I live in Old Town Alexandria and would love to ride greater distances, however the stop-start of riding in town bugs me and if I hop on the MUP (Mt. Vernon being the closest and most common for me) I have to watch my speed due to pedestrians and such (actually got run off the trail by a 4-5yo girl the other day who couldn't control her bike). If I was still living where I grew up (N. Indiana) I could easily get out of town and ride down county roads and ride several miles before coming to a stop sign, but that doesn't seem to be an option around here and even getting out into Fairfax county doesn't really promise open roads from what I've seen (admittedly I am not overly familiar with Fairfax though). Any suggestions for the best places to ride while avoiding both stop-go every block and also excessive amounts of pedestrians?
Note: I don't have a car so places accessable from either Metro (when bikes are allowed) or within riding distance would be most beneficial.
Thanks.
ks1g
06-12-07, 07:37 PM
The Bike Washington site at www.bikewashington.org has a number of cue sheets for rides all over the DC area. So does Potomac Pedelers Touring Club (http://www.bikepptc.org for ride list, forums, and cue sheet library (members), unofficial email list at http://groups.google.com/group/pedalers). Spokes Etc has a store in Alexandria that should have more info on local rides.
Good luck!
dirtyphotons
06-13-07, 09:04 AM
from the type of riding you describe, i'm assuming you have a road bike? unfortunately most of the on-road routes are congested until you get out pretty far. and the mt vernon trail is murder on a nice day.
i'd check out the cue sheets mentioned above, and if you just want to fly, hains point is the place to go. you still have to watch out for the peds though.
if your bike will go offroad, i reccomend hitting the c&o canal. it's really the only place i can ride at 5pm on a weekday and go as hard as i want without worrying too much about congestion and stopping. also wakefield/lake accotink park. it's a short ride from the vienna metro and has lots of singletrack.
Relaxer
06-13-07, 12:54 PM
Hains Point is the place for you. It's a 3.2-mile loop, and you can really do some great conditioning without having to worry about the clogged paths. As noted above, there are some peds and cars, but they're easily navigated around.
And if you're in Alexandria, then you can totally ride there.
cc_rider
06-13-07, 04:05 PM
Hains Point, Beach Drive (best on weekends), MacArthur Blvd in DC.
And since you're in Alexandria, try the GW Parkway south from Alexandria instead of the MUP. Best in the mornings before there is too much traffic. The side streets parallel to the trail and Parkway are not bad, either.
Laps at Fort Hunt.
If you like hills, north Arlington, west Springfield and Annandale have some good ones. If you know your routes, you can go for a long ways between stops.
PPTC is a good resource.
Sounds like you'd like the outer counties: Loudon, Prince William, Faquier, western Fairfax, upper Montgomery, lower Prince George. You just need to figure out how to get out there.
Maybe Metro out to Vienna and ride to Great Falls. Or Metro to Rockville and ride to Poolesville.
edx74
06-14-07, 10:29 AM
I was wondering about crossing Arlington Cemetery going from DC to Shirlington. I have to get quickly from my office at Metro Center out to Four Mile Run after work next week. Any ideas from a NOVA local?
cc_rider
06-14-07, 02:26 PM
You can't ride across the cemetery. Only around it.
And thru it gets you to Fort Meyer, no where near 4MR.
Take either the Mount Vernon Trail to the 4MR trail head around milepost 13
Or take the Pentagon path and the Hayes St and Eads St bike lanes thru Pentagon City. 4MR is at the end of Eads St.
fuerein
06-14-07, 07:39 PM
Hains Point, Beach Drive (best on weekends), MacArthur Blvd in DC.
And since you're in Alexandria, try the GW Parkway south from Alexandria instead of the MUP. Best in the mornings before there is too much traffic. The side streets parallel to the trail and Parkway are not bad, either.
Yeah, I had thought about GW Parkway (I live about a block off it on the N. end of Old Town). But I have only experienced it at around 6-7pm on a weekday. Drivers were very pissy with me at that time of day. :p Maybe it would be better on weekends.
And thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll have to look into them.
StanSeven
06-14-07, 08:14 PM
Try going south on the bike trail to the Belle Haven Marina. The Potomac Ped's cue sheet shows a good route south. It's anywhere from 15 - 34 miles, depending upon your choices. Also the parkway isn't bad during non-rush times. You can get to Mt Vernon and have lots of choices from there.
phoenity
06-15-07, 09:28 AM
I live in eastern Loudoun county so country roads around Middleburg aren't too far away from me. It might be a drive from Alexandria, but it's really a phenomenal ride through the area. Even on a weekend ride, you won't be passed by more than a few cars on some of these backroads.
And the multi-million dollar farms are really something to look at!
ChuteTheMall
06-17-07, 07:09 AM
I was wondering about crossing Arlington Cemetery going from DC to Shirlington. I have to get quickly from my office at Metro Center out to Four Mile Run after work next week. Any ideas from a NOVA local?
From Roosevelt Island/Rosslyn, take the Custis Trail directly to the W&OD.
Yes, it's got uphills, and pedestrians on weekdays; a loud bell would help.
There's even a marked shortcut near Ballston from the Custis Trail to Bluemont Park's junction with the W&OD. In either case, turn left on the W&OD towards Shirlington.
Or take the longer route, down the Mt.V just past Reagan Nat'l Airport, turn at 4 Mile Run taking the Anderson Bikeway to the pedestrian bridge over 395 into Shirlington.