Traveler_Tina

I recently moved to the NoVA area from Detroit and I'm trying to figure out how I can commute from Alexandria to work at Children's Hospital (Michigan Ave & North Capital area). I tried (on a day off) taking the Mt. Vernon trail to the Rock Creek Park trail and then exiting at Harvard. It worked okay, but my problem is that I need to leave for work by 5AM, and taking the trails in the dark is a scary thought. Any suggestions of an alt. route? Am I being too paranoid about tackling the trails at 5AM?

While I'm on the subject, if the gentleman who gave me directions to the Rock Creek park trail on Friday afternoon happens to also be online here, THANK YOU! I found the trail with no problem...you saved me a lot of time with trial-and-error.

CHenry

That is not a good idea, period.

dingster1

aboslutely not a good idea at ALL!!!! Metro half way to a safe point and bike from there????

CHenry

The area just west of the hospitals (Childrens', Washington Hospital Ctr., VA, Rehab.) is unsafe. (If you want Detroit comparisons, think what Cass and Woodward are like after dark.) I don't recommend Rock Creek Park after dark or before dawn, either.

Traveler_Tina

Well, that sucks! Does this mean I have no car-free options for the weekends when the metro doesn't run early enough? I've been taking the metro on the weekdays, but on weekends I've had to drive in. I had hoped to sell my car once I moved here.

Thanks for the replies.
Tina

tulip

Thanks for the replies, folks, but there are actually folks who do the ride, and do it without a problem...ME, FOR EXAMPLE!

Disclaimer--I leave my house in NE DC/PG at 6:30 or so in the morning to head to Alexandria, so my commute is the reverse, and a little later than yours.

I have good lights and obnoxiously bright clothing, but I don't ride at night much, although early in the morning, before sunrise, I do, because it's quiet and beautiful.

You should get an ADC bike map of DC and try different routes.

I'm PMing you a route based on my route. I also have quite a few routes, and I vary them to keep myself from getting bored and to keep anyone from figuring my routine. I did this even when I lived in posh Georgetown--it's smart no matter where you live.

CHenry

I think there is a difference with your commute. The area around CUA/Shrine/Brookland is much better than the western approach to the hospitals. From Rock Creek Park, unless you are travelling in the light reliably, I would not recommend this to a solo traveler, even if you have avoided trouble so far. As the year gets on, there isn't going to be light that early for her.

From Georgetown, posh or not (I lived there, too) you are fine until you get to the park. If you cross at Porter St. to go up toward Mt. Pleasant, there is bright street lighting, but the park area is still isolated.

I wouldn't argue with you that it can't be done. But the fact that you vary your route at least partly for security reasons reveals the real need for caution in that area of the city.

As far as the area just west of the hospitals, I strongly advise the OP to avoid this neighborhood.

tulip

There's no reason to approach the hospitals from the west if you're coming from Alexandria. Rock Creek Park would be way out of the way for the commute. I've send the OP a PM with route info.

I've been commuting between the DC-PG line and Alexandria for over three years. Early mornings are actually the safest times, as traffic is much more of a threat than people. I'm well-lit. Evening commuting is crazy no matter where you are in the city because of the traffic. Commute smart, but don't let perceptions keep you from living life, you know!?

cc_rider

Would going up North Capitol be better?
If so, then MVT to the 14th St Bridge, switch to the road around the Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin, cross Independence and take the Mall to the Capitol.

same time

That's what came to my mind, too. Mount Vernon Trail, 14sb, then down the mall to the Capitol.

Except that North Capitol is terrible to ride on. I would do First Street NW, which runs directly into the parking lot of the hospital center. You've got to zig-zag a little to get to First Street from the Mall.

Also, it can be difficult to cross Florida Ave, take your time and be careful - although, at 5am on weekends, you'll just fly right through. Oh, and get some tire liners or something, because that route is practically paved with broken glass.

Going up Rock Creek is definitely going out of your way.

comradehoser

OP--don't let the "DC" (ok, DC-area) nancies get you down. velogirl's on the tip and spot-on: there are lots of ways to get to where you're going. DC is a very block-to-block city in terms of sketchyness, and I have full confidence you'll be able to suss out a route you feel comfortable with, provided you get a good bike map (the ADC is really the only one I can think of).

if it helps, I commute in the dark, on trails, through gangland PG county, and have been doing so every work day, rain, shine, or snow, for 3 years. The only problem I've ever had was with a gangsta goose. Also regularly bike from upper Georgia Ave. to downtown. No probs yet except pollution.

I agree that rock creek park is a big (albeit scenic) detour. There are plenty of other routes that are fine. Just looking at my bike map, I see Alexandria to George Mason Bridge to the Mall, up 6th to 4th through Howard U. and around McMillan reservoir to the hospital--looks like a capital ride. 5 bros. burgers on the way if you take a little detour to Georgia Ave. at Howard U.

U St. and Columbia Heights are *very* cyclist-heavy neighborhoods just west and south of the hospital; there are a few streets that are sketchy close by, but they suck for biking anyways (i.e.: kenyon, irving, etc.), and I think you'll be able to suss out their suitability at 5 AM. They're easily bypassed by coming up from the South. I've seen a fully loaded fluorescent elderly gent commuter turn west from Michigan into those streets on his regular route, so it can't be that bad.

I personally despise upper North Capitol, especially the deviation at the filter beds/army retirement home. Super fast/no shoulder/lots of stupid drivers.

tulip

Same time and hoser, thanks for your additions and suggestions. TT will have a great time getting to work.

There's a light at Florida and First, so crossing is no problem, but the pavement is wavy like speed bumps on Florida. Crossing Florida at R, on the otherhand, is a problem because of the wierd angle that the streets meet and the lack of signal on Florida. Too bad because R has a bike lane...but i digress.

The only flat I've gotten in the 4+ years commuting here was on the MV Trail. Keep your tire pressure up and use good, sturdy tires. And bring a tube and such just in case.

First NW, right on RIA, left on Lincoln, left on Franklin, left on Michigan and you're there. No need to go west of McMillan. I do this route and its various incarnations every day, but I head east from Lincoln for a few miles before reaching my home and the gin-and-tonic that greets me at the door (well, almost).

This morning I went through Capitol Hill for a change. It was a nice break from the usual scenery.

comradehoser

ah, but mcmillan reservoir and the filter beds are pretty scenic, and a beautiful example of 19th c. civil engineering.

same time

Shouldn't she just stay on First NW? I thought it went through, east of the reservoir. That's where all the broken glass I'm talking about is. Or am I thinking of a different street?

Velogirl, I might be taking a job in Silver Spring soon, I may need your expertise on a route from Capitol Hill to Silver Spring.

tulip

I've never gone on First all the way because after RIA, there is no crossing N. Cap., and I have to get across N. Cap at some point. I take RIA or R usually, unless I come from Capitol Hill, in which case I get east alot earlier. I will investigate on my way home tonight and I'll report back tomorrow.

Going to the hospital on First NW looks like it will work for the OP, though.

I'll help you if I can. I don't know SS very well, but we can figure something out. The figuring out part is fun.

comradehoser

Downtown SS is easy.

Find your way to 7th st/Georgia Ave, and/or 13th through 16th Streets NW. Proceed in a northerly direction.

Alternately, if you want the scenic stuff, Rock Creek Park's Beach drive empties out somewhere up there, as does the Sligo Creek Trail

cc_rider

For Silver Spring, if you take Rock Creek Trail you'll need to switch to Beach/Jones Mill at E/W Highway. Where the Capital Crescent / Georgetown Branch crosses, go right on the CCT over the trestle bridge. Where the trail ends, go left and right on Brookville. T's at Seminary a couple of blocks from Georgia Ave and downtown SS. Or follow the Bike Washington map https://bikewashington.org/trails/cct/cct.htm

RCT may be a bit out of the way from Capitol Hill. Georgia, 13th or 16th all more direct.
You could always wait for the Metropolitan Brach to get finished. https://bikewashington.org/routes/dcloop/dcloop.htm

tulip

The First Street route is great! Straight to the hospital. I hope the OP visits this thread again. I fear she may have gotten discouraged by the first wave of responses. Anyways, First from the Capitol (take a little jog to the right on I/Eye just north of Mass) goes straight up. I usually turn off at RIA, but now I'm adding this route to my repertoire.

To Tina--it took me 52 minutes from Old Town Alexandria to the Hospital complex going up First. I do not ride like a messenger, so I don't blow through stoplights and such. I figure, if you work at a hospital, you're more likely to not blow through stoplights, too. I don't know the mileage because I'm computer-free. In fact, this new route took off about 10 minutes from my overall commute.

From RIA, there is a hill, but it's not bad and the traffic is light and, wow, the air is fresher at the top of that hill! No problems with people, and there appeared to be very little glass. There was more glass on First at Florida NW.

Same Time, if you prefer riding on streets to riding on trails, we can figure out a route from SS. I ride on streets all through DC, and have some good routes to/from Capitol Hill, at least as far as the Reservoir/Hospitals-Brookland and close in Prince Georges.

Thanks for the help. Even if Tina has abandoned all hope, I have a new route!

comradehoser

yeah!

boo to the nancies!

Traveler_Tina

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement. I've been too exhausted from work the last two days to read more than the carry-out menu at night, but I'm definitely going to try out your suggestions now that I have a couple of days off!