Biking
This area has hundreds of miles of scenic bike trails. Many of these trails are also suitable for walking, jogging or roller blading. Crowds can be an issue, especially on weekends, so head out in the early morning or late in the day if possible.
The Capital Crescent Trail is a rail-trail, being built upon the abandoned railbed of the 11 mile Georgetown Branch of the B&O Railroad. The Trail is now complete as a hard surface trail from Georgetown to Bethesda, and as a temporary gravel trail from Bethesda to Rosemary Hills, in west Silver Spring. Four bridges and two tunnels offer trail users gentle gradients and grade-separated roadway crossings.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park Towpath: 184.5 miles of towpath creates one of the largest biking trails in the continental US. The surface of the towpath is for the most part an even hard-packed dirt trail. The towpath can be very muddy following heavy rain. Bicyclists should carry tools for repairs.
Mount Vernon Trail was constructed in 1973 by the National Park Service. The trail runs along the Potomac River, paralleling the George Washington Memorial Parkway. With the river as your companion, you can ride your bike, jog, or walk the 18.5-mile trail from Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, to Theodore Roosevelt Island in the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial. (Caution should be used along the portion of this trail that runs through Old Town Alexandria - there is a lot of traffic and may be dangerous for small children).
Washington and Old Dominion Trail is a 45-mile multi-use rail-trail that is owned and operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. The 100-foot wide Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD) is one of the skinniest parks in the commonwealth of Virginia, but also one of the longest.
Rock Creek Trail: This scenic and popular trail winds 25 miles from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to Lake Needwood Park in Montgomery County, Md. The Montgomery County section is less congested, wider, and better maintained than the DC section, although it is open to car traffic. On weekends and holidays, the National Park Service closes Beach Drive to through motor vehicle traffic from Broad Branch Road to the Maryland line (a few stretches remain open to shared use with cars).
The Skyline Drive is a scenic highway that runs the length of Shenandoah National Park for a total of 105 miles. Not only is there a scenic highway dissecting the Park, but 95 miles of the Appalachian Trail are within Park boundaries. As you cycle along the Skyline Drive, the Shenandoah Valley runs parallel to the west while the Piedmont extends eastward toward the coast.
Find rides in and around Stafford using Map Your Ride. Event directors, participants, and just about anyone can now Submit an Event for Free! You can also post your Organized Rides so local cyclists can find them easier.
Bike Link Pages:
Revolution Cycles was established in 1997 and is the official bike shop for maintaining and acquiring bicycling equipment for the US Secret Service, including the White House, Naval Observatory and Foreign Mission divisions. Don't be overwhelmed however, their customers come from all aspects of the cycling community; children getting their first two wheeler, the racer looking to upgrade, couples considering their first new bike since college or the hard-working courier in need of a quick fix. They look forwards to meeting your needs and providing you with an outstanding experience.
Bike Washington provides details about all the great recreational bicycle facilities around the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area. Listed here are many area recreation trails and bicycle routes. These routes attempt to avoid heavy traffic areas by making use of various recreational paths, rail-trails, and back streets.
The mission of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment, and educating children, adults, and motorists about safe bicycling.
