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So I and my friends have decided we don't care if we get stuck in BFE we want as much time on the Farm as possible. So we will be leaving Western NY Tuesday night and getting down to the area around Noon on Wednesday. I know it can be luck of the draw but we are going to assume were stuck in BFE. I'd like to hear from people who've been there in years past. Everyone always harps about it but what are the positives? How long is the walk, are there any vendors like in the main camp grounds?
I love it in BFE. It all depends on who you talk to. And yeah, there are few places in the pod to get food and such. This thread has been going in the past day or so too:
Welcome back Bonz, but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal.
Let's see. in 2011 I was in BFE (Camp Dr. No) and I only got to see about 15-20 bands and missed all late night sets because of the exhausting 40 minute walk back and forth from Centeroo. Last year I was in camp McFly and about a 5-10 minute walk to Centeroo and saw about 40 bands including late nights. Big difference.
Post by itrainmonkeys on May 7, 2013 14:08:55 GMT -5
It's only bad if you enjoy going to and from your campsite each day. I tend to go into centeroo early and don't usually leave until the music is done so being in BFE was not a problem for me. But if you have a group of friends who like to see some shows, go back for a bit, then go back to shows, then chill at camp a little bit....it can be annoying for sure.
I've mentioned it elsewhere, but I love the northwestern pods (Pods 9-11). It's quieter, less crowded and in general gives you a reprieve from the constant light, noise and grime of Centeroo and Pod 3. Not to mention they have MUCH MUCH MUCH cleaner bathrooms. If you know you'll be in BFE, bring a few more snacks and an extra case of beer. Bring an extra backpack to carry your gear. Boom, problems solved.
EDIT: To actually answer your questions: 15-20 minutes, although you pass an honest-to-god bar on the way (I assume it's a real business that is allowed to stay open), so sometimes you get sucked into grabbing a cold drink. The vendors are sparse, hence the suggestion for extra supplies. You'll have a couple of carnival style food trucks, then you'll have the biggest collection of glass pieces EVER. You'll pass so many vendors on the way to and from that you won't even notice.
I think that is one of the big differences between the NW pods and Pod 1. You have access to tons of vendors on your path whereas Pod 1 is a walk through the woods.
I can't stay in Centeroo all day or I'd go broke by day one. I need to get to my beers, food and other things throughout the day so BFE isn't a good option for me at all. I liked the massive camping spot I got but I'd rather be crammed in and be closer. VIP this year should treat me pretty well.
We stayed in BFE in 09. Walk through the woods, lots of space nice and quiet. 25-30 minute walk. Just bring lots of snacks and plenty of water. I am going to try t smuggle vodka in In a misting fan bottle, someone told me that here and it sounds like it might work! i wont be drinking too much alcohol during the heat of the day anyway just Catch a beer buzz early and only drink a few bears during the day in centeroo so I don't go broke.
If you can live with out going back to camp during the day do it, if you have money for the festicabs they were a lifesaver for us that year we only took them like three times all weekend but when we did we needed it. Especially to catch an early show you're running lat for or when you're evaluated after a long day night. There ere lots of cool people too they all want to get there early and you get to party Wednesday night too. If you won't to get there Wednesday do it it's not that bad just be prepared for the long walks or long days in centeroo. Cuz you don't want to wet too many hours walking back and forth to camp. We had a blast there.
Can you cut through from BFE through VIP camping to get to Centaroo or do you have to walk around?
Theres a side entrance that runs along VIP camping but its not open right away. I think they wait until the traffic dies down then open the entrance. It saves alot of times once its open but its still a hike.
There's a side entrance going into the far side of the What Stage field which is only open when the What Stage is open (aka not on Thursday or late night/early morning). At these times in the past you you had to walk all the way around VIP to get to the arch, but this past year they created a shortcut. It runs between VIP and What and brings you right to the arch. It not only cuts off time but the walk is much more enjoyable as well. It's grassy and shady.
Welcome back Bonz, but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal.
I absolutely love BFE/007! The walk only got to me by the end of the weekend, but nowhere near as far as PODs 10/11. Like others have mentioned there are one or two side entrances open (one was new last year I believe) and they cut the walk down. Runnin' back and forth to camp can get rough though if you aren't used to walkin' a lot!
Awesome guys thanks! I am a chubby guy but walk 15-30 miles most weekends, I try not to Drive my care once I get home for the week. The two people I'm going with are nurses and spend all day on their feet so I while I am sure the heat will make it tiring I think we'll be ok.
Post by adrenalinetruth on May 8, 2013 17:45:51 GMT -5
I had a friend who was in bad shape and wore horrible shoes to the fest last year... AND we were in BFE. Festicabs were a lifesaver ($5+tip to get all the way back and they drop your right at your tent). Save a few duckets for that definitely. I also set up a second tent in TO just to crash when needed and that ended up being great if I wanted to catch a late night set without riding back... There are options but you have to be prepared.
I've mentioned it elsewhere, but I love the northwestern pods (Pods 9-11). It's quieter, less crowded and in general gives you a reprieve from the constant light, noise and grime of Centeroo and Pod 3. Not to mention they have MUCH MUCH MUCH cleaner bathrooms. If you know you'll be in BFE, bring a few more snacks and an extra case of beer. Bring an extra backpack to carry your gear. Boom, problems solved.
EDIT: To actually answer your questions: 15-20 minutes, although you pass an honest-to-god bar on the way (I assume it's a real business that is allowed to stay open), so sometimes you get sucked into grabbing a cold drink. The vendors are sparse, hence the suggestion for extra supplies. You'll have a couple of carnival style food trucks, then you'll have the biggest collection of glass pieces EVER. You'll pass so many vendors on the way to and from that you won't even notice.
I think that is one of the big differences between the NW pods and Pod 1. You have access to tons of vendors on your path whereas Pod 1 is a walk through the woods.
I was put in POD 10 in 2010... the walk was a LITTLE longer, but with good shoes, just stroll, it'll be over before you know it. Plus, as you said, I had more room than when I was in POD 3 in 2011... I wouldn't say POD 3 was that much dirtier, but it was more cramped. The best part of the walk across the farm to POD 10 was the fact that you passed every Port-o-Pot on site. You are almost guaranteed to pass a set as they are being cleaned- and therefore getting dibs on a clean crapper. Personally, I wouldn't mind being in POD 1- big fan of shady walks.
Post by gettinthere on May 8, 2013 18:29:52 GMT -5
In 2011 we were in uber BFE (Stewie Griffin). I could have thrown a baseball and hit the houses. It was cool because it was quiet and whatnot but that walk was brutal. It was a 3 beer, 40 minute walk to centeroo. By Saturday even the thought of walking that far was dismal so we'd walk in and take the golf cart taxi back.
That being said, I'll take last year's Biff Tannen 5 minute walk hands down.
Post by gardenfresh on May 8, 2013 18:36:02 GMT -5
Pod 1 BFE / James Bond Camp is also my absolute favorite and I go there by choice. I like the "eager beaver" crowd! I feel like you are surrounded by more veterans who know how the game is played, plus there isn't alot of "through" foot traffic which I think helps with theft and malfeasants... (not that that's a big problem anyways).
The only reason BFE sucks so bad is that walk. It's fun to have a three-beer walk on Thursday, but by Friday night your body is sick of it. The cart cabs are 100% worth it and make BFE not only tolerable, but enjoyable!
and pod 1 is not BFE. pod 1 was maybe a 20 min walk if that last year and i was on the fence line. my first year in 2008 we were in true BFE and it took us at least 45 mins to walk into centeroo. it was kind of awful.
I think this board makes it out to be a lot worse than it is. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just happy to be on the farm, and a further campsite is just more reason for me to stay in Centeroo all day and check out bands. Plus walking 30 minutes in the heat isn't that bad with beers in hand and a couple liters of water strapped to your back.. especially since YOU'RE AT BONNAROO!
In 2011 we were in uber BFE (Stewie Griffin). I could have thrown a baseball and hit the houses. It was cool because it was quiet and whatnot but that walk was brutal. It was a 3 beer, 40 minute walk to centeroo. By Saturday even the thought of walking that far was dismal so we'd walk in and take the golf cart taxi back.
That being said, I'll take last year's Biff Tannen 5 minute walk hands down.
I was also in Stewie Griffin in 2011. Never again.
In 2011 we were in uber BFE (Stewie Griffin). I could have thrown a baseball and hit the houses. It was cool because it was quiet and whatnot but that walk was brutal. It was a 3 beer, 40 minute walk to centeroo. By Saturday even the thought of walking that far was dismal so we'd walk in and take the golf cart taxi back.
That being said, I'll take last year's Biff Tannen 5 minute walk hands down.
I was also in Stewie Griffin in 2011. Never again.
Yeah, Stewie is WAY the eff out there. I walked over to Pod 11 from Pod 10 to take a shower and was like, "HOLY CRAP, it doesn't LOOK that far." It was probably a good 5-10 minutes across 10 to the edge of 11. I can't imagine being on the far edge of 11.
9 and 10 are good BFE's to get (although others disagree). I would concur on the reasons to like Pod 1, but I feel like it gets swampy there. If it were a rainy year, people might drown.
The farther out you are, the cooler art installations you get. It is known. Last year 10 had a giant tower that played music from Bonnaroo and you could paint the outside of it. 11 had a hammock forest and misters.
Post by gardenfresh on May 13, 2013 1:24:25 GMT -5
I just remembered another perk of Pod 1 BFE....
Pod 1 is where the taxis dispatch from, it's their home-base! Getting an outbound taxi from Pod 1-->Centeroo is easy as pie, whereas in other Pods it is a little more difficult to wait and hail one down.
i hate to be negative but it was bad for me. by the time i got to centeroo i was hot and i had to pee really bad from all the water i was guzzling. that year it was also dusty and dry and so i was filthy to boot. then you cant run back and forth to your tent either. late night ...that walk was not fun! if i got in BFE again id bring some stuff up closer and put it somewhere in someone elses camp if i could so i could go out and get some water etc..snack..change of clothign or sit.. i think that would be easy enough to do. find a friendly rooer and ask them if i could share a closer area...just to rest etc. as or it being quieter, i didnt have that experience either. two different people played rap music 24/7 and someone ran a generator at night.
I'm pretty optimistic I think but when it comes to being in BFE, I hated it. We do tent only every year so even though I didn't stay in BFE for the duration of the wknd, it still sucked for us. Last year was the 2nd year we'd gotten stuck in BFE and my group actually got split up because half got out at tent only as we drove by and hung there while I parked the car. We got separated for the night because they wouldn't let me walk out of BFE back into the grounds. The walk in general was terrible. I'm in shape and don't mind the haul, but it's frustrating when you think of having to walk that far because you decided you wanted to have lunch at your site, or you need to change, or you want to nap...stuff like that.
But when it comes down to it, being in BFE will not ruin your experience if you're at Roo for the right reasons and just make the best of it.
but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal. 
