Newbie here. I’ll pay you to show me the route

[Mark Blacknell]

Glad to see that you’re excited about joining the ranks, Kt, and I’m just as glad to see all of the offers of assistance here. I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I do want to offer a cautionary note. Given your level of experience with riding on roads (which is just about none, as best I can tell), I’d urge you not to just jump right in on your first commute. The Confident City Cycling classes that WABA offers (pointed out by Greg) would be great for you. If they’re starting later than you want, I’d suggest finding an experienced friend (or someone here) who would be willing to “start small” with you on a weekend attempt, and then work up to busier streets from there. I’m looking forward to you joining our ranks, and I want to make sure that it’s enjoyable and *safe* for you.

[kt543]

Hi Liz! Awesome ideas! Thank you! I’ll definitely have to bug you for more.

[CCrew]

@kt543 2487 wrote:

I wonder if it’ll really take an hour and 38 minutes each way. Time to do some back to back spinning to get in shape…

I’d say the potential is there, yes. Not like a 16mi ride on the W&OD, there’s traffic and everything else to contend with

[kt543]

Hi Mark! Thank you for the great advice as well! I have to say this place is really friendly. I was googling all over the internet since I’m quite resourceful in that aspect, but it was information overload and confusing. I’ll be happy to share any embarrassing tales/mistakes once I start this commute.

[WillStewart]

If you use the Custis Trail and go over the Memorial Bridge, then cruise down the mall, the length I get from BikeToaster is about 14.5 miles. The Custis Trail can be fairly hilly between Ballston and the river, though. I built the route using a starting point of Cedar Lane at the W&OD trail and adding incremental course points along the way.

[CCrew]

@WillStewart 2502 wrote:

If you use the Custis Trail and go over the Memorial Bridge, then cruise down the mall, the length I get from BikeToaster is about 14.5 miles. The Custis Trail can be fairly hilly between Ballston and the river, though. I built the route using a starting point of Cedar Lane at the W&OD trail and adding incremental course points along the way.

Yeah, I’m with Will on this one which is why I originally said to plug it in where it crosses at the Key Bridge. Haven’t mapped it but kept going “huh?” at the people saying take 4 Mile Run. I can’t fathom how that would be faster as it doglegs way south of where you need to be and has you coming back up the MVT past Reagan National..

Custis is worse coming home as far as the hills are concerned. Optionally you can ditch the Custis at Veitch and take the Wilson to Fairfax bike lanes to pick up the trail again at the Glebe/Fairfax intersection (by CACI). That leaves the remaining Custis pretty much all downhill.

[brendan]

@CCrew 2507 wrote:

Custis is worse coming home as far as the hills are concerned. Optionally you can ditch the Custis at Veitch and take the Wilson to Fairfax bike lanes to pick up the trail again at the Glebe/Fairfax intersection (by CACI). That leaves the remaining Custis pretty much all downhill.

Aside from not being able to avoid the rosslyn hill no matter what route you take going west (streets or custis), I usually skip the rest of the hilly Custis Trail between Courthouse (Veitch) and Ballston and ride the bike lanes/surface streets to hook up with the Bluemont Junction trail, which meets the W&OD/Four Mile Run trail.

Coming east from W&OD, you still have a relatively steady climb from W&OD to Ballston on the bluemont, but it’s exactly that which is required to get there (read: easy). Custis is fun to start a ride with, but I was usually heading home from a 76-mile loop ride when having to make the decision between custis and bluemont…and bluemont won every time.

Directions from veitch to bluemont park area on w&od/four mile run: http://bit.ly/ebdkN4

(this is similar to what CCrew recommended, but with bluemont junction trail connecting from the fairfax/glebe intersection instead)

Brendan

[DismalScientist]

I generally take Key Blvd and Highland to avoid Wilson between Courthouse and Clarendon. It’s nice to pass through the bucolic neighborhood where this site’s administrators live. 😎

[lucky wentworth]

Almost all the sidewalks in DC have ramps, so, depending on the traffic and the location, you can jump on the sidewalk. Also, the Senate side, up Constitution Ave is slightly less steep than the House side up Independance by Rayburn.

If you can get to the Lincoln Memorial, you can bike down beside the reflecting pool on sidewalks to the WWII memorial, cycle around the Washington Mon and get on the north side of the Mall on sidewalk. Cycle down the Mall to 4th St. Turn left. Go one block to Constitution and take a right and follow it around till it goes up Capitol Hill.

If you take Key Bridge, take a right at the end of the bridge, and take M St west, it turns into PA Ave, pass the White House, right on 15th and get on the bike lanes which take you down to 4th St. The only tricky part is Washington Circle. As you go around the circle, take care not to be clipped by the cars turning onto 23rd St as they are expecting you to turn in that lane if they even see you at all.

This is simpler than it sounds. First time, allow extra time, but second time will be even more fun. Hope this is helpful. cheers, lucky

[baiskeli]

@brendan 2561 wrote:

Directions from veitch to bluemont park area on w&od/four mile run: http://bit.ly/ebdkN4

This is my route. Traffic is light on the road parts. It beats the Custis hills.

KT, I’ll meet up and ride this part with you some day, for free! (unless it’s below 40 degrees, then you owe me $10). I can help you get across the right bridge and to Cap Hill too, I work near the Capitol.

[kt543]

I did a 16.5 mile ride last Saturday when it was windy with a group. I didn’t die, but I think I might have to take the bike on metro and ride it back till I can get myself in better shape. I have a lot of respect for you bike commuters.

[baiskeli]

@kt543 2605 wrote:

I did a 16.5 mile ride last Saturday when it was windy with a group. I didn’t die, but I think I might have to take the bike on metro and ride it back till I can get myself in better shape. I have a lot of respect for you bike commuters.

It gets easier quickly.

[WillStewart]

@kt543 2605 wrote:

I did a 16.5 mile ride last Saturday when it was windy with a group. I didn’t die, but I think I might have to take the bike on metro and ride it back till I can get myself in better shape. I have a lot of respect for you bike commuters.

Patience, Persistence, and deliberate Practice was good advice I received in this post at BentRiderOnline.com (a forum for recumbent riders).

[RESTONTODC]

@kt543 2605 wrote:

I did a 16.5 mile ride last Saturday when it was windy with a group. I didn’t die, but I think I might have to take the bike on metro and ride it back till I can get myself in better shape. I have a lot of respect for you bike commuters.

I recommend that you should start your commute slowly by drive or Metro half way and bike half way, keeps it under 10 miles each way and built it up to 16.5 miles. There are a lot of free parking along the trails. Stay on the trail much as you can until you get comfortable with the crazy DC traffic. Try your best on the Curtis hills. If it’s too much, get off the bike and walk up. I walked my bike up the Curtis hill on the my first commute and a pretty jogging girl passed me with a smile. I should have talked to her.

Ride on a regular shoe or MTB shoes so you can walk easily.

[PotomacCyclist]

Arlington’s bike map is available in hard copy and as a free PDF download. I think you can find it on the Bike Arlington website.

The connection between W&OD and Four Mile Run isn’t quite clearly marked. You have to cross the street at the W&OD Trail head, turn right and ride on the sidewalk to Four Mile Run on your left.

Four Mile Run connects with the Mt. Vernon Trail. Turn north and take that to the 14th St. Bridge. There’s a tricky temporary detour when you turn toward the bridge. Riding across the bridge is easy. There’s a separate Active Transportation Lane or wide sidewalk, which is separated from car traffic by a metal fence.

As you get off the bridge, you’ll head over to the Jefferson Memorial. It’s a little tricky around the Tidal Basin because you have to cross a couple busy roads. But there are traffic lights there. You’ll have a bit of a climb up 15th St. SW. You’re allowed to ride on the wide sidewalk on the west side of 15th St. SW. You’ll be more comfortable on the sidewalk there than in traffic. Just before the Washington Monument, turn right and cross 15th St. and 14th St. to get onto Jefferson Drive. Traffic is fairly slow on that road. That will take you all the way to Capitol Hill.

If you take this route, you can avoid riding in busy streets for the most part. Jefferson Drive, which runs in front of the Smithsonian Castle, is not intimidating at all. I often go for runs on that road, as well as bike rides.

If you’re riding in along W&OD and Four Mile Run Trail, 14th St. Bridge is a quicker route than Memorial Bridge. It’s probably more convenient too, in terms of grade crossings.

I’d volunteer to ride but I can’t this weekend. Possibly the following weekend, if you haven’t found any guides by then.

[Author]

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