Can I cycle from AAFB (Suitland) to Downtown DC w/out Metro???

[IPROTEKU]

I would like to park the car and cycle to work 2-3 times per week. Due to the restrictions on when you can take a bike on the Metro, it doesn’t fit my work schedule to use that option. Is anyone aware of a route that will keep me off of major thoroughfares and would allow me to bike to downtown? Thank you. DJ

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[DismalScientist]

I’m not from that neck of the woods, but you may want to consider buses. They all have racks and there are no time restrictions on their use.

[Kolohe]

Suitland road from the base is challenging but doable (though I’ve never done it personally). The Morningside portion isn’t too bad, as the local police force has some semi-famous speed traps through that stretch, but between where Suitland Road crosses Suitland Parkway up to Silver Hill Road can be somewhat of a speedway. (they have widened the road somewhat recently, but right around the time I stopped working at suitland the area immediately around the parkway was under construction)

Once you get to the Suitland Federal Center, it’s more amicable, trafficwise (however my commute to Suitland Federal Center was always a reverse commute, so I didn’t have to dodge as many cars) – but hilly. From the crossing at Spring Hill Rd, just go all the way past the cemeteries and Southern Ave and up to Alabama, where you make the left. (depending on the traffic, the sidewalk may be better than the road, esp to pass the stopped cars at the light at Branch Ave). Then a right onto Branch (down a fairly steep hill) which puts you on Pennsylvania. (again, sidewalks maybe your best choice here with the traffic). Alternatively, go past Branch Ave to Skyland and get on Naylor Rd (if you still want to cross the Penn Ave bridge – go all the way to the end then make a right [edit- follow the wayfinding signs to take you through some of the one-way streets to get back to Penn]. This path also avoids most of the shenanigans of the I-295 interchange, though it’s much better now that Penn Ave isn’t the 395 to north 295 connection) or Good Hope Rd (if you want to take the 11th st bridge)

[creadinger]

This is my approximate commute home. I work in the Suitland Federal Center and live in northern Alexandria (let me know if you can’t see it b/c privacy settings or something).
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2976381.

To get to the Federal Center from Andrews, I think Suitland Road is probably the best way. It’s the most direct and it seems to have a decent shoulder most of the way. I’ve never done it, but I had a coworker do that part of the trip for a few months while he was living there. We drive to Jiffy’s for lunch sometimes and I could see myself riding that stretch.

The rest of the ride downtown it isn’t too bad. I ride down Mass. Ave because it’s less busy than PA, and has a bike lane. Once you get to Sousa bridge you can go wherever you need.

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