Best Options to Ride from Ballston to SW Waterfront Metro Station?

This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 8 months ago by Tim Kelley.

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November 28, 2011 at 3:43 pm #910654

echarity
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I’m looking for several options to commute on my bike from near the Ballston Metro in Arlington to near the Waterfron Metro in SW Washington, DC. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Edward.
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November 28, 2011 at 4:49 pm #933026

dbb
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I’ll defer to those that know that part of Arlington for how to get to the Mount Vernon Trail best but from the trail, it has the potential to be a cakewalk.

Take the trail south to the 14th Street Bridge. Across the bridge and then (multiple choices below)

Hook around the tidal basin in front of the Jefferson, up 15th Street to Jefferson (southern inner mall street). Right on Seventh Street south across the SW Freeway to G or I Street. Left to 4th Street and then south on 4th.

Turn right or left at the Jefferson to Ohio Drive (less traffic if you go left) and then Buckeye (on Hains Point). About midway between the Washington Channel and the Potomac, take the unnamed (on Google Maps) road between the large buildings and get on the bike path on the Case Bridge (I395). Across the bridge at Banneker Circle, turn right and you will end up at 9th and F, SW. From there you can ride neighborhood streets east to 4th.

November 28, 2011 at 5:35 pm #933029

baiskeli
Participant

Welcome, Edward.

There are many routes to the Mt. V. My preferred route is below. I like to avoid traffic and hills and potholes.

Fairfax Drive to the end, stop for coffee at Northside Social if you have time, take sidewalk on the North side of Wilson one black to left on Hudson, right on 13th, left on Highland (you can just take Wilson or the sidewalk to Highland for simplicity), right on Key Blvd., left on Veitch, cross Lee Highway to take a right on the sidewalk, which connects to the Custis Trail, through the Crossing of Doom at Lynn St. (I only cross on the green walk signal for extra safety) to the Mt. V.

Fairfax to Wilson to a left on Veitch or Lynn works fine too. Or simply catch the Custis Trail from Ballston.

November 28, 2011 at 6:01 pm #933031

consularrider
Participant

For a commute, skip the convoluted path through Arlington and just take Stafford of Quincy across I-66 to the Custis Trail, stay on that (being very careful though the Ft Myer/Lynn/Lee intersections area), continue on the Mt Vernon Trail and the route in post #1.

November 28, 2011 at 8:56 pm #933050

baiskeli
Participant

@consularrider 11317 wrote:

For a commute, skip the convoluted path through Arlington and just take Stafford of Quincy across I-66 to the Custis Trail, stay on that (being very careful though the Ft Myer/Lynn/Lee intersections area), continue on the Mt Vernon Trail and the route in post #1.

You’re trying to avoid me, aren’t you? It’s okay, I’m used to it.

November 28, 2011 at 10:08 pm #933055

DismalScientist
Participant

Fairfax to Clarendon. Left on Lynn to Custis, MVT.

Of course, we have discussed this option before. On streets you deal with cars. On the Custis you deal with joggers. The street route avoids the Custis crossing at Lee and Lynn. Pick your poison.

November 29, 2011 at 2:31 pm #933081

Mark Blacknell
Participant

This would be the route that I take (and is one that I ride, a couple times a week). It’s probably the quickest and most direct route, though it does add in the danger of the GW Parkway crossing/Memorial Drive.

November 29, 2011 at 4:37 pm #933094

theakston
Participant

@Mark Blacknell 11371 wrote:

This would be the route that I take (and is one that I ride, a couple times a week). It’s probably the quickest and most direct route, though it does add in the danger of the GW Parkway crossing/Memorial Drive.

I rode a similar route when I used to work down there, only I used to cross on the memorial bridge (south side on the walkway) and then down Ohio drive to the Jefferson. Ohio gets very little traffic and is a nice ride along the river, but more importantly it eliminates the GW Parkway crossings.

December 9, 2011 at 1:45 am #933483

paytonc
Participant

@dbb 11312 wrote:

Take the trail south to the 14th Street Bridge. Across the bridge and then (multiple choices below)

Not sure why you’d want to head up either 15th or Buckeye when you can just follow the trail down to Maine and turn right. (There’s a little segment of trail along the east side of Ohio; it’s a bit more efficient than staying on the west side.) The river trail along Maine has just been widened/repaved from there down to the fish wharf, at which point you’re just down Water Street from SW Waterfront Metro. (This route is shown in Mark Blacknell’s map.)

December 9, 2011 at 4:01 am #933487

KLizotte
Participant

I think you should all set up a race and see who gets to the destination first via his preferred route! :rolleyes:

December 9, 2011 at 5:10 pm #933498

dbb
Participant

@KLizotte 11818 wrote:

I think you should all set up a race and see who gets to the destination first via his preferred route! :rolleyes:

Can I have Dirt or Tim Kelley be my designated rider on their road bikes?

December 9, 2011 at 5:13 pm #933499

Tim Kelley
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@dbb 11829 wrote:

Can I have Dirt or Tim Kelley be my designated rider on their road bikes?

The new TT bike arrives in a week or two!
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