[BobK]

Being awesome is cool and everything… But losing 30 pounds since I started commuting last October is even better!

Thanks for sharing the link, dbb!

[BobK]

A few pictures from my ride yesterday:

Alexandria – Carlisle

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2918[/ATTACH]

Alexandria – Old Town

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2919[/ATTACH]

Crystal City

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2920[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2921[/ATTACH]

Rossyln

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2922[/ATTACH]

We had over 30 folks riding to work from my office, overflowing our parking garage bike racks. A definite success in our office. And the management has agreed to add more racks.

[BobK]

I started commuting last October, so this will be my first BTWD, and I am really looking forward to it. I plan to hit the Old Town Alexandria (tee shirt stop), Crystal City and Rosslyn pit stops. I’ve been stopping at the Crystal City stop all week, and will be missing my mid-ride banana and bagel next week!

[BobK]

@jopamora 52265 wrote:

Until the next windy day

Which lately has seemed like everyday!

But the route is nice. One of the reasons I started commuting to begin with.

[BobK]

Excellent additional comments, guys! I am getting a pretty good sense of the issues I will be running into in Rosslyn tomorrow.

I think I have been incredibly spoiled on my normal ride. No really bad intersections to speak of at all. I tip my hat to those of you who have to deal with this route on a daily basis!

Thanks, again.

Bob

[BobK]

Thanks everyone for the responses and lesson in trail etiquette. The tunnel did have me stumped! :p

Looking forward to the Friday festivities!

[BobK]

Which PI tights have you been using? I just started commuting on my bike in late September, and have gotten by with bike shorts and leg warmers until this week. But with the temps in the 30s on Monday, my boys were not happy! A pair of PI windproof/water resistant amfib tights over my bike shorts did the trick for me.

Definitely a pretty steep learning curve getting used riding in the cooler temps, for sure. On the plus side, at least the MVT isn’t as crowded now.

[BobK]

@dbb 30101 wrote:

Because you will be riding one of the most efficient means of transport, my recommendation is to look for ways to use that efficiency. As you get more comfortable, you will likely be looking for ways to add miles to your route.

I’ll have to go on faith on this one. At this point I am all about making the ride shorter! I do like your route around the tidal basin, though. It sounds like a scenic way to cool down from the ride.

Thanks,

Bob

[BobK]

@cephas 30077 wrote:

Depending when you come in, Maine isn’t too bad for that short stretch. Then there’s a bridge over Maine right before the Mandarin Hotel, with a footpath. 15th to Maine to said footpath would probably be one of the most direct routes, but I believe it also involves stairs. I’ve only tried it once, and I don’t remember well. At any rate, it puts you out at Maryland and what would be 13th SW.

Well, I will be coming in fairly early. I usually am at the office by 7:00am. So good point on the traffic, which does seem pretty light that time of day.

I was wondering about the bike route google maps keeps showing up to the circle at the end of Maryland, and per the Bing map birdseye view below, it does look like a good option even with the stairs at both ends:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1676[/ATTACH]

Another good choice I will reverse engineer from the office on one of my Starbuck’s runs next week.

Thanks!

[BobK]

@benbhsu 30054 wrote:

Sorry if my description is less than awesome. It might help to look at my last Strava record: http://app.strava.com/rides/20140119

Thanks for the clarification. No need to apologize. My ingorance of the area more than anything, tethered to the yellow line like I’ve been for the last two and a half years.

And thanks to everyone for all the pointers. I’l be doing one more test ride next weekend before I start the commute for real, and will be spending some time scouting out the suggested routes for sure.

[BobK]

@benbhsu 30050 wrote:

I commute to L’Enfant (from Pentagon City) and usually take 15th to Independence, then a right on L’Enfant Promenade to my office (at the glass pyramid). 12th St. is the turn right before the promenade. Independence certainly has some traffic, but it’s a short distance and drivers don’t seem to mind (more than usual anyway).

Thanks for posting. Where do you get on 15th Street, and are you riding to the east of the Jefferson Memorial and taking the sidewalk along Maine?

[BobK]

@Rod Smith 30043 wrote:

Since OP is shooting for 500 12th (old BCBS building) he could turn off Jefferson onto 12th.

For some reason I had it in my head that 12th Street didn’t extend between Jefferson and Independence. But if so, even better.

What about my evening commute home, since Jefferson is one-way? 12th to Madision west to 15th?

[BobK]

Thanks for the information, and great link! I missed that post. I will give you route a try as well. I little variety with the route will be good!

[BobK]

I thought the cirlcle/promenade was elevated above D street? Is there a ramp that goes to street level near D?

[Author]

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