Get (me) outta town!

[KelOnWheels]

I'm pretty happy with my commute route except that I don't seem to have figured out the best way to get to the 14th St Bridge in the afternoons from Penn Quarter.

I've been taking 3rd St to Madison and crossing over to the Washington Monument, but that gets pretty bogged down the closer you get to 15th. Also the likelihood of getting flattened by a tour bus or choking to death on a lungful of exhaust seems high.

One day I tried taking Penn Ave (because I like riding the cycletrack) to 15th and coming down the sidewalk by the Ellipse. The reverse way works great in the morning but it takes FOREVER going out in the afternoon because I have to go in super slow motion to not run over the tourists. (Ringing bells at them does not appear to have an effect.) I'm glad we did those slow riding drills in the Confident City Cycling course, they are coming in very handy! (Also very good at Gravelly Point.)

Is there a secret tricky way I should try, or must I just think Zen-like thoughts as I flow like a glacier around the tourists?

[TwoWheelsDC]

I'm not saying this is the quickest route, but I think it's enjoyable and pretty relaxed...take 4th down to I st SW, then take a right and head toward Maine. Cross Maine and proceed to Water street (at the SW waterfront). Take Water St. to the fish market and then hop on the sidewalk (it was widened to accommodate bikes heading west, so it's all good to ride there) and then down to Ohio Drive. 4th has a bike lane and is the designated bike route, as is I SW, so it's pretty stress-free.

Crossing Maine:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=20003...228.29,,0,6.32

Get on the sidewalk here (again, the sidewalk was redone recently, so it looks different than the Street View shot):

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=20003...299.47,,0,5.15

[KelOnWheels]

I'm not saying this is the quickest route, but I think it's enjoyable and pretty relaxed...take 4th down to I st SW, then take a right and head toward Maine. Cross Maine and proceed to Water street (at the SW waterfront). Take Water St. to the fish market and then hop on the sidewalk (it was widened to accommodate bikes heading west, so it's all good to ride there) and then down to Ohio Drive. 4th has a bike lane and is the designated bike route, as is I SW, so it's pretty stress-free.

Crossing Maine:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=20003...228.29,,0,6.32

Get on the sidewalk here (again, the sidewalk was redone recently, so it looks different than the Street View shot):

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=20003...299.47,,0,5.15

That sounds much better!

[dasgeh]

Isn't there a 2nd bridge along 395, along the South side, ending in Benjamin Bannaker park? I feel like there was discussion on the forum...

[5555624]

Isn't there a 2nd bridge along 395, along the South side, ending in Benjamin Bannaker park? I feel like there was discussion on the forum...

You can get to the trail along the south side of the Case Bridge from Bannaker Circle. (I nca post directions later, I'm off to a meeting.)

[RESTONTODC]

I work in China town, near Penn Quarter. Sometimes, I take G or F go West, right on 15, left on Penn ave behind the WH, Right G, to Route 50/66 Bridge. If you're going North, it's little shorter than 14th bridge.

[dbb]

Here was the earlier post. From Penn Quarter, come south on 7th and then hang a right at 7th and D, SW

The rest is at http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showth...6633#post16633