Takoma Park to Metro Center

I’m not sure if it’s best for everyone, but I prefer to stay on off-road trails as much as possible, and use a route like this: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2176315

They may be more direct routes on streets, though. Also, the Sligo Creek and NW branch trails in this area get pretty quiet late at night, so consider that if you’re concerned about riding alone.

Both Greenbelt’s and Liz’s paths are good suggestions. I have three routes that I alternate depending on the day: 1) a modified version of Liz’s, 2) taking Piney Branch to Blair to 5th and 6th downtown (through Howard’s campus and by the reservoir, cutting over past Chinatown), and 3) the MBT (which takes a couple of extra miles to get to and has a nasty hill, but also some nice straight lines…eventually). You might start with 5th/6th first just because it’s a touch calmer. 14th has lanes almost all the way, but there’s more than a little construction south of U street which impedes the lane and cars are fast fast fast.

I second Liz’s route. When I work in Arlington I use part of her route to get there from Silver Spring. The only change I would suggest is that you might try staying on 13th until Florida, then cutting over to 14th. The bike lanes tend to disappear on 14th in Columbia Heights, and you can expect long waits at the lights through there. 13th is narrower, but the traffic is pretty slow along 13th with all the stop signs. Try both ways and see which you prefer.

I took the cycletrack up 15th than over to 14th and then meandered on some back roads to where I wanted to be (near Shepherd Park, so not quite TP, but close). I’ve also done 15th up to 16th and then road up 16th partially on street and partially on sidewalk. The 14th side is better. 16th street you deal with a lot of parked cars and needing to merge over and if you switch to the sidewalk then there seems to be some glut of giant tree branches the whole way.

Liz’s way makes sense in my head. Really you could do any of those posted here. My only qualm with going on 13th is that it’s slower, but more residential so more stop signs, more dooring scenarios, etc.