Bike to work day ride buddy meetup

[Mikey]

I see that WABA has the Bike-2-work day site up at http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/ (http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/). The website directs everyone here to find a ride buddy. I thought I would break the ice:

Name: Mike E.
Start: Fairfax 05:45
Pitstop: Rosslyn 07:00
Finish: Navy Yard 07:45

[consularrider]

OK, I'm registered. I plan to to my Tour de Pit Stops starting with Old Town Alexandria, then Crystal City, then Ballston, and finishing up in Rosslyn. About a 25 mile tour.

[adamx]

i am registered at FC Pit Stop...it is barely a mile into my commute on W&OD to SE Waterfront, DC. I'll stop there to support FC cycling.

Happy to rally there and ride in to DC (pit stopping at rosslyn) with anyone. I'd like to stop at Freedom Plaza before heading in to the office at 12th/D SE.

Adam X

[Mikey]

. . . Happy to rally there and ride in to DC (pit stopping at rosslyn) with anyone. I'd like to stop at Freedom Plaza before heading in to the office at 12th/D SE.

Adam X

Adam - I will probably be at the Falls Church pitstop around 6:30. I'd be happy to ride in to Rosslyn with you, but then again the whole W&OD will probably feel like a convoy.

See you there.

Mike E.

[pfunkallstar]

I'll probably get on the road early (6AM) from Falls Church to avoid my previous experience where I said "on your left" 88 times between East Falls Church and MVT.

[jabberwocky]

I go from Reston to Great Falls if anyone wants to ride along. I've been doing this commute for over a year and have never seen another cyclist, so I suspect thats a long shot. :)

[americancyclo]

The FC stop is on my regular commute, but I always miss it on BTWD leading convoys. Attendance has been low the past few years, so maybe I'll make it by this year.

[DaveK]

I did the tour last year - Capitol Hill, Freedom Plaza, and Rosslyn - but I'll probably just go to Rosslyn this year. Depends how nice the weather is that day.

[baiskeli]

I'll probably get on the road early (6AM) from Falls Church to avoid my previous experience where I said "on your left" 88 times between East Falls Church and MVT.

Just get old a slow and you'll no longer have that problem.

[eminva]

If anyone needs a buddy to get from Vienna to the Farragut North area on Bike to Work Day or any other day, to arrive about 8:45 a.m., feel free to contact me by PM.

Liz

[SilverSpring]

In my Tour de PitStop, I plan to start at Silver Spring-Discovery around 6:50am, then Bethesda by the tunnel perhaps 30 minutes later, then Freedom Plaza maybe 50 minutes after that (perhaps with a stop by CycleLife if they have their usual mini-stop).

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

does anyone else commute to tysons corner?
i go from shirlington to tysons up the WOD between 7:00-9:30 (id rather stay late than wake up early)
i know it's not the most bike friendly area...well it's not at all, but i've got an easy route through to my office.
just curious if i should keep my waving hand on the ready.

[JimF22003]

does anyone else commute to tysons corner?

Me, once or twice a week, but I'm mainly a fair-weather commuter. Will ride in cold, but not in rain. Yeah, I'm a wimp.

I cross over the WOD, but don't actually ride on it. I cross 495 on the Oak St. Bridge, and come in on Gallows Rd. Luckily I just have to cross Rt 7 and I'm done. Riding around Tysons is not my favorite thing... If I do the BTWD stop, I'll probably be there about 7:30am or so.

Wave away if you see me :)

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

ha yea 90% of my trip is on the WOD which is pretty pleasant to be honest. i take a side trail that drops off right before you enter vienna and it cuts through to a church parking lot and proceed to wolftrap/woodford/old courthouse/gosnell/across 7/to greensboro.
just a little west of you at all times it seems haha.

then let's hope it doesnt rain so you can make it out.

[cephas]

does anyone else commute to tysons corner?

Tales from the Sharrows blog had a post on Tysons Commuter(s) a couple weeks ago. I did it myself a couple years ago, but I don't work in Tysons anymore.


If anyone needs a buddy to get from Vienna to the Farragut North area on Bike to Work Day or any other day, to arrive about 8:45 a.m., feel free to contact me by PM.
Liz

I usually arrive much earlier, but I'm curious how you take to get from Vienna metro to get to the W&OD in an efficient manner to head into DC. I've gone the 123 Nutley route before, but that seems more distance than necessary, and Rt 29 isn't exactly a breeze in the park. Options?

[eminva]

I'm curious how you take to get from Vienna metro to get to the W&OD in an efficient manner to head into DC. I've gone the 123 Nutley route before, but that seems more distance than necessary, and Rt 29 isn't exactly a breeze in the park. Options?

From Vienna Metro Station, you can take Virginia Center to Nutley (left on Nutley), then right on Tapawingo. Stay on Tapawingo for about 1.3 miles (long climb), then turn right on Glyndon. Turn left on Adahi, which deadends at the trail. If you find Virginia Center too busy for your liking, let me know and I can give you an alternate route through the townhouses/condos across from the metro station and the trail network behind there (thanks to acc).

If you have metro station flexibility, Dunn Loring station is only a short hop down Gallows Road from the W&OD.

Liz

[KLizotte]

If you have metro station flexibility, Dunn Loring station is only a short hop down Gallows Road from the W&OD. Liz

Thanks for this info. I had no idea the DL metro was so close to the WO&D. There really needs to be a sign on the trail informing folks that the metro is less than 1 mile away (reachable by sidewalk according to Google street view). I always like to have bail out points on long rides should I get caught in bad weather or simply tire out. Living in the city, I'm unfamiliar with the 'burbs. :p

[JimF22003]

There's actually a marked bike lane on Gallows for most of the way between the DL metro and the W&OD. I've heard they will be adding lanes the rest of the way in to Tysons at some point.

[acc]

I usually arrive much earlier, but I'm curious how you take to get from Vienna metro to get to the W&OD in an efficient manner to head into DC. I've gone the 123 Nutley route before, but that seems more distance than necessary, and Rt 29 isn't exactly a breeze in the park. Options?[/QUOTE]

From the Northside Entrance of Vienna Metro proceed to the intersection of Virginia Center and Vaden Drive. Cross with the light onto Vaden Drive, continue until you come to a circle, notice the trail at 11 o'clock. Take the trail. Continue along the trail until you see a sharp right turn leading onto a very short path connecting to the street. If you reach Nottoway Park you've gone too far. Turn left on Tapawingo Road and continue to the intersection with Tapawingo Road and Nutley Street. I prefer to follow Tapawingo up to a left onto Meadow Lane then a right onto Courthouse Road (wonderful bike lane) and a right onto Locust St. At the end of Locust you will enter Center Street and be within sight of the Vienna Community Center where the W&OD is located.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&q=map+of+town+of+vienna+va&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89b649671c566aef:0x2fc10cb0571036ba,Vienna ,+VA&gl=us&ei=-khiT7z7K8mr2AXv8IXrCA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA

[Mikey]

I usually arrive much earlier, but I'm curious how you take to get from Vienna metro to get to the W&OD in an efficient manner to head into DC. I've gone the 123 Nutley route before, but that seems more distance than necessary, and Rt 29 isn't exactly a breeze in the park. Options?

From the Northside Entrance of Vienna Metro proceed to the intersection of Virginia Center and Vaden Drive. Cross with the light onto Vaden Drive, continue until you come to a circle, notice the trail at 11 o'clock. Take the trail. Continue along the trail until you see a sharp right turn leading onto a very short path connecting to the street. If you reach Nottoway Park you've gone too far. Turn left on Tapawingo Road and continue to the intersection with Tapawingo Road and Nutley Street. I prefer to follow Tapawingo up to a left onto Meadow Lane then a right onto Courthouse Road (wonderful bike lane) and a right onto Locust St. At the end of Locust you will enter Center Street and be within sight of the Vienna Community Center where the W&OD is located.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&q=map+of+town+of+vienna+va&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89b649671c566aef:0x2fc10cb0571036ba,Vienna ,+VA&gl=us&ei=-khiT7z7K8mr2AXv8IXrCA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA[/QUOTE]

+1 on Nottoway park. There is a pretty good blind downhill corner in the park so be sure to use your bell, and if you get to the bollards at the parking lot you have missed the right hand turn-off onto Tapawingo.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I will be behind a FABB table at the Herndon stop all morning. Come by and say "Hi!"

[culimerc]

At this point, I think I'll be leaving from Luria Park in Falls Church (near Gallows & 495) then head down to the EFC metro stop and then turn west to Reston if anyone is interested in a leisurely tour of the stops between EFC and the RTC. I'll probably end being late for work that day (at the office by 10).

[creadinger]

Has anyone ever been to the Anacostia pit stop? Last year I could have stopped, but decided instead to keep on riding to work. I'm just curious as to what it's like and such.

[KS1G]

I will be behind a FABB table at the Herndon stop all morning. Come by and say "Hi!"

I'll try to remember to do that!

[americancyclo]

At this point, I think I'll be leaving from Luria Park in Falls Church (near Gallows & 495) then head down to the EFC metro stop and then turn west to Reston if anyone is interested in a leisurely tour of the stops between EFC and the RTC. I'll probably end being late for work that day (at the office by 10).
Luria Park!? YOU should be leading the BTWD Convoy #4 from the Providence Rec Center to DC. except that you'd go to Reston. nevermind!

[henverde]

Hi All - Looking for a ride buddy. I'll be leaving from the corner of New Hampshire Ave. and Piney Branch and going to Silver Spring. It's only about a 3mi ride for me so I'm going to try and hit most of the pit stops to spice up the easy ride (Takoma Langley Crossroads, Sligo Creek Trail, and ending at Discovery Place). I'm a bit of a novice rider but I have done the ride to work twice (but first time BTWD). Hope to find someone to keep me company!

Also, if anyone knows of a bike for sale I'd love to know! Thanks

[d_flo_yo]

I'm riding from East Falls Church to Bethesda. Anyone on a similar route?

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

I'll likely be riding with Kathy (arlingtonrider) from Shirlington to Crystal City to Rosslyn. From there I'll be breaking off down Wilson to Ballston and Falls Church (where my Tshirt's at) then back to Shirlington down the W&OD to do a little work before I take a bus to NJ.

Departure time...maybe 7:00am? maybe earlier. Haven't chatted with her 'bout it yet.

[Arlingtonrider]

Just sent you a PM with contact info. Early is fine!

Kathy

[KelOnWheels]

I just registered! (Eeeee!)

I'm planning to start in Shirlington (look for the confused person with a spotty Nutcase helmet on the ancient mountain bike) and hit Freedom Plaza and then Mount Vernon Triangle to grab my t-shirt :)

Now I need to figure out how to get to Shirlington from my apartment... :D

[Dirt]

Now I need to figure out how to get to Shirlington from my apartment... :D
Send me an IM if you'd like help with the route. Shirlington is pretty easy to get to from most places. There are a lot of good connection points. :D

[klz]

I want to ride from Great Falls to Reston (near Sunset Hills and Wiehle) but noticed that the first part of Baron Cameron after you cross Rte 7 has no path. Do you have an alternate route?

thx

[jabberwocky]

I want to ride from Great Falls to Reston (near Sunset Hills and Wiehle) but noticed that the first part of Baron Cameron after you cross Rte 7 has no path. Do you have an alternate route?

thxDrop me a PM with more info on your route and I can probably help out. I ride the reverse every day (Reston to the village at Great Falls).

[jabberwocky]

A more detailed response:

My route crosses 7 at Springvale/Baron Cameron. My procedure is I climb the hill on Springvale, and filter to the front of the right lane. When the light turns green, I go across and immediately get into the right lane (which is technically a turn lane). Make sure you check for traffic coming in from 7 on the right as you do so (rare, but happens occasionally).

If I start at the front and accelerate to 18mph normally once the light turns green, I can hit the next light at Hunters Mill road right as it turns yellow. This stops any traffic that hasn't passed me by that point. Once I'm sure Baron Cameron is clear behind me, I merge into the left lane and then immediately turn left at Lake Fairfax Drive (next light). From there, I parallel Baron Cameron on nice back roads. Hunt Club Rd to Ring Road to N Shore Drive, which are all lightly trafficked and wide.

For you, you can either turn left on Wiehle (depends how comfortable you are in traffic), take the path on Wiehle (rough and narrow, but fine at low speed) or you could keep following N Shore across Wiehle all the way to Temporary Rd, follow that to Old Reston and then take that down the hill to the W&OD, then run back to Wiehle (most pleasant, a bit more mileage).

[SpecialK007]

Hello all!
I've never biked to work YET! Looking for a buddy or suggested routes to take from the Carlyle Pitt stop to Leesburg Pike in Falls Church, just inside the beltway.
Thanks!
Kristina

[SpecialK007]

Hey there, I'm going from Alexandria (Duke Street and Quaker) to Falls Church, just outside of Tysons. I've never biked that before so don't know how to do it! Would love to coordinate with you.

[consularrider]

It depends on where in the Tysons area you are going. Google Maps suggests Quaker Lane to just past Kings St, then taking a combination of Kenwood and Valley Dr down to Shirlington and the W&OD trail which you would take out to your general work area. Where you get off would depend on your desination. I've only ridden on Quaker Lane south of Kings St a couple of times and can't vouch for riding on it at rush hour.

I'm sure there are several people here who can give you better information though.

[RESTONTODC]

A more detailed response:

If I start at the front and accelerate to 18mph normally once the light turns green, I can hit the next light at Hunters Mill road right as it turns yellow. This stops any traffic that hasn't passed me by that point. Once I'm sure Baron Cameron is clear behind me, I merge into the left lane and then immediately turn left at Lake Fairfax Drive (next light). From there, I parallel Baron Cameron on nice back roads. Hunt Club Rd to Ring Road to N Shore Drive, which are all lightly trafficked and wide.

For you, you can either turn left on Wiehle (depends how comfortable you are in traffic), take the path on Wiehle (rough and narrow, but fine at low speed) or you could keep following N Shore across Wiehle all the way to Temporary Rd, follow that to Old Reston and then take that down the hill to the W&OD, then run back to Wiehle (most pleasant, a bit more mileage).

I rode this same route before. Most roads are very quite and little car except for short ride on Baron Cameron. I wouldn't recommend take left on Wiehle Ave. Cars can speed up to 45 MPH on this road.

[SpecialK007]

thanks!

[jabberwocky]

I rode this same route before. Most roads are very quite and little car except for short ride on Baron Cameron. I wouldn't recommend take left on Wiehle Ave. Cars can speed up to 45 MPH on this road.I've done the left at Wiehle before, but never at rush hour. Its probably not terrible (it isn't that heavily trafficked, and it has two lanes so cars can get around you without a whole lot of trouble), but I would definitely not recommend it to anyone who doesn't have experience riding in traffic. Just continuing the loop around N Shore is much more pleasant, albeit a bit longer.

Another option I just thought of is to hop on the path near the pool on Ring Rd. That takes you to the neighborhoods behind tall oaks village center. From there you can hop on Wiehle for a very short run to Sunset Hills. I generally stay off the reston paths on the road bike though. Kinda depends on the ultimate destination.

As for Baron Cameron, it really isn't that bad for the short distance from 7 to Lake Fairfax drive. I do it every day. Its a bit more of a pain going the other direction (with the 4 lanes of traffic, and people trying to go from the left lanes to the right at the last second).

[RESTONTODC]

You need to try the North Shore Drive when coming back to Great Falls. There are more downhills and little uphill. It's fun. My average speed on this section is above 27 MPH.

[jabberwocky]

You need to try the North Shore Drive when coming back to Great Falls. There are more downhills and little uphill. It's fun. My average speed on this section is above 27 MPH.That was actually part of my alternate commute when I used to work in Tysons. It is indeed awesomely fast coming from Temporary Rd to Village Rd. :D These days I cross Baron Cameron at Village Rd and join N Shore there, so I no longer get to do that long speedy descent on my commute (though its still a favorite way back to my house from the W&OD).

[Lt. Dan]

I'm riding from the George Mason Campus pitstop in Manassas, up to Chantilly.

[treesiyah]

I'm going from New York Avenue in NE DC to College Park, MD. I am thinking of starting in Hyattsville with a stop at Hyattsville Pit Stop and College Park City Hall Pit Stop. Anyone interested in joining me?