an outsider's perspective on a contentious bike route in DC/MD

I'm in suburban MD right now, visiting the family, and this morning I took my bike out for a ride to MacArthur Blvd. My mom suggested the route, as there's a wide multi-use path that runs next to the road. Of course I asked her "do real roadie cyclists ride on the path, or on the road?" She said they do both.

I did some googling and found this completely disturbing comment war about cycling on MacArthur Blvd. Frankly, I can't believe these people are raising children, and I seriously hope I never meet any of them. But that's beside the point.

Anyway, because it was a Wednesday morning, there was nobody else on the path (e.g. no walkers, strollers, dogs, etc), so that's where I rode. It was perfectly pleasant, and far more comfortable than riding on the extremely narrow (often non-existent) shoulder of a windy street. It wasn't as long of a route as I would have liked, but I suppose I could have doubled back and done the part heading into DC as well.

The whole while I wondered to myself whether or not cyclists were actually supposed to be on that path or not? I passed a few others, so clearly they do use it. But there are signs all over the street about sharing the road, which makes me think that bikes can/should/do ride with traffic. It was kind of confusing. Tomorrow I'm going to head over to Rock Creek Park and ride the paved trail in there. Hopefully I'll be able to log a bit more distance that way. The way traffic is around here, I'm just as happy to avoid interacting with cars as much as possible. Ann Arbor really spoiled me in this regard.

I'm headed to Rehoboth beach for a week (with my bike) for vacation. If anybody knows of nice places to cycle around there, please let me know!

I have ridden MacArthur several times, although it was years ago, and I found it really hostile because the cars were very fast. There were not bike lanes at that time.

There are so many great places to ride in the DC area--I hope you get to some other areas. My favorite is the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which opened just after I moved away, although I rode the route before it was paved several times. It was not fun because of the sandy surface, but now it's wonderful.

Have fun in DC.

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Originally Posted by tulip

I have ridden MacArthur several times, although it was years ago, and I found it really hostile because the cars were very fast. There were not bike lanes at that time.

There are so many great places to ride in the DC area--I hope you get to some other areas. My favorite is the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which opened just after I moved away, although I rode the route before it was paved several times. It was not fun because of the sandy surface, but now it's wonderful.

Have fun in DC.

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The Branch Trail is fantastic! The last time I was in town I started the trail by the New York Ave metro station and took it up to the Anacostia Trail system. My friend and I rode all the way to Silver Spring (actually to White Oak) entirely within the park. I couldn't believe how awesome it was, and how completely empty. Especially compared to the Capital Crescent, which is like a freaking parking lot.

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Originally Posted by blue_angel

I'm headed to Rehoboth beach for a week (with my bike) for vacation. If anybody knows of nice places to cycle around there, please let me know!

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Check with Sussex Cyclists - they have rides 3-5 mornings/week in the Rehoboth Beach area.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sussexcyclists/

Also there is the Junction &Breakwater Trail, which runs from Rehoboth to Lewes. Parts of it are really beautiful. I would avoid riding on Rt. 1 at this time of the year. Too crowded. Also be very careful - we have a lot of wrong way cyclists wherever you ride around here in the summertime.

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Originally Posted by withm

Check with Sussex Cyclists - they have rides 3-5 mornings/week in the Rehoboth Beach area.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sussexcyclists/

Also there is the Junction &Breakwater Trail, which runs from Rehoboth to Lewes. Parts of it are really beautiful. I would avoid riding on Rt. 1 at this time of the year. Too crowded. Also be very careful - we have a lot of wrong way cyclists wherever you ride around here in the summertime.

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Thanks for the suggestion! I was just googling that trail--is it still crushed gravel? If so, my skinny tires can't hack it :(

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Originally Posted by blue_angel

Thanks for the suggestion! I was just googling that trail--is it still crushed gravel? If so, my skinny tires can't hack it :(

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I ride it about once a year. You can do this. Sure 25s or 28s would be better, but I've done it on 23s. It's a pretty ride, especially through the glade area, but it's not a nice smooth paved path. Seems to me it's paved in Lewes but I've not been up there in a while.

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Originally Posted by blue_angel

I'm in suburban MD right now, visiting the family, and this morning I took my bike out for a ride to MacArthur Blvd. My mom suggested the route, as there's a wide multi-use path that runs next to the road. Of course I asked her "do real roadie cyclists ride on the path, or on the road?" She said they do both.

I did some googling and found this completely disturbing comment war about cycling on MacArthur Blvd. Frankly, I can't believe these people are raising children, and I seriously hope I never meet any of them. But that's beside the point.

Anyway, because it was a Wednesday morning, there was nobody else on the path (e.g. no walkers, strollers, dogs, etc), so that's where I rode. It was perfectly pleasant, and far more comfortable than riding on the extremely narrow (often non-existent) shoulder of a windy street. It wasn't as long of a route as I would have liked, but I suppose I could have doubled back and done the part heading into DC as well.

The whole while I wondered to myself whether or not cyclists were actually supposed to be on that path or not? I passed a few others, so clearly they do use it. But there are signs all over the street about sharing the road, which makes me think that bikes can/should/do ride with traffic. It was kind of confusing. Tomorrow I'm going to head over to Rock Creek Park and ride the paved trail in there. Hopefully I'll be able to log a bit more distance that way. The way traffic is around here, I'm just as happy to avoid interacting with cars as much as possible. Ann Arbor really spoiled me in this regard.

I'm headed to Rehoboth beach for a week (with my bike) for vacation. If anybody knows of nice places to cycle around there, please let me know!

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The D.C. area is littered with many Type A personalities who think the world belongs to them and all most bow down before their awesomeness. Unfortunately, they often like to drive their BMWs and Lexi (?) down MacArthur Blvd., where they invariably interact with Type A's on Cervelos and BMCs and whatnots. Lots of chest beating must occur. It's a law of nature.

Much of what you read in that forum is absolute garbage and 99% of those posting would back down if they were forced to actually speak in a less anonymous forum or if they actually bothered to check their facts. (Really? A cyclist endangers a motorist by virtue of being on the road?? Really?? I may be big, but I'm not that big, and your car isn't that flimsy.)

Cyclists in Maryland are NOT required to ride in a bike path or lane, even if one is present. I believe the requirement to ride "as far to the right as practicable" has been repealed as well - good since that never made any sense. Who decides what is "practicable" for a cyclist? Well, likely the rider, but if she's dead from a rear end collision, who's going to argue her point?

If you arestill local today and tomorrow here are some options:

Bike from Sterling va to purcellvile and back. Roughly 40 miles.

Bike from national airport to mount Vernon and back. Again roughly 40 miles. Paved and lots of shade.