Best Route from DC to Mt. Airy, MD?

[jrenaut]

I’ve never ridden it, but biking on 27 is going to be on a shoulder with cars doing 60 next to you. Not likely to be much fun. Doesn’t look like you have a lot of choice, though.

[Terpfan]

I’m going to second what Jrenaut said about biking on 27. I would not do it. Not only do cars zip by (at least once they clear the speed cameras in Damascus), but most of the road lacks a shoulder and the volume is moderately heavy.

If it were me, I would probably take Rock Creek Park all the way up by ICC. Cut over toward Olney and cut behind it (Cashell->Wickham->108) and then cut behind Laytonsville utilizing Zion Rd and then I would meander through west side of Tridelphia Resvoir area and take the various Chapel Roads over to Florence and then Watersville up to Mt. Airy. None of these roads are ideal, but the volume is much lower and speed limits are slightly lower. With that said, I’ve seen cyclists on New Hampshire Ave and once saw one on 27, but honestly, I wouldn’t do that.

I’m sure there is a faster and probably better way, but I don’t know it. This would be the way I would go:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/226864547

[LooseFur]

@Terpfan 55181 wrote:

I’m going to second what Jrenaut said about biking on 27. I would not do it. Not only do cars zip by (at least once they clear the speed cameras in Damascus), but most of the road lacks a shoulder and the volume is moderately heavy.

If it were me, I would probably take Rock Creek Park all the way up by ICC. Cut over toward Olney and cut behind it (Cashell->Wickham->108) and then cut behind Laytonsville utilizing Zion Rd and then I would meander through west side of Tridelphia Resvoir area and take the various Chapel Roads over to Florence and then Watersville up to Mt. Airy. None of these roads are ideal, but the volume is much lower and speed limits are slightly lower. With that said, I’ve seen cyclists on New Hampshire Ave and once saw one on 27, but honestly, I wouldn’t do that.

I’m sure there is a faster and probably better way, but I don’t know it. This would be the way I would go:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/226864547

Thanks to both of you for your thoughts. I’m beginning to think I should get in the car with the rest of my family for the event.

But barring that, once Beach Drive ends at Garrett Part are you on bike path much of the way to the ICC and then is there a path below the ICC? I know there are some gorgeous roads north of Olney. Have you ridden these?

Thanks again very much.

[eminva]

@LooseFur 55205 wrote:

But barring that, once Beach Drive ends at Garrett Part are you on bike path much of the way to the ICC and then is there a path below the ICC? I know there are some gorgeous roads north of Olney. Have you ridden these?

I can confirm that there is a paved path from Garrett Park to Lake Needwood and from there, easy roads to the ICC trail. The trail is kind of twisty-turny and not in great condition, so your speed will be limited. If you want, you can bail out to neighborhood streets for some of that; take a look at a map if you are interested.

The ICC path is nice, one of the nicest bike paths in the region IMO. Too bad it doesn’t really go anywhere.

North of the ICC is terra incognita to me. Sorry.

Liz

[LooseFur]

Thanks to all for the help. It is much appreciated.

Looks like a brilliant weekend to ride!

[creadinger]

@LooseFur 55247 wrote:

Thanks to all for the help. It is much appreciated.

Looks like a brilliant weekend to ride!

I think i may be late to this thread, but just in case:
http://app.strava.com/activities/49992518

This is an example of the route I use to go north to Mt. Airy from DC. It’s not too bad until you get to Long Corner Rd. There are 3 good climbs on that one. At Penn Shop Rd. head north on 27. It can be a little hairy due to the I-70 interchange, but stay to the right and be predictable you should be ok.

[LooseFur]

Thanks again to all who wrote. I ended up concerned about the various routes and getting out early and doing a quick 50 locally before getting in the car with the rest of the family to go to Mt. Airy. Actually we ended up cutting across 121 (Clarksburg Rd.) from 270, which looked like a very nice road to ride, though I’d rather not do it alone. Small road, 35 MPH though people travel much faster, it goes through Little Bennett Regional Park. No shoulder.

Several beautiful roads up that way, with a lot of clutter to get through first before them.

[Terpfan]

@LooseFur 55424 wrote:

Thanks again to all who wrote. I ended up concerned about the various routes and getting out early and doing a quick 50 locally before getting in the car with the rest of the family to go to Mt. Airy. Actually we ended up cutting across 121 (Clarksburg Rd.) from 270, which looked like a very nice road to ride, though I’d rather not do it alone. Small road, 35 MPH though people travel much faster, it goes through Little Bennett Regional Park. No shoulder.

Several beautiful roads up that way, with a lot of clutter to get through first before them.

If you’re interested in riding it in the future, I would suggest taking a free afternoon and driving the portion from around ICC/Olney exit up to Mt. Airy. It’s definitely doable, but if you get nervous easily then it may not be worth the trouble. Once you skirt north of Laytonsville, it’s actually fairly rural and an easier ride. The trick is to avoid the Damascus. And while some would do 108 or 650 (New Hampshire Ave), I wouldn’t–just too many idiots that drive on it. Anyway, it is doable, but worth checking with a car beforehand. I’ve ridden to Olney fairly easily before–albeit pre-ICC.

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