Riding to Chain Bridge & Jermantown Road in Fairfax

@streetsmarts 162994 wrote:

I have an appointment out there coming up, and was thinking of riding there. From Alexandria, I’d be taking the W&OD to Vienna. Then Google maps tells me to take Courthouse Rd. to Chain Bridge Road to Jermantown Rd.

Does anyone ride out there and know if those are roads you would want to ride on?

I have ridden from the Fair Oaks area along Jermantown Rd, through Nottoway Park to Tappawingo Rd to the W&OD. Jermantown has a wide sidewalk/bikepath, but the street was fine. It probably requires attention during rush hour, like just about everywhere. Riding on Courthouse is fine, but along Chain Bridge there is not a bike lane, only a sidewalk.

@bikesnick 162997 wrote:

I have ridden from the Fair Oaks area along Jermantown Rd, through Nottoway Park to Tappawingo Rd to the W&OD. Jermantown has a wide sidewalk/bikepath, but the street was fine. It probably requires attention during rush hour, like just about everywhere. Riding on Courthouse is fine, but along Chain Bridge there is not a bike lane, only a sidewalk.

Jermantown is a reasonable road to ride. There’s a path on one side, in some places almost an undermaintained MUP and in others a pretty ratty sidewalk. The side with the school is better on that side of the bridge, and the opposite side is better on the other side of the bridge…except for the usual VDOT BS about only marking crosswalks on three sides of the intersection at chain bridge. NOTE: the sidewalks on both sides stop before the 66 bridge, which is pretty ratty. I think (hope?) that will get an upgrade when they monstrosify 66. As it stands, I’d recommend using the road rather than the trail until you get to 50 (I will sometimes hop on the sidewalk there to avoid the backup at rush hour, and stay out of the drag racing contest there when the light changes). I’d not recommend going that way if you’re not comfortable taking the road. That said, I consider this the best crossing of 66 in that area. ( <-- my face when that's the best option) As far as courthouse and chain bridge, those are also both reasonable to ride most of the time except that chain bridge gets a little nuts at rush hour. There’s a sidewalk there also, which is an “emergency use only” setup but will get you through.