Relocating to DC area Help [Archive]

naisme

09-27-07, 11:32 AM

I'm relocating to the DC area, working in Rockville, and living in Silver Springs maybe, or Germantown/Gaithersburg. But there's nothing on the bike trails available. When I google a place and work, there's a bunchof circumnavigation, and what looks to be greenways that go straight to and from. What gives?

Help, I don't know much about the area, am told it's expensive, and you need a car. REALLY????

ks1g

09-27-07, 07:31 PM

Lots of MD and DC folk in the Northeast regional forum. Also on the commuter forum. Plenty of bike activity, too. I am more familiar with the Northern VA area, but in addition to the bikewashington site, check out Potomac Pedalers (http://www.bikepptc.org), the "pedalers" google group (http://groups.google.com/group/pedalers), and the BikewashingtonDC Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BikeWashingtonDC/). Major trails on the DC/MD side include the Capitol Crescent trail and the C&O Canal towpath.

From what I've read, biking in from Rockville, Germantown, or Gaithersburg into DC is going to be a challenge. Silver Spring is much better (Cap Crescent Trail?). I'm not sure about a reverse commute, though. That might be easier. From anyplace along the I-270 corridor, you could try biking to a metro station; including using a bus/bike rack to jump high traffic areas (all the Montgomery County and DC Metro buses have racks). Bikes are NOT allowed on metro-rail during rush hours, but folders in a soft bag ARE allowed so there's that option (someone on the folders forum was using a 26" Dahon folder, so all they care is that it takes up less space).

DC is a high bike theft area, so excellent locks or better, a secure place to lock up are important. Metro and a few other places have bike lockers at transit stations - not sure how bad the wait list is for those. Housing is expensive, the drivers are nuts, but what else is new? Good luck & welcome to the area!