Newbie bicyclist – looking for best commuting route between N. Arlington and L’Enfant

[krazygl00]

@corm0407 30207 wrote:

Hi,
Going to give commuting by bicycle the old college try. Google maps has suggested this route. Do any old hands have a better route suggestion? I’d like to keep away from traffic as much as I can until I feel more comfortable. Also, because I’m not a bicyclist, I haven’t paid much attention to the trail system in the area. Does google have me riding on the walkways through the Mall and is that copacetic?
Thanks for any help you can provide.

It actually looks like a pretty good route. I used to live in that area also, and if I were bike-commuting from there this is probably the option I’d use. The hill down to Chain Bridge is pretty darn steep and you’ll have your work cut out for you when you return home, but once you cross the river and hit Capital Crescent it should be pretty flat. It could be an option to throw the bike on the car and park down at the bottom of the hill, because that’s a serious climb. Also, I’m trying to remember how bike-friendly Chain Bridge is; I remember crossing it a couple of times but it might be something you have to plan out.

The alternative would be to ride down Military Rd. til you hit Spout Run, but that will be a LOT of big downs and ups as opposed to ONE big down/up.

[jabberwocky]

Comments:

The old glebe/military rd part is fine. It has you descending 41st st, which is very steep and rough, though it will have no traffic. Your other option is to just descend Glebe; probably has a lot of cars at rush hour, but its downhill so you’ll be moving. As a newbie, I’d recommend taking 41st, and once you’re more comfortable on the bike and in traffic you might try switching to Glebe. Make sure your brakes are in good working order with either option (especially with 41st though).

It then has you riding the C&O canal trail into DC; note that this is a gravelly, unpaved trail. Its smooth enough for road bikes, but isn’t pavement. Near Fletchers Boathouse, you can hop over to the Capital Crescent, which is paved and parallels the C&O into georgetown.

The rest of it is relatively simple. The CC/C&O dumps you in Georgetown, you’re on the road (water st) for a few blocks, the trail picks back up and angles right along the waterfront. The paths around DC are ridable on a bike, though they get hella crowded on nice days. You won’t move super fast, but as a new rider that probably won’t be an issue.

My only other comment is that for the return trip, the climb up 41st is going to suck. Thats one of the most infamous hills in the greater Arlington area. The good side is, you’re going to get strong fast.

[jabberwocky]

@krazygl00 30214 wrote:

Also, I’m trying to remember how bike-friendly Chain Bridge is; I remember crossing it a couple of times but it might be something you have to plan out.

Its fine, theres a path on the left side (going into DC). You’d come down 41st, stay on the sidewalk on the left, cross chain bridge rd and stay on the path on the left. 3/4 of the way across, a walkway is on the left that drops down to the C&O.

[vtben]

@corm0407 30207 wrote:

Does google have me riding on the walkways through the Mall and is that copacetic?.

The walkways on the Mall are OK in the mornings. In the afternoon there’s more tourist-dodging, especially on the walkways around the Washington Monument, but it should be getting better as the days shorten…

[krazygl00]

@jabberwocky 30216 wrote:

Comments:

The old glebe/military rd part is fine. It has you descending 41st st, which is very steep and rough, though it will have no traffic. Your other option is to just descend Glebe; probably has a lot of cars at rush hour, but its downhill so you’ll be moving.

There is a secret pedestrian cut-through down the hill to the bridge which should be bike-able, and which lets you avoid Glebe traffic. Actually it is already in the route he linked to in google maps; the path down from N. Randolph St. But yeah, the climb back up is going to suck no matter how you slice it.

[jabberwocky]

@krazygl00 30222 wrote:

There is a secret pedestrian cut-through down the hill to the bridge which should be bike-able, and which lets you avoid Glebe traffic. Actually it is already in the route he linked to in google maps; the path down from N. Randolph St. But yeah, the climb back up is going to suck no matter how you slice it.

Right, thats 41st Street.

[Mikey]

You also want to be careful around the Lincoln Memorial during rush hour, drivers are always angry there and it’s difficult to cross even on the sidewalk to get to the mall. An alternative would be to stay on the rock creek park trail along the river, then turn left at Ohio drive, and come up to the north side of Independence, then follow the paths along independence past the WWII, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian castle, then follow the route listed. As you get more confident you can ride along Independence to save a bit of time ( at least east of 15th street). 41st street is a killer, and it can be very slippery, so be careful! The C&O canal between Chain bridge and Fletcher’s boat house is rather rocky/rough, (Park service and the canal trust has improved the trail west of chain bridge, but that really doesn’t do you any good.)

Otherwise have fun.

[jrenaut]

When I do the long way to work, I take this route, which is the same as yours until you get down by the Memorial Bridge. This avoids pretty much all DC traffic, and gives you the option of doing laps on Hanes Point if you’re so inclined. You also get the lovely summer experience of biking past the fish market and its delightful aroma. And the “promenade” past DOE is nice and bumpy (Who puts bricks in a road?).

[corm0407]

Thank you everyone! I am familiar with 41st since I run it in the mornings. It is incredibly steep. For now, I’m planning on walking my bike up it until I get stronger. I’m going to take a test run this weekend and see if the google route makes sense when I’m actually riding it.

[DismalScientist]

You will get more pavement time by cutting over to the Capital Crescent Trail at its bridge over the canal and C&O towpath (about 1 mile northwest of Fletcher’s). This will involve more hiking, but get you out of a mile of gravel on the C&O.

[JohnL]

I would suggest giving serious thought to the Military Road/Lorcom Land option to the Custis and Mount Vernon trails. The C&O is unpaved and can get soft after it rains, the Crescent Trail is crowded, and the connection from the end of the Crescent Trail to the Lincoln Memorial isn’t my favorite.

There is a bike lane for most of Military Road, the hills are manageable, and the Mount Vernon Trail is a great ride. However, the connection between the Mount Vernon Trail and Memorial Bridge is poor; I always take the 14th Street Bridge from the Mount Vernon Trail. If you do use the 14th Street Bridge, consider continuing on to the Case Bridge and either L’Enfant Promenade or G Street SW.

If you decide to use the Chain Bridge or Memorial Bridge, my advice from the Lincoln Memorial would be to ride along the south side of the Reflecting Pool and on Jefferson Drive in the mornings, when there are fewer tourists. I avoid the Mall in the evening due to traffic and tourists; consider the Case Bridge to Ohio Drive to the Lincoln Memorial in the evening. It’s slightly longer, but no stopping for lights or peds.

[americancyclo]

@JohnL 30266 wrote:

from the Lincoln Memorial would be to ride along the south side of the Reflecting Pool and on Jefferson Drive in the mornings, when there are fewer tourists.

I’d do this as well, I used to before I got a bit more comfortable riding in traffic.

Also something to consider is the type of tire on your bike. I didn’t see it mentioned, but skinny tires might be more troublesome on the C&O, but if you’ve got a 1.5″ or wider tire, you should be fine.

[rcannon100]

I live in N Arl. I take this route sometimes just for fun. It is a wonderful and scenic route. It is one of those routes that will make you glad to wake up in the morning.

I still walk my bike up 41st St.

Cutting thru N Arl to Custis means hill training and is just beat. One of he advantages of your route is that it is mostly flat with one huge exception.

Down by the Lincoln, I do what several recommend: Follow Rock Creek Pkwy to Ohio Drive -> go under the bridges on the West side of the lincoln -> follow Ohio Drive around to the Polo Fields (MLK Memorial, FDR Memorial) -> follow Ohio Drive past the George Mason Memorial -> turn left on Buckeye Dr near the golf course -> Take the next left and go up on the bike bridge -> follow the bike bridge to L’enfant plaza (this avoids having to cross Maine Ave on a bike – yikes) -> go to work (yikes).

I have dealt with enough Crazy Ivans on the Mall paths (tourists who turn irrationally and unpredictably) that I avoid the Mall paths almost always.

[cephas]

I second the recommendation to do Military Rd to Custis trail, Memorial Bridge, cross mall. (Here’s a map of that: http://goo.gl/maps/CfIDL) Last I tried it, chain bridge had stairs on the DC side. Not sure if that’s changed. As a regular Custis/Rosslyn Rider, I find them easier to traverse than Glebe/Chain Br. Personally, I would take Indep Ave, but that’s not for the faint of heart!

Ride on.

[jabberwocky]

I think those recommending military/custis are approaching this from more of an “experienced cyclists” perspective. The nice thing about the route the OP linked is that nearly the entirety of the climbing for the whole route is 41st st (which is easy enough to walk), and there is very little on-street riding. Military does have a bike lane for most of its length, but its also a fairly well-used road by motorists so you’ll have traffic turning on and off the whole way. That whole route is also very hilly.

My recommendation is to stick close to the original route, at least to start. Once you’re a bit more comfortable with the commute, feel free to give some of the alternates a try. Having multiple viable routes to work is definitely a good thing!

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