Route Advice: Beach Dr @ Broad Branch Rd

[CWJW]

Is anyone familiar with negotiating with the line of cars along Beach Dr (heading south) right after it crosses Broad Branch road? I’m going to be taking this route and need to make a left onto Blagden Rd. This is my first time commuting into work on a bike. Any advice on how to squeeze through the traffic along this narrow single lane section? I don’t know if cars are still queued from waiting at the signal at Tilden but when I used to drive there around 7:30-8am they would be. I sometimes see cyclists bypass the line of cars by riding at the opposite northbound lane which doesn’t seem safe even if cars tend to go more slowly at this section of beach rd.

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[Bill Hole]

I don’t know where your ultimate destination is, but rather than brave that stretch of Beach, why not turn left on Joyce Rd. and take the immediate right up the hill to the Carter Barron fields. Take the parking lot and some neighborhood streets through to Blagden (look at a map for details).

[Crickey7]

That’s such a short stretch, and as you note, more adventurous riders simply ride to the left of the line of cars. If the alternative route is a no-go, I’d do that in a heartbeat.

[CWJW]

@Crickey7 117325 wrote:

That’s such a short stretch, and as you note, more adventurous riders simply ride to the left of the line of cars. If the alternative route is a no-go, I’d do that in a heartbeat.

Thanks, I’ve been doing it for a week now and just ride the little median until I get to the left lane pocket. It’s a bit of a squeeze trying to share the lane with cars and going the opposite lane isn’t that safe either.

bill,

I know that hill you are talking about but its a ways out from my route. would work though if going that way though.

[Crickey7]

@CWJW 117480 wrote:

Thanks, I’ve been doing it for a week now and just ride the little median until I get to the left lane pocket. It’s a bit of a squeeze trying to share the lane with cars and going the opposite lane isn’t that safe either.

I rode by this a.m. Looks doable, even MacGuyverly.

[Author]

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