I may have a job opportunity in Silver Spring so I'm curious how the road biking is there? I'm in Socal now and ride a lot so obviously used to nicer weather and access to lots of climbing. Is there any climbing to be done anywhere around Silver Spring or is it mostly flat? Is road cycling possible in the city and getting on the bike and going or would I need to drive somewhere first? Are there active group rides?

I'll be interested in hearing someone respond to this thread, since I'm native of this area (but I've been transplanted to Florida), but I'm on the other side of the beltway in the Oxon Hill area. I can say there are plenty of hills in this part of Maryland and a lot of cycling trails/paths. Here's a link, but I hope someone who lives in this area responds soon. Silver Spring Bike Trails - Maps of Bike Routes in Silver Spring, MD

Thanks. That's helpful. At least it looks like I could get some rides with 1000-2000 feet of elevation gain which is about what I generally do now. I'm not sure exactly where I would live if I moved there. Job would be in downtown Silver Spring but I may end up commuting from somewhere

Slowly, but surely, Silver Spring is turning in to a bicycling city. I'm am, or was, a commuter during the summer, from the Langley Park neighborhood to downtown D.C. and back, almost all of it on the street and what difficulties I've experienced were mostly self induced. The terrain is relatively gentle hills, although the downtown area is flat. Plenty of multi-use trails and bike lanes. On Sundays they close the Sligo Creek Road to cars. That's about five and a half miles of flat road with good pavement if you want to ride at speed. I can't speak for north of the city, but D.C. has gotten to be very bicycle friendly. From what I've been told, Virginia side is hillier than Maryland. There may be a couple of very hot days in the summer when bicycling can be dangerous. Winters are hit or miss. Up until January we were experiencing fifties during the day and thirties at night. Right now it's hovering around zero degrees with snow and rain expected.

Look up the WashCycle blog. The author keeps a close watch on bicycling issues in the DMV.

As I do more research I would probably end up living further out if I move their like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney etc. Are any of those areas better for road cycling? Are there any safety aconcernsanywhere either with cars or someone trying to strong arm you off your bike?

I'm a little farther north in Frederick County. Near Gaithersburg, and Germantown you are getting into northwest Montgomery county, and there is plenty of nice rural, rolling riding there. If you want some climbing, Sugarloaf Mountain is practically in your back yard, you can probably see it from just about anywhere in that area. It's actually a pretty popular ride. If you want more, come up a little farther into Frederic county, you can spend all day in the hills. It's a bit farther out, but the Skyline Drive/ Blueridge Parkway area in Viginia is great rural riding, that can get very demanding. Olney is more east, and while still rolling, considerably flatter.

Like any large metropolitan area, DC and the surrounding vicinity is going to pose most of the safety hazards you would experience just about anywhere. The farther out you go, the less dense the population, the more rural the riding.

Potomac Pedalers is the largest cycling club in the DC area, and they do lots of rides in the area at any level.

Awesome thanks! What about dirt/offroad trails? I have really been trying to justify a n+1 gravel bike