diegova

I want to start biking to work a few days a week. However, I'm not sure if W&OD is the way to go.
I was thinking of driving into Vienna to leave my car then bike on WOD from there, but not sure where it drops me off. My destination is close to the DoubleTree hotel/Marshall HS in Tysons.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I could not find much informaiton about this type of commute, since most info. is for those headed into DC. I could not find a good map of the W&OD online either, which would be helpful.

thanks,

ks1g

I've researched a similar commute from Herndon as my office may move to that area this fall. IMHO, the W&OD is the only sane route from Reston towards the Vienna/Tysons area. You have some choices once in Vienna. Here are some maps and pages with suggested routes into the general area (mostly the center and west sides of Tysons):

Overview of W&OD with maps: https://www.bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad.htm
Detalied maps: https://www.wodfriends.org/map1.html
Page with info getting into Tysons Corner: https://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Tr...commuting.html

Also check google maps: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=marsha...0.014594&hl=en

Metrobus (https://www.wmata.com/metrobus/) runs buses with bike racks up 123/Maple St in Vienna and from West Falls Church and Dun Loring metro. One of these routes may get you through the worst of the traffic. If you have a folder, Fairfax Connector (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connect...edulesmaps.htm ) has buses (no bike racks!) from Reston to West Falls Church, then bike from there.

The Doubletree and Marshall HS are on Rt 7 east of the Beltway. Are you in the office buildings on the north side of Rt7? The Tysons route via Gallows Rd doesn't work - the Beltway/I-495 intersections with Rt 7 and Rt 123 are effectively impassable to bikes and pedestrians without an armed escorting SUV (maybe a tank!) . Your best bike-only bet seems to be the W&OD to mile 8.5 (Idylwood Park - just inside the Beltway), left onto Virginia Ave, right on Hurst St, right on Idylwood (fast traffic, no shoulder!), then left on Idyl Lane to Pimmit Dr. Take Pimmit to Rt 7. You'll can take the service road up the hill towards the Doubletree. The stretch of Idylwood and the Rt 7 service roads appear to be the only parts of the route with nasty traffic. Pimmit gets nutty around the Rt 7 and shopping center intersection but the traffic speed is slow around there.

Hopefully thre are showers and secure lockup for your bike! Maybe the more experienced DC area commuters with 1st-hand experience riding this area will chime in!

Good luck!

jagged

Greetings diegova. In addition to the sites linked above, I recommend you get a copy of the ADC Bike Map for the Washington DC region, ISBN 0875304273. It's available at most major bookstores in the area. The map shows both the major trials (like the W&OD) and roads that experienced cyclists have determined are best for riding.