Alexandria, VA to Downtown DC....
 

I would like to start commuting to work and would like to know the best route from around 395 and King Street to Downtown DC...Im still kind of new to the area and dont know they best route. Can anyone be of assistance? Thanks

I would take something along the lines of (adjusting for traffic volume):
1) Braddock Road east
2) Right on West Street, left on Pendleton
3) Pendleton all the way to the Mt. Vernon Trail
4) Continue North on Mt. Vernon Trail past the airport
5) Take the left-exit of the trail, make a U-Turn, and ride the trail on the 14th Street Bridge into the city.

thanks!! and can anyone recommend a backpack to hold my work clothes and shoes? Something that is bike related so I wont look like a total newbie out there! lol

Don't sweat it - 99% of your fellow commuters are freds.

this, or they're roadies in denial.

:innocent:

also, what is commuter clothing? just a jersey and bibs like what i normally ride in or something else?

Whatever you're most comfortable in.

My commute is 27 miles so I wear the full roadie getup - jersey, bibs, chamois cream.

Also, this may be better moved to the Commuting forum - there are a lot of DC area commuters there who can give you way more advice than the roadies here.

though there is some overlap in the two populations.

Might want to check out the Commuting forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20). Has all the info you need.

Moved to commuting. Thanks for the suggestion bd and Quel. And thanks to everyone else for their help.

Put a rear rack on the bike and get one of the pannier/backpack set ups. That way no big sweat spot on your back.

395/King is pretty close to the start of the W&OD and 4-mile run trails. Could hit 4 mile to mt vernon, or go W&OD to custis if you are looking for a longer ride.

I would suggest Walter Reed to Arlington Mill to the Four Mile Run trail, to the Mount Vernon trail. There is a new bike underpass at Shirlington that goes beneath 395 and Glebe.

Paul

thanks for the good info...I have a race inspired bike, so I definately do not want to put any types of racks on my bike, can anyone display some backpacks that may do the job??

Honestly? The smallest backpack that can be used to haul what you need to haul. Anything from a regular backpack to something like a Chrome or Timbuk2 messenger bag. If you go with a messenger bag be sure you get one that has a cross strap, them sliding around on you is a PITA

I alternate between a Targus backpack when I need room/carry my laptop, to a fanny pack when I'm just carrying essentials. A spare tube and the means to fix or inflate in addition to tools for minor field repairs ARE essentials for a commuter also :)

what about anything that can carry shoes? lol

I think you'll find most of us here leave a pair at work. They bring the suck to carry with you :)

As long as it has padded straps, most any backpack works. Key is simply for it not to be too big, and has padding - especially the straps. I like my Targus backpack because it's fully padded where it's against your back also.

Agree with 4 mile run trail to W&OD. Also agree about leaving a pair of shoes at work.

As far as backpacks, you to someplace like REI and try several on. You want one that you can make tight enough to hold your load evenly but without putting too much pressure at any one spot. It's best to see what works best for you.

I remember a mail list poster mentioning Hincapie backpacks with good channeling at the back so that the whole backpack is not in total contact with your back, but I don't remember her mentioning a model #. Being that the brand is Hincapie, I don't think they have more than a couple of backpacks anyway. She was very content with it IIRC.

The floor under my desk at work carries my work shoes ;) Brought em in once and left em so I don't have to haul them to and fro. I use the trusty old LL Bean backpack I've had since high school for commuting. Works well for me, as far as backpacks go. Still wanna get a trunk rack or some pannier sometime, but all in good time...

As for routes, there have been some good suggestions already. FWIW, if you're interested and since you say you're new to the area, I've taken a stab over the last several months of putting together a map of bike trails in the DC area. Easiest way to view it is as follows:

There are also some good mash-up maps efforts out there that you might want to look for. Just another helpful way of seeing what's out there for planning your route.

Hope that helps! Good luck!