CCT - McLean?

[tipitai]

Hi Commuters,

I just recently started commuting to McLean and would like to take CCT up to Chain Bridge and then up Chain Bridge Road. Do any of you have experience doing this? Would you recommend against this particular route? I am specifically concerned about traffic and safety conditions on 123... Is it rideable, or should I go out of my way to avoid it?

Thanks for your help

[Dirt]

I ride into McLean often. I usually use Westmorland and it isn't bad. Westmorland to Williamsburg to Glebe road would get you there. I also use Old Chesterbrook too, but there are some sections of that which I have not ridden between McLean and Glebe road, so I can't really recommend that. I'll check it out the next time I'm in McLean.

Some people don't like riding down Glebe Road to Chain Bridge. I rather enjoy it. You can take old Glebe Road to 41st street as an alternative. I like going up 41st street instead of riding up Glebe.

I can map it if that would help. If you're familiar with the roads in the area, I won't bother.

Hope that helps.

Pete

[tipitai]

Pete,

Thanks for the tip! I just rode in to work this morning before seeing this post and ended up taking CCT - Tow Path - Chain Bridge and going up Chain Bridge Road. Not as bad as I had thought, but it will probably be a different story later tonight when riding home in the dark. Any kind of map that you are willing to post would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for the offer and the good advice.

RH

[americancyclo]

tipitai (http://bikearlingtonforum.com/member.php?1773-tipitai)-
Where are you starting from?

[Dirt]

I'll make 2. I have a meeting that I need to finish first.

[Dirt]

Uno: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/838817

[Dirt]

Dos: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/838821

That is the one I haven't ridden this entire route, but it has got to be better than 123.

[americancyclo]

I've ridden that section on Chesterbrook between Glebe and Kirby, although never during commute times. It's nice on the weekends!

[culimerc]

I personally like Old Chesterbrook, into McLean, its gots some interesting houses and is less traveled (at least on the weekends).

[tipitai]

tipitai (http://bikearlingtonforum.com/member.php?1773-tipitai)-
Where are you starting from?
Hi americancyclo, I am coming from Capitol Hill in DC.

[americancyclo]

In case you weren't aware, the 41st st that Pete is talking about as an alternative is REALLY STEEP (http://app.strava.com/segments/613425) but short. And Fun. I've only ridden it once, but I thought it was really fun, and could spice up a morning commute for sure. I've ridden on Old Dominion on the weekends, and the drivers were tolerant, but it's a high speed road with not much shoulder. I've also seen a driver run a jogger off the road along there.

The other option is Custis through Rosslyn to the W&OD and then up westmoreland like Pete mentioned. It looks about 1.5 to 2 miles longer, but it is an alternative.

[vvill]

Hi Commuters,

I just recently started commuting to McLean and would like to take CCT up to Chain Bridge and then up Chain Bridge Road. Do any of you have experience doing this? Would you recommend against this particular route? I am specifically concerned about traffic and safety conditions on 123... Is it rideable, or should I go out of my way to avoid it?

Thanks for your help

I probably wouldn't recommend riding 123 regularly. It is quite wide and has good visibility but the drivers go pretty fast and I've never seen a lot of cycle traffic there.


Dos: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/838821

That is the one I haven't ridden this entire route, but it has got to be better than 123.

Yep, this is what I'd take. It's very similar to one of my favourite commute options. Chesterbrook Road doesn't have a huge shoulder (when it does) and does seem to get gravel/other buildup in some sections there (I've flatted there a couple times) but it's not really that bad, esp since you are riding on the towpath I assume you have wider tires. Traffic is fairly light on it. Kirby Rd is one lane and does get a bit congested right there with the intersections but it's nothing compared to DC traffic. Drivers have always been courteous to me around here. The one section of Old Chesterbrook that could be dicey in the wet/dark is the crossing over the stream. It's steep and twisty, many drivers take that section too fast, and the sidewalk is horrible so sometimes joggers etc will use the road.

Depending on what part of McLean you're going to, it could be worth using the Longfellow/Tennyson backroads off of Old Chesterbrook. That's a common shortcut for motorists to get into the shops of McLean without having to go on Westmoreland+Chain Bridge or Old Dominion. Like everything around here, it's hilly. http://bikearlingtonforum.com/images/icons/icon14.png

Interestingly the Bike to Work Day McLean group route starts from the intersection of Kirby/Old Dominion, and the leader usually takes Kirby to Chesterbrook to N Albemarle to 120/N Glebe.

[americancyclo]

This makes me want to ride 41st on my way home. Am I crazy to try to ride part of the tow path on 25c road tires? Is the muddy path from the CCT to the bridge still there? Is this crazy at rush hour?

[vvill]

In case you weren't aware, the 41st st that Pete is talking about as an alternative is REALLY STEEP (http://app.strava.com/segments/613425) but short. And Fun. I've only ridden it once, but I thought it was really fun, and could spice up a morning commute for sure. I've ridden on Old Dominion on the weekends, and the drivers were tolerant, but it's a high speed road with not much shoulder. I've also seen a driver run a jogger off the road along there.

The other option is Custis through Rosslyn to the W&OD and then up westmoreland like Pete mentioned. It looks about 1.5 to 2 miles longer, but it is an alternative.

Loooooooooooooove 41st St!! ;)


Yeah if you need help with a commute from Rosslyn to McLean, I can give some ideas on that too, that's part of my usual commute. I would actually prefer crossing the Chain Bridge, but I hate that towpath and I only have either a 30lb+ MTB or a road bike with 700 x 23s. Actually Rosslyn to McLean also gives me lots of options to mix up the route too and add in miles if I like.

[elcee]

This makes me want to ride 41st on my way home. Am I crazy to try to ride part of the tow path on 25c road tires? Is the muddy path from the CCT to the bridge still there? Is this crazy at rush hour?

The tow path between Fletcher's Boathouse and Chain Bridge is a bit less than a mile, so it might just must be doable on 25c tires. On the other hand its surface seems to be deteriorating every time I ride through.

If you continue on the CCT past Fletcher's Boathouse you'll come to a bridge that crosses over the canal. It is possible to walk down the embankment to reach the tow path, though it's not an official trail and can be very muddy at times. This cuts your time on the tow path to 1/2 mile.

[Dirt]

On days where the trail is dry there's no problem with riding the C&O on roadie tires. I do it often. If it is muddy, you'll want to take a different route home. :D

There are plenty of lovely hills in North Arlington.... 41st street is one of the best. I can introduce you to this winter.

[DismalScientist]

Towpath on 25mm tires? Why bother. Sling your bike over the shoulder and take the footpath from the corner of Glebe and Canal right up to the CCT! (You may not want to try this with loaded panniers.)

[elcee]

take the footpath from the corner of Glebe and Canal right up to the CCT!

What's this? Something I don't know about?

[americancyclo]

Sling your bike over the shoulder and take the footpath from the corner of Glebe and Canal right up to the CCT! (You may not want to try this with loaded panniers.)

I was going to do the rolling hills on Lorcom and Military, but I'm curious about this path from the CCT down to the intersection. does it drop you out here (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=glebe+and+canal&hl=en&ll=38.930354,-77.111815&spn=0.000556,0.000862&sll=38.891919,-77.194731&sspn=0.008902,0.013797&vpsrc=6&hnear=Chesapeake+and+Ohio+Canal+National+Historica l+Park,+1850+Dual+Hwy+%23100,+Hagerstown,+Maryland +21740-6620&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.930305,-77.11178&panoid=5qeUCGJu_Hl9Us0vrHASyA&cbp=12,69.8,,0,30.26) on that six foot strip of asphalt? Is it difficult to cross to the bridge? Maybe I'll go and take pics. The Lady even called to say its nice out and I should go ride my bike.

[DismalScientist]

I think it is about 50 feet to the NW. Maybe here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=glebe+and+canal&hl=en&ll=38.930354,-77.111815&spn=0.000556,0.000862&sll=38.891919,-77.194731&sspn=0.008902,0.013797&vpsrc=6&hnear=Chesapeake+and+Ohio+Canal+National+Historica l+Park,+1850+Dual+Hwy+%23100,+Hagerstown,+Maryland +21740-6620&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.930305,-77.11178&panoid=5qeUCGJu_Hl9Us0vrHASyA&cbp=12,69.8,,0,30.26

Caution: the path is really rough!

[consularrider]

Pete,

Thanks for the tip! I just rode in to work this morning before seeing this post and ended up taking CCT - Tow Path - Chain Bridge and going up Chain Bridge Road. Not as bad as I had thought, but it will probably be a different story later tonight when riding home in the dark. Any kind of map that you are willing to post would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for the offer and the good advice.

RH

Pete leaves out how nasty a hill 41st Street is. :rolleyes:

[vvill]

On days where the trail is dry there's no problem with riding the C&O on roadie tires. I do it often. If it is muddy, you'll want to take a different route home. :D

I've done it on 700 x 25s maybe 5-10 times but I'm always worried I'll get a puncture so I've stopped for now.


I think it is about 50 feet to the NW. Maybe here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=glebe+and+canal&hl=en&ll=38.930354,-77.111815&spn=0.000556,0.000862&sll=38.891919,-77.194731&sspn=0.008902,0.013797&vpsrc=6&hnear=Chesapeake+and+Ohio+Canal+National+Historica l+Park,+1850+Dual+Hwy+%23100,+Hagerstown,+Maryland +21740-6620&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.930305,-77.11178&panoid=5qeUCGJu_Hl9Us0vrHASyA&cbp=12,69.8,,0,30.26

Caution: the path is really rough!

Yeah that's the one. It's not *too* bad walking down/up as long as you have decent shoes, but crossing Clara Barton with no signal can be tricky, especially when you have to hop over the barrier with your bike. One time I ran into a weird random dude just hanging around the path, and he was trying to give me directions and then also asked me why I didn't just ride down the path, since I had a bike.

[Dirt]

Pete leaves out how nasty a hill 41st Street is. :rolleyes:
And by Nasty, you mean AWESOME, right? ;)

[Tim Kelley]

And by Nasty, you mean AWESOME, right? ;)

Confirmed. Awesome indeed!

[americancyclo]

I went this way home on Friday, and getting from the CCT down to the bridge was pretty easy. I had figured out what mile marker the path should be at, and kept an eye out for the intersection, since the CCT is above the road and bridge at this point. Conveniently, there is a big wooden fence that begins right at the head of the path, so it's hard to miss.The path switches back and might be manageable for someone really skilled at moutain biking, but not I, and not on a road bike. Good practice for cyclocross maybe though. I took some pics so y'all could see, if like me, you're not familiar with where the path is. Don't know that I'd hike up, but maybe once the mornings get a little lighter.507508

[elcee]

I went this way home on Friday, and getting from the CCT down to the bridge was pretty easy. I had figured out what mile marker the path should be at, and kept an eye out for the intersection, since the CCT is above the road and bridge at this point. Conveniently, there is a big wooden fence that begins right at the head of the path, so it's hard to miss. ...

I finally found this path today. From the CCT, it's just south of mile marker 7. From the Chain Bridge side, it's about 50 ft north of the actual intersection, about 15 ft before the barrier ends. I had high hopes for the path but I can't recommend it. The path itself is very rocky. Crossing Clara Barton Parkway is even more of a challenge; you never have the lights in your favor so you end up waiting for gaps in traffic.

It's really too bad, as the path would make Bethesda much more convenient.