Route help request: Virginia Square to the Folger Library

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  • June 2, 2013 at 10:31 pm #913476
    buzzatx
    Participant

    Hello, all:

    I’m in the DC area for the summer, living near Virginia Square station and commuting to and from the Folger Shakespeare Library every weekday. I mapped out a Google route and gave it a test spin today, but was thwarted by the closed Henry Gate at Fort Myer. Now that I’ve done some further research, I’m confused as to whether I can indeed pass through Fort Myer (and if so, where); whether the commute can be the same going both ways (due to one-way restrictions in Arlington Cemetery); how to get over the Memorial Bridge from my location; or if a bike commute is even safe and doable. Here’s the current Google Maps suggestion, which proved unworkable:

    http://goo.gl/maps/zBgnK

    If anyone has a similar commute and would care to suggest a route to and from, I’d be indebted. Apologies if this has been covered in the forum (and I have no doubt it has) – because Fort Myer seems to have made changes in recent years to multiple gates, and given restrictions in Arlington Cemetery and my own ignorance of the area, I’m pretty flummoxed at the moment.

    My thanks in advance.

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Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • June 3, 2013 at 1:46 pm #971641
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

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

    June 3, 2013 at 2:05 pm #971647
    dasgeh
    Participant

    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

    June 3, 2013 at 2:16 pm #971653
    baiskeli
    Participant

    You can do this: http://goo.gl/maps/vfFt7

    It’s the easiest to remember and avoids the cemetery or base entirely. It’s got a few hairy intersections though – always cross carefully.

    This route goes past the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument and Capitol – it’s awesome. You can also take the first bridge, the Roosevelt, and go past the White House and down Pennsylvania Avenue’s bike lanes for another cool ride: http://goo.gl/maps/g8gWf

    June 3, 2013 at 2:37 pm #971665
    DaveK
    Participant

    @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.

    June 3, 2013 at 3:04 pm #971683
    americancyclo
    Participant

    @DaveK 53823 wrote:

    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.

    Like this:
    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2621112

    That’s a mixed version of ways I get to and from the Library of Congress. Going uphill on the South side of the capitol is easy, just stick to the right and watch out for cars and cyclists coming downhill.

    June 4, 2013 at 4:30 pm #971848
    buzzatx
    Participant

    Thanks very much, all. I’ll give each of these routes a go in the next week or so, and commit to the one that best balances timeliness with not-fearing-for-my-life-iness. Please know I appreciate the suggestions, and happy cycling.

    June 4, 2013 at 6:09 pm #971864
    americancyclo
    Participant

    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.

    June 4, 2013 at 7:20 pm #971874
    Terpfan
    Participant

    @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.”)

    June 4, 2013 at 7:30 pm #971877
    DaveK
    Participant

    @Terpfan 54045 wrote:

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

    Q: Why is there a color change in the Washington Monument about 100 ft up?
    A: That’s from the Great Flood.

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