Biking DC: A Train-Bike Adventure from Raleigh

Early in March this year, I took an Amtrak train from Raleigh to Washington DC for a 6-day trip. I had a blast, and I couldn’t recommend the idea enough. Besides the train to DC being 2 hours late, the ride was seamless and comfortable.

I packed two bags for the trip that slung around my neck along with a backpack. I used this instead of a rolling bag because both hands were needed to maneuver the bike comfortably while walking. While I could ride the bike with all this stuff, it was a bit tricky, and I transferred to the DC metro from the Amtrak instead of riding the bike to where I was staying. Though I didn't use one, I definitely recommend bringing a bike with a rack to carry things. This would make for more comfortable transport when carrying all of your travel belongings.

As far as safety, biking around DC with a simple phone holder for GPS worked well, and I felt comfortable just about everywhere. I’d say if you feel comfortable biking in Raleigh, you will be just fine in DC. The bike infrastructure in DC is certainly more advanced than in Raleigh, but presents its own challenges. Many streets have innovative traffic-calming elements that allow you to easily keep up with traffic on quieter streets, and some busier streets contain cycle tracks with dedicated lanes and traffic lights. Keep in mind that the busiest roads in town are wholly dedicated to cars and you should avoid them. Also, most residential areas have parked cars lining the street, and it is important to be aware of a potential door opening. All in all, the city is well-designed for safety, but you should certainly bike cautiously.

Having your own bike to use in DC is fantastic. The city has an extensive subway system, but there are plenty of gaps between lines. With a bike you can fill in the gaps and get anywhere with less restriction. Plus, with the subway system, you can explore entirely different regions if you want to save your legs. The system is very accommodating to bicycles with oversized fare gates, designated areas on trains, escalators, and elevators. I hope you learn from my mistakes and use the front car of the subway while bringing a bike and try to avoid rush hour.

I biked around Arlington, Rock Creek Park, the National Mall, the National Arboretum, and numerous neighborhoods in between. Overall, the city is beautiful, and it is intriguing to get a genuine feel for the character of different neighborhoods at the pace of a bike. The popular areas along the mall are easy riding and beat the hell out of walking (especially in the heat). I would recommend the slow side streets along the mall over the pedestrian areas if it is busy. Rock Creek Park and the Arboretum were beautiful, and biking is definitely the best way to see these attractions. If you are hoping for some long Greenway rides, there are dozens of miles of quiet, scenic, and well-maintained trails in these areas.

Biking over to Virginia was OK. The bridges, while acceptably accessible by bike, are loud and usually jam-packed with car traffic. Once over the bridge, there are nice greenways along the Potomac with access points to Arlington. Theodore Roosevelt Island, completely undeveloped and only accessible on the Virginia side, is a stark contrast to the busy surroundings in this area. The island is maintained by the National Park Service and offers extensive trails, but these are only accessible by bike if you have tires that can do the loose gravel here.

If you are in DC around the middle of the month, look up the DC bike party. It’s usually on a Wednesday, and it is the largest group ride I’ve ever taken part of. There are new themes every month, interesting people, safety in numbers, and fun times to be had. The ride starts in Dupont Circle in the middle of the city at 7 and ends at a rotating bar. You won’t regret going out of your way for it.

I only just scratched the surface of where you can bike in the DC area, but I hope you can make a trip for yourself (I’m sure I will again).