Is it worth it to ship a bike to DC?

[zap]

Originally Posted by flydhest

DC Native here. Transplanted to NY. Plenty of good riding in DC. Where will you be living? Agree with Saab that the Northern Virginia suburbs are a bit rough. The more west and north of DC while you are in VA the better. The “standard” 40 mike loop of MacArthur BlVd to Potomac to Tuckerman to Beach Drive in the District is hard to beat in the area. Not heaven on earth, but for a major metropolitan area...pretty good.

Was up in metro D.C. last month and did a ride with a buddy from our old Potomac neighborhood.

Come to think of it, the OP should get in touch with Chuck at The Bike Rack. https://thebikerackdc.com/

C&O towpath is a good option but maybe not on weekends.

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by 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.
.

Didn't consider it that way, but maybe I'll save a few bucks by commuting. I wonder if it's safe to lock up a bike in DC tho?

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by 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!

Thanks for all the resources now I definitely have to!!

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by makoti

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

Not likely bringing a car. Maybe I can purchase one out there. Heard it's a bit cheaper on the East Coast!

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by zennmotion

For 3 months, it's worth having your own bike, as you will ride a lot more than if you're paying each day/week for a rental- you can get some short rides in before/after work that you wouldn't find it worth paying for a rental. The riding in/around the city is decent with a good MUP network, you can go quite far in several directions. If your living space is too tight for a bike, one idea would be to get a membership to Bikestation, which is indoor secure bike parking next to Union Station, with a locker room and repair facility (theres a couple in the bay area as well, same outfit)- you could safely leave your bike there, 24hr access. I'm living between both DC and Bay Area, and while DC/MD/VA isn't the riding destination that SF area is, there's some great riding especially if you are able to get out of the city 30mins-1hr drive. Loudoun and Fauquier counties in VA have endless networks of gravel roads horse farms and Blue Ridge views. Shenandoah park/skyline drive (look up the "skymass" ride is pretty spectacular. MD has lots of nice rural roads, rolling hills and even some hard climbing if you want. As mentioned before, look up the Potomac Pedalers rides, and their website has links to lots of cue sheets, rated for difficulty hills and length.

Thanks, I'll definitely look into the Potomac Pedalers and check out the routes they offer!

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by flydhest

DC Native here. Transplanted to NY. Plenty of good riding in DC. Where will you be living? Agree with Saab that the Northern Virginia suburbs are a bit rough. The more west and north of DC while you are in VA the better. The “standard” 40 mike loop of MacArthur BlVd to Potomac to Tuckerman to Beach Drive in the District is hard to beat in the area. Not heaven on earth, but for a major metropolitan area...pretty good.

I'm living right next to the White House, so I assume it's DC proper. I actually brought my bike to Suburban Tokyo and hated the stop and go. The bike tours were long and few between my stay in Japan, but I thought it was worth it. I didn't end up riding as much as I wanted to since the best roads were 30 miles out one-way. But, I'll look into your 40 mile loop suggestion! Sounds like fun.

[zap]

Originally Posted by betahprod

Not likely bringing a car. Maybe I can purchase one out there. Heard it's a bit cheaper on the East Coast!

In my experience, used vehicle prices in D.C. are high. Better deals in NY or Atlanta.

[zennmotion]

Originally Posted by betahprod

I'm living right next to the White House, so I assume it's DC proper. I actually brought my bike to Suburban Tokyo and hated the stop and go. The bike tours were long and few between my stay in Japan, but I thought it was worth it. I didn't end up riding as much as I wanted to since the best roads were 30 miles out one-way. But, I'll look into your 40 mile loop suggestion! Sounds like fun.

I don't know what housing would be "right next to the white house" since my old office is 1 block away, unless you're talking about Blair House, which is reputed to be bugged so watch your language... Look, DC proper is a major metropolitan city so you have to get out a bit to see road apples and butterflies, but DC does have a good network of MUPs and dedicated bike lanes, you can easily find good network maps through google, WABA etc. Yes, you should lock your bike and consider carefully where to leave it for extended periods, just like other cities. But, the bay area is much worse for bike theft as a general rule (and the statistics support this, I've looked since I'm now living between both areas). It's easy to ride out of town from the White House area- I used to commute it every day both into VA (Falls Church) and earlier from MD (Takoma). Take your bike

[betahprod]

Originally Posted by zennmotion

I don't know what housing would be "right next to the white house" since my old office is 1 block away, unless you're talking about Blair House, which is reputed to be bugged so watch your language... Look, DC proper is a major metropolitan city so you have to get out a bit to see road apples and butterflies, but DC does have a good network of MUPs and dedicated bike lanes, you can easily find good network maps through google, WABA etc. Yes, you should lock your bike and consider carefully where to leave it for extended periods, just like other cities. But, the bay area is much worse for bike theft as a general rule (and the statistics support this, I've looked since I'm now living between both areas). It's easy to ride out of town from the White House area- I used to commute it every day both into VA (Falls Church) and earlier from MD (Takoma). Take your bike

My apartment will be right next to the General Winfield Scott Statue. & I will bring my bike along!

[flydhest]

Originally Posted by betahprod

My apartment will be right next to the General Winfield Scott Statue. & I will bring my bike along!

Scott Circle. In the heart of it.

Roll north and west on Mass. go around DuPont circle. Be cautious, but I love watching tourists and minivans from the suburbs fail to navigate the circle. Go west on P, across the bridge to Georgetown, right on Wisconsin, left on Reservoir, follow it to MacArthur. Easy escape route. Go all the way to the end (hint, there is a one mile hill at the end) follow around to the right and you are on Falls Road. Follow falls to Tuckerman. Turn right. Follow till ... well, here you prolly want a local because you go through the mini drive to the right past the high rise apartment buildings and hang a quick left to hit 355 and into the Park going the wrong way against traffic. OK. Google maps could work, but make a friend. Then, once you are on Beach Drive, follow it into the District. Turn left at Park Road. Follow to Mt Pleasant Street which will take you to 16th Street and then coast Home.

Best pizza and beer list combined in DC is near you st 20th and P. Pizzeria Paradiso.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by betahprod

Didn't consider it that way, but maybe I'll save a few bucks by commuting. I wonder if it's safe to lock up a bike in DC tho?

Not one you want back.