[ColumbiaHeights]

@KLizotte 40470 wrote:

It’s an obvious question, but I gotta ask it: have you considered a Capital Bikeshare membership? Many of these issues go away using those bikes. If that doesn’t meet your needs, you should check out VeloCity and Phoenix Bikes; they fix up used bikes and sell cheap. Unfortunately neither are close to metro (presumably they are both on bus lines) or you could use a bikeshare to check them out.

Ah yes, Capital Bikeshare. Funny enough, I recently purchased an annual membership. Riding around on the bikeshare bikes is part of my motivation to obtain my own “beater”/utility bike. I love bikeshare for destinations located near bikeshare stations, but sometimes I have to walk more than five minutes each way after docking. I’m looking forward to the additional stations that will be going in soon, but alas, DC is still quite spread out. Velocity and Phoenix Bikes are good suggestions. Thanks!

[ColumbiaHeights]

@dasgeh 39782 wrote:

Key to get to rosslyn. To get to Key safely, id stay north of m on the streets of gtown, then come down on 33.

What street is best for crossing over Rock Creek to get to Georgetown, north of M St? Are P St and Q St good options? Thanks!

[ColumbiaHeights]

@Tim Kelley 39787 wrote:

Better yet, have one mailed to your house for free!

Thanks dasgeh and Tim Kelley.

[ColumbiaHeights]

The Old Bike Shop officially opened a few days ago. Article: http://clarendon.patch.com/articles/the-old-bike-shop-opens-in-arlington

I hesitated to post this as I’m a supporter of the Velocity bike coop in Alexandria http://velocitycoop.org Velocity also fixes up bikes and sells them. I’m convinced that both Velocity and The Old Bike Shop will succeed. Spreading the word about both will just get more and more people biking.

FYI Velocity is a great place to learn to fix your bike. It’s open 7 days. Volunteers will teach you how to fix your bike. The only cost is a $10/hour fee to use their bike stands, tools, lube, etc. Beats dropping a bike off at a bike shop, waiting 1-2 weeks for it to get fixed (in the summer), then having to go back to the shop to pick it up.

[ColumbiaHeights]

Thanks for all the quick replies guys. I actually tried out some of your suggestions today. Going from DC to Virginia I took the 14th St Bridge (aka George Mason Bridge). Heading back from Virginia to DC I took the Arlington Memorial Bridge. I can’t say I have a clear favorite, but it’s good to know what options there are.

My only reference during my ride was a hardcopy of the DC Bicycle Map (no smart phone or GPS … I know, I know). One thing I found confusing is that the DC Bike Map refers to the 14th St Bridge as the “George Mason Bridge.” There is a parallel bridge east of the George Mason Bridge that the map shows as “14th St Bridge.” Google Maps calls BOTH bridges the “14th St Bridge.” For any newbies like myself, you want to take the westmost bridge. If you’re coming from 15th&Maine at the water, you take the sidewalk and bare right to access the first bridge. No need to go under any overpasses. As you get on the bridge there will be a George Mason Bridge sign. This is also the I-395/Rt 1 bridge. Hope I didn’t add any confusion!

I think I’ll have to try each bridge again before I come out with a preferred route. I can see all of the bridges being a pain in the ass in the springtime with all the tourists walking all over the place. Such is life. Thanks again guys!

[ColumbiaHeights]

What bridges do you recommend for crossing the Potomac River at night? Thanks.

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