orcanova

Is there a group ride at Hains Point after dark? Do you need a h/l to see or just a little blinking one to be seen?

Relaxer

In the summer, there are usually a few or more people our riding the HP loop at around 9:00 or so. Nowadays, though, it's usually just me (I go out 2-3 times a week, always at around 9:00/9:30). I haven't seen a single other biker out there through four night rides over the last 10 days.

As for lights, they are definitely recommended, and I think you're fine with a blinking light just to be seen. The area is lit up, but there are stretches where they either don't work or aren't on. You can still see where the road is, but you'll be less visible. And surprisingly enough, no matter what time it is, you should always expect there to be at least one or two dudes walking alongside, or in, the road. That's where the blinking light comes in hand, because otherwise they won't see you.

I've heard that there are group rides at around 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday, but have never been to one since I can only go later. Also, a regular group of guys meets every Sunday at around 3:00 pm, but I'm not sure if they continue to do it in the winter.

slantrock

What's the latest with regard to a century on New Year's Day? Are people motivated or what? I'm down.

Also, my favorite way to get to MacArthur is to head north on Beach Drive through Rock Creek Park (get on in Woodley by the Omni), cut over to Bethesda via some tough hills on Leland Drive (in Chevy Chase), then take the surface roads over to MacArthur (Bradley, Mass. Ave., etc.). You wind up hitting Mcarthur right as it leaves DC, which is a grea thing since MacArthur Blvd through DC is riddled with potholes and cracks and is generally a sucky ride.

derath

Beach Drive is "ok" during the week. Towards the bottom it gets a little nuts. No shoulder and impatient drivers.

-D

slantrock

What do you consider "the bottom"? Rock Creek Parkway ends and Beach Drive begins at the Connecticut Avenue Bridge. I find the whole of Beach Drive to be comortable riding, but I would never on Rock Creek Parkway unless I was with big group. It's too fast and windy. You're right, however, that there are no shoulders, but the drivers have never given me any problems. But I will admit that Beach Drive gets quieter north of Piney Branch Parkway.

derath

That is a good question. I have never paid attention to the roads, but pretty much south of the police station. North of there the traffic is generally slower and it isn't too bad. At the southern end the speeds picked up and I had quite a few vehicles buzz me. One SUV yelled a "remark" as he passed.

This was probably late morning on a weekday.

But I will still ride on it. Overall it is enjoyable.

-D

Relaxer

[QUOTE=slantrock]What's the latest with regard to a century on New Year's Day? Are people motivated or what? I'm down.
QUOTE]

I would sign up for this in a DC minute

derath

[QUOTE=Relaxer]
Depending on where I could be game. Especially if my inlaws are still in town.

-D

cc_rider

I'll solo on Beach from Pierces Mill to the zoo tunnel, traffic permitting, but below that I switch to the trail or ride up to Connecticut Ave. Even that little stretch of road can be nuts. Usually run into at least one pissed off driver each time. Above the mill I seldom have problems with traffic.


Maybe this Sunday should be an Rock Creek end-to-end. I haven't done that ride in a while.

slantrock

Where is the northern end of Rock Creek?

I've ridden from Dupont Circle north to Garret Park where Beach Drive Ts with some major road. Can you go beyond that?

cc_rider

https://www.bikewashington.org/trails/rockcreek/md.htm

At the T at Garret Park you can switch from road to trail. Then it's another 7 or 8 miles to Lake Needwood in Rockville. I like that part of the trail - no cars, few other bikes, few pedestrians (until you get close to Needwood), paved trail, couple of good hills, lots of woods and a lake with bathrooms at the end. I see deer more often on this part of the RCT than any other trail in the area.
Or at the T, go right then left, taking Dewey which goes parallel to the trail. I think it ends at Viers Mill Road.

A lot of bikes head off on the roads at the T, but I don't know where they usually go. Maybe someone else can post.

slantrock

How good is the trail after the T? Is it like the Rock Creek trail south of Conn. Ave.? That one's horrible for bikes.

cc_rider

The south end of the RTC in DC is awful. Sometimes I go up the BIG hill next to the zoo and ride down Connecticut Ave instead.

The middle trail from Candy Cane City to the T is ok, but I usually stay on Beach.

The upper trail is pretty good. A few parts are twisty, and because it follows Rock Creek there are a couple of places that might flood. Paving is in good shape. Best part is that the upper trail doesn't get a lot of use. At peak hours on a nice weekend there'll be some people near Viers Mill and closer to Needwood, but often I have big stretches of trail to myself.
If you're not in a big hurry and you want some woods without going full off-road, it's a nice ride.

bdcheung

I ride on Beach from the Ranger Station (by 16th street) up north. Below that I avoid, unless the group I'm with insists on going down there. plus, the hill getting up to 16th street is fune