[Oblivious Recidivist]

@scoot 194496 wrote:

For this reason, I’ve typically found that streets with a lot of unpredictable activity feel quite safe for cycling. The chaos actually helps, as long as you are not too shy to take the lane when necessary. Some other examples: M Street in Georgetown, 14th St in Columbia Heights.

Agree … today I rode out of RCP at Morrow and took Kennedy over to 14th Street … which was a little chaotic but manageable through Columbia Heights … then over to 11th Street and took that all the way down to City Center.

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[Oblivious Recidivist]

@Oblivious Recidivist 194486 wrote:

Thx! I rode a little bit of Ridge yesterday … will try that as an alternative.

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Ride a test run along Ridge and Ross today … not bad! Like you said, a little work up the hills, but scenic and nice once you’re up there … and barely any traffic

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[Oblivious Recidivist]

@DCAKen 194477 wrote:

I’m a daily commuter through RCP and instead of taking Beach Drive between Broad Branch and Joyce, I take Ridge Road and Ross Drive. There’s more climbing, but practically no traffic at all.

Thx! I rode a little bit of Ridge yesterday … will try that as an alternative.

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[Oblivious Recidivist]

@Crickey7 194469 wrote:

There are many people who ride that route. I did it for 8 years and still do on occasion. Most riders just stay on Beach Drive all the way to where it connects to Broad Branch, then pick up the RCP Trail there. Drivers there are not universally wonderful, but they are pretty accustomed to cycling commuters and generally behave well. The key is to be visible and ride with confidence, and you will be fine.

Thx! this is helpful … did you feel comfortable riding that stretch at night (assuming proper lighting etc)?

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Yep, Beach Drive in Kensington (I think of it as Garrett Park, but Kensington is probably right). Although I guess some call that area “North Bethesda” these days.

[Oblivious Recidivist]

Taken while playing hooky from work … But where? [ATTACH]7079[/ATTACH]

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I live out in the burbs, fight a lot of traffic when I drive, etc. The main benefit I get is that I swap out the “dead time” of commuting in the car for something I enjoy doing.

But I did also calculate that I save almost $7 a day in gas every day I bike. Which is $700 every 100 days. And $7,000 every 1,000 days. See how I did the math there?

[Oblivious Recidivist]

Actually, my bad: Now that I think of it, I didn’t actually get on the road til 9 pm. Commute was 90 minutes.

[Oblivious Recidivist]

Left work at 8:15 pm … West on M Street .. and then a nice long ride along a dark, deserted CCT (save for several families of deer who seemed surprised to see me). All my cold gear held up, except I need something to keep my toes warm (2 pairs of socks not cuttin it). Got home at 10:30ish.

[Oblivious Recidivist]

Procrastinated til 8:10 this morn, probably because it was so cold, but once I got on the road, all was good.

Didn’t see many other riders on CCT or eastbound on L Street.

I’d like to claim my hardcore points now.

[Oblivious Recidivist]

Made good time this morning, especially on the Capital Crescent trail, and loved the crosstown commute on L Street as always … but I’m still getting used to the traffic on Bradley Blvd between Seven Locks and Glenbrook, where I pick up the trail. That’s the one part of my commute I’d like to change … lots of areas with very thin shoulder and folks putting leaves out into the shoulder, which forces me to take the lane. I see other cyclists on this road, so I know it’s done, but there’s definitely a comfort level issue with taking the lane when there are lots of half asleep, phone checking motorists buzzing along.

That said, it’s still the best part of my day, and I arrived at work in a great mood … 17.7 mi in 1:08.

[Oblivious Recidivist]

What was the cross street? I bike L Street in the morns and will watch out for it. thx!

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Just started biking a 35 mile round trip 2 – 3 times a week from Potomac MD to downtown DC.

I’m new to cycling, so the first focus was on perfecting my route and minimizing the near death experiences and learning valuable little lessons, like don’t try to change lanes across 3 lanes on Pennsylvania Ave during heavy traffic. Then it was gaining enough fitness to get over the burning hamstrings. Then accumulating cold gear. Now it’s getting used to riding in the dark when I’m working late. Feels a little weird to ride on the dark sections of the Capital Crescent Trail, but apparently lots of folks do it.

Commute takes about 75 min in and 90 min back home. So far it’s the best part of the day, but we’ll see how it goes when work picks up again in mid November and there are a lot more late nights.

Glad to know there are plenty of other folks making the long commute!

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