Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

Forums

Forum guidelines BT super discount

Updated posts

My threads
No new posts

My favorite threads

General Discussion

Triathlon Talk » Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

Rss Feed

Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller

linanil

2008-09-29 4:39 PM

Member

279

DC Metro

Subject: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

Ok so I have to admit I still get a bit of anxiety and panic when I think of going riding although I enjoy myself when I do. Since it has been raining, I haven't even dared to brave the rain but there is bound to be a decent weekend day (or even take a day off to go) that would be good to go riding soon.

1) Hancock, MD - I loved this trail. It was mostly empty and was wide and flat. Only issue is its a bit of a drive.

2) Rock Creek park - I know part of the road closes for Rock creek park on the weekends and it seems like it'd be a good place to go. I've done some of rock creek park in MD but not where the road was closed. The bike/walk paths were a bit crowded but the closed road portions seem perfect.

3) Georgetown loop trail (not sure if this is its real name) - Good if you have hybrid or mountain but I accidentally rode on a portion of it (I tend to get lost easily) where it was paved with rocks and it made me and my road bike nervous. I do want to rent a hybrid to try the trail out though.

So... Does anyone have any other recommendations? Wide trails are nice, less crowded trails are nice, no cars are nice and not too far of a drive from DC metro (270/495 area specifically) is preferred.

Comet

2008-09-30 7:09 AM

in reply to: #1704627

Queen BTich

12411

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

The trainer?

I'm in the same boat, not sure where to go here as Mt. Vernon trail is packed on the weekends, same with WO&D.

My Race Log

DrPete

2008-09-30 9:19 AM

in reply to: #1704627

Expert

1170

Southern Pines, NC

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

I'll add the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Just outside the Beltway at the Rt 1/College Park exit. Lots of great riding with minimal traffic and well-kept roads. I have several favorite loops if you want some specifics. Great place to ride.

My Race Log

linanil

2008-09-30 12:29 PM

in reply to: #1705498

Member

279

DC Metro

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

Comet - 2008-09-30 8:09 AM

The trainer?

I'm in the same boat, not sure where to go here as Mt. Vernon trail is packed on the weekends, same with WO&D.

Yeah I'm getting to know the trainer well although I can ride on a trail for a couple hours. 30 minutes on the trainer is about my limit.

turtlegirl

2008-10-16 8:53 AM

in reply to: #1704627

Elite

3770

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

linanil - 2008-09-29 4:39 PM

1) Hancock, MD - I loved this trail. It was mostly empty and was wide and flat. Only issue is its a bit of a drive.

LOVE Beach Drive (aka Rock Creek). Its closed at Candy Cane City (yes, thats its name) just a little past East West Highway. It is closed almost all of the way (and the cars really have to go slowly b/c bikes and walkers dominate) from there to Pierce Mill. If you want a good hill climb, you turn right there and go up the hill towards the Nature Center and Stables. it then comes down past Military Road towards the Park Police station. You can park at the soccer fields or closer to the football fields near the closure.

Really is a great place to start "road" riding.

Crescent Trail (aka G'town branch) is often overcrowded and has lots of non-bikers on it that will walk across the trail...but is another good place to start.

I also like the Mount Vernon trail...if you take the Crescent Trail to G'town, you can go to K street and take the Key bridge across to the trail. Turn left at the end of the bridge and there is the trail. Pretty, and right on the Potomac.

My Race Log

Concretechris

2008-12-17 11:31 AM

in reply to: #1704627

Extreme Veteran

370

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

It also depends on where you live and what type of bike you are riding. There are some great trails out there but many of them are more geared towards hybrids and mountain bikes. However, you can also head a bit out of town and you'll find plenty of areas with relatively light traffic and miles of roads (like the Beltsville area previously mentioned).

Another trick for when the weather gets nicer is to get out early. I ride really early on Saturdays and Sundays during the season specifically to avoid traffic and cars...plus it is a lot more serene and beautiful out to be riding as the sun is coming up and burning off the dew. But I'm a morning person so although it works for me it won't for everyone ;-)

Good luck!

--Chris

My Race Log

Daremo

2008-12-17 2:01 PM

in reply to: #1705796

Cycling Guru

15134

Fulton, MD

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

DrPete - 2008-09-30 10:19 AM I'll add the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Just outside the Beltway at the Rt 1/College Park exit. Lots of great riding with minimal traffic and well-kept roads. I have several favorite loops if you want some specifics. Great place to ride.

That was one of our key places to ride when I was at UMD College Park.

My Race Log

trishie

2008-12-29 9:38 AM

in reply to: #1859356

Pro

5169

Burbs

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

Daremo - 2008-12-17 3:01 PM

That was one of our key places to ride when I was at UMD College Park.

Another Terp?

The Columbia Tri bike course is a good ride. 23 mi loop, v. hilly, wide shoulders and a lot of cyclists, esp. on the weekends.

My Race Log

noony

2008-12-29 3:34 PM

in reply to: #1705796

Veteran

334

Subject: RE: Favorite places to ride that are good for a nervous rider

I would love to hear about your favorite loops....My husband and I usually ride on Beach drive but a change of scenery is always good.

Another suggestion is the Iron Girl course up in Columbia. It is 17.5 miles, slightly shorter than the Columbia Course, and there are always lots of riders out on the course. You can find course maps for both rides at tricolumbia.org.

My Race Log

Daremo

2009-01-02 5:50 PM

in reply to: #1875648

Cycling Guru

15134