Mt. Vernon Trail

[Mary T.]

Riding a bike into DC is a great way to go. Our bike club makes 2 trips a year to Mt Vernon, birthplace of George Washington - 1st President of our country. The trail starts at the end of the parking lot and goes all the way into DC where many other trails can be picked up. We make a stop in Old Town Alexandria where we pick up subs and bring them with us to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for lunch. We them make the rounds to the Viet Nam Wall, The Korean War Memorial, the Einstein statue, the Washington Monument to name a few. We usually go in April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and again in October when the leaves are changing into spectacular colors. It is about 42 miles round trip. I would suggest it for everyone.

PS- I ride my mountain bike. Eventhough the trail is paved there are roots coming through the pavement and it is not a place for a fast bike ride. Other club members use road bikes but I like the front shock.

[Selkie]

Hi Mary - That is a great ride, especially that downhill right by Mt. Vernon proper -- wooohoo!!! I haven't been down there in ages. I'm in Arlington, just a scooch north of Ballston, and ride mostly on the Custis and W&OD trails, west and south. Haven't ventured east towards Georgetown/DC but will do that once the snow melts. We are so lucky to have a great system of bike trails here in DC, if you can stand the weekend walker/jogger/stroller/doggy walker traffic in summer and "Lance Armstrong wannabees" buzzing by you! What group do you ride with? I'm considering joining the Potomac Pedalers, as they seem to have a lot of great group rides. I've been mostly riding alone or with my hubby.

[Jen]

I want to ride with a group too. Just need a push I guess. It is safer and more fun and you go further.

[Selkie]

I'm actually thinking of starting my own riding group for chicks who work and ride on weekends/after work.

[tulip]

Working Babes on Bikes! Whoo-hoo! Thanks mickchick.

I take the Mount Vernon trail from the 14th Street bridge to Old Town Alexandria on my commute. It's alot of fun, even when it's cold, like it was this morning.

[Selkie]

Hey Tulip - I heard that they were having a problem w/a jerk or jerks putting tacks down on the trail near National Airport again. Apparently, someone over there hates cyclists and these carpet tacks flatten tires on a regular basis. Just a word to the wise if you use that part of the trail on your way to Old Town. Apparently, the park service have a special magnetized machine that they roll along the trail to get rid of the tacks.

[tulip]

Hey Tulip - I heard that they were having a problem w/a jerk or jerks putting tacks down on the trail near National Airport again. Apparently, someone over there hates cyclists and these carpet tacks flatten tires on a regular basis. Just a word to the wise if you use that part of the trail on your way to Old Town. Apparently, the park service have a special magnetized machine that they roll along the trail to get rid of the tacks.

AGAIN??? The person-with-deep-emotional-issues was at it before Christmas. I'll be prepared--thanks for the warning. I go right past there. There were none on Monday when I rode, but I haven't ridden since Monday due to after-work events.

Mean People Suck.