kudude

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to be out in the DC area for a weekend or so visiting some friends who just moved to Annandale. I had wanted to rent a bike (road bike, fingers crossed) and ride around the area, even going as far as to make it into the city and by the Mall, etc.

Does anyone have suggestions for a bike shop that would rent REAL bikes, although I suppose I could put up with a touristy hybrid (they rent those all over in SF near where I live now).

Also, is there a map somewhere I could find that might give good suggestions for roads to ride on or avoid? Thanks ahead of time

Alternatively, I suppose I coudl buy a breakaway, but that seems silly.

telebianchi

I know that A-1 Cycling in Herndon (about 20 miles from Annandale) has demo bikes from Specialized such as Tarmac and Roubaix. Used them one time to get a nice mountain bike for a friend visiting from France. www.a1cycling.com


As for places to ride, google to get links for the W&OD (Washington and Old Dominion Railroad) Trail, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail. Starting in Annandale, might be easiest to drive to a starting point, but once you're on either the W&OD or Mt. Vernon it's real easy to go into DC, along the river, out to the VA foothills, etc. Riding around the monuments in DC is great, but I would suggest getting an early start because (1) they look nicer in early sunlight and (2) fewer tourists to ride around early in the day.

Consularrider

I know Big Wheel Bikes in Arlington (https://www.bigwheelbikes.com/rentals.htm) does road bike rentals. As far as maps, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and DC all have bike maps online. Also check out https://bikewashington.org/ for more info on places to ride and lots of other stuff.

ks1g

Bikes At Vienna may (they used to - albeit folders & recumbents mostly). https://www.bikesatvienna.com/. B@V has a link on their home page saying Oasis Bikes in Fairfax does rent bikes: https://www.oasisbikeworks.com/ Also Try Spokes Etc Vienna store https://spokesetc.com/. Spokes & B@V are both within a block or 2 of the W&OD where it crosses Maple/Rt 123 in Vienna. About 10 miles (E) into DC via W&OD and Custis Trails, 35 miles (W) to Purcelville.

Other local info: https://bikewashington.org/, Potomac Pedalers Touring Club (group rides), The Wash Cycle (blog), and the BikewashingtonDC group on yahoo. Arlington County has a very good bike route map on line. Fairfax County's isn't was reliable but pdfs are also on line. Have a great visit.

kudude

thanks for the info so far guys. The trip is slowly coming together and I think this will help a lot

JimF22003

I'm in Annandale. I know some good ways to ride from here to the trails but they're kind of complicated Easiest place to park for the W&OD if you don't mind driving to the trail would be at Sandburg right near where the trail crosses Gallows Rd. Or maybe drive to downtown Vienna and park at the old depot. That's also right near the Spokes Etc. store, and I think they might rent bikes.

Hellomotto

new Revolution Cycle store at Crystal City - City Hub Central rents biks.
Spokes Etc Vienna does I know for a fact by w&OD, call and ask if other Spokes at Mt Vernon. Alexandria does too