Northeast - Arlington VA/ DC Anyone?

Hello all.
I'm living in the South Arlington area in Pentagon City. I can get into DC in a flash. Am looking for other riders who bike in the area.

Paul

There are quite a few. I'm a commuter with plans to start venturing farther afield on a road bike. What kind of riding are you interested in?

Hey! I live in Arlington too, up on Columbia Pike actually. I commute, and have just started doing criterium racing. I've been looking for others to ride with as well. It's always more motivating when you're chasing someone! ;)

I've got a new Cannondale cyclocross bike. Mainly into staying on the road though. I'd like to hit some of the trails around VA. At least from a car's vantage point the trails seem nice. Eventually I'll get into cyclocross racing, but ... must.... get... stronger...

Hey DC Emily, what's criterion racing? (Ignorance shining through)

Paul

So where do you DC/Arlingtonians like to ride? Have you got a favorite out the way spot, or in the way?

Paul

see www.bikepptc.org for a variety of rides and a good way to meet folks and learn the roads.

get a DC area bike map by ADC, available at most bike shops.

My neighbor and I usually hit the GW Parkway (the road itself) on the weekends. We're always looking for company.

I have planned for some time to do some rides with local clubs. Haven't gotten around to it yet, though. Anybody doing those?

http://www.waba.org/new/clubs/index.php

I do some Potomac Pedaler's rides. That's the website velogirl posted above. They have rides of varying skill levels. I usually do their C or CC rides.

On my own, in Arlington, sometimes I do a 17-18 mile loop using Mt. Vernon trail, Custis trail, W & OD trail and the Four Mile Run Trail. This summer I plan to finally do the full length of the W & OD trail out to Purcellville, which will be a century roundtrip for me from my apartment in DC.

I use the DC bike map a bit too. Last summer, I tried going out River Road into Maryland. But I had two flats and I had to call a cab before I could loop back. However, I did get far enough away from DC (~20 miles from downtown DC) to see that there are a few quiet rural roads that cyclists use a lot out there. So I'll be picking up the map a few times and trying to find some other nice rides out of the city and back.

Hi cycloboy,
I live in College Park, MD (right on the other side of DC) with a basement full o' bikes. I like road riding, light trails, and want to do some touring.

I've got a new Cannondale cyclocross bike. Mainly into staying on the road though. I'd like to hit some of the trails around VA. At least from a car's vantage point the trails seem nice. Eventually I'll get into cyclocross racing, but ... must.... get... stronger...

Hey DC Emily, what's criterion racing? (Ignorance shining through)

Paul

Criterium races are road races. Basically, they'll lay out a loop that's about 2 miles or so long, and you loop it, say 12 times. They're great, especially if you're into an audience. The crowd becomes really motivational.

As far as ususal rides, I hit Mount Vernon, Four Mile Run, Crescent and Custis most often. There's also a Rockville trail that I recall being fantastic, although it's been a while since I've ventured through maryland.

Haines Point is a great spot for 'training' rides. It's a three mile loop that's pretty much flat, surrounded by the Potomac, so you always get a good headwind on one side, and you're pretty much guaranteed a crosswind. There are groups that do regular rides at Haines Point at noon and 6pm. I think they do it on the weekends too, but I tend to sleep in and miss those!

Criterium races are road races. Basically, they'll lay out a loop that's about 2 miles or so long, and you loop it, say 12 times. They're great, especially if you're into an audience. The crowd becomes really motivational.
Emily, do you know of any low-key criteriums in the DC area? I am hoping to get into road racing and thinking this would be a good way to start!

How do you get to Haines Point, by the way? I've heard of it but not been there.

Emily, do you know of any low-key criteriums in the DC area? I am hoping to get into road racing and thinking this would be a good way to start!

How do you get to Haines Point, by the way? I've heard of it but not been there.

well, my recommendation as far as the races go would be to 'get your feet wet' spinning around Haines Point some time. I just started this past fall and just look for local races, really. Starting off as a cat 4 (cat 5 for men, women only have 4 categories), you'll have a mix of people. And most times categories are combined. For men, it's usually a 4/5 race. take a look at bikereg.com. The've always got a great listing!

To get to Haines Point, head down towards the Tidal Basin, and hang a left right before you hit the Jefferson Memorial. You'll see signs for it. It's actually referred to as West Potomac Park or something like that. There's a golf course there too, which may be indicated by the signs.

My neighbor and I usually hit the GW Parkway (the road itself) on the weekends. We're always looking for company.

Really? Right down the parkway? that sounds awesome!

Really? Right down the parkway? that sounds awesome!
Weekends only. It's pretty dangerous during the week. The part down towards Mount Vernon is nice, but many drivers don't expect bikes, so just be aware of that. Potomac Pedalers rides are a great way to learn routes.

DC Emily and Velogirl,

There's a good way to get to Mt Vernon and stay off the Prakway for most of the route. I agree it's dangerous. The speed limit is 45, there's no shoulder, and cars do some crazy things because it's not divided. As you go south on the Parkway from Alexandria, take a right on Tulane Drive (first road) past Belle Haven. Follow that to the left and take the first left. Then you are parallel to the Parkway. There are some turns and changes but it's easy to figure out. There's a Potomace Pedaler cue sheet that shows the route. You can stay on it all the way to Stratford Landing maybe three miles from Mt Vernon. By then much of the taffic has either gotten off or slowed enough, it's safer.

Thanks StanSeven. I don't ride on the parkway, myself, since their is, in my opinion, a great bike trail that runs along side it. Riding on the Parkway itself seems to me dangerous no matter when, but people do it regardless.

So do the Potomac Pedalers have a regular schedule? Is it on the website? I'd love to do some training rides, but most of the ones I'm aware of, like the Greenbelt training rides, are at a time and place that's inconvenient. I'd love to find something that leaves from downtown around maybe 6-ish. And the season's coming up. Any recommendations?

So do the Potomac Pedalers have a regular schedule? Is it on the website? I'd love to do some training rides, but most of the ones I'm aware of, like the Greenbelt training rides, are at a time and place that's inconvenient. I'd love to find something that leaves from downtown around maybe 6-ish. And the season's coming up. Any recommendations?
Here's their March Schedule: http://bikepptc.org/ride_schedule/pptc0503.html

I'm in the same boat as you, I would like to do weekday evening rides rather than weekend rides because I'm very busy most weekends. I have been looking around but not found too much so far. The BikeWashingtonDC mailing list has been very helpful with good routes and advice!

Of course, the Potomac Pedalers April schedule should appear online in a few days. But I got the April Potomac Pedaler's "Pedal Patter" (monthly periodical) in the mail a few days ago. There are a few weekly weekday evening rides leaving from downtown DC and from some areas in VA and MD in April. Some may continue throughout the warm months. So look for the new schedule online and check the ride category C/CC/B/BB/A to determine whether they will be riding at a speed suitable for your training, recreation or whatever. I usually ride the C or CC rides. BB is to fast for me right now, but I'm not sure if it is fast enough for someone doing serious training. Maybe, maybe not? If you happen to be in a bike shop this weekend, you might see a paper copy of the Pedal Patter. I've seen copies once or twice in bike shops. Otherwise, the April schedule should appear online in a few days.

awesome....I'll keep an eye open for the April issue and calendar!

So do the Potomac Pedalers have a regular schedule? Is it on the website? I'd love to do some training rides, but most of the ones I'm aware of, like the Greenbelt training rides, are at a time and place that's inconvenient. I'd love to find something that leaves from downtown around maybe 6-ish. And the season's coming up. Any recommendations?

I didn't see these rides on the schedule yet but there are two weeknight ones you might be interested in. They are on Tuesday and Thursday and begin on 6:30 (6:15 the first few weeks). One begins at the park/swim pool on Eisenhower Ave and the other at Belle Haven marina.

I didn't see these rides on the schedule yet but there are two weeknight ones you might be interested in. They are on Tuesday and Thursday and begin on 6:30 (6:15 the first few weeks). One begins at the park/swim pool on Eisenhower Ave and the other at Belle Haven marina.
So a ride will take place at 6:15 tomorrow? Can you tell me which starting location it is, and what difficulty level? I didn't see these on the web site but would definitely like to do them!

Make that "early" weekends. I've never personally gone alone by myself because I'm too wimpy. Yes, there is a trail parallel to it but it has its own hazards (e.g., walkers, windy and narrow path, blind spots, etc.) for road cycling. Plus, the open road is a lot more smoother and is easier on your body. I do feel a lot more safer when there are multiple bikers in the group.


Weekends only. It's pretty dangerous during the week. The part down towards Mount Vernon is nice, but many drivers don't expect bikes, so just be aware of that. Potomac Pedalers rides are a great way to learn routes.

Last summer/fall I did some of the Belle Haven and Cameron Run rides. Both were great in my opinion. The pack split up into several groups based on ability. For either ride I'd strongly recommend staying with at least one person that knows the route... my first time on the Belle Haven ride I was in a group of three riders where nobody had been on the ride more than once. After a couple of lucky guesses, we caught the group ahead of us at a light. :) I took a GPS with me on each ride and will try to post the map and profile tonight.

Oh well, off for a couple of laps around Hains Point. I work on the north side of Old Town and try to get rides in around here after work each night if anyone is interested.

Well, the cherry blossoms lured me away from my planned ride and I only got one lap in at Hains Point and walked around the tidal basin.

Here are the maps and profiles for each ride. The Cameron Run ride runs counter-clockwise starting on Eisenhower at the bottom of the map. the Belle Haven ride runs clockwise starting from the upper right corner (I think this one is labeled, but I'm not sure which version I used). I prefer the ride from Cameron Run, but I don't see that one on their schedule yet. I have larger versions if anyone wants them, but there was a 100K upload limit per image.

What groups do the rides at Hains Point? I really enjoy riding there since it's out in the sun and I don't have to worry much about people/traffic.

Last summer/fall I did some of the Belle Haven and Cameron Run rides. Both were great in my opinion. The pack split up into several groups based on ability. For either ride I'd strongly recommend staying with at least one person that knows the route... my first time on the Belle Haven ride I was in a group of three riders where nobody had been on the ride more than once. After a couple of lucky guesses, we caught the group ahead of us at a light. :) I took a GPS with me on each ride and will try to post the map and profile tonight.

I did the Belle Haven ride last year and was in the fast group. Man, those guys are fast. I finally couldn't hang on to them and dropped off. One guy was very nice and stayed with me since it was my first ride. I told him not to bother. I would find my way out by asking people. 5 minutes later, I spotted the group and caught up to them. It was the end of the ride so I almost made it through all the way.

The nice part of the ride was that these 4 guys were doing pacelines for a "B" group. When I rode with the "B" group in Reston, they were much slower and did not do any pacelines.



Oh well, off for a couple of laps around Hains Point. I work on the north side of Old Town and try to get rides in around here after work each night if anyone is interested.

I love Hains Point. I used to ride there every night after work last year. Unfortunately, I just got out of the hospital from some major surgery (appendix ruptured) and won't be able to get up to speed probably until the end of June. I'll look you up then and see if you're interested in riding together.

I did the Belle Haven ride last year and was in the fast group. Man, those guys are fast. I finally couldn't hang on to them and dropped off.
The first time I did that ride I was with the lead group until we were going around the athletic fields, when the line fractured and I was in the second half (actually took me a while to realize it). Another guy and I tried to bridge the gap, and we finally caught up right before the first climb. Between bridging the gap, the climb, and a bad shift, I blew up. When I got home and looked at the profile I could see exactly where it was. Kinda funny that I'd just thought to myself that this was a pretty nice flat ride. :) The other guy couldn't hold with them either, so we just took it easy until the next group came along.



I love Hains Point. I used to ride there every night after work last year. Unfortunately, I just got out of the hospital from some major surgery (appendix ruptured) and won't be able to get up to speed probably until the end of June. I'll look you up then and see if you're interested in riding together.
We're going out to Hawaii on a cruise in June and should be back just before the end of the month (still trying to decide if we're taking the bikes). Send me a note when you're back in action.

Oh, on the Cameron Run profile, the flat section at the beginning and end is a bit longer than the actual ride since i started the GPS at Telegraph and rode to the starting area.

We're going out to Hawaii on a cruise in June and should be back just before the end of the month (still trying to decide if we're taking the bikes). Send me a note when you're back in action.

Will do. When I went to Hawaii a few years ago, I saw triathletes training for the Iron Man on the Big Island. It was really hot and they were just riding on the wide shoulder of the highway near Hilo Airport.



Oh, on the Cameron Run profile, the flat section at the beginning and end is a bit longer than the actual ride since i started the GPS at Telegraph and rode to the starting area.

I sent you a PM so that you could send me the bigger version. Did you get my e-mail?

I sent you a PM so that you could send me the bigger version. Did you get my e-mail?

Got the email... there were two addresses listed. I sent it to one of them this morning and just forwarded it to the other one. Let me know if you get either.

I'd really like to take our bikes with us, but I'm not sure if the cost of flying them out there would be justified by the amount of time we could use them.

I live in Belleview Alexandria (just south of old town). I'm currently training for an 1800 mile ride in September, so I'm riding any chance I get and trying to slip one long ride in ever weekend. If anybody in my area is interested in training/riding, please contact me.

My favorite rides currently are the W&OD trail and Potomac MD/Great Falls Area. I also do quite a few quick rides on the Mt Vernon trail in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I am currently riding up to 60 miles when I head out for a long ride, but I'm working up to a century in the coming months. My average speeds are around 14mph on the longer rides and about 16mph on shorter sprint rides.

These long rides are starting to get a bit lonesome on my own, so it would be great to have one or 2 training partners!

When do you usually take your longer rides? Also, where do you ride towards Potomac and Great Falls? I've heard several people mention this area, but I'm not familiar with the route.

When do you usually take your longer rides? Also, where do you ride towards Potomac and Great Falls? I've heard several people mention this area, but I'm not familiar with the route.

We have started in the parking lot across from Old Angler Inn at Great Falls, then ridden north on River Road, through Potomac into Darnestown MD area. Very rural, not much traffic, horse farms, great scenery. As far as the longer rides, unfortunately, I only have time to do those on the weekends, starting around 10am. The W&OD gets pretty congested with "weekend strollers" that don't know the meaning of "passing on your left". :rolleyes:

We have started in the parking lot across from Old Angler Inn at Great Falls

If you have a cyclocross/hybrid/mountain bike, you can also get to Great Falls from the Mt. Vernon Trail. You just have to cross over to Key Bridge and pick up the C&O Canal Trail or for a little while, the paved Crescent Trail.



The W&OD gets pretty congested with "weekend strollers" that don't know the meaning of "passing on your left". :rolleyes:

The Mt. Vernon Trail is worse I think although my brother hit the pavement on the W&OD when he was trying to avoid untethered little kids horsing on the wrong side of the trail.

We have started in the parking lot across from Old Angler Inn at Great Falls, then ridden north on River Road, through Potomac into Darnestown MD area. Very rural, not much traffic, horse farms, great scenery. As far as the longer rides, unfortunately, I only have time to do those on the weekends, starting around 10am. The W&OD gets pretty congested with "weekend strollers" that don't know the meaning of "passing on your left". :rolleyes:

All of the trails around here get crazy on weekends... especially Mount Vernon when you hit an unanticipated charity walk. :rolleyes: (nothing against their causes, and I applaud them for taking action, but...)

I have every other Friday off, and I usually reserve my long rides for those days. It's so much easier to get in a rythem and just go when "on your left" isn't part of that rythem. :) Have you ever ridden River Road between the Cap Crescent trail and where you normall join River Road? If it's not terribly bad, it'd make a nice alternative giving me a ~60 trip.

I'm going to have to head up there one of these weekends and give that route a look. How long is the ride from Great Falls and how fast do you normally go? Most of my weekend rides are with my wife and she's just getting her cycling legs back this spring. Thanks!

Hey All,

I'm new to these boards, and just saw this thread. I'm in DC (Dupont) and I'm looking for others nearby to ride with. (Yeah, I know about Potomac Pedalers/etc.)

Basically, I'd like to find some semi-regular or occasional riding partners/group to go out on road rides with.

Send me a note if you feel like it.

Thanks,
Josh
joshdcu@hotmail.com

God I wished I lived closer to DC. I try to make the long drive on Thursdays to DC to run laps at Haines Point.

I'm looking for a riding partner in DC, anyone want to ride?

When? Where? And how fast?

I'm looking for a riding partner in DC, anyone want to ride?

I'm down. When are you trying to ride? I'll watch this thread, if I don't see you post, I'll pm you.

Cycloboy, moxfyre, velogirl? anybody else interested?

I'm down. When are you trying to ride? I'll watch this thread, if I don't see you post, I'll pm you.

Cycloboy, moxfyre, velogirl? anybody else interested?

man910 asked the right questions, and I'll be looking forward to the answers. Still no road bike for me. I"m working on that, though.

Hey just saw the the thread,

joshdcu there's a ton of people up and around your way who are super friendly and willing to show you the city. Matter of fact, this friday a bunch of us are going to meet up in downtown and ride.

If your interested, I can fill you in on the details. Just shoot me a PM.

Other than friday, There are always the midweek afterwork laps around Haines point and the pack rides up the Crescent trail to Bethesda. Anytime you feel like meeting some new Dc/vA people let me know.. :)

oh and what UP Dc_Emily!
Long time no talkie

Hi babe. Just got back from PA. yipadeedoo.

It's on this Friday!!


Hey just saw the the thread,

joshdcu there's a ton of people up and around your way who are super friendly and willing to show you the city. Matter of fact, this friday a bunch of us are going to meet up in downtown and ride.

If your interested, I can fill you in on the details. Just shoot me a PM.

Other than friday, There are always the midweek afterwork laps around Haines point and the pack rides up the Crescent trail to Bethesda. Anytime you feel like meeting some new Dc/vA people let me know.. :)

oh and what UP Dc_Emily!
Long time no talkie

I'm down. When are you trying to ride? I'll watch this thread, if I don't see you post, I'll pm you.

Cycloboy, moxfyre, velogirl? anybody else interested?

I am going to come in town and ride this Saturday and I would love to meet up with some people. I could be at the Key Bridge at 8am.

Anyone on here ever ride a little further out? I am in western Prince William County and did a search here for other riders, but haven't found many.

Anyone on here ever ride a little further out? I am in western Prince William County and did a search here for other riders, but haven't found many.
Potomac Pedalers do group rides out of Nokesville a couple of times a month. There was a 50 miler just last Sunday.
Check the ride list http://www.bikepptc.org/

Another DC area rider here, and a newbie to road bikes who would welcome a ride partner. I'm south of Alexandria and off the Mt Vernon trail. Any thought given to a "forum encounter", a meeting of bike forumites from the area at a central location for a social or group ride?

Another DC area rider here, and a newbie to road bikes who would welcome a ride partner. I'm south of Alexandria and off the Mt Vernon trail. Any thought given to a "forum encounter", a meeting of bike forumites from the area at a central location for a social or group ride?
I'd be up for that :)

Potomac Pedalers do group rides out of Nokesville a couple of times a month. There was a 50 miler just last Sunday.
Check the ride list http://www.bikepptc.org/

Thanks for the tip!
I'm trying to sort out what group I belong in. What are "advanced riding tecniques?"
http://www.bikepptc.org/classification.html

I'm down. When are you trying to ride? I'll watch this thread, if I don't see you post, I'll pm you.

Cycloboy, moxfyre, velogirl? anybody else interested?

I'm up for it depending on schedule. PM me details if I'm invited! :D