Fitz
October 22nd, 2006, 07:57 PM
Come experience the area's best kept secret: historic Fort Dupont park and the Fort Circle trail system nestled in an unknown stretch of parkland in Southeast DC. You've heard the rumors, come see it for yourself. You have to ride it to believe it.
Where: Fort Dupont Park, Washington, DC. Parking lot on Fort Dupont Drive (directions below).
When: Sunday Oct 29, 10:00 a.m.
Ride Description: This will be a casual to moderate ride open to anyone interested in exploring the only legal mountain bike trails in the district. Plan on a two hour ride, give or take. Speed will be determined by the group, but no one will be left behind.
Contact Dan Fitzgerald at dbfitzgerald@yahoo.com or by cell phone at 202-415-5315 with any questions.
Trail Description: The combined hiker/biker trail is comprised of a series of trails totaling about 8 miles in parks throughout Southeast DC. It is a combination of dirt singletrack and partially graveled paths with a few roots and a number of semi-exposed waterbars on many of the hills. The terrain is hilly throughout, with some sections beginner-friendly and others fairly challenging. There are no maintained technical features, though one may find a half-dozen rideable deadfalls at any given time. A round-trip tour of all trails in the system will take about 2 hours and will include up and back some sections for total distances around 13 miles.
Directions: The main parking lot for the trail system is located on Fort Dupont Drive off Randle Circle, near the intersection of Minnesota Ave and Massachusetts Ave SOUTHEAST.
From Northwest DC or Capitol Hill: Take Pennsylvania Ave. east over the Anacostia and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From 395:
Take the Southeast/Southwest Freeway (which is what 395 turns into when it enters DC) towards 295; exit Pennsylvania Avenue Westbound. Cross over the Anacostia and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From 295 Northbound: Exit Pennsylvania Avenue Westbound and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From Points East: Take Pennsylvania Ave into the city. Take a right on Minnesota Ave. Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
Disclaimer: This trail takes you into an urban environment that is somewhat different from the bucolic charms of places like Rosaryville and Patapsco. At times you’ll be amazed you’re in the middle of the city, and then you’ll suddenly be reminded that, hey, you’re in the middle of a city! There may be trash in spots, as one cannot control all the city’s denizens. There are several roads to cross, and we'll have to be patient, as DC drivers are not always the most attentive to your cycling needs, but we'll stick together and it will all be fine. Oh, and if you’re deathly allergic to poison ivy, wear tights and long sleeves. I sometimes get little spots of it here and there because this plant is quite prevalent in the park system.
Where: Fort Dupont Park, Washington, DC. Parking lot on Fort Dupont Drive (directions below).
When: Sunday Oct 29, 10:00 a.m.
Ride Description: This will be a casual to moderate ride open to anyone interested in exploring the only legal mountain bike trails in the district. Plan on a two hour ride, give or take. Speed will be determined by the group, but no one will be left behind.
Contact Dan Fitzgerald at dbfitzgerald@yahoo.com or by cell phone at 202-415-5315 with any questions.
Trail Description: The combined hiker/biker trail is comprised of a series of trails totaling about 8 miles in parks throughout Southeast DC. It is a combination of dirt singletrack and partially graveled paths with a few roots and a number of semi-exposed waterbars on many of the hills. The terrain is hilly throughout, with some sections beginner-friendly and others fairly challenging. There are no maintained technical features, though one may find a half-dozen rideable deadfalls at any given time. A round-trip tour of all trails in the system will take about 2 hours and will include up and back some sections for total distances around 13 miles.
Directions: The main parking lot for the trail system is located on Fort Dupont Drive off Randle Circle, near the intersection of Minnesota Ave and Massachusetts Ave SOUTHEAST.
From Northwest DC or Capitol Hill: Take Pennsylvania Ave. east over the Anacostia and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From 395:
Take the Southeast/Southwest Freeway (which is what 395 turns into when it enters DC) towards 295; exit Pennsylvania Avenue Westbound. Cross over the Anacostia and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From 295 Northbound: Exit Pennsylvania Avenue Westbound and take a left at Minnesota (maybe half a mile). Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
From Points East: Take Pennsylvania Ave into the city. Take a right on Minnesota Ave. Take Minnesota to Randle Circle (less than a mile) and take a right into the circle. You will see a National Park Service sign reading “Fort Dupont Park” and a small picnic area; take a right onto Fort Dupont Drive. The parking lot/rec center are a short way in on the left.
Disclaimer: This trail takes you into an urban environment that is somewhat different from the bucolic charms of places like Rosaryville and Patapsco. At times you’ll be amazed you’re in the middle of the city, and then you’ll suddenly be reminded that, hey, you’re in the middle of a city! There may be trash in spots, as one cannot control all the city’s denizens. There are several roads to cross, and we'll have to be patient, as DC drivers are not always the most attentive to your cycling needs, but we'll stick together and it will all be fine. Oh, and if you’re deathly allergic to poison ivy, wear tights and long sleeves. I sometimes get little spots of it here and there because this plant is quite prevalent in the park system.