Route help request: Virginia Square to the Folger Library

Welcome!

Tim’s route is great, especially if you’re comfortable on street.

If you want more trail, you could take Quincy (or Monroe –> Nelson –> Lincoln, which are quieter streets) to the Custis Trail, and go through Rosslyn to the MVT to the TR bridge, but you’re adding a lot of distance. http://goo.gl/maps/7MeCM (note: google maps is doing something weird near the White House in this map — I would suggest you take the Ellipse around to E and 15th, then get on the Penn Ave cycletracks, though over time you may find you prefer the Constitution Ave sidewalk to the U-turn danger of Penn)

But you asked about the base, and I’m the resident bike-through-the-cemetery-because-it’s-awesome proponent. My understanding is that on top of the hill, the only gate that’s open is at 2nd St S, and it’s open 24-7. Heading to DC, you can go through the Cemetery starting at 8am. Going down the hill of the Cemetery in the morning is the best commute in the area. To get onto the base, you have to show photo ID. If it’s a CAC card (the ID guard for most federal employees), the guards will just waive you through. If it’s a DL or similar, the guards will take it and write down some info (tell them you’re going to the ANC Gate). After going through the gate, go straight to the stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign. You’ll see the gate into ANC on your right after a 1/2 mile (?). I believe it opens at 8am. http://goo.gl/maps/w4AOX

You can only go downhill through the Cemetery (or ANC), so on the way home, you could go through the Wright Gate, near the Iwo Jima, which is only open to non-military until 6pm. But there’s little benefit for you (steeper hill, farther). http://goo.gl/maps/gSuJ4

@Tim Kelley 53799 wrote:

You might have issues going through the base–here’s a simple solution that is actually shorter: http://goo.gl/maps/LnlJv

I do the reverse of this route every day and it’s safe and easy. When going up Capitol Hill just ride through the Capitol grounds, don’t do it on street. It’s perfectly safe and allowed, hundreds of cyclists do it every day. The only hairy spot is crossing the GW Parkway. Be alert and safe and it’s a great route.

@americancyclo 54035 wrote:

Keep in mind that the sections that follow the mall or independence ave may have you stuck behind gaggles of tourists as the summer wears on.

I would add the crazy tour bus drivers who believe it is their right to run red lights, nearly kill you and then yell at you as if it’s some bizarre occurence that cyclists exist in DC or even that pedestrians dare to enter roadways at crosswalks. (Two different incidents–one on foot and one on my bike where these idiot buses almost killed me).

(Footnote, I occassionally hear the tour guides spouting off and it’s fun to listen to their “facts.”)