DC to Rockville after dark?

[Crickey7]

@elbows 125846 wrote:

Contemplating an event in Rockville after dark on a weekday. Google suggests CCT to Bethesda and then a bunch of other roads. Alternative 2 is 7 Locks Road. I prefer fewer roads to keep it simple. Alternative 3 is wait until 7 pm and take my bike on metro. Is there an Alternative 4 or can someone second one of these suggestions?

Thanks.

It really depends on your tolerance for traffic. I’ve done this several times on a route that is as simple as it gets, but goes on a few roads that scare the bejeesus out of some riders, especially since you imply you’re doing it at the peak of rush hour.

My route: Mass Ave to Wisconsin Ave. Wisconsin Ave. to Old Georgetown Road, left there. On the stretch between Friendship Heights and Bethesda, there is now an option to ride on a little used, wide sidewalk along the “Green Mile”. Old Georgetown Road is too much for many cyclists–It’s 35 mph posted speed, no shoulder and high volume. I typically ride it later, around 8 or so when things have died down. This takes you all the way to either lower Rockville or, if you are headed to points farther out, you pick up Executive Drive on the left and ride parallel to Rockville Pike on Jefferson.

Other riders take the CCT to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, which is slightly complicated but will not leave you feeling like a minnow among sharks. It goes to the same place, and at points even along the same route on Old Georgetown, though it uses the narrow sidewalk.

Seven Locks would be doable in a pinch, though inferior to the CCT-Bethesda Trolley Trail. It’s very hilly, still high volume and you’re going out of your way.

[sethpo]

@elbows 125846 wrote:

Contemplating an event in Rockville after dark on a weekday. Google suggests CCT to Bethesda and then a bunch of other roads. Alternative 2 is 7 Locks Road. I prefer fewer roads to keep it simple. Alternative 3 is wait until 7 pm and take my bike on metro. Is there an Alternative 4 or can someone second one of these suggestions?

Thanks.

This is my daily commute and after much experimentation I’d suggest the route I take daily (shockingly). CCT to Bradley. Bradley to Seven Locks. Seven Locks to Great Falls which will take you into the Rockville Town Center.

Bradley and Seven Locks both have decent shoulders although each have a few tricky places. The route using the Bethesda Trolley Trail does have some advantages but it’s much more complicated to navigate and puts you in that bind of having to ride through downtown Bethesda between the CCT and BTT which sucks. There is another route through neighborhoods that gets you off the busier Bradley and Seven Locks but it is also complicated to explain but doable if you really want to. But the route I take feels safe to me all year long so…

Hit me up directly if you want more info or possibly to ride together depending on timing, etc.

Primary route:
https://www.strava.com/activities/402392815

Alt route:
https://www.strava.com/activities/294143110

[Bilsko]

remember your lights on the CCT, or you may run into a bunch of your deerest friends

[Crickey7]

Seth is definitely the expert here. Do what he says.

[elbows]

@sethpo 125857 wrote:

This is my daily commute and after much experimentation I’d suggest the route I take daily (shockingly). CCT to Bradley. Bradley to Seven Locks. Seven Locks to Great Falls which will take you into the Rockville Town Center.

Bradley and Seven Locks both have decent shoulders although each have a few tricky places. The route using the Bethesda Trolley Trail does have some advantages but it’s much more complicated to navigate and puts you in that bind of having to ride through downtown Bethesda between the CCT and BTT which sucks. There is another route through neighborhoods that gets you off the busier Bradley and Seven Locks but it is also complicated to explain but doable if you really want to. But the route I take feels safe to me all year long so…

Hit me up directly if you want more info or possibly to ride together depending on timing, etc.

Primary route:
https://www.strava.com/activities/402392815

Alt route:
https://www.strava.com/activities/294143110

Given that sethpo contemplated riding from Pittsburgh to DC with gear on unpaved trails in 1.5 days, I feel like we might be incompatible riding partners but thanks to sethpo, Crickey7, and everyone for the helpful advice.

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