biking in DC recommendations?

[tulip]

pfunk, let me know if you want some routes to explore. I'll start you off easy . The trick is to get OFF of the main roads and don't go the way you would if you were to drive. There are many, many wonderfully quiet roads all throughout the District that are great for cycling.

If I still lived there, I'd take you out exploring myself! I am going to come up to ride the Metropolitan Branch Trail in the spring, though. So if y'all are game, we can meet up.

[Cataboo]

Tulip, I took your advice and paddled around dc today

[Zen]

I rode down a heretofore unknown alley in Frederick today

[Cataboo]

I rode down a heretofore unknown alley in Frederick today

Should you show it to me?

[Zen]

Nah. it was over by the hospital, thru to Dill Ave. then thru College Terrace area, ended up on Second Street, up the hill in front of Frederick HS where I had to get off and wait thru a light cycle because I was in a line of cars and had to start (from a stop) at the top of the hill

[tulip]

That is so cool, Catriona and Zen! Catriona, because of my lack-of-boat status, I was not able to paddle around DC, although several times I did rent a kayak at the Bladensburg Marina and paddled down the Anacostia and into the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. That is a wonderful, wonderful place, from both the land and the water. If you paddle there, though, you have to time it with the tides, since at low tide, the gardens are not passable.

I've also paddled from Bladensburg Marina down the Anacostia to the Route 50/NY Ave Bridge, but I haven't gone beyond that. You could go all the way to the ballpark and the Potomac, but there's a very low railroad bridge that I'm not sure you can get under, and also it's a long haul back if you're going against the tide.

You all have inspired me to start a new thread on Exploring Your City By Bike. First, though, I'll have to get out and do a bit of exploring and take some pictures and then I'll start the thread. That won't happen today; maybe tomorrow, though...I've been in Richmond for 2 years and there's alot to explore. Thanks for the inspiration, y'all.

[Cataboo]

Tulip, I've been through the Aquatic gardens on foot before, but not by boat. I once took a Botany class at George Washington, and we went all over the DC area learning about all the plants. I wish I remembered more of that.


I put in at Columbia island marina, went up the river a bit, then came down, went up the fork at Haines Point, went by the Maine St. Harbor, then up under the bridges and got to a tunnel that was really really low since it was high tide. There were bolts sticking out of the ceiling, 3 pigeons had flown up inside a hole in it, and there were lots of spider webs with big spiders... and I'd've literally had to hug my kayak deck to get through...

I sat and pondered it, because I think it went to the reflecting pool... but I was a little worried as to whether there was anything trapped in the water under there and whether I'd be able to get back out (water was running rapidly into it and there was a barrier on the other side.. I wouldn't have been able to paddle to come out)...

so in the end, it was the spiders that were the deciding factor and I went back down the Potomac past the Woodrow Wilson bridge & checked out the National Harbor & Old town Alexandria. I was debating going up the Anacostia, but figured I'd leave that as another trip.

I usually take my boat and look for areas that have no humans or buildings

Pics are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ImmunoGi...dlingAroundDC#

I can't remember if I sent you the pics I took in Maine, but if you go out to the main page, there's a ton of those.

[Cataboo]

Nah. it was over by the hospital, thru to Dill Ave. then thru College Terrace area, ended up on Second Street, up the hill in front of Frederick HS where I had to get off and wait thru a light cycle because I was in a line of cars and had to start (from a stop) at the top of the hill

I haven't actually ridden or walked or driven through much of downtown frederick. We should go on a picture taking tour one of these days.

[pfunk12]

Catriona - Your photos are beautiful.

And Tulip, I'll take you up on your offer to recommend an easy route to explore DC!