Great news! I found out that the new Wilson Bridge will have ped/bike path on one side (I can't remember which side) and will connect on the MD side to Oxen Cove recreational trail, which connects to the Oxen Run trail. I don't know if that will help you, or when the bridge will be completed, but at least they thought to put in a path.

It depends... I do know the bike bridge is going up, but will it be open when they open that one half of Wilson bridge in June? That's the real question when it comes to that commute.

Koffee

Hey Koffee. I have a car but am trying to figure out the bike commute thing too but from Aspen Hill, MD to DC. Two sources of information that I've checked up on in the past week: Washington Area Bicylcist Association (WABA) and Bikewashington.org. WABA's website is waba.org and their phone number is 202-518-0524. WABA is a strong advocate for biking and can assist you with your rights as a biker. I called a fellow there and he gave me some good info and suggestions for biking routes. He turned me on to the ADC Washington Area Bike Map which shows trails/safer roads to ride and can be picked up at most bike shops. The second source - Bikewashington.org has some good online maps of trails and has commuting routes from certain areas.

And careful Koffee with night riding as a lone female. We want you healthy for a long time. Something to consider Koffee... You may or may not have noticed but all the buses in the DC area have bike racks on front. They have to be pulled down in order to load your bike. They are not hard to use and quick after your second or third time using. At certain times you may wish to do part of your trip by bus with your bike in tow. We also can take bikes onto the Metro train during non-rush hour times. I've put my bike on bus racks and taken my bike on the Metro without problem. I wish you well.

Peace and blessings!

Aspen Hill to DC? Cake

I ride it every day. PM me if you want suggestions.

Cheers,
Pat

I have the map. Unfortunately, it's not as helpful for me when I'm heading out to Suitland. But I've talked to people, and I've gotten great ideas for my commute.

Unfortunately, I also can't just take the buses- they don't run that early either. Note I want to be at work by 5am most days- that means I won't be able to take the buses or the train- they simply don't run that early.

In any case, someone told me a great route. So today, I left early to try it, and stumbled upon an even easier, slightly more dangerous, route. I'm probably going to try that new route on Monday, which is going to be super fun.

Koffee

A little off topic but I was in DC last week and managed to get lost and ended up in Alexandria. I thinking how cool to see Koffee out riding (of course I don't know what she looks like). When the wife and I figured out we were heading in the opposite direction I told her not to worry because we should run into 495 bypass and life would be good. Somehow we missed it and ended up on a parkway heading to MT. Vernon! They have a nice bike path along the road. Too bad I didn't have my bike with me because Washington looks like a bike friendly town (in some areas). We finally managed to make it out of town but we had a great visit and will come back again.

It is SOOOOO easy to get lost by car out here! Better to have the bike anyway.

Koffee

That's for sure, but your Metro system is fantastic. We used that the whole week we were there.

Metro's ok. It's inadequate for early morning commuting, however. That forces a lot more people on the roads than what is necessary. Having your first train take off at 5:15am is obtuse. This area of the country is too big to expect that no one works before 6am.

Barely adequate is more the description I'd use for the Metro.

Koffee

I was on vacation so I didn't take such an early ride. I observed that a lot of people were running to catch the metro and I thought why didn't they plan better? Anyway, yes the Metro in Washington get's very busy but it's better than other's I've ridden. Anytime I travel to a different city I imagine what it would be like to commute on a bike. In some ways I believe riding a bike in DC would be easier than taking a car. Unfortunately, I also saw the sign in the Metro that you cannot take your bike onboard.

You can take the bike onboard- but not during 7am- 10am, and 4pm- 7pm. Plus, during the allotted times, you can only use the elevators to get to the train platforms, and when you bring your bike onto the train, you can only use the side doors, not the middle door of the train.

Lots of restrictions... if you ever get to Chicago, you'll see it's a bit fairer, and they aren't as paranoid about bikes on trains. There are restricted times in Chicago, but they are shorter, and they don't freak out if you take your bike up and down the stairs.

Koffee