DC to Tysons Corner (just inside beltway) route request

[Greenbelt]

I have to go out to the Westin in Tysons Corner (on Leesburg Pike) for a conference in a couple weeks. This will be a historic first — I’ve never actually ridden a bike anywhere in VA I don’t think.

Google gives me this route: http://g.co/maps/aprdn

Having never ridden the VA trails, any suggestions or tips (or alternate routes that would be better)?

I doubt I’d have time to preview the route, but I should be able to get out there during daylight hours.

Topic

[americancyclo]

@americancyclo 12628 wrote:

via Fort Meyer and Arlington: 5.7 mi – 383 elevation
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/880144

I rode this yesterday and didn’t really like it. I was stopped for 2 minutes at the gate and made to dismount and produce two IDs. apparently my agency badge wasn’t good enough.

Pershing is in horrible condition. potholes and uneven pavement everywhere.

The section from Pershing to Fairfax Dr. is pretty unpleasant on the whole.

@americancyclo 12628 wrote:

via Arlington Blvd, Wilson, Fairfax and Custis: 5.5mi – 427 elevation
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/880135

This is still my favorite route. There is a .4 mi climb fro Rhodes to 14th/15th that briefly hits an 8% grade, but it’s at least 5 minutes quicker than going the route above, and there’s a bike lane almost the entire way, and the lights are timed pretty well.

[dasgeh]

@americancyclo 12673 wrote:

I rode this yesterday and didn’t really like it. I was stopped for 2 minutes at the gate and made to dismount and produce two IDs. apparently my agency badge wasn’t good enough.

Pershing is in horrible condition. potholes and uneven pavement everywhere.

That’s so weird! I ride through the base every day, and have never been made to dismount (once was asked to open a bag). By agency badge do you mean agency of the federal government, having an ID card like the ones the military use? That’s what I have and again, no problems. My husband used to ride through the base, and he showed his driver’s license. There was a delay as they wrote down some info, but not that bad – still faster than going around.

And I agree that the pavement on first block of Pershing beside the new construction is HORRIBLE, but after that I find it to be fine. I took the road/path along 50 yesterday for the first time in months, and found that pavement to be equally as bad as the pavement on Pershing. Maybe it’s just what you’re used to.

[americancyclo]

It’s only the second time I’ve ridden through the base, and yeah, congressional ID badge. So I guess I’m 1 for 2 at the moment. it’s quite possible that my crankiness at being stopped at the gate discolored the rest of that route, plus the fact that the left on to henry/pershing wasn’t as well marked as I would hope.

[Greenbelt]

Thanks for all these great ideas and tips. These sorts of directional/experience/wayfinding comments are among the best features of this forum. So many places to get to, but not always easy to figure out how to ride them! -Jeff

[americancyclo]

@Greenbelt 12892 wrote:

Thanks for all these great ideas and tips.

Of course now you are obligated to let us know how it goes once you make the trip!

[WillStewart]

Lots of good advice so far.

One possibility is to ride to West Falls Church Metro via the routes mentioned above and take a quick hop on the Fairfax Connector 425/427, one of which will take you almost right to your conference hotel. You can park your bike at West Falls Church or put it on the bus rack and take it with you. I’ve struggled with Tysons bike commutes in the past and traversing the last mile or so can be compared to entering a giant maw of whirling scimitars…

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/pdf/427.pdf

[Greenbelt]

You guys have some hills out here! Us poor northern Prince George’s county folk are regular flatlanders by comparison.

I made it out the conference just fine, with only one unintended detour (due to a missing streetsign). Ended up taking the 14th street bridge, which was great, the MVT north to Custis Trail. Had to improvise a teensy bit at the end to get to the hotel (some sidewalk riding, but that’s OK since there were virtually no pedestrians on the strip/streetscape).

Video to come (of course). -Jeff

[americancyclo]

Glad you made it safely. Looking forward to the video

[CCrew]

@WillStewart 12901 wrote:

I’ve struggled with Tysons bike commutes in the past and traversing the last mile or so can be compared to entering a giant maw of whirling scimitars…

Will, that’s probably one of the best descriptions of cycling in Tysons I’ve seen.

[Greenbelt]

The Custis trail is a pretty amazing bit of engineering! I’m envious. Why don’t Maryland highways have trails like that?
[video=vimeo;35794520]http://vimeo.com/35794520[/video]

[consularrider]

Because they’re not in Arlington County?

[vvill]

Impressed that you made it there without getting (significantly) lost! Although I noticed you had a smartphone to help (yes I did watch the whole thing). I always get lost around EFC where the trails detours (I’ve only been through there perhaps 5 times in 5 years).

[bikesnick]

i am glad you made it. thanks for posting the video. it was fun seeing trails/streets that i normally ride.
/bs

[eminva]

@Greenbelt 13756 wrote:

The Custis trail is a pretty amazing bit of engineering! I’m envious. Why don’t Maryland highways have trails like that?

Great video!

The history of the Custis Trail is interesting — as I understand it, it was the quid pro quo (or one of them) for the neighborhood when I-66 was routed through there. Every so often, I see a pedestrian of a certain age walking right down the center line of the trail — I feel like he or she can be forgiven for having a sense of entitlement to the trail, given what those neighborhoods had to live through 30 or 40 years ago.

Liz

[PrintError]

@vvill 12651 wrote:

Yep… I liked the free cookies in reception though.

Actually I didn’t mind the place overall. Helluva lot cheaper than owning a house

I dunno, I moved out and bought a house, my monthly expenses are MUCH lower. Bonus: My rent will never increase again! No free cookies though.

[Author]

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