Need help mapping route - DC metro area
 

Hey folks,

My husband and I have decided to do a bike/metro commute since the weather has turned much nicer and it is far too expensive to fill up our tanks.

We live right over the DC/MD border in PG County and are close to both green and red line trains (West Hyattsville, Brookland, and Rhode Island.)

I have it a bit easier than he does, because I'm coming down to Virginia. But my husband is traveling up Colesville Road in Silver Spring (the 13000 block).

We are trying to find a (semi) safe route for him to take. He realizes that he will probably need to bike to a metro and then bike from a metro. But we are having a bit of a time figuring out which trains he should take. My main concern is Colesville Road because it always so busy and people drive rather recklessly.

I tried looking at the Montgomery County trail maps, but since they only show section by section, I couldn't figure out if or how the trails connected.

If anyone knows either a way he could take or some sites I could hit that will give me better information I'd be really greatful.

Thanks.

phoenix

try the waba website www.waba.org

Looking at the WABA site is a good suggestion. Also, look at these sites:

Anacostia Tributary Trail System map (Prince George's County): http://www.pgparks.com/places/maps/anacostia-2002.pdf

Montgomery County Park Trail Maps: http://www.mc-mncppc.org/trails/trail_maps.shtm

As for a route from the Mt. Rainier area to your husband's job (since he works pretty far out Colesville Rd./Columbia Pike), I might suggest that he take the Northeast Branch Trail towards College Park, then pick up the Paint Branch Trail near the College Park Airport/Lake Artemesia/College Park Metro station. Take that to Cherry Hill Road, then head west on Cherry Hill (bike lane for some distance) to Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (see the Anacostia Tributary/PG Co. map for more info...).

He could also take the Northwest Branch trail towards Montgomery County (see both the PG and MoCo maps for more info...). This is more direct, but it seems like the paved portion ends just inside the Beltway, and a good distance short of Colesville and where your husband needs to go (unfortunately, it seems that only major roads cross the Beltway nearby, and that the connectivity of the smaller roads isn't too good between different neighborhoods...). Maybe others would have suggestions as decent/not too busy local roads that he could take from there...

I've spent some time on this very problem looking over bike maps and I've concluded that there is really not any completely safe route between the Hyattsville/Mount Rainier/College Park area and the Takoma Park/Silver Spring area

probably the safest route is the Northwest Branch to the Sligo Trail and even that isn't so great because of some horrible at-grade crossings ... like the one at East-West Highway :eek: ... I don't know what the hell the city planners were smoking when they decided to have an MUP cross the busiest road in Prince Georges County at-grade, with only a stupid crosswalk and a "watch for bikes/peds" sign that no one pays attention to, but it must have been pretty good

PS.. check out the Mid-Maryland Bike Map if you haven't already (located at http://ohbike.org/cpabc/map/041206.pdf) ... it's a very useful resource in mapping out routes in this area

Hi neighbor! I live in MR, too (although DC is in my user name, gotta change that). What part of Silver Spring? You can take the NW Branch Trail to Sligo Creek Trail that takes you pretty close to the SS Metro (have to go up a hill at something Valley to Sligo Avenue (not Parkway)) Where on Colesville does the DH work?

So, you go to Va? Me too. Perhaps I'll see you on the way to work sometime

check out Google Earth, you'll have to download this program, but it rocks. You can zoom in anywhere in the world, and see satellite images of ....well everything. Using this you can map out routes on streets, through parking lots, through parks on trails, cut through buildings, hop fences....well maybe a less complicated route but you get the picture, you don't have to stick to streets like a traditional mapquest would show you. You can even turn on layers that will show you where coffee shops are along the way. After you get a route picked out, you can go to www.gmap-pedometer.com and figure out what the distance your route covers. Google Earth has this feature too, if you pay for all the features, but I just have the free version, 'cause I'm a cheapskate.

good luck.

Hey Phoenix! Okay, the folks above have mentioned some helpful trails for your husband - NW Branch, NE Branch and Sligo. The best online map I know of for local trails is at bikewashington.org. Sligo is an old school trail and is 5 feet wide and kind of serpentine but fun. These trails should be able to help most of the way. From Hyattsville I would think of riding the roads to connect with Sligo Creek but you should check out the maps for your specific location. Also you can get the ADC Bike map from most bike shops to find friendlier roads for commuting.

Now your husband if he works normal hours will not be able to use the Metro train which does not permit cyclist during rush hour - however the local buses all have bike racks. You can get bus schedules at wmata.com and by calling 202-637-7000. There are buses that go directly between Silver Spring and West Hyattsville. There have been days where I bike in, but use public transit back without problem.

Peace to you and your husband.