Arlington Ridge Road in the dark?

[lordofthemark]

I may have to be at a home near Arlington Ridge Road (near Lynn and S 18th) after 7 on Wednesday. I might ride home and then drive with QOTM, but assuming I ride, I would either be riding down Arlington Ridge to the 4MRT, going over to Army Navy, or going the long way back to Eads. I’ve only ridden Army Navy that way by day, and never ridden on Arlington Ridge. Your thoughts?

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[Emm]

@lordofthemark 167698 wrote:

I may have to be at a home near Arlington Ridge Road (near Lynn and S 18th) after 7 on Wednesday. I might ride home and then drive with QOTM, but assuming I ride, I would either be riding down Arlington Ridge to the 4MRT, going over to Army Navy, or going the long way back to Eads. I’ve only ridden Army Navy that way by day, and never ridden on Arlington Ridge. Your thoughts?

I’m not a huge fan of Arlington Ridge. Daytime and good weather–totally a good option, and actually kinda fun during low traffic times of day. But Wed evening it’ll be dark, possibly rainy, cars drive pretty fast down that road (HA 25 mph speed limit…), and there isn’t much of a shoulder. Plus some of the curves on that road are pretty tight, limiting car’s sight lines.

I would personally take Eads. But Army Navy might be fine too–I have no experience on it at night so I can’t comment. I’m sure someone else on here has ridden on it though who would know more.

[ginacico]

@lordofthemark 167698 wrote:

I may have to be at a home near Arlington Ridge Road (near Lynn and S 18th) after 7 on Wednesday. I might ride home and then drive with QOTM, but assuming I ride, I would either be riding down Arlington Ridge to the 4MRT, going over to Army Navy, or going the long way back to Eads. I’ve only ridden Army Navy that way by day, and never ridden on Arlington Ridge. Your thoughts?

I’d take Arlington Ridge. Steep 1-block climb up 20th, hang a left, and it’s a fast ride downhill to Glebe and 4MRT. The first half is better lit, but there’s a good shoulder / bike lane almost the whole way and it’s low traffic. That’s the most direct route, and it’ll be over so quickly you won’t notice.

[lordofthemark]

Looks like I could avoid part of it by taking Lang, then cutting through the shopping center to get to the signal to cross Glebe at Meade?

[DismalScientist]

You do realize that Arlington Ridge road goes up a hill, whereas Army Navy and Eads are much flatter?

[ginacico]

@lordofthemark 167712 wrote:

Looks like I could avoid part of it by taking Lang, then cutting through the shopping center to get to the signal to cross Glebe at Meade?

Yup, or Lang to 28th St S behind the shopping center to Meade is nicer than navigating the parking lot.

@DismalScientist 167717 wrote:

You do realize that Arlington Ridge road goes up a hill, whereas Army Navy and Eads are much flatter?

Sounds like he’s approaching from some other direction and would only be riding down the hill, I could be wrong.

[DrP]

I can give advice on Army-Navy drive from Pentagon City to 28th St S to Meade. If some of that fits on the route planned, take the advice, if not, not worries.

I bike this every trip home (unless I need to be somewhere between Rosslyn and Clarendon on the way home) from work. There is a bike lane from Joyce to just after the Army Navy Country Club. That part is great (except when the bus stops and the traffic isn’t great to go around. Well, I am not fond of the hill from Joyce, but that is because I carry too much in my paniers). From the loss of bike lane to 28th street it is a little less fun, but I am used to it. Take the lane. The middle of the lane. There will be the occasion {favorite rude word here} driver that passes too close, but most go into the neighboring lane (although when then don’t I can just feel their bad “I want to drive faster” vibes in many cases. Others are great and give me like 3 car lengths). 28th is pretty easy (only occasion speed demon that MUST pass) as is Meade.

[dasgeh]

I would not want to ride downhill on Arlington Ridge in the dark. Drivers drive FAST and sightlines are bad. I’d take 18th to Eads, which is so much flatter and not that much longer.

[Author]

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