Is it worth it to ship a bike to DC?

[betahprod]

I am moving to DC for 3 months for an internship. Anyone out there know some good short touring routes? Is it worth it to ship a bike down there? I was considering riding from DC to New York or vice versa.

I'll be flying JetBlue so it's about $50 bucks for the bike shipping!

Thanks for your advice!

[smontanaro]

Ship via Bike Flights. Should be cheaper, and insured.

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[cadence90]

Yes, definitely check out BikeFlights round-trip. They are very good.

But even if that $50 you quoted is one-way, then $100/90 days = $1.11/day.
.

[kmac]

i split my time between denver and dc. i would say that dc's riding, while very different than what's available in denver, is pretty amazing. the city itself has tons of bike lanes/infrastructure, and an incredible trail network. starting/ending rides along the national mall never seems to get old.

the washington area bicycle association is a great advocacy group, and has lots of maps online here: http://www.waba.org/resources/maps-and-documents/

if you'll be living right downtown (i'm in the nw when i live there), make sure to investigate:
- the arlington loop (includes the mt vernon/w&od/custis trails) for a quick spin (https://www.strava.com/activities/1352440292)
- the mt vernon trail itself (especially south of alexandria) is incredibly beautiful
- the c&o if you're up for some gravel (goes all the way to pittsburgh, not that i've ever made it quite that far https://www.strava.com/activities/608213109)
- the anacostia river trails (the new kenilworth section is absolutely beautiful and has quickly become one of my favorites - https://www.strava.com/activities/872314928)
- there are some great hills available in the se/anacostia section of dc (mlk blvd, alabama ave, etc). they're often neglected by many cyclists, but they are totally worth the trip. crossing back over the woodrow wilson bridge from md to va and hitting the mt vernon trail back to dc is one of my favorite quick loops (https://www.strava.com/activities/1031777802)
- macarthur blvd for easy access to the great riding in potomac, md - https://www.strava.com/activities/667899099
- rock creek park (the main thoroughfare "beach drive" is closed to automobile traffic on weekends, and is absolutely beautiful riding -
https://www.strava.com/activities/620364243)

oh -- and i guess to answer your question -- you should DEFINITELY find a way to ride dc!

[zap]

Three months in D.C., yes take your bike.

If you want to ride out in Maryland or Virginia, check out Potomac Pedalers. Also, the club may have a midweek evening ride out of D.C. when you are there.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Shipping a complete bike SF to DC via bike flights would probably work out about $50 ish each way. Last couple of frames I shipped to Cali from Virginia were $40-45.

I think it would be worth it to have a bike for 3 months. You could also keep an eye out on CL for a bike, buy a decent one for a few hundred and then sell it before you go.

[saab2000]

$50 on JetBlue is not bad at all. Bike Flights or ShipBikes won't be any cheaper.

Yes, it's a decent riding area, especially if you get out into the rural Maryland areas that really aren't all that far away.

I'd definitely bring a bike. And if you have fatish tires you can try the unpaved, but hard packed gravel, trail along the C&O canal. It goes many miles.

[AngryScientist]

3 months without a bike - ??

crazy talk.

yes, bring a bike!

[ultraman6970]

Rent one. Plenty of rent bikes in the area.

[robin3mj]

Bring a cross bike and do the C&O Canal one (3-day?) weekend.

[hokoman]

if you live in SF, then shipping will not be cheaper via bikeflights than paying $50.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

Rent one. Plenty of rent bikes in the area.

For 3 months?! Ship it. Lots of riding here. Will you have a car to get to further out rides?

[cnighbor1]

Trump for me
Thanks
wow per other posts Wash. DC and that whole area is loaded with bike paths going every where
enjoy your time there charles

[.RJ]

yes yes yes TONS of great riding around the area - if you're in DC proper (is DC ever really proper?) then there's lots of group rides saturday/sunday heading up rock creek park and out into montgomery county.

[palincss]

Originally Posted by zap

Three months in D.C., yes take your bike.

If you want to ride out in Maryland or Virginia, check out Potomac Pedalers.

And depending on where you are in the District, you may find Southern Maryland to be closer to you, and there's great riding there as well. For Southern Maryland rides, check out the Oxon Hill bike club - ohbike.org