Looking for input about DC area

[NK ED]

I have an opportunity to apply for a pretty decent position in the District of Columbia and I am weighing the ups and downs.
I would have to live within the city limits and I am unfamiliar with the area. Can anyone give me input about motorcycle riding?
I am mostly a weekend rider. But I would also like to know about daily riding and if it is possible or better yet enjoyable to ride within the DC area.

Thanks for any input
Mike
Urbana IL.

[R4R&R]

Fun city, lots to do and lots to stay away from. The local riding is ok (mostly flat but 'efficient' roads can be found close in) but the really good riding is about an hour's ride. Two really good local dealers: Bob's BMW and Morton's. I've been working 'downtown' for the last 8 years and never thought I would say that i love working in the city. Housing in DC is high - way high, but not too far off from the suburbs. Lots of good commuting support from VA and MD.

Where are you looking?

Oh yeah - LOTS OF TRAFFIC!

[GJBushman]

I can't tell you about riding in DC, I've only done it once. The district is urban so that is what riding you can expect there. There are lots of people who do ride there though. I live in the Maryland suburbs and there is great riding throughout the mid-atlantic area. I'm not sure what R4R&R meant about flat, must be referring to DC and parts east. Maryland and VA have plenty of great roads with hills and mountains. PA and WV are within an a few hours ride. Eastern shore of Maryland is definately flat. And yes, there is plenty of traffic around DC during the week. Commuting is a challenge but there are HOV lanes you can take advantage of. And great dealer support for BMW in the area. I'm not sure of the pros and cons of living in the city. Many of my coworkers (University of Maryland) do live in DC and they love it. Compared to Urbana, IL this is a BIG city. There are alot of people here and traffic can really suck bad. Getting away on the weekends is easy, though, as there are lots of groups riding and plenty of roads to get lost on.

[BobFV1]

Ed -

I am in DC now and may be moving back here soon, after a 15 year-or-so absence. I agree that Bob's BMW is an excellent dealer - have made several pilgrimages up there during my many visits. Don't know about Morton's. I was in the District yesterday and saw one silver Beak and one 1200C within a short period of time.

The weather is mild compared to the Northeast, but there is definitely a winter season. Crime is very high in the District and I would not feel good about leaving my bike parked on the street overnight there. Many beautiful roads in the area for weekend rides - civil war battlefields and the lovely Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Who knows - maybe we will end up riding together here next year!

[R4R&R]

I'm not sure what R4R&R meant about flat, must be referring to DC and parts east. Maryland and VA have plenty of great roads with hills and mountains. PA and WV are within an a few hours ride. Eastern shore of Maryland is definately flat.

Yeah, good riding in the immediate area, but it gets way better an hour out. Heading east will get you good areas to ride in (eastern shore/Chesapeake bay) but not too challenging.

And yes, there is plenty of traffic around DC during the week. Commuting is a challenge but there are HOV lanes you can take advantage of.

Even the HOV lanes get plugged up, frequently. All those damned hybrids! Make them adhere to the same HOV rules and any other 'gas' vehicle. <rant off> The DC metro area seems to stretch from Baltimore to Manassas, VA now. As for crime in the city - it's getting cleaned up but there are still areas to stay away from, even in the daytime!

On another note - I've been parking on the streets in the Chinatown area for the past year and a half. This month I finally got 'permission' to park in the garge (Free). It's been nice. I hope I can keep it.

[yjleesvrr]

I think the main reason the HOV lanes get clogged is because people needing to get off of the HOV lane to make their way to an exit have to slow down to crawling speeds to merge with lanes to the right of them.

Traffic in the D.C. area SUCKS! I'm having a house built in Haymarket, VA that will be ready next August. One of the reasons I chose a locale 30 miles west of D.C. itself is so that I can hit mountain roads in 10 minutes.

[drevil]

one good thing about riding in DC is i understand lane splitting is legal!

and there is plenty of good riding within an hour each direction. traffic sucks and housing is high, but the money is good and there is lots to do.

[camfarm]

I lived in DC for a year in 1997-98. SW between 4th and 6th and bounded by M Street (not the Georgetown M St) was affordable, crime ridden, drug ridden, but safe for me. Six murders in 10 months within 2 blocks. Two bullet holes in my front window. Parked on the street and my only problem was DC's meter people being overly aggressive with tickets. Still, paying the monthly fine was cheaper than paying for a garaged space.

DC government is a bad joke. Corrupt, inefficient, limited in roles and missions and too liberal with taxing the citizens in exchange for poor services. Only reason I can think you'd live there is for a City Government job....will you have the authority, power, and balls to push? They eat their civil servants for the strangest things up there.

Still, if I got the same condo, I'd live there again.

[Promethean]

Mike,
Have you checked out the BMWBMW club website at http://www.bmwbmw.org/forum? That's the forum where the BMW riders of Baltimore, Maryland & Washington congregate. From the activity on that forum, I would think they have quite a few riders who commute in the DC area. They might be able to provide you more information.

I lived in PA but ridden through DC a few times but wouldn't want to repeat that experience. Parking is a pain though.

Hope this helps.

I have an opportunity to apply for a pretty decent position in the District of Columbia and I am weighing the ups and downs.
I would have to live within the city limits and I am unfamiliar with the area. Can anyone give me input about motorcycle riding?
I am mostly a weekend rider. But I would also like to know about daily riding and if it is possible or better yet enjoyable to ride within the DC area.

Thanks for any input
Mike
Urbana IL.

[Lion_Lady]

Another reason to come to DC is the the BMWBMW club (BMW Bikers of Metro-Washington - http://www.bmwbmw.org). Both 'organized' and pick up rides happen regularly, including lunch rides, rides to dinner, 'hookie rides' as in "I'm playing hookie on Monday, who wants to come?

Also, near monthly 'tech days' were folks help each other do basic stuff and big stuff, shoot the breeze, plan more rides, eat.

Check out the forums and ask away there... you do gotta register on the site to post, but no need to become a member until you really wanna. There are several folks who live in DC and can likely offer recommendations.

P

[Deano]

I love DC. If you end up living and working in the city, then riding/driving is pretty much optional. I am new to motorcycling, and I thought that city driving/commuting would be intimidating, but that has not been my experience. My commute is 10 miles each way, 90% of which is in Rock Creek Park. Low speed, and sometimes a bit clogged with traffic, but what a agreeable environment for being in a major city. On pleasant evenings, I often ride through the city, around the mall/monuments, along the parkway/river. Very therapeutic.

The only thing keeping my wife and me from living in the District is the relatively crappy public schools. If you get parking space at work, most likely it will be a garage space. You could always leave your bike there, and metro to/from home. It can also be a nice, secure place to park it during one of the few winter storms that might hit. Before you pull the trigger, shop around to determine average costs for housing and local taxes. There is a lot this city has to offer, but it can certainly be expensive.

Oh, yeah, and what everyone else said about BMWBMW.

[NK ED]

Great info and thanks to all. You all helped me decide that my riding habit wont be hampered.
Any particular neighborhoods within the city that I should look at if I get that far?

[BobFV1]

Great info and thanks to all. You all helped me decide that my riding habit wont be hampered.
Any particular neighborhoods within the city that I should look at if I get that far?

Only the "NW" quadrant.

[yjleesvrr]

I love the area near GWU (George Washington University). There are some nice apartments in that area. I have a client on L street and thus have driven/taken the subway a number of times to this part of D.C. It is a very professional part of the city.