Any Columbia Pike commuters?

[Brendan von Buckingham]

Does anyone commute Columbia Pike on a regular basis? Or even tried it and abandoned it? I’m looking for opinions.

I’m a long time Arlington bike commuter and now I’m looking to buy a house. I work at 4th and M SW (right by Fort McNair) and might end up with a commute right down Columbia Pike. What’s the route from Columbia Pike onto the 14th Street Bridge crossing? I’ve never been able to figure it out.

Topic

[Dirt]

I ride through that area once per week on my way places. Honestly I’ve done a lot to avoid Columbia Pike through Arlington. There are other back streets that get me the places that I want to go. Google maps was great in helping me find how to get from point A to point B.

I can look at a few routes, but I’d go through neighborhoods to get you to the W&OD, then pick up Mount Vernon and head to 14th Street. That might be too far south for you.

[Mark Blacknell]

Just rode up Columbia Pike from Crystal City last night, then heading north on S. Courthouse. The Columbia Pike section is not something I’d want to do regularly.

That said, the missing connection between Columbia Pike and the MVT/14th St. bridge is one that Arlington’s planners have long been working on. When the Humpback Bridge project is finished, there’s going to be a path from there that terminates right at the Pentagon property line. If the Pentagon could play good neighbor and let us travel through along the wall, there would be a great connection right through the parking lots. (And to be fair to the Pentagon folks, it sounds like there are a number of folks involved who want to make it happen, but it’s just a very complex process . . .).

[elbows]

I rode Columbia Pike regularly for 2 years until I moved. My opinion is that if you want to bicycle most days, you can get used to anything. I prefered riding home on Columbia Pike to riding into DC because I did not like flying downhill towards the 27 traffic.

If you were moving close enough to 4 Mile Run, I would probably take that trail. Obviously, you could also go down Glebe to 4 Mile Run. My preferred way was to turn onto Orme and then go over to the Pentagon that way. I used to cross at the light at Quinn in the morning and ride on the sidewalk for one block just to avoid the 27 craziness.

[Mykeru]

I realize this post is 6 months old, but I currently live on Columbia Pike and Courthouse. The route taken can get a little sketchy and maybe someone will find this useful.

Please note:

1. When going down Columbia Pike towards the S. Washington Blvd, the police insist you stay to the left. That is: In the left lane. It’s really easy to get whacked by cars turning onto 395 otherwise.

2. The best way to get to the bridges is to cling to Washington Blvd to the West of the Pentagon. Going towards Pentagon City or on down Columbia Pike will get you nowhere but to an impenetrable wall of highway.

3. Washington Blvd you need to keep your wits about you. You know all those pedestrian crosswalks? Well, apparently cars think actually stopping is optional. To be fair,
Washington Blvd and Geo. Washington Memorial Parkway are confusing as hell and drivers are generally too concerned not getting lost or shoe-horned into a wrong exit to actually see you.

Here’s my typical route on Google Maps as traced by the Android Application “My Tracks”

[Author]

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