Sketchy areas to avoid in Silver Spring/Bethesda...?

[Jack Sparrow]

Hi! I'm a female and I just bought my first urban-worthy bike in a couple years... looks like I'll ride on asphalt paths alone in Silver Spring, Bethesda, and D.C. for post-work exercise. Does anybody have any warnings about parts of paths to watch out for in that area? i.e. a stretch of bike path they've ridden that's consistently frightening from a rape/attack-angle?

Specifically, I was riding on a stretch of trail in Silver Spring last night and it was just so lonely there in the woods... it was behind some warehouses... and I just didn't feel good about it... so I thought I'd ask.

Anybody have any warnings for me of places to be extra careful? Thanks so much!

[CRAIG2]

Generally speaking, I would warn against riding alone anywhere, with the exception of Chuck Norris, specifically if you're a female (unless you have mad numchuck or bo staff skills). Bad things can happen anywhere. And if you do ride alone, just save some energy so that hopefully you can ride faster than your attacker can run.

[drewdane]

In Bethesda, I'd avoid any areas without uniformed valet parking!

[triscuit]

For Bethesda, I think you are going to be pretty safe. I have ridden the Capital Crescent trail and through Rock Creek Park alone MANY times without feeling at all at risk. But only during daylight. It gets REALLY DARK out there after sun down since there are no street lights and it is deserted, so very creepy. On a nice day, both of those trails are packed with people, so you really are never alone. There was a "bike jacking" on the trail right at the end in Georgetown last summer. I don't know if the perp was ever caught, but it appears to have been a one time thing. I guess some guy came out of the woods and knocked a girl on her bike over and took off on the bike. And finally, I have ridden MacArthur Blvd, Falls Road, Bradly Blvd, and various other roads out and about Montgomery County on my own without ever feeling at risk. Though I also regularly ride around well lit areas of DC at night, so it really depends on what you are comfortable with. I don't know much of anything about biking routes in Silver Spring. You might stop by a shop called Silver Cycles on Georgia Ave right near where 16th St. turns off. The shop owner is a woman, and the shop seems pretty geared towards commuters and recreational road riders, so she might have some more knowledge to share.

[Snot-Rocket]

Often time you can contact the police department and ask them about incident reports in various areas...or scan the newspapers for incidient reports. I do this for Springfield all the time just to know where the action is.

I'd recommend keeping some Pepper spray or like- maybe on your stem or what not easily accessible and/or an emergeny whistle handy.

Granted, the key to Self-Defense is avoiding da thread by first being prepared- you are on that angle- but when riding alone- ride w/ a proactive perspective, like where can you get ambushed, evaluating threat areas and/or avoiding, knowing escape routes (where you last saw folks) and/or preparing for challenges always. Granted, if your routes have you on edge always- maybe need to change routes- ha, ha!

Mirrors may be good to ensure you are not being followed...

Worse case scenario- no matter how big you are a thumb(s) in somebodies eye(s) and a solid palm-heel strike to the chin w/ some violent follow up like mutlple strikes, knee to the groin, heel stomps, etc. are good painful dealios. A basic self defense class/rape prevention is a good way to be prepared...

A good class focuses on avoidance and only has a few basic, effective moves, and expands your perspective of what are effective weapons - if folks are teaching you submission holds and crud like that avoid those class.

I used to keep a handful of pennies handy in dangerous AOs and still do...so when in a nervous area I'd grab my pennies and if someone approached me- violated my space or demonstrated aggressive intent- tossing pennies in a weenies face w/ violent follow up and a 100-m sprint provides an amazing advantage...

An easier solution is find a riding partner.

[piperj]

I was riding on a stretch of trail in Silver Spring last night and it was just so lonely there in the woods... it was behind some warehouses...
I think I know exactly where you are talking about. Was this past the huge bridge over Rock Creek Park, and after the RTD bus depot on the left side of the trail?

I am in Richmond, VA now but lived right at the intersection of the Capital Crescent and Connecticut Ave (Yes, right across the street from City Bikes, at the time I thought it was pretty good Karma). OK, I only lived there for 3 months, but I had to post. Heading toward Bethesda from Connecticut Ave, I always felt pretty safe. In fact, my son (6 years old at the time) and I rode that stretch well past dusk. The few times I did venture toward Silver Spring, it really did seem pretty sketchy on the other side of Rock Creek Park. I don't think that I ever heard of anything bad happening over there, but I wouldn't have felt comfortable there, and I was a 200 lb.+ male.

[liznotter]

Generally speaking, I would warn against riding alone anywhere, with the exception of Chuck Norris, specifically if you're a female (unless you have mad numchuck or bo staff skills). No WAY! I have to respectfully disagree. Staying inside, or only venturing out with a partner, is tantamount to letting the bad guys win by default.

I train 10-20 hours a week, most of that alone. I absolutely take a risk by running and riding by myself, but to me that is a reasonable price to pay for my sanity. Of course something awful could happen, but I'm more worried about inattentive drivers and people who let their yappy little dogs walk off leash on the canal (aaargh!).

There are reasonable precautions to take:
1. Be aware of your surroundings. Meaning...lose the headphones (easier said than done, I haven't been able to give up the iPod when I run, but I keep it low and only use one earbud.)
2. Listen to the little voice in your head; if something feels creepy, follow your instincts.
3. Look powerful: when approaching someone, keep your head up and look them in the eye.
4. Let someone, anyone, know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
5. Prepare for contingencies. Make sure you have enough supplies for your outing. Lacking something important, like food, water, or a piece of equipment, makes you vulnerable.

I've trained on most of the paths around Montgomery County and would consider all of them pretty harmless. Of course, nothing is ever completely safe: I've been hit by a SUV-driving Soccer Dad in downtown Bethesda and bitten by someone's leashed labrador retriever behind Walter Reed. Can't plan for everything, I guess....

Liz

[halfinch]

I think I know exactly where you are talking about. Was this past the huge bridge over Rock Creek Park, and after the RTD bus depot on the left side of the trail?

i rode the capital crescent trail and that section there a few months back, around 11pm. sorta had that odd vibe, sorta too quiet out. someone did pitch a shopping cart across part of the trail, which made it interesting..beyond that, no real problems riding in moco, from my experiences.

i get the same feeling when i pass under the toll road on the WOD at night.
i'll blame it on the loss of periphial depth perception by riding at night.

as for riding, i'd be game to tag along. my cohort who i rode/trained with (i use that term loosely) enlisted and shipped out for the navy this past week.

i'm up for any sort of night ride around the city, and usually try to get out on mondays and wednesdays.

[7rider]

I have to agree with Liz, and I'd like to add one more thing ...
Don't be predictable. If you are out the door like clockwork at 5 a.m. every morning for your standard loop around xyz.....don't. Mix it up. Take a different route...vary your days....vary your times.
Regina
p.s. That piece of equipment that Liz mentioned....make sure one of them is a cell phone. I helped a woman who was knocked to the ground by a hit-and-run truck last weekend who didn't have a phone. Fortunately, there was a friendly neighbor who let her use his land line...but that carries risks all their own.
And if you don't know how to change a flat tire....LEARN. And learn to do it quickly.

[Squirrel Girl]

My current form of self-defense is a 4' nylon snake whip. I just have to make sure the handle is reachable in my camelbak by grasping behind my neck.

Pepper spray is NOT reliable. When I was going to school in Chapel Hill (and an invertate jogger), a woman passed a young guy in the bushes. He thought she looked at him funny. She wound up spraying him with pepper spray. He shot her, she went down. He recovered from the pepper spray and went over and shot her dead at point blank range. All witnessed along a major road at 5:45 am.

[Jack Sparrow]

My current form of self-defense is a 4' nylon snake whip. I just have to make sure the handle is reachable in my camelbak by grasping behind my neck.

Pepper spray is NOT reliable. When I was going to school in Chapel Hill (and an invertate jogger), a woman passed a young guy in the bushes. He thought she looked at him funny. She wound up spraying him with pepper spray. He shot her, she went down. He recovered from the pepper spray and went over and shot her dead at point blank range. All witnessed along a major road at 5:45 am.

Wow, yeah, I actually had pepper spray in my hand while being accosted once by some homeless man who grabbed me when I was walking (my fault for walking past him and getting too near someone who looked off-kilter?)... but I didn't use it on him for fear of it blowing and getting in my face.

Horrible story about N.C. You never know what a person's gonna do, huh?

[Squirrel Girl]

Wow, yeah, I actually had pepper spray in my hand while being accosted once by some homeless man who grabbed me when I was walking (my fault for walking past him and getting too near someone who looked off-kilter?)... but I didn't use it on him for fear of it blowing and getting in my face. That's not such a great story yourself. What happened when he grabbed you?

Whatever, I recommend no women wear the current MORE jersey in "sketchy" areas. No sense in advertising, as it were.

[CRAIG2]

No WAY! I have to respectfully disagree. Staying inside, or only venturing out with a partner, is tantamount to letting the bad guys win by default.

I train 10-20 hours a week, most of that alone. I absolutely take a risk by running and riding by myself, but to me that is a reasonable price to pay for my sanity. Of course something awful could happen, but I'm more worried about inattentive drivers and people who let their yappy little dogs walk off leash on the canal (aaargh!).

There are reasonable precautions to take:
1. Be aware of your surroundings. Meaning...lose the headphones (easier said than done, I haven't been able to give up the iPod when I run, but I keep it low and only use one earbud.)
2. Listen to the little voice in your head; if something feels creepy, follow your instincts.
3. Look powerful: when approaching someone, keep your head up and look them in the eye.
4. Let someone, anyone, know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
5. Prepare for contingencies. Make sure you have enough supplies for your outing. Lacking something important, like food, water, or a piece of equipment, makes you vulnerable.

I've trained on most of the paths around Montgomery County and would consider all of them pretty harmless. Of course, nothing is ever completely safe: I've been hit by a SUV-driving Soccer Dad in downtown Bethesda and bitten by someone's leashed labrador retriever behind Walter Reed. Can't plan for everything, I guess....

Liz

Sounds like you've answered your questions - have at it! ;)

[jks9199]

If there seems to be sufficient interest, I might be persuaded to try to put together a self-defense class oriented towards bicyclists. I bring law enforcement (including bike patrol) and martial arts experience to the table, and have taught regular self defense classes before. Timing would be kind of tricky; I work weird hours...

But your best asset in bicycle oriented self defense? YOU GOTS WHEELS! There's a good chance you can outrun someone -- if you stay on the bike. If you can't do that -- you still have a contraption that's amazingly effective at tieing somebody up long enough to let you get away from them if you just throw your bike at them.