@lordofthemark 89383 wrote:
5500 Col Pike is looking like a real possibility for us.
I am thinking my route to work would be along Col Pike to W&OD to Shirlington to 4MRT to MVT to 14th Str bridge and then my usual route across SW DC. That might mean 1/3 of a mile or so of sidewalk riding to get to the W&OD (though it looks like maybe Frederick/10th/Columbus/GeorgeMason is an alt to that?) Total commute about ten and a half miles.
For kicks if I ever want to I could go the other way – W&OD to Custis. Maybe even take Greenbriar to Glencarlyn pk to get to the W&OD?.
Also generally good biking to Alexandria, including to my synagogue (about 3 miles away)
Am I being hopelessly optimistic?
Oops – meant for “where to ride” can the thread be moved?
I think you’ll like the access to W&OD. I live next door at 5300. Other than the not so great traffic on the Pike itself it’s great for access to the W&OD. If I get a job I applied for in DC the route you outlined is essentially the same route I plan to take. Straight down Columbia Pike is of course the most direct route to the W&OD trail, but I usually take the Frederick st/Columbus/George Mason option you outlined in order to avoid the traffic on Columbia Pike. There’s significantly less traffic on Columbus (speed humps) a light to help make the left onto George Mason (which also has bike lanes) and then the light at 4MR/GM intersection is helpful crossing 4MR onto the W&OD. You can also cut through Barcroft Park on 4MR trail between GM and S Walter Reed. I’ve done both and depending on how you catch the lights, etc they’re both about the same distance and time.
The sidewalk on the Pike is quite narrow in some places and there is a significant amount of pedestrian traffic on the Pike in that area. There is not a traffic light at the Columbia Pike/Frederick St intersection, however there is a pedestrian cross walk light. Unfortunately it’s 50/50 whether or not motorists will come to a stop when someone activates the lights. I’m not sure what’s more amazing; the number of cars making panic stops when someone starts to cross assuming the cars will stop for the lights or how many pedestrians immediately start to cross assuming cars will stop. I’m genuinely shocked people aren’t hit at that crosswalk daily.
Additionally, a large amount of traffic is usually trying to either turn onto Frederick St or into the apartment complex parking lot on the other side of Col Pike. As much as I don’t want another stop light; that intersection really should have one.
The only true downside to using Frederick St is the significant hill right as you turn off the Pike. Its roughly a 35ft elevation change in less than 300ft. I’m lucky in that I can avoid the hill by using my building’s garage access which exits onto Frederick St. Because of that, even if I’m headed in the opposite direction on the W&OD I’ll usually take that route to get onto the W&OD to avoid traffic on the Pike. I’ve never tried going up over the hill on Greenbriar to Glencarlyn park.
I’m sure there are other more direct ways, but to get to Alexandria I’ve always just gone down the W&OD/4MRT to MVT. Taking that route is 7ish miles each way. Another option that Google Maps suggests takes you over 395 via the pedestrian bridge from Shirlington Gunston Rd/Valley Dr/W Braddock Rd, but it only saves you about a half a mile and you’re on the street dealing with traffic, lights, etc. Whereas on the trail you just have other cyclists and pedestrians to worry about. The trail has less of an elevation change as well.
I bike the Arlington Loop quite often and last week biked up to the Great Falls Visitor Center on the MD side via the C&O Towpath. Before the end of the summer I want to bike out to Leesburg and back, but that’s a 70+ mile round trip. Not sure I’m up to going that far on my hybrid…that might have to wait until I add a road or cyclocross bike to my collection. You’ll have plenty of options for places to go from this location.
If you have any general questions about the area shoot me a PM.
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