The Arlington Beltway.
Start Quincy the corner of Quincy and Washington Blvd in Arlington (Quincy Park)
0.0 Head North on Quincy towards Route 66
0.3 - Immediately after crossing over Route 66 turn tight into the entrance for the Custis Trail, then left at the immediate stop sign to head East on the Custis Trail. You want to remain on the Custis trail until you reach Key Bridge in Rossyln.
1.0 - Stay to the left to go over 66 to continue on the Custis trail. After crossing, remain to the right.
1.3 - Stay to the left, 66 will now be on your left.
2.0 - Continue following the trail to the left and over 66. Courthouse is to the right. 66 will now be on your right.
2.1 - Continue following the trail to the right (East) towards Rossyln and the Key Bridge. You will now be riding parallel to Lee Highway and will have to cross several intersections. Stay alert in and around this area.
2.8 - You've reached the end of the Custis trail immediately after crossing Lynn Street. You now want to continue straight on the Mount Vernon Trail. Follow the signs for Roosevelt Island, Crystal City, and Alexandria. The trail will take you over the George Washington Memorial Parkway and follow the banks of the potomac. Remain on the Mount Vernon trail for a little over 5 miles.
3.3 - Continue to the left to follow the boardwalk. The right fork will take you over to the Roosevelt Bridge and the Kennedy Center.
4.3 - Continue straight.
4.9 - Stay to the right at this intersection. The left fork takes you to the Navy, Maritime Memorial and the Lyndon B. Johnson Grove on the other side of the parkway.
5.1 Continue straight through both of these intersections. The left fork will take you towards the Lyndon B. Johnson Grove on the other side of the parkway and the right fork will head up and above the 14th Street Bridge.
6.0 - Gravely Point. Hang out and watch the planes take off and land at Reagan National Airport.
6.8 - Continue straight at this intersection. The fork to the right will take you to Crystal City in the vicinity of Crystal Dr. and 18th St. where you can find all kinds of shops and restaurants, including Revolution Cycles on 20th Street.
7.5 - continue straight through both of these intersections.
7.9 - Stay to the left and follow the signs for the Four Mile Run Trail.
8.3 - Turn left and follow FOur Mile RUn towards Shirlington.
8.8 - Stay to the left and remain on Four Mile Run.
8.9 - Remain to the left and follow the trail under Mount Vernon Avenue.
9.3 - Turn left and continue heading West on FOur Mile Run.
9.6 - Turn left and follow the signs to the W&OD Trail.
9.8 - COntinue straight and follow the trail under route 395.
10.0 - Turn right on Shirlington Drive and follow the signs to the W&OD, and Custis trails. Immediately after turning right you will reach a light and have to turn left to access the W&OD Trail, which is clearly visible on the opposite side of the street. The Four Mile Run Trail is to the left and basically runs parallel to the W&OD trail you will be riding. We've saved that route for a different ride. Remain on the W&OD for a little over 4 miles until you reach the Custis Trail.
11.9 - Cross Columbia Pike, the W&OD trail is clearly visible on the opposite side.
12.5 - Continue straight over the small bridge. Restrooms are available to the left.
12.9 - COntinue straight and follow the trail under Rt 50. COntinue straigh past the next two intersections to reamin on the W&OD.
13.6 - Continue straight through this intersection, we'll ride the trail to the right on another ride. This is the vicinity of Blue Moon Junction.
13.8 - Stay to the right and go under WIlson Blvd. COntinue on the W&OD after you cross Wilson.
14.2 - Turn right on the Custis trail and remain on it for the next 2 miles.
14.4 - Turn left and go under 66 and follow the trail to the right as it parallels 66.
15.7 - Go over the bridge that spans 66 and then continue to the right heading East on the Custis Trail.
16.2 - Turn left to head back up towards Quincy Street and then immediately left again on Quincy to head back to the starting point of our ride.
16.6 - The loop is complete.