Commuting from DC to Chevy Chase Thursday, 9/22

Howdy — I’ve been riding daily from CC DC to work down by the Mall for about ten years and agree you should avoid riding up Beach after you drop into the park via Morrow. Plenty of riders do it (although I prefer not to), but it’s two lanes, windy, and, as noted, will be more apt than usual to be filled with drivers in a foul mood from having to negotiate their first drive home with Beach closed from the RCP all the way to Tilden. Instead, ride the paved hiker/biker trail (Rock Creek Trail) that picks up at the four-way intersection where Morrow/Joyce intersect with Beach. The trail parallels Beach north until Bingham Drive. Continue on the paved path up Bingham and follow it as it bears right and north again running parallel to Oregon Ave. You’ll encounter some pedestrians or runners, but not many, and it’s a pretty stretch all through there. The path will terminate at Wise Rd. There, cross Oregon and take Chestnut and then wind your way through the neighborhood to your destination. As for the first part of your route, I also agree you should avoid 13th. It’s a cool ride, but 14th is likely to be smoother for you (bike lanes) if you’re not used to 13th. So, instead of bearing right onto 13th off of Monroe, proceed through that light and then make a right onto Holmead. You can then take any of the next several lefts, which run for a block and hit 14th, which you can cruise north all the way to Kennedy/Morrow.