The Magic Bus Tailgate Rides Again!

by Adam Jacobi on Sep 9, 2010 3:08 PM CDT in Iowa Hawkeyes Football

Good news for tailgaters and other bipedal public drinkers: the Magic Bus, earlier denied a permit to operate by Iowa City, has been granted a temporary permit to operate starting this weekend. It's not in nearly as prime a location as before: 747 West Benton Street, across from the Roosevelt Elementary tailgate, but its existence is still a net positive for the tailgating scene in general.

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Yes, it's about a mile away from Kinnick, but the vast majority of people who walk to Kinnick and tailgates walk a lot more than a mile.

As we've said before, allowing the Magic Bus or any other large-scale tailgate party to operate is well within the city's best interests; the more tailgate options that are available to people on foot, the fewer cars the city needs to get in and out of town. The gridlock on gamedays is just horrific as it is, and clearly the fewer intoxicated drivers on the road, the better. Iowa City is a very pedestrian-friendly town, and granting even a temporary permit to the Magic Bus would be a correct step in that direction.

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The sad thing is the Magic Bus

was about the only actually fun spot that was doing things the right way (ie, carding, security, etc) and they got shut down by a combination of greed and city incompetence. Glad to see it’s coming back but now its even farther from the dorms and the vast majority of where students live. It’s great to have them back though. Maybe they’ll be able to move closer later on in the year if they can get a permanent permit.

"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable

by ClaybornSmash on Sep 9, 2010 3:15 PM CDT reply actions

This is now two blocks from where I lived when I was in IC.

If only it had been there two or three years ago…

by fossilhawk on Sep 9, 2010 3:22 PM CDT reply actions

Is a shuttle available there and back?

For someone getting a little older this is quite a trek. Then from what I hear you have to make it through the Gestapo checkpoints before you make it back to the stadium.

Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian

by fliphawk4 on Sep 9, 2010 3:36 PM CDT reply actions

Well

You walk along the railroad tracks and come out around Woodside which would cut down your travel time considerably.

As for the checkpoints I don’t know what to tell you.

"That woman was sexy...Out of your league? Son. Let women figure out why they won't screw you, don't do it for them."...SMDS

by J.R. Angle has a posse on Sep 9, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

They have snipers in the trees along the railroad tracks.

And urine sensors burried in the soil so they’re alerted as soon as a drop hits terra firma.

by Eyeheartfreedumb on Sep 9, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Believe it or not, each sniper is a Bloodpunch clone...

all of whom are led by a ghillie clad Barta ready and waiting to strike down any public nuisances with a Bowie.

by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Sep 9, 2010 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Those sensors aren't from the university. Those are mine.

by indyhawk on Sep 9, 2010 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Bad idea.

Even though the Hawkeye Express’s presence would logically dictate that another train would not be running on that stretch of track, it is still a very risky endeavor because unexpected things can and do happen on the railroad. (FWIW, I do work for a major railroad, and have had to complete a 6-month training course and multiple week-long safety reviews).

Safety issues notwithstanding, the railroad tracks and right-of-way are the private property of the railroad, and you can be sure that they would take measures if more people start taking this “shortcut”. And I can only imagine the ICPD and University Heights PD just licking their chops at the new stream of ticket revenue…

"Oh no, don't do that, don't do that. If you shoot him, you'll just make him mad." - The Waco Kid

by HawkOnRails on Sep 9, 2010 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I took that railroad home

for many years when I lived on Benton/Orchard Ct, and there were definitely at least 500 other people doing it each game (primarily those tgating on Woodside). Not saying you’re incorrect in that it might be a bad idea, but just saying it’s definitely been done. And yes, there was a lot of urine going into the woods back then as well.

I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.

by therealCatnuts on Sep 9, 2010 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions

not sure how long ago that was

I know in 2006 they had cops on the hawkeye express platform keeping an eye on the tracks from beneath Melrose (insert troll reference). I’m sure that the drones they’re using for crowd observation and control this year could pick off anybody who dared to try it.

by PackerHawk on Sep 10, 2010 10:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I read on the Gazette article

that there will indeed be a shuttle to the stadium

by HawkgirlSTL on Sep 9, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

What? And skip walking through the Myrtle lot on your way to the stadium?

It’s not that far. Measuring distance in beers, it’s about a four beer walk.

by Eyeheartfreedumb on Sep 10, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Woodside Dr.

Used to live there when attending school. Ahhh… the fond memories of backyard parties before and after games.

by Stay thirsty, my friends. on Sep 9, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

Oh yeah, there's a pathway/alley at the end of Woodside Dr....

back behind the apartments that takes you directly to Melrose Ave. That way would save some hoofing. At least cut through the park that’s just over the RR tracks when going down Greenwood.

Does the person who drew the blue “march this way” line even live in IC?

by Stay thirsty, my friends. on Sep 9, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions