Portland, OR Convention Center

[redcanoe]

I'd like to head down from Victoria for the Portland Bicycle Show held at the Portland Convention Center. Any ideas where I could "pop the top" (stealth or otherwise) for an overnight in reasonable proximity to the center ?

[PDXWesty]

The closest you'll get is 10-15 miles away. The convention center is dead center in the middle of the city.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[jkidd152]

if you are willing to keep the top down, you can camp anywhere. last summer my buddy slept in my van on 5th and oak! right downtown. if you need to pop the top, i'd venture to the friendly confines of se portland. try 14th and belmont (my old neighborhood).
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'85 Syncro Westy

[randywebb]

go over to the Hawthorne district - somebody'll probably put you up if they see your pop top

[GWTWTLW]

[carterzest]

[WestyBob]

[redcanoe]

Thanks for the responses to the question....and offers too. I'll check out the Portland map for geographic reference.

What makes the Hawthorne district special ?

Does the Convention center have outdoor parking or underground? If under does anyone know if a westy will fit ?

Bike show is Apr 10-11

Randy

[jkidd152]

Here is the info on the parking garage:

http://www.oregoncc.org/directionsandparking/parking/

They say on this page ..."Clearance on the P1 level is 7 feet; clearance on the P2 level is 9 feet..."
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'85 Syncro Westy

[redcanoe]

jkidd152

Perfect info. Sheesh, why didn't I think to find that webpage. Thanks.

R

[randywebb]

[GWTWTLW]

You can walk/drive around and hold your breath until you see another Westy.
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

[keithwwalker]

Hawthorne has a lot of shops and eating places, the convention center area is kind of barren.

[Bercilak]

The convention area isn't the best area to hang late, for two reasons.

Primarily, the Max (light rail) goes through there, and there're always quite a few ne'er-do-wells that hang around downtown. They come right by there, and hang about the Max stop.

Secondarily, the center is at the south end of what used to be the lowest-income area of Portland ~ it was a ghetto back in the 40's when they made the Africa-Americans who worked in the shipyards during the war live there. I think it's been cleaned up and civilized some, but there's probably a few losers hanging about too.

In either case, we're talking more irritation than danger I think, but in that area there were a few times where I wasn't altogether comfortable because some sketchier types were hanging around.

Personally, I'd head over to Hawthorne (Powell's Bookstore on Hawthorne!) or take up someone on their offer of a parking spot.

Best,

B.

[redcanoe]

All the information has really been helpful folks and I can't say enough about the generosity extended. When I bought my Westy 2 years ago I had no idea I would become part of a community such as this.

I'm now looking forward to experiencing this district of Hawthorne in addition to the bike show and Portlands bicycle community.

Thank you

Randy

[1621]

I'm surprised no one's suggested meeting up at the Lucky Lab yet (on SE Hawthorne of course). So how 'bout it guys, perhaps a warm Portland welcome for another Vanagon nut on one of those nights. I'm game - gets me out of the house and off the damn Samba!

Erik
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'85 Westy

[GWTWTLW]

[keithwwalker]

Well the OP was talking about the bike show coming up. Would be a good idea for a get together, to talk both bikes and VW's, say dinner after convention, what do you all think?

[carterzest]

[PDXWesty]

There is a hostel on Hawthorn Blvd that may let you park in the back with your westy. It's a few blocks from the Lucky Lab. Poping the top in a residential area though in front of someone's house you don't know would probably bring a lot of suspicion.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto