biking in DC recommendations?

[tulip]

Wave as you pass by the clock tower in Richmond!

[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.

[ny biker]

Best time to go inside the Washington Monument is January-February. There are no lines that time of year. The view is impressive.

I did the 50 States ride the first year WABA ran it. It was in June that year and very hot. Some people warned me that I would be in some bad neighborhoods in NE. But I found the people were extremely nice there. Polite kids who were very curious about our bikes, and really nice helpful people working at the convenience stores. And some kids selling freshly baked cookies.

[tulip]

...Some people warned me that I would be in some bad neighborhoods in NE...

My experience is that the people with the warnings have never ventured past their comfort zone. Too bad; they are missing out on a vibrant and wonderful city.

They moved the 50 States ride to September because it was just too hot earlier in the summer. When I did it 3 years ago, it was in August and way too hot for an all day ride.

[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.

[pfunk12]

A former co-worker of mine lived in DC - near the U Street Corridor - and he would commute to work by bike almost every day. Since his commute was so short, he would leave his apartment early and ride around and explore the city so he could get in extra mileage. He would do the same thing after work - riding through every quadrant. Our secretary, who lives in SE DC, would tease him and tell him that he was going to get in trouble. No one ever bothered him and he often met really nice people who were curious about what the heck he was doing in their neighborhood.

[aicabsolut]

When I ride my bike, I try to get out of the District as quickly as possible. During rush hour, I take the CCT. Otherwise, I typically head out MacArthur Blvd. Most of my riding around the city, I avoid places I hate to drive. I generally go to Hains, though I will tool around the Capitol or cut in front of the White House on the way home after traffic dies down.

[tulip]

Aicabsolut, I'm not a racer anymore, so I prefer to just explore on my bike and not worry about training. But there are some great opportunities for climbing, fartlek, and just bike-exploring all throughout DC and not just in NW. Traffic in NW is worse than other parts of the city, particularly if you get off the main drags. Don't get me wrong, MacArthur is a nice ride on the weekends, but it's hardly all of DC.

But I get it that some folks just don't like to explore cities. I do; I guess that's why I did the whole architecture-urban design-city planning thing for my schoolin' and my workin' (and my playin').

[pfunk12]

Tulip - I think it's great that you explored DC by bike. I wish I could do it but I always feel like I have a target on my back during my commute in the city. I'm usually a nervous wreck because so many motorists are speeding, not paying attention, in a hurry, etc. and they could care less if they run me off the road. I'm very confident of my ability to ride in traffic (not so much when I first started commuting) and I'm always very aware of my surroundings (I try to predict what could happen). But...I always breathe a sigh of relief when I hit the Cap Crescent Trail. Just last week when I was leaving my building and a co-worker yelled, "Be safe!", I crossed the street when I got the green light and a car came within inches of hitting me. I came to the conclusion a few weeks ago that a good commute for me is one where I don't have an altercation or near altercation with a motorist. Maybe some day, I'll get the courage to explore the city!

[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.