CCT to Georgetown Branch to Rock Creek Park

The part of Beach that’s closed is very safe. It can get kinda crowded — too much for training, but not too much for a pleasant ride. It’s only closed from Military to Broad Branch (going South). So from Broad Branch, you’ll have the choice of road or not-too-great trail. I’ve done it trail only (a few years ago) and it was fine. But not fast. Of course, I went the other direction (North through RCP to Beach to CCT, lunch in Bethesda, then smooth sailing down the CCT). Depending on the time of day you leave, that direction may let you be on Beach Drive when it’s less crowded.

@mfrasketi 31864 wrote:

Thanks all for the replies. I’m a but nervous about my return through RCP. What I have read, Beach is only closed north of Broad Branch. There are still a number of miles to go on branch to get to lower DC. I plan to leave Alexandria around 8AM tomorrow (Sat), so I should be in DC around 10 or 11.

Does this route look safe/doable mid-morning tomorrow. I’m mostly concerned about lower RCP to Georgetown/Watergate area, from there I’m familiar with the route.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1742948/

Thanks

I’d be concerned with the RCP section between the closed Beech section and where the trail starts at Woodley Park. People absolutely ride RCP traffic or no but I’ve always found it a bit stressful (and so, no longer do it unless I’m with a big pack of riders). If it were me I’d head to 16th and down. More traffic over all but there are bike lanes and anxious drivers can get around you. Others probably will have other alternates…

GBT is fine in the dirt- I rode it through a winter on 23mm road tires and although I got dirty, I never had so much as a flat.

That route is doable. I would skip your turns after the CCT and take the Georgetown Branch Trail to connect to Rock Creek. There is a turn off on the GBT right after crossing over Rock Creek Parkway which will take you down to a park and connect to Rock Creek (It turn off shows up on your route and connects to Grubb Road/Terrace Drive). By the connecting there, you will miss the traffic on the Parkway. That being said, your route is doable.

@mfrasketi 31886 wrote:

Thanks. I see that right turn off to Grubb/Terrace then to Freyman to get on Rock Creek Trail. I’ve change my route, but I’m not sure if I understand “miss traffic on the Parkway”.

The adjustments to your route is the route I have ridden numerous times. By “miss traffic on the Parkway”, I mean that the Beach is closed to traffic at the Maryland/DC boundary towards the south right where the Western Ridge Trail crosses Beach Drive. With your route adjustments, you can ride the whole way off the street (with the local street exception of Terrace Drive). But, with Beach Drive closed, it cuts way down on the amount of traffic on the northern (open) sections of Beach Drive should to choose to ride on the street. Its a great route and very safe. The unpaved sections of the GBT should be no problem.

One suggestion: rather than takes M Street through Georgetown, I would just turn right immediately after crossing the Key Bridge and walk your bike down hill/over the canal and down to K Street (under the Whitehurst Freeway) to access the CCT. It will be easier and safer.

@mfrasketi 31889 wrote:

I think I understand. Thanks for the advice.

I just looked at your changes after the Key Bridge and thats what I had in mind. However, the short section of the C&O Canal you are planning is unpaved and rough. I would take your route south a little to Water Street (under the Whitehurst Freeway) and connect directly to the CCT from there.