Justin’s Rickshaw

Justin waits for customers in front of the HP Pavilion in San Jose during the USA Gymnastics Olympic trials in San Jose, California this weekend.


Justin's Rickshaw, HP Pavilion

The 10 athletes who will represent the United States at the 2012 Summer Games in London will be chosen this weekend at the HP Pavilion. Judging from the traffic that’s already been generated, it seems to be A Pretty Big Deal.

Quick note to those of you flying in to watch these world class gymnasts compete: If you stay at any of the hotels near San Jose International Airport along 1st Street or anyplace downtown, you really don’t need to rent a car while you’re here. A free shuttle bus takes you from the airport to VTA light rail, which in turn takes you directly to downtown San Jose (both Winchester and Santa Teresas trains will take you to downtown). Hopefully your hotel concierge can help you with public transportation directions — if not, please leave the name of the hotel in the comments and I’ll give them a call on your behalf.

I see plenty of people walking between the Pavilion and downtown, but the walk is rather long and people like Justin circulate to provide rides on their Rickshaws.

For those staying elsewhere in the region, the Caltrain train station is just across the street from the HP Pavilion.

Remember, Google Transit is your friend if you don’t know the area. $2 one way fare on light rail and buses in San Jose. Light rail tickets are purchased from vending machines at the train platforms, while you pay bus fare when you board the bus. Exact change is required for bus fare. Day passes are also available and recommended if you’ll make connections or plan to make a round trip.

A rich variety of dining and entertainment options are available all around downtown for adults and families. If you read this on Friday morning, go visit the downtown Farmers’ Market at San Pedro Square. Check out the other stuff at SJDowntown.com.

Confidential to the guy driving the silver Audi with Nevada plates: I know movies and TV commercials give a different impression of California driving, but running a red light and driving against traffic to pull a U-turn while barely avoiding the pedestrian in the crosswalk while you simultaneously have a cell phone pressed against the side of your head because you can’t figure out where to park is illegal in the state of California.

2 Comments

  1. i thought a rickshaw was when the guy pulling the cart was on foot. Pedicabs are the ones with a bike pulling the cart 🙂

  2. They call them bicycle rickshaws. I’m of the school that language is flexible and evolving.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_rickshaw

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