Avoid Foggy Bottom traffic at 6 pm?

[Steve O]

@ShawnoftheDread 147219 wrote:

Since when are statistical probabilities based on what you have heard of personally?

It’s always been that way.

[huskerdont]

While I’ve never seen anyone catapult over the railing into traffic, I have seen several pedal strikes to the railing from cyclists going toward DC when two cyclists pass, and one handlebar strike to the railing from a cyclist going into Virginia. I have only seen one actual accident (the handlebar hitting the railing caused the guy to tumble), but a lot of close calls. While skilled cyclists like Tania might feel comfortable, the other rider might not, and it only takes one to cause a collision when there is nowhere to go for avoidance. Not saying to avoid the bridge, just be careful. A handlebar-to-handlebar collision would not be pleasant, what with the torsional forces involved. It’s still my preferred route in the afternoons.

[Tania]

@huskerdont 147232 wrote:

While I’ve never seen anyone catapult over the railing into traffic, I have seen several pedal strikes to the railing from cyclists going toward DC when two cyclists pass, and one handlebar strike to the railing from a cyclist going into Virginia. I have only seen one actual accident (the handlebar hitting the railing caused the guy to tumble), but a lot of close calls. While skilled cyclists like Tania might feel comfortable, the other rider might not, and it only takes one to cause a collision when there is nowhere to go for avoidance. Not saying to avoid the bridge, just be careful. A handlebar-to-handlebar collision would not be pleasant, what with the torsional forces involved. It’s still my preferred route in the afternoons.

Believe me, I spent months on that bridge coming almost to a stop when passing people, then I was able to get by with one foot unclipped (ready to stop and put it down!) and now I almost always just keep riding although my speed varies (casual => crawl) depending on the assessed skill of the oncoming rider. You’re more likely to pass someone on foot than another bike. Plus as SteveO kindly pointed out, I’m not very big so my drop bars are only 40cm wide.

My mountain bikes however have stupidly wide bars so I spend a lot of time threading through tight spots (“TREE! Ow….”).

[huskerdont]

I am completely fine with my judgement (since I think I’m perfect all the time despite ample evidence to the contrary). It’s the random cyclist going the other way I worry about. (Or the crazy guy who passed me with no warning, yelled at a runner who didn’t move over, shoved him aside as he went by, then flipped him off. The dude got caught behind a cargo bike and was reduced to gesticulating wildly, so I was able to catch up to him and inform him what kind of person he was. That was a good day.)

[scoot]

That bridge feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I sometimes ride it to get to/from Kennedy Center, but I’ll choose another bridge if my DC destination is anywhere else.

[Tania]

Eh, I guess this is a pick your poison situation. I’m terrified to cross the GW off ramp and Whitehurst on ramps on Key Bridge (not to mention riding through Georgetown) and leery of continuing down Trollheim to get to 14th Street. I find TR bridge peaceful in comparison and the only issues I’ve had were self-inflicted and caused by gazing out at the water and almost crashing into the rails (doh).

Still, I think in this instance TR bridge is a Big NO only because of the sharp turn you’d have to make on Trollheim and I’m not advocating it for the OP to get to/from Alexandria. Otherwise I still say it’s fine.

Sidenote – I sometimes meet a friend at the Lincoln and ride home over the Memorial and out along route 50. And each time I SWEAR I’ll never do it again because of how stressful it is for me to get to the Lincoln. But then when he comes home my way, he thinks going down G street through Foggy Bottom and over TR bridge is horrible.

[notinthe18]

@EasyRider 147207 wrote:

I like to go down 21st street, past the Fed, to the light at Constitution. It’s a 2 way street but there’s hardly ever any northbound traffic so you can often take the northbound lane and, taking care, bypass the long line of cars waiting to turn right.

What up, fellow traveler.

[americancyclo]

@Tania 147249 wrote:

Sidenote – I sometimes meet a friend at the Lincoln and ride home over the Memorial and out along route 50. And each time I SWEAR I’ll never do it again because of how stressful it is for me to get to the Lincoln. But then when he comes home my way, he thinks going down G street through Foggy Bottom and over TR bridge is horrible.

Independence to Lincoln to ABT is my preferred route back home. It’s faster than any other route I’ve used to get from Capitol Hill to Ballston. I used to go down Constitution and take Virginia ave to the TR bridge but it just takes too long with the lights.

I’d say try each route for two solid weeks and then decide.

It comes down to what’s most comfortable and routine. I’ll take speed and a shot of adrenaline over a slower route. Being late stresses me out more than anything else.

[EasyRider]

What is ABT?

[ShawnoftheDread]

Arlington Blvd Trail

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