Columbia Pike alternatives redux

[elbows]

I know that this is a perennial topic (http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?4854-Columbia-Pike-Commute/page2&highlight=myer
), but given the extra traffic imposed by the 27/244 work/changes, the new traffic lights, and the shodiness of the road quality, its even less fun than usual, so I’m revisiting it. This morning, all cyclists were riding down the Pike between the two lanes of traffic. It was the only place with space and visibility, but it didn’t seem like a good idea.

Can I ride from the 2nd St entrance to Ft Myer/Henderson Hal to Southgate Rd? Can I do the reverse in the evening?

Does anyone know the status of discussion around the path through Army & Navy that was part of the deal for the building of the enormous Clubhouse?

I know I can ride on 4 Mile Run but in addition to add miles, that has its own time-consuming detour.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Topic

[chris_s]

@elbows 84055 wrote:

Can I ride from the 2nd St entrance to Ft Myer/Henderson Hal to Southgate Rd? Can I do the reverse in the evening?

YES and YES. Last I checked all you need is a government-issued ID (like a Driver’s license). If you happen to have a military or government employee id then all the better. If you’re coming from the Pike, do yourself a favor and go up a neighborhood street like Wayne instead of South Courthouse Rd. Less traffic, less hilly. If you can make the turn onto Walter Reed then Walter Reed >> 6th >> random neighborhood street >> 2nd is pretty nice.

@elbows 84055 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of discussion around the path through Army & Navy that was part of the deal for the building of the enormous Clubhouse?

The County has the easement, but they haven’t even committed dollars for designing the connection, let alone building the damn thing (and it isn’t going to be cheap due to major elevation changes along it). If you feel strongly about the need for the Country Club Connection, it’d be a great thing to mention to the County Board at the Capital Improvement Plan Public Hearing on June 10th at 7pm at the County Building at 2100 Clarendon Blvd…

[dasgeh]

Seconding what Chris_S said. Depending on where you’re going, you may want to enter Fort Myer on 2nd St S, then ride through the cemetery or over to Iwo Jima (on the way home, going through the cemetery is not an option).

[elbows]

@chris_s 84060 wrote:

YES and YES. Last I checked all you need is a government-issued ID (like a Driver’s license). If you happen to have a military or government employee id then all the better. If you’re coming from the Pike, do yourself a favor and go up a neighborhood street like Wayne instead of South Courthouse Rd. Less traffic, less hilly. If you can make the turn onto Walter Reed then Walter Reed >> 6th >> random neighborhood street >> 2nd is pretty nice.

The County has the easement, but they haven’t even committed dollars for designing the connection, let alone building the damn thing (and it isn’t going to be cheap due to major elevation changes along it). If you feel strongly about the need for the Country Club Connection, it’d be a great thing to mention to the County Board at the Capital Improvement Plan Public Hearing on June 10th at 7pm at the County Building at 2100 Clarendon Blvd…

Thanks for the info. I’m going to try to write a brief article about this for my neighbors. http://www.arlnow.com/2012/03/29/army-navy-country-club-bike-path-still-on-hold/

[Author]

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