Best route from Old Town Alexandria to Suitland?

[The Five Eight Five]

I'm starting a new job next week and was hoping to get some insight on what would be the best route from Old Town Alexandria to Suitland MD. Google maps says to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and then take Oxon Hill Rd and then St. Barnabas Rd. However, when checking street view these look like horrible roads to bike, with no shoulder or bike lanes. Anybody done this sort of commute and have any advice? Any bus routes I can use in conjunction with my ride? Am I SOL? Thanks in advance!

[streetsmarts]

Agh. Good luck. I used to drive those roads and don't think they're bike friendly. There's an active Oxon hill bike club who may be able to help.

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[lordofthemark]

I don't know, but I will try to ask the Feds on bikes listserve, as the main employment center there is the federal center.


(if you just want to ride for the sake of riding, and not because its convenient, you could always ride Old Town to Waterfront in SW DC and then take the metro from there - bikes now allowed on metro at peak, and its reverse commute so not crowded)

[The Five Eight Five]

Thanks lordofthemark, I didn't know there was such a listserve-- they'd probably know!

And you're right, biking to SW-waterfront and taking metro from there is probably a good option also. Especially with the upcoming metro closures south of Reagan Airport.

[Zack]

I think someone I know commutes that way. I private messaged you his email.

[creadinger]

Hey hey! Another rider in Suitland. Awesome! I commute from Del Ray to Suitland.

I have long wanted a route that goes across the Wilson Bridge even just for the change of scenery, but really once you get to Oxon Hill, there's just no where to go. Maryland hasn't connected it to anything yet. Not anything useful at least. And roads like St Barnabas, 210 and others just are not bikeable on weekdays. When I drive to work I take St Barnabas and even though the speed limit is 35, and there are useless sharrows painted in the right lane it's effectively a 55mph highway with lots of aggressive drivers.

My route: I go north to the 14th St Bridge - then go SE along Maine Ave down to Nats Park and cross the Douglass Bridge. From there I go north on Anacostia River Rd to Nicholson St to cut inland. And from there I make my way up the hill to Alabama and Branch, then go down Suitland Rd, up through the graveyard to the Suitland Federal Center.

It's a a bit of a haul, the hills in SE are significant and there are parts that are really annoying (Douglass bridge for one), but overall it's not too bad. I don't commute daily, but I imagine now with bikes on metro during rush hour you could ride to Navy Yard, or Waterfront and metro outbound in the AM on an empty train to cut off some of the distance and climbing. I have thought about trying that. The reverse commute aspect is pretty nice.

[The Five Eight Five]

creadinger, thanks for the thorough route description! Sounds like quite the trek.

I too am surprised there's no easy connection once crossing the Wilson Bridge. I laugh when I see the "Bikes may take full lane" signs along St. Barnabas. I don't feel safe in a CAR on St. Barnabas!

It does appear biking to Green Line outbound may be the most viable option...

[creadinger]

It does appear biking to Green Line outbound may be the most viable option...

If you're interested in exploring the area east of the Anacostia with a small group of cyclists, I recommend doing the BicycleSpace Hills of Anacostia ride. The led ride goes up or down most of the hills you'd consider getting up to Suitland and it's a good way to see what it's like over there. It's not as scary as everyone seems to think.