowed on base and must be parked in designated areas outside the  
gates – or ride the bus."  Full article at  
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071011/ 
news_lz1w11airshow.html

The reporter obviously got her boundaries mixed up. I rode my bike to  
the Air Show today. The correct information is that bikes (like cars)  
are not allowed inside the Air Show gates (but, also like cars, bikes  
are entirely welcome on Base).  Bicyclists can enter any of the 3 Base  
Gates designated for the Show - West or North Gates on Miramar Road, or  
Main Gate from Kearny Villa Road.  On base, you will flow with cars,  
but instead of reaching a car parking lot, you want to ride to one of 3  
Flight Line Gates, numbered 1, 2, and 3 (east to west) that parallel  
the flight line.  Easiest approach is to enter base at the North Gate  
on Miramar Road at Clayton Drive (1 block east of Camino Ruiz), which  
becomes Mitscher Way on the base.  Follow traffic control STRAIGHT down  
Mitscher Way all the way to FLIGHT LINE GATE 1.  There, you will need  
to find a chain link fence or something to lock your bike to.  Your  
ingress and egress to the event will be significantly easier and less  
time-consuming than those arriving by car.  Remember to operate your  
bicycle like a car when appropriate, and take a lane when its the smart  
thing to do. Stay out of roped walkways intended for pedestrians.

At the Air Show today, we took some photos and notes and are going to  
approach base officials with a bicycle plan proposal for next year's  
Air Show.  The event and the base appear to provide an inviting  
opportunity for a simple, yet effective plan for cyclists - that would  
include bicycle thoroughfares (temporary Bike Boulevards or coned  
lanes) from each Base Gate and one or more Bicycle Parking Pavilions  
near the Flight Line entrance gate(s).  In the meantime, ride safe and  
enjoy passing all the cars gridlocked to/from the Show.

Dave White
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