Northeast - DC - Places to ride & bike rental shops?

Howdy all,

I'm going to be in DC on business for a couple of weeks. I'll be staying and working on Rt 50 near 495 about 10 miles west of Reagan airport. I heard that there was a nice MUP along the Potomac that takes you to Mt. Vernon. Is there a good bike rental shop?

Thanks for the help.

Dana

The Mt. Vernon Trail along the Potomac is a nice ride. Don't expect high speed because it is often narrow and winding and full of people who would be a hazard walking across their own living room. You can also use the 4 Mile Run trail (near the airport) to get from the Mt Vernon Trail over to the W & OD Trail. The W & OD offers 40 some miles of paved riding and a dozen or more uncontrolled road crossings to keep your heart rate and blood pressure up. It is a nice ride, but do be careful on the crossings.

Can't help you much on bike rentals over in VA.

Let me guess. Your'e staying at the Fairview Park Marriott.
That's just across route 50 and down a little from where I live. About a mile by bike
For local food, try Sweetwater Tavern or Grevey's, both on Gallows Road. Or Hickory Grill at Loehman's Plaza. There's also a good frozen dairy bar a little east on 50, next to the IHOP.

Bike rentals....don't know from personal experience but this might help.
http://www.bikewashington.org/rentals/index.htm

There are a lot of good MUPs and trails around here. If you had a bike with you at the hotel you could ride to the W&OD and get downtown.
If you rent in Alexandria (probably Big Wheel) you can take the Mount Vernon Trail along the river. 20 mile r/t from Old Town to Mount Vernon. Or 20 mile+ r/t up to the Mall and the monuments. Riding out to Hains Point is a favorite around here (did it myself last weekend)

If you're in town before July 8, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is down on the Mall. Might be worth a ride-by.

Have fun.

Do not use Better Bikes, their bikes are terrible, seemingly straight from the crackheads. I was very disappointed when I rented a MTB while my parents were in town.

Big Wheel Bikes rents decent road bikes along with hybrids, etc. Not sure if there's a location that is convenient to you.
http://www.bigwheelbikes.com/

Here are the locations:

Arlington, VA
3119 Lee Highway
703-522-1110

Bethesda, MD
6917 Arlington Rd.
301-652-0192


Old Town,
Alexandria , VA
2 Prince St.
703-739-2300

Georgetown, DC
1034 33rd st. NW
202-337-0254

Wow! Thanks guys! I'm hoping to stay at the Residence Inn that is just north of US50 and west if the beltway. Is there a website that has maps of the Mt Vernon and W & OD trails?

Found the trail info on the bikewashington site. Thanks.

Residence Inn? Isn't that in Tysons Corner? More route 7 than route 50.
Only 4 or 5 mile difference, but during rush hour that's 20 to 30 minutes.

Where is it that you need to be for work? Tysons or Merrifield? If you don't need to be in Tysons, better to stay out of that traffic hell.

http://www.bikewashington.org/