Test rode my commute

@lordofthemark 30503 wrote:

I hope to find ways to tweak the route (I think devoting some time to exploring around the Mason bridge approaches on either side would help) the and my handling of it (as well as get in better shape, and get a more suitable bike).

One of the unexpected novelties of bike commuting is that as you get into better shape, your commute gets shorter… at least until you start looking for ways to add mileage.

M Street SW/SE is part of my commute. In the afternoon, why not just take M Street all the way to Water/Maine? You’re west of the biggest pain, which is at 6th Street SE. (Buses and car pools at the Navy Yard, which often cause me to bail to L Street SE until I get to Half Street.)

I have no problems with M Street in the morning, but I’m riding earlier than you are and I am not sure what the traffic to Fort McNair is like.

@ShawnoftheDread 30507 wrote:

There is a short cut going from the Pentagon to the MVT, but it involves riding on the grass along the exit ramp from 395 to Boundary Channel Drive. When you take Connector Road to Boundary Channel, cross the road and go right instead of left. Ride up the grass along the ramp. At the top, turn to your left and you’ll hit the “trail to nowhere” that leads to the southern tunnel under the Humpback Bridge. It knocks about 10 minutes or so off the trip. Just make sure you do it on the grass and not the ramp itself.

I love this new short cut to the MVT. I used to cross the bridge to GW PKWY NB exit to get over by the Pent. Not a great experience, but saved time getting down to Crystal City. I generally ride the ramps instead of the grass to make it quicker – there’s rarely traffic when I’m by those parts anyway. Does anyone know when the southern Humback tunnel trail will be finished?
Also, I may have lost my eyeglasses near there about a week and a half ago. They’re a Kirkland Signature Mens pair, half-frames (on top, not bottom).

I work in SW, so you’re on my turf. I think I St is a better crossing point for S. Cap. Traffic is heavy on the SW side because of the long queue to use the DMV. The SE side is wide open and gets you to NJ Ave easy as pie.

Once you get the commute route nailed down you’ll see its big advantage over Metro. Your bike commute will be the same time almost no matter what. Maybe it will vary by 5 minutes. Metro on the other hand is an untied shoelace away from being on time or 30 minutes late. I can’t stand the unpredictability of Metro when I have to take it.

@chris_s 31212 wrote:

Last official update I heard from Arlington County staff was that negotiations had stalled because the Pentagon has something there along the water that’s super top secret and they don’t want anybody to get near it. (the James Bond fan in me desperately wants it to be a submarine dock)

However, a project recently appeared in Arlington’s 10 year Capital Improvement plan which makes me think progress has been made:

Boundary Channel Drive Interchange
The existing Boundary Channel Drive interchange is inadequate for current demands and for planned growth in Crystal City. The addition of Long Bridge Park and the Aquatics Center accelerate the need for improvements at this location. Long Bridge Park Drive up to and through the interchange with I-395 and Boundary Channel Drive will be reconstructed to provide a safe and attractive environment for all modes of transportation, including bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. Project elements include new curb and gutter, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, streets trees and street lighting. Critical bike and pedestrian connections will be made from Crystal City to the Mount Vernon Trail. Two roundabouts will be constructed, which will serve as a gateway to the new aquatic center and Long Bridge Park. The redesigned interchange will improve safety and will be effective in managing emergency operations that occur frequently in that vicinity.

That project is scheduled to begin design in FY2013 and complete construction in 2017 (I recommend treating all CIP dates as extremely tenative)

The last rumor I heard was that there was some sort of munitions storage facility adjacent to the proposed path (which would just as easily be accessed by a car exiting 395…).

@chris_s 32132 wrote:

Munitions storage. Lame.

I heard it was a test animal munitions storage. Lasers on sharks kinda thing