Commute route from cathedral area to N. Glebe Rd.

@empow819 44551 wrote:

I recently started a new job on N. Glebe Rd, just off of 66 and live near the Cathedral. Does anyone have any tips on the best bike commuter route to take?

Ah, a fellow resident of the Buckingham neighborhood! Quick bit of advice: don’t lock your bike outside overnight.

If you’re on the southwest side of Glebe (I’m assuming you are), the best roads to incorporate into your Ballston commute are:
– Thomas St – it’s a quiet oasis running parallel to Glebe without the morning traffic drama
– Henderson Rd/Quincy St (changes names at Glebe) – Henderson is only one lane until you get to Glebe where it becomes Quincy and gets a bike lane
– Wakefield St – short, but has a useful stoplight for crossing Wilson Blvd if you work on the southwest side of Glebe
– Fairfax Dr – has a bike lane, though be prepared to be screwed by red lights from time to time
– 9th St – useful cut-through if you’re only a few blocks away as it only has one stoplight

Worst roads to incorporate into your commute:
– Glebe Rd – don’t even bother unless you like drama (road rage, near misses, “way past the pink” red light runners) on a consistent basis
– Wilson Blvd – not quite as bad as Glebe, but if you use it, make sure it’s between lights

I hope this helps.