Relocating to DC area Help
09-27-07 | 11:32 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Friend of Jimmy K
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: A lot: Raliegh road bike, 3 fixed gears, 2 single speeds, 3 Cannondales, a couple of Schwinns
Relocating to DC area Help
I'm relocating to the DC area, working in Rockville, and living in Silver Springs maybe, or Germantown/Gaithersburg. But there's nothing on the bike trails available. When I google a place and work, there's a bunchof circumnavigation, and what looks to be greenways that go straight to and from. What gives?
Help, I don't know much about the area, am told it's expensive, and you need a car. REALLY????
Help, I don't know much about the area, am told it's expensive, and you need a car. REALLY????
09-27-07 | 12:10 PM
#2
Oh The Huge Manatee
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 1
From: mabra
i live in silver spring and if you work in the district you could easily live without a car.
check https://bikewashington.org/ for trail information
check https://bikewashington.org/ for trail information
09-27-07 | 07:31 PM
#3
Because I thought I could
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
From: Wash DC Metro
Bikes: November, Trek OCLV, Bianchi Castro Valley commuter
Lots of MD and DC folk in the Northeast regional forum. Also on the commuter forum. Plenty of bike activity, too. I am more familiar with the Northern VA area, but in addition to the bikewashington site, check out Potomac Pedalers (https://www.bikepptc.org), the "pedalers" google group (https://groups.google.com/group/pedalers), and the BikewashingtonDC Yahoo group (https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BikeWashingtonDC/). Major trails on the DC/MD side include the Capitol Crescent trail and the C&O Canal towpath.
From what I've read, biking in from Rockville, Germantown, or Gaithersburg into DC is going to be a challenge. Silver Spring is much better (Cap Crescent Trail?). I'm not sure about a reverse commute, though. That might be easier. From anyplace along the I-270 corridor, you could try biking to a metro station; including using a bus/bike rack to jump high traffic areas (all the Montgomery County and DC Metro buses have racks). Bikes are NOT allowed on metro-rail during rush hours, but folders in a soft bag ARE allowed so there's that option (someone on the folders forum was using a 26" Dahon folder, so all they care is that it takes up less space).
DC is a high bike theft area, so excellent locks or better, a secure place to lock up are important. Metro and a few other places have bike lockers at transit stations - not sure how bad the wait list is for those. Housing is expensive, the drivers are nuts, but what else is new? Good luck & welcome to the area!
From what I've read, biking in from Rockville, Germantown, or Gaithersburg into DC is going to be a challenge. Silver Spring is much better (Cap Crescent Trail?). I'm not sure about a reverse commute, though. That might be easier. From anyplace along the I-270 corridor, you could try biking to a metro station; including using a bus/bike rack to jump high traffic areas (all the Montgomery County and DC Metro buses have racks). Bikes are NOT allowed on metro-rail during rush hours, but folders in a soft bag ARE allowed so there's that option (someone on the folders forum was using a 26" Dahon folder, so all they care is that it takes up less space).
DC is a high bike theft area, so excellent locks or better, a secure place to lock up are important. Metro and a few other places have bike lockers at transit stations - not sure how bad the wait list is for those. Housing is expensive, the drivers are nuts, but what else is new? Good luck & welcome to the area!
