Fairfax Loops

[Dickie]

A buddy of mine is joining me after work at my shop in Fairfax for some riding. He’s pretty new to cycling and looking to get about 30 flat training miles in starting around 5:00. I am usually heading east on the W&OD at that time, but figured I would take him west instead. Any thoughts on some good Fairfax loops preferably not in too much traffic? We’ll be starting near the new Mosaic district (Merrifield). I thought about just taking the W&OD out west but I am not sure how crowded it gets out that way.

Topic

[eminva]

If you are looking for flat (relatively speaking) and traffic free, the W&OD west is probably your best bet. It shouldn’t be too bad on a weekday afternoon — there will be joggers and dog walkers here and there, but if he’s new then you are not looking to go fast, I’m guessing.

There are some roads you can ride around between Vienna and the W&OD that are not too busy, but they tend to be quite hilly. There is also a low traffic route down to Fairfax City that acc taught me: http://app.strava.com/activities/34604957

Liz

[jabberwocky]

Well, I can’t help with Fairfax loops around that area, but I can definitely comment that the W&OD isn’t that bad heading west from Gallows, even at rush hour. Things can get a little crowded around Vienna (especially from Church out to Hunters Mill), but its not anything that will really hold you up.

There are some very pleasant roads in Reston if you think you’ll be out that far.

[GuyContinental]

@Dickie 52073 wrote:

A buddy of mine is joining me after work at my shop in Fairfax for some riding. He’s pretty new to cycling and looking to get about 30 flat training miles in starting around 5:00. I am usually heading east on the W&OD at that time, but figured I would take him west instead. Any thoughts on some good Fairfax loops preferably not in too much traffic? We’ll be starting near the new Mosaic district (Merrifield). I thought about just taking the W&OD out west but I am not sure how crowded it gets out that way.

The “flat” part might be hard, how about suffer-filled but pretty? Head west on the WOD to Hunter Mill (not crowded at all), bear left onto Hunter Station and up. And up. Then brief right on Lawyers, right on Twin Branches, left on Glade… and then it gets hazy but you can work your way back to the WOD via Sunrise Valley.

Simpler would be an out and back towards Reston…

[jabberwocky]

If it helps, here are a few loops I put together for after work rides I do with friends of mine. All are setup to leave from the Reston Town Center.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2481615
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2491307
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2491338
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2491358

Just note that I like to make my friends suffer, so they are as non-flat as I can make them within the confines of Reston. :p

[Dickie]

Thanks Everyone, some awesome info which I will take full advantage of. Some of the hillier routes I will certainly try myself on a day I can skip out early. As for now I am thinking a simple W&OD out and back will be best. He is nursing a sore knee, probably from over riding in his first weeks so flatter for now will be the best way to keep him happy and on the bike.

[Author]

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