Question: Key Bridge to Georgetown
 

Does anyone know if the walkway on the bridge allows biker access or do I have to ride on the street? Thanks in advance.

Bikes allowed on walks on both sides of the bridge. I don't reccommend riding the road on that stretch. Lanes are narrow and traffic is fast and heavy.
The south side walk has better access at the Georgetown end, onto M Street or down the path and steps to the C&O. Watch out for cars turning onto the Whitehurst.

I agree with cc_rider that you should use the sidewalks on the bridge. The south side is much better as you can take a right on M st at the end of the bridge.

Where are you trying to get to? I feel that the Memorial and 14th St bridges are better for commuting, as these two bridges allow you to ride on paths instead of M st.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'm actually commuting from Silver Spring and am in the process of mapping various routes into georgetown where I work. My office is located right by Cady's alley.

Right now my options are taking the CCT from bethesda into gtown and another possible option would be to take metro (off peak) into rossyln and then riding across the key bridge.

Any other ideas?

In nice weather the CCT would be great.
In less nice weather, the Key Bridge is a good option. Or use Metro to/from Gallery Place or Judiciary Square (save a transfer)

Maybe one of the roads. 16th St is a bit narrow. So is Wisconsin.
Mass Ave? North Capitol?

(ps On weekend rides I frequently detour thru Cady's Alley instead of riding M Street. Like the architecture and the design shops.)

CCT will be a little out of your way,but the scenery will be nice.

Rt29/Georgia Ave is prolly the most direct route.

Avoid East/West Hwy,it can get bike-unfriendly in spots.

You could also do the Rock Creek Trail.

How is Beach Drive on weekdays at rush hour?

I think I read somewhere that beach drive can be hairy on weekdays and there are petitions out there asking for more measures to lesson traffic. I could be wrong though.

Dyna >> Georgia Ave. to M street. Do you know how long that stretch is?

Cc >> I'd have to agree... cady's alley is a lot nicer ride than m street although short.

Bigbnuzz,

I ride the CCT from its Silver Spring end down to G'town everyday and find it a very relaxing ride. My office is over in West End so I have to navigate a few blocks on roads, but not a problem. Depending on where you are in Silver Spring the CCT could take you out of your way. Also if you haven't ridden it the stretch from Stewart Avenue to Jones Mill road is very rough and rutted. There is also another brief rough section just before the Bethesda tunnel. Both strtetches are ridable, but on a skinny tired road bike it might be a hassle.

If you come down Georgia Ave. both R St. and Q St. have bike lanes which might help you get across the city. Since GA Ave. becomes 7th St. from there to G'town is going to be 25 blocks or so (probably 2.5 - 3 mi.) Of course if you like traffic you can come down GA to where it turns into 7th St. and then turn right on RI Ave. which runs right into M St. at Conn. Ave.

Donno. I've done it during the week,but not during rush hour.

Don't know where you're starting or ending exactly,so I picked this route:
http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedome...zAhAbD%3Fd%7EA

That's a little over 8 miles. You could always mess with the map and cut some distance off. BTW,where is Cady's Alley? I prolly know it,just don't recognise the name.

New development of several buildings. Parallel to M street, towards the river, around 34th street. It really is an alley. New old looking buildings. Entrances at both ends, and mid-block through the buildings from M street.