biking in DC recommendations?

[ny biker]

If you just want to putz around downtown you can ride to all the museums on the mall or wherever you want to go downtown. There are some bike lanes here and there on the street but if you don't feel comfortable you can ride on the sidewalk. There are even bike lanes here and there.

Do you want to see a bike trail or do you want to see the city?

Cycling on the sidewalk is illegal in the DC Central Business District. Click the "DC Prohibited Sidewalk Cycling zone" link on this page to see the map.

http://www.waba.org/areabiking/maps.php


I second the bikewashington recommendation. Lots of info on that site.

[aeiea]

I'm in DC until Sunday (morning). So I figured I'd do one ride on Friday and another ride on Saturday.

I'd love to join up if any of you are doing anything then! Group rides <3

Thanks for the recommendations; I will check them out.

[Zen]

Cycling on the sidewalk is illegal in the DC Central Business District. Click the "DC Prohibited Sidewalk Cycling zone" link on this page to see the map.

http://www.waba.org/areabiking/maps.php

On a weekend? Meh.

[Cataboo]

On a weekend? Meh.

You scofflaw.

Have you been violating the law?

[aicabsolut]

If you ride the Mt Vernon trail, then I would take it south from Old Town (not north to DC unless you plan on taking your time and going in just to tool around the monuments and such). There's often less multi-use traffic on the southern end, but on the weekends, it's not going to be great.

There's some great riding in and around DC. What area of the city will you be in? What kind of mileage do you want to do? Do you want to see the sights or ride to get in a good workout?

[aeiea]

If you ride the Mt Vernon trail, then I would take it south from Old Town (not north to DC unless you plan on taking your time and going in just to tool around the monuments and such). There's often less multi-use traffic on the southern end, but on the weekends, it's not going to be great.

There's some great riding in and around DC. What area of the city will you be in? What kind of mileage do you want to do? Do you want to see the sights or ride to get in a good workout?

I'll be in Alexandria Old Town as I'll be performing in the evenings on Weds and Thurs, but the rest of time is up to me! I probably just want to see the sights (it is a bit of a vacation lol) or rather have a nice ride -- partially as my sister, who doesn't often ride bikes, will be riding with me. I've been to DC before and don't need to see the monuments or smithsonian (unless they're on the way) -- my main priority is to check out VA/DC nature views... whatever is different from Los Angeles. Which will probably mean -- autumn!!!

I am definitely feeling this Mt Vernon trail Thanks all.

[Cataboo]

If you want to do nature views - do the Mount Vernon trail. The C&O Canal towpath might be a nice one.

Western Maryland rail trail is 22 miles of paved flat that's up near the mountains that you can return on the C&O canal... it's a bit of a drive out of DC, but could be worth it.

[tulip]

Make sure to have a bell on your bike and use it. Or yell Passing on Your Left or some such phrase. And don't ride too fast. Lots of people are on that trail, but if you go south, there will be fewer. Nice views of the Potomac.

There's a bike shop in Old Town Alexandria that rents bikes. In fact, there are two. Big Wheel Bikes is down on Duke Street at the very end towards the river. It's a yellow building--just follow Duke Street toward the river and you'll get to it. The other one is on Montgomery Street (I think) in Old Town North. It's called Wheel Nutz.

[owlice]

Cycling on the sidewalk is illegal in the DC Central Business District. Click the "DC Prohibited Sidewalk Cycling zone" link on this page to see the map.

http://www.waba.org/areabiking/maps.php

Oh, hell's bells, I ride on the sidewalk on the Mall up to the Capitol! I wouldn't ride on a sidewalk north of Constitution Avenue, but on the south sidewalk of Constitution and further south of it, I do it whenever I'm biking in DC , as do loads of other bikers.

(Good to know that it's not legal, though; now I'll smile when I ride! )

Another nice ride is the Capital Crescent Trail, which parallels the C&O for a bit and runs up to Bethesda. If you are going to ride the C&O, you want fat tires if you're going to head up to Great Falls (which is very pretty and good for nature). The C&O Canal towpath is rocky in the Great Falls area.

Rock Creek Park is good for nature, too. From Alexandria, you have easy access to Capital Crescent, C&O, and Rock Creek. Not so much for nature, but another nice little ride, if you're riding in DC, is around Hains Point. It's a different perspective on DC, and is a very very (very) popular loop for bikers, runners, skaters, etc.

(I was biking around Hains Point yesterday, and had to really work to pass one skater.... me passing someone almost never happens. Of course, she later passed me. I was doing what for me is a very speedy 14 MPH, and she zoomed right on by.)

Parts of Rock Creek are closed to motor vehicle traffic from 7 AM Saturday to 7 PM Sunday (and on holidays). The hiking is good in the park, too.

[Possegal]

Today the Capital Crescent was like an obstacle course of downed branches and large tree paraphernalia. My niece and I enjoyed it, but laughed at all the defensive maneuvering we had to do. I'm amazed neither of us have a flat at this point (though I haven't checked my bike since I got home). Other than that, gorgeous day for a ride on it!

[aeiea]

Just got home but wanted to thank everyone for their input!

My sister (who hadn't biked since childhood) and I went to Big Wheel Bikes, rented some (actually, first hour was free!), and rode down the Mt. Vernon Trail. SO AMAZING, so much fun! My sister had a blast too. Great sibling bonding moments.

I mentioned the Mt. Vernon Trail to some of my friends who live in DC, and they had no idea what I was talking about... so in fact I'm introducing them to their area.

Not enough time (and a bit rainy) to do the other recommendations, but next time... so much to do!

THANK YOU

[tulip]

Just got home but wanted to thank everyone for their input!

My sister (who hadn't biked since childhood) and I went to Big Wheel Bikes, rented some (actually, first hour was free!), and rode down the Mt. Vernon Trail. SO AMAZING, so much fun! My sister had a blast too. Great sibling bonding moments.

I mentioned the Mt. Vernon Trail to some of my friends who live in DC, and they had no idea what I was talking about... so in fact I'm introducing them to their area.

Not enough time (and a bit rainy) to do the other recommendations, but next time... so much to do!

THANK YOU

I'm glad you had a good time with your sister. About your friends not knowing about the MVT...well, I would bet they don't know about a WHOLE lot of DC. I found that people stick to what they know and rarely venture out. Too bad, because the whole city is a really neat place. I was fortunate to discover all sorts of interesting places thanks to commuting and exploring by bike all over the District. Most people know the route from their apartment to the nearest Metro and that's it.

[Cataboo]

Hrm. I lived within 20 miles of DC most of my life. The furthest I've lived is maybe 100 miles away... Driving in DC typically gives me hives.

I'm pretty sure I've seen less of DC than the average tourist.

I've never even been up the Washington monument.

That's awesome you loved the trail, Aieia... It really is a pretty one

[tulip]

Hrm. I lived within 20 miles of DC most of my life. The furthest I've lived is maybe 100 miles away... Driving in DC typically gives me hives.

I'm pretty sure I've seen less of DC than the average tourist.

I've never even been up the Washington monument.

That's awesome you loved the trail, Aieia... It really is a pretty one

Well I've never been up the Washington Monument, nor in the Capitol. I'm talking about the 'real' city--the parts where people actually live. And I'm not talking about Georgetown or Dupont Circle, either, although people do actually live there. I'm talking about NE DC. And SE--there are some amazing houses and neighborhoods in Anacostia. And far NW is very, very nice, too. SW is interesting and quite manageable since it's the smallest quadrant.

I understand that construction is coming along nicely on the Metropolitan Branch Trail in NE DC. It runs from Catholic University in Brookland all the way to Union Station along the Metro tracks. Well, right now it kinda stops at M Street, but they will eventually build a bridge to Union Station. I took that route (dirt and gravel) before it was under construction and it cut off 10 minutes from my 1.25 hour commute down to Alexandria. I can only imagine how cool it would be to take it now! There's also some amazing grafitti along the trail--really amazing. DC TEers should check it out on their next DC get together! Maybe I'll come up for that, even!

Go exploring! A wonderful ride ever year is the 50 States Ride that hits all 50 State Avenues in the District. It takes all day, and is just great. It's held in September.

[7rider]

I'm pretty sure I've seen less of DC than the average tourist.

Pretty much the only time we "explore" D.C. is when we have company come from out of state. If it's their first time here, we do the requisite "Museum and Monument Tour". Otherwise, we hit the art museums or the zoo, depending on interest.