Annapolis to DC

[Terpfan]

Opening caveat: I’ve never ridden to Annapolis, but I used to work there.

For starters, if you’re comfortable on the road then I would probably just ride West St straight out to Defense Highway. It has you riding up by the hospital and then to Bestgate Rd, which frankly is just as bad for vehicular traffic and speeds as West St (I would even argue that it’s worse). The tricky part would be the turnoff to Defense highway. I would probably turn right into Mall to then exit from Mall straight across onto 450 rather than try to get over there to the double left turn. I should also add that Defense Hwy there is not very bike friendly and will be similar to the last few blocks of West St right by where it hits 50.

I’ve seen cyclists on the portions outside of Annapolis. Be forewarned it’s two lane without a shoulder. 197 is a highway so there must be a path there. I don’t know Bowie really, but Beaver Dam Rd is right. The rest getting into DC looks like a lot of MBT, but I’ve only ridden that area once and would defer to those who ride it daily (Greenbelt poster here definitely knows it well and probably that connection point between Bowie and Greenbelt).

[Boomer Cycles]

@NPEric 123687 wrote:

Greetings! I am planning a tour from Annapolis MD to Raleigh NC, and am looking for routing advice for day 1: Annapolis to the HI Hostel in DC (1009 11th St NW). I like to ease into the first day of my tours with a short leg, so I’d prefer to stay around 40 miles if practical.

I’ve posted this to some regional forums before I found this one, and the best suggestions I’ve found seemed to both involve riding to College Park and then taking trails down to the capitol district.

This is one: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Interstate-Cycling-System-Northbound-WASHINGTON-D-C-to-ANNAPOLIS. It’s a little long, and apparently involves crossing a barrier closing off Governor’s Bridge near Annapolis.

The one I’m leaning towards at the moment involve following 450/Annapolis Rd most of the way in, jumping off at Carter up to Good Luck Road, and then taking the trails in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

PS Yes, I did read the previous posts on routes between DC and Annapolis. Just looking for the most current information, and anything specific to traveling the route westbound. Thx EK

I’ve ridden this route eastbound for the past 5 years as part of the http://www.biketothebeach.org century ride, and assume that you could do their same cue sheet/ route in reverse westward.

[Author]

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