New job new commute

[Jsnyd]

Hello everyone. Im posting the typical “best route for my commute”, because I’m moving into VA on Van Dorn street and will be riding to the Pentagon. I’m sure theres a few pentagram employees on here so if you can’t provide directions then maybe what kind of set up they have with bike parking if any. Thanks!

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845361,-76.949915

Topic

[Dirt]

Van Dorn North or south? You inside the beltway or out? That area is pretty ugly with construction these days, but I think most of the construction is still to the east of you.

[Dirt]

Van Dorn South is pretty ugly by bike, but if you look at Google Maps and click Directions and Bike you get a pretty good idea of what solves your problem. Crossing the Beltway is the biggest problem. There appears to be a pedestrian route from Oakwood Road that goes under the beltway next to Van Dorn and connects up with Eisenhower Ave. I ride “The Ike” pretty regularly in my routes around town. It is generally wide enough for riding and even has an off-road path for part of it (which I never use). From Eisenhower, I’d weave up through Alexandria (Basically following Google’s suggested route) to Mount Vernon Avenue. Take that North to the 4-mile run trail, and then to Eads street. That leads you into Crystal City and an easy jog into the Pentagon.

While not perfect, it does give you a basis from which you can view, review and explore to get a good commuting route. A lot depends on how you feel riding roads. None of the routes are low traffic, but most are okay for cycling.

Explore and enjoy: Google Maps Route

[Dirt]

Interesting. The route that Google put in the link I posted is quite a bit different than the one it suggested to me (the part through Alexandria and Crystal City). It is, however, a very valid and not entirely unpleasant way to get from Van Dorn South to the Pentagon.

There are many options for riding the northern part of the route.

[planetmike]

Consider riding Van Dorn onto Eisenhower to Commonwealth to the GW Parkway. This will get you to the North Parking at the Pentagon. It is not the most direct route but scenic at points and less traffic.

[americancyclo]

@Dirt 10634 wrote:

Interesting. The route that Google put in the link I posted is quite a bit different than the one it suggested to me (the part through Alexandria and Crystal City)

Google is watching your riding habits!

[Justin Antos]

That underpass under the Beltway off of Oakwood is do-able, but I’d try it during daylight hours at first. It’s a little sketchy, and rough riding in a couple of spots. Good luck!

[Dirt]

@americancyclo 10636 wrote:

Google is watching your riding habits!

I kinda figured that they’d tagged me. I can feel the Lojack when I sit.

[OneEighth]

@Dirt 10655 wrote:

I kinda figured that they’d tagged me. I can feel the Lojack when I sit.

But does it require a warrant?

[Dirt]

@OneEighth 10656 wrote:

But does it require a warrant?

No, sir. Much like riding 2 abreast into the MVT underpass of Memorial bridge…. It requires modern, water-based lubricants and a lot of momentum.

My most sincere apologies for that comment.

What were we talking about?

[dasgeh]

Sperm bike.

Sorry. Had to be said.

[Jsnyd]

I’ll be living inside the beltway near Seminary road. Sorry I should have been more specific. Ive studied the google maps routes and seem pretty straight forward. I just hope it doesn’t direct me to a road of death.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.889459,-77.091759

[Dirt]

@Jsnyd 10681 wrote:

I’ll be living inside the beltway near Seminary road. Sorry I should have been more specific. Ive studied the google maps routes and seem pretty straight forward. I just hope it doesn’t direct me to a road of death.

That gets even easier. Howard St. to Braddock to Beauregard (becomes Walter Reed) to 4-mile Run Trail. That goes all the way to the MVT and then into the Pentagon.

Again: Not sure of your starting point, so I guessed. I take Holmes Run trail into Alexandria sometimes and then need to make my way North from there into the city. The route I mapped is one I’ve used a lot. Beauregard isn’t the best in the world, but I haven’t had trouble with it. It is better than the Van Dorn ride that The Google suggests. This winds around a little, but is generally worth an exploration.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/819128

There’s a lot of new trail routing at the end of the route linked above. What google has no longer reflects reality. Reality is, I think, much better.

As usual, I suggest exploring your bike commutes before actually making them. This can be done by car or by bike at a non-peak traffic time. Sunday mornings are lovely times to explore where you need to go and how you need to get there.

[DismalScientist]

Of course, you may just want to take Army/Navy drive from near the infamous intersection of Glebe and Glebe.

[Jsnyd]

Thanks for the info as always. Since my commute will only be around 6 or 7 miles I think I might start looking for a single speed, or steel road frame. idk. Still in the decision process. That and what gear I should keep on.

[OneEighth]

Fixed = Fun
Also crazy easy to maintain.
And gives you a nice varied workout whether you want it or not.

[Author]

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