Reston Parkway route?

[n18]

I have gone to the shops around many times, and here is the route I suggest, which is also what Google suggests(Google maps link), which is 90% paved side path. Starting from Giant in the north, you ride on the side path in the same direction as the traffic, then switch to the other side by using a tunnel next to the Container store(Street view of the tunnel). There are both stairs and a ramp to get you to the Container store area(Google Satellite view). A side path takes you the rest of the way to the W&OD.

Many who leave the W&OD to get to Reston Parkway miss the east side path, and wait to cross Reston Parkway to the other side. In this Street View of the intersection with Bluemont Way, there are two crosswalks. To the right, is where one comes up from the W&OD. The crosswalk further away in the picture is the one that leads to the east side path, and you don’t need a beg button to cross it. The closer crosswalk leads to a dead end, so many assume there is no continuation except on the other side, but there is.

[hozn]

I don’t know where you are starting from, but North Shore to Temporary Rd to Old Reston is a nice way to get to the trail from N Reston.

Yeah, the Reston Pkwy sidepath is a glorified sidewalk and the street crossings suck. The side roads in Reston are generally quite comfortable, though.

[dkel]

@hozn 180052 wrote:

I don’t know where you are starting from, but North Shore to Temporary Rd to Old Reston is a nice way to get to the trail from N Reston.

Yeah, the Reston Pkwy sidepath is a glorified sidewalk and the street crossings suck. The side roads in Reston are generally quite comfortable, though.

I think I’m starting from Lake Newport Soccer Field (I’ll find out when I see where my kid’s camp is set up). For the experience of it, I’ll probably try the side path as recommended by n18, but I always feel like multiple crossings at crosswalks is more dangerous due to the transitions from side path to street (and the repeated craning of the neck to try and see who is about to right hook you from behind is uncomfortable). Maybe I’ll also try Lake Newport Rd to N Village to Browns Chapel in order to connect with hozn’s route.

[hozn]

Yeah, one of the few places I have almost been hit by a car was at a crosswalk on Reston Pkwy. (Riding with a friend the driver waved my friend through/accross but apparently didn’t realize I was riding right behind him.)

[n18]

I assumed that you have a helmet mirror at least. Here is a good helmet mirror. Here is one that is designed for drop bars.

[jabberwocky]

I lived around the corner from there for years and some of those roads are my old commute. Hozns route is what you want to do. Depending on where you start, get to browns chapel (there’s a path over the dam if you need it, both Bennington Woods and lake Newport are fine too), cross baron Cameron to north shore and loop to temporary and then drop down old Reston. Don’t bother with paths. All those roads are very cycle friendly and popular bike routes so cars are mostly used to cyclists.

[hozn]

Yeah, what @jabberwocky said. That route sounds great and those roads (I think I’ve been on them all) are indeed friendly to ride on. Honestly, unless you’re riding on a major artery road (e.g. Sunrise Valley / South Lakes / Sunset Hills / [heaven forbid] Reston Parkway / Wiehle / Baron Cameron), cycling on Reston roads is really very pleasant.

[Author]

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