[SkateDC] New Route for Friday Night Skate

[George Marinkovich]

New Friday Night Beginner's Skate Route (leaves White House at 7 PM returns at around 9 PM)

I'll be using the following route for the Friday Night Skate when I lead.  The route may change in the future as we explore other alternatives (and specifically when construction around the Tidal Basin is completed).  For now it is the safest, most gentle skate route I could put together that follows the traditional route as much as possible.  

The reason behind this change is to make the FNS a little easier and safer for beginning skaters.  The downhill section of 15th St. from the Washington Monument towards the Jefferson Memorial was always the least favorite part of the route for skaters.  A downhill that often requires one to stop at the traffic signal at the intersection with Maine Ave. on pavement that seems to get more wavy each year was never ideal.  Not to mention the rough pavement in the intersection itself and having to compete for space with vehicle traffic on Maine Ave. because the sidewalks in that area are an even worse choice.  Then we often had to contend with vehicle traffic in order to make a left turn onto Ohio Drive on what is effectively (at least in the minds of drivers trying to get out of Dodge) the on ramp to the 14th St. Bridge and I-395.  We've done this for years and we probably don't give it a second thought, but I imagine it could be a little intimidating for
 some beginning skaters.

The new route avoids the 15th St. downhill entirely.  We eliminate the Ellipse, but otherwise the route is the same until we arrive at the Washington Monument.  We stay on Mall pathways and go up to the Washington Monument itself and then over to the World War II Memorial.  From there we take a Mall pathway around the Korean Memorial, cross Independence Ave., and take Ohio Dr.. to the intersection with Buckeye Dr in East Potomac Park.  There skaters can choose to do the extra 3 mile Hains Point loop or not.  We then backtrack on Ohio Dr. to the Lincoln Memorial and from that point the rest of the traditional skate route remains unchanged.

In addition to the advantages for beginning skaters I think it offers something for everyone.  It avoids bad pavement that nobody really likes.  It visits some new memorials:  Washington Monument (up close and personal), the World War II, and the Korean War Memorials.  It's 12 miles long with the optional Hains Point Loop and only 9 miles long without it.

Route with Hains Point (12 miles):  http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3570183

Route without Hains Point (9 miles):  http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3570137

The White House
E on Pennsylvania Ave
R 
15th St
RGP E St

E on E St
SE on Pennsylvania Ave
R 1st St 
Longer RGP Grant 
Statue in front of Capitol

S on 1st St
R Maryland Ave
Through American Indian 
Museum grounds
RGP on Jefferson Dr at 4th St

W on Jefferson Dr
RGP 14th St

W on Jefferson Dr
Longer RGP Washington Monument

Exit NW out of Washington Monument
X 17th St
RGP World War II Memorial

Counter-clockwise around WWII Memorial
X over Reflecting Pool
Clockwise around Restrooms
W on smooth path towards Korean War Memorial
(if you're on a rough surface, you're on the wrong path)
RGP near Korean War Memorial

L (SW on) path towards Daniel French Dr
L Daniel French Dr
X Independence Ave
R (W on) Independence Ave sidewalk
L Ohio Dr
RGP crosswalk on Ohio Dr

X Ohio Dr
L (SE on) Rock Creek Trail 
SE on Ohio Dr at Humpback Bridge
Longest RGP Buckeye Dr
(wait for those skating Hains Point)

Optional 3 mile Hains Point Loop:
L (N on) Buckeye Dr
R on Ohio Dr
Longer RGP Buckeye Dr

Backtrack W on Ohio Dr toward Lincoln Memorial
RGP Independence Ave

X Independence Ave.
Longer RGP Lincoln Memorial

N from Lincoln Memorial
R Henry Bacon Dr
R Constitution Dr pathway
RGP 21st St

X Constitution Ave
N on 21st St
RGP Virginia Ave

L Virginia Ave
R 22nd St
R Pennsylvania Ave
Longer RGP Froggy Bottom Pub

Froggy Bottom Pub
2142 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037-3201
(202) 338-3000

R (SE on) Pennsylvania Ave
The White House

Cheers,
George