Commuting - Bethesda Parking Suggestions.

I think i'm gonna start driving/commuting this monday. I'd like to start my bike route in bethesda by barnes and nobles and the honda dealership. Does anyone know of any free parking areas close by that I can leave my car from 9-5?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure free and Bethesda can be used in the same sentence!

My only serious suggestion is to try some of the residential streets to the east of Bethesda that are near the Capital Crescent trail. There is a little street off Conn, just north of the CCT crossing that might have parking. If you really want to ride the whole trail you can probably find some parking on Stewart Ave (off Brookville Rd) where the CCT starts. The parking lots there are reserved for the businesses, but the street parking is open. Starting there would add about 3 mi to your ride.

Good luck with your search.

Not much in the center of Bethesda.
You can probably find some street parking closer to River Road. The Kenwood neighborhood should be close enough, at the second street crossing from the Bethesda end of the CCT.

Bigbuzz,

You didn't say, but where are you riding from and where are you riding to? Just curious as a fellow Silver Spring commuter.

Check for signs before you park on the street. Many areas require permits(stickers). As Marylandnewbie asked,where's your start/stop? It might be easier to just ride the whole route.

I live in the general area and I don't think you'll have much luck. The residential streets around me are zoned for resident parking only, and parking enforcement comes by several times a day. I don't particularly care for that much enforcement, but I guess it's what my neighbors want. In fact, people parking to use the CCT is a hot-button issue which boils over whenever there is talk of improving trail access.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'm actually in colesville trying to commute from bethesda to georgetown. Today I was a little late to work so I took cabin john pkwy a little ways and parked at a rest stop at c&o canal lock 7 near the mcarthur blvd exit.

This being my first ride, it was a little more tiring than I expected, afterall the cct is relatively flat. However I think the combination of the rocks, no front suspension, and my skinny tires played a part in my fatigue as well. That and my messenger bag which kept swinging down and hitting my thigh. I need to get a chrome bag or something.

Anyhow, I think as I get more fit, and become more accustomed to riding, my commute will become easier and more enjoyable.

Happy riding everyone, and thanks for the suggestions.

I live in the general area....
Ask DCCommuter if you can park at his house. :D

Bigbuzz -- to play off CC rider's idea if you're interested in biking the whole CCT send me a private message I may have a suggestion for parking in Silver Spring near the trailhead. The CCT is basically flat to slightly downhill going into DC so its an easy inbound trip. Good luck with your commute.

Ask DCCommuter if you can park at his house. :D

Sorry, I need my spot for my car while I'm at work. :)

Marylandnewbie .... how bad is the gravel on the unpaved portion of the CCT connecting silver spring to bethesda? I'm riding on size 28 tires and no suspension, so i'm kinda hesitant.

Bigbuzz -- no suspension won't be an issue on the gravel portions. They are bumpy but not that bad. And really the only bad section is between Stewart Ave and the bridge over Rock Creek -- probably about a half mile. After that the trail is very firm and pretty smooth. I ride a hybrid with wider tires so I can't say from personal experience how the ride is, but I see people ride the rough section with narrower tire road bikes. My guess would be that after a few rides you would learn the best line through that 1/2 mile section and it wouldn't be a problem. Once you cross Rock Creek you won't have any problems with the skinny tires.

There is parking on Stewart Ave. Some days there is a lot and other days it seems pretty full so it might depend on when you get there. The Rosemary Hills neighborhood just east of the trail head has street parking and there is a recreation center 2-3 blocks from the trail head that might offer a good parking choice for a weekday commuter. I hope that helps.

Marylandnewbie .... how bad is the gravel on the unpaved portion of the CCT connecting silver spring to bethesda? I'm riding on size 28 tires and no suspension, so i'm kinda hesitant.

You're on a Novara Big Buzz,yes? I remember demoing one. Not the kind of thing I'd want to take down the gravel path every day. Your wrists may be in better shape than mine,but it still would take the fun off the ride. Plus it'll prolly be a mess in the rain.

Is there some alternate route you can take to get to the CCT? Here's a Google Maps link to where the paved portion begins(across from Barnes & Noble):
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4801+Bethesda+Avenue,+Bethesda,+MD+20814&spn=0.021583,0.037916&iwloc=A&hl=en

You could try scrolling around to find a way to get there without using EastWest Hwy.

You could try scrolling around to find a way to get there without using EastWest Hwy.

The answer to that is Beach Dr to Woodbine St. to Leland to Willow. That takes you almost directly to Wisconsin Ave and Bethesda Ave.

I do this commute a couple times a week. It isn't bad, pretty unpopulated, though crossing Connecticut can be time consuming.