Route advice sought Wheaton, MD –> Lovetsville, VA

[DismalScientist]

Depending on your preference for trails, you may want to consider Crescent to Chain Bridge (using rough trail) and then basically Williamsburg West to the WOD in Falls Church. That should cut a lot of mileage rather than going through Georgetown.

[jeffp]

@DismalScientist 164504 wrote:

Depending on your preference for trails, you may want to consider Crescent to Chain Bridge (using rough trail) and then basically Williamsburg West to the WOD in Falls Church. That should cut a lot of mileage rather than going through Georgetown.

Thanks, but I looked at that. Just mapped the route using Chain/Williamsburg/W&OD to be sure and it’s just about 60 miles. Nope.

[bentbike33]

US 15 in that part of VA is narrow AF and crazy busy with traffic, including trucks, just about all day. I would say your best bet is crossing the river at Brunswick if you can’t rework the White’s Ferry route (because who doesn’t like a little boat ride!) to avoid as much of US 15 as possible.

That said, people who actually know the MD back roads may have another opinion.

[Tania]

@bentbike33 164516 wrote:

US 15 in that part of VA is narrow AF and crazy busy with traffic, including trucks, just about all day. I would say your best bet is crossing the river at Brunswick if you can’t rework the White’s Ferry route (because who doesn’t like a little boat ride!) to avoid as much of US 15 as possible.

That said, people who actually know the MD back roads may have another opinion.

What he said. Instead of turning right on 15 at WF, I’d go left into Leesburg and get on the W&OD. The part of 15 from Whites Ferry into Leesburg actually isn’t too bad because (a) that’s where the shoulder starts and (b) you’re not on it for very long and the speed limit drops to 25.

I would never attempt 15 north from Whites Ferry (heading towards PoR). I used to live in PoR and drove to Leesburg (or Herndon) every work day. It’s not bike friendly at ALL.

[Crickey7]

I guess I’d try peeling off at Falls Road in Rockville, taking that to Glen and then Esworthy. Then onto Seneca to River, ride down to Violette’s Lock Road and pick up the C&O there up to White’s Ferry.

[jeffp]

@Crickey7 164522 wrote:

I guess I’d try peeling off at Falls Road in Rockville, taking that to Glen and then Esworthy. Then onto Seneca to River, ride down to Violette’s Lock Road and pick up the C&O there up to White’s Ferry.

Looks good, but over 10 more miles. I think my win is the northern route, which has only about 10 miles on one lane, and going over in Brunswick.

[jeffp]

One of the reasons I’m loathe to do an extra 10 or so miles is this will be my longest ride in my recovery from being hit by a car (and shattered) last year.

[jeffp]

Followup.

Ride was wonderful. Went via Brunswick. Took me just under four hours. Thanks for all the ideas. If I bike out that way again I may take the W&OD route if I’m more recovered.

[Author]

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