[akoso]

I saw there was another thread about Cleveland, but I thought I'd start another one just for people going to the Cleveland show, details of the venue/city, meeting people, etc.

I'm hoping to buy my tickets in about 15 mins. I've never been down to Cleveland before. I'll probably be leaving from London (maybe Toronto), but Mapquest says it's the same distance from either city. It says it's just under a 5 hr drive. For those that have been down there before, does that sound about right (assuming the border isn't horrendous)?

Who all is going?

[Hugh23]

It's a 5 hour drive from London, Ont. Add two more hours if you are leaving from Toronto. I assume you will be crossing the border into Michigan. I don't think crossing at Sarnia or Windsor makes a difference in the mileage. If you use the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, the exit from the bridge into Detroit puts you right on to I-75 (south) which you need to take to Ohio from there. Don't forget you could have big delays at any border crossing depending on the time you cross. I think Windsor is a better place to cross IMO. I hope this helps.

If we can get tickets it will be a great time. ( I wish TicketMaster would get their act together).

[akoso]

Mapquest (for whatever it's worth) says it's a 5 hr drive from both London and Toronto. I'm not sure where I'll be crossing yet (Sarnia or Windsor tunnel or Windsor bridge), but I heard that the bridge is the worst option. I am driving to Winnipeg in one week and have had many recommendations against the Windsor bridge (apparently the tunnel is much quicker). Also, many people have told me that it is much quicker to get across the boarder at Sarnia. So for all those crossing into Detroit, that's my recommendation.

BTW, check the TM website now. I got my Cleveland tix about 15 mins ago.

[Hugh23]

I've crossed at all of the border crossings from Ontario to Michigan numerous times. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest border crossing between the US & Canada. The Ambassador Bridge just completed an expansion of the guard booths and US Customs have added more agents to address the traffic problems. The Windsor Tunnel is fast but it is heavily traveled also. The Bluewater Bridge from Sarnia added another span to handle the increased traffic a few years ago, but it seems the slowest to me. That's just my opinon. MapQuest has to be wrong on the driving time because it is a 2 hour drive on the 401 between London and TO.

Again, I suggested using the Ammbassador Bridge because I felt it was the easiest way to get to Ohio without getting lost on the Detroit Freeway system. One needs to be on I-75 to get to Ohio from Michigan. The Bluewater Bridge puts you on I-94 in Port Huron, Mi. A 45 minute drive until you reach Detroit. The Windsor Tunnel exits right into downtown Detroit.

Use your best judgement and good luck. :thumb:

I've got my tickets. Thanks for the heads up. :jump

[akoso]

MapQuest has to be wrong on the driving time because it is a 2 hour drive on the 401 between London and TO.

I realize it's a 2 hour drive from T.O. to London, but MapQuest suggests taking the Queenston Lewiston Bridge and then I-190 to I-90 to Cleveland (around the other side of the lake).

Again, I suggested using the Ammbassador Bridge because I felt it was the easiest way to get to Ohio without getting lost on the Detroit Freeway system. One needs to be on I-75 to get to Ohio from Michigan. The Bluewater Bridge puts you on I-94 in Port Huron, Mi. A 45 minute drive until you reach Detroit. The Windsor Tunnel exits right into downtown Detroit.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll just have to listen to the radio and check the boarder crossings websites before heading out. I'm sure the wait at the boarder will be the biggest thing to influence my decision (rather than actual distance to travel). Either way, I plan on leaving about 36 hours early, so I should some room for error.

[kari]

I realize it's a 2 hour drive from T.O. to London, but MapQuest suggests taking the Queenston Lewiston Bridge and then I-190 to I-90 to Cleveland (around the other side of the lake).

Oh no no no no...that's the round about way of getting there...I'd go through Ontario...

[chris]

Cleveland is almost opposite London, on the American side of Lake Erie.

Either way it will be about 5 hours - through Detroit or through Buffalo/Niagara Falls (Queenston-Lewiston, Rainbow or Peace Bridge).

I'm heading to Detroit on Saturday (assuming I can get tickets) and then on to Cleveland for the Sunday show. My route is from Toronto, down the 401 to Windsor/Detroit and then I'll follow Hugh to Cleveland.

From Cleveland, it's back through Buffalo and on to Toronto.

[akoso]

So do you guys know much about the Odeon? Any recommended tips on meeting the band afterwards (aside from find fellow Hipbasers and watch them work their magic )?

[chives]

The two times I've gone to the Odeon, is through Fort Erie, at the Peace Bridge. I'm from Stoney Creek, and both times made it to Cleveland in around 4-4.5 hrs. The Odeon is a small little venue in the heart of the Flats, which is the "entertainment" district in Cleveland, right on the lake. Nice little place. Only way in or out is the main door, so hang out before hand or after, and you'll meet the band. In 2002, the bus was parked out front the club about an hour before the show, and we got to chat with Mr. Downie through a window on the bus, and after the show we met with all the members and got autographs and pics.

[akoso]

In 2002, the bus was parked out front the club about an hour before the show, and we got to chat with Mr. Downie through a window on the bus, and after the show we met with all the members and got autographs and pics.

Sweet, sweet, sweet. That's the kind of encouraging news I was looking for! :jump

[Tthip]

In the Flats - go to dinner at Dick's.
They really live up to their names.
Good time.

[akoso]

In the Flats - go to dinner at Dick's.
They really live up to their names.

They live up to their names like Hooters girls live up to their names? Should I be censoring this thread from my girlfriend before she gets any ideas?

[Tthip]

Never thought of it that way.
Scary.
Guys and girls work there.
The all act rude to you - and you can act rude back.
They act like Dick's.
Good time.

[akoso]

Never thought of it that way.
Scary.
Guys and girls work there.

Now it would really be scary if my guess was right!

The all act rude to you - and you can act rude back.
They act like Dick's.

Sounds like a normal American restaurant to me... (j/k... that was a low blow)

[The Heron Outside]

Alright folks-this is a desperation plea for a ride to Cleveland. Are any Hipbasers from the GTA heading down for the show? I've never been to a club show, I'd love to go. Looking for any help possible, I'd pay more than my share of gas money. Please help a fellow 'baser out to see his first club show. I could even go to Detroit too, if anyone is doing that for their road trip. Please let me know.
Much, much appreciated.