Biking in to work (WRAMC/NNMC)

[ArmyGrad]

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What are the rules for biking in to work in the mornings? Do you have to be in uniform? Can you keep a uniform in your office/locker and change when you get there?

I'm particularly in WRAMC and NNMC, since I'll be working at both.

Thanks guys.

 

[rotatores]

What are the rules for biking in to work in the mornings? Do you have to be in uniform? Can you keep a uniform in your office/locker and change when you get there?

I'm particularly in WRAMC and NNMC, since I'll be working at both.

Thanks guys.

You do not have to be in uniform and you most definitely can change at work. Not sure I would recommend biking into either location, however....esp not down Georgia Avenue.

 

[ArmyGrad]

Yeah, I was thinking of cutting through rock creek park/beach road, but I guess that can be kind of crowded too?

 

[OBDude]

Yeah, I was thinking of cutting through rock creek park/beach road, but I guess that can be kind of crowded too?

I rode my bike from norther Silver Spring (Georgia and Connecticut) down Rock Creek to Bethesda and it was fine. Riding to WRAMC is a whole different ball game. Colleague of mine got hit on Georgia Ave, ended up with a week or two in WRAMC and a back brace for most of the following year.

I wouldn't ride anywhere off of Rock Creek Pkwy during rush hour.

~Just Sayin.

 

[GeoLeoX]

Yeah, I was thinking of cutting through rock creek park/beach road, but I guess that can be kind of crowded too?

There's no reason to be on Georgia Ave with a bike when you can ride one block over (west, not east - if you don't know what I mean you'll see when you get there). Nor would I recommend riding on Rock Creek Parkway. Lots of people do it, but it's pretty unsafe too.

My route from my place in Wheaton was Brunswick south from Plyers Mills through McKenney Hills Park to Churchill to Gardiner south all the way to Kimball. Across Kimball (west) to Glen, up the hill to the gas station at Forest Glen. Right on Forest Glen to sharp left at light onto Seminary. Seminary east to right on Warren. Juke across Linden on Warren all the way to Brookville. Right on Brookville up and over railroad tracks bridge, past Forest Glen annex until you get to Lyttonsville. Left (only choice) on Lyttonsville, cross bridge over Capital Crescent Trail (a nice way to get to NNMC, but that's a different story) to stop sign (you don't have to stop) - turn right. Up the hill and over EW Highway. Street name changes to Grubb. Past Parkway Deli down hill to W. Beach. Right on W. Beach until you get to the second stop sign. Turn left onto the bridge over the creek (Kalmia). Stay on Kalmia (left) at fork in road near Lowell School. Up the hill at Kalmia over 16th. Turn right on 14th. Up the hill all the way and straight into the Alaska Way gate. Awesome daily bike ride. I miss it.

If you want NNMC directions, give me a general idea of where you are coming from and I can give you the best bike routes.

Good luck!

Also, I forgot - there are bike racks on the veranda outside Bldg 2 (Heaton Pavilion/Main Hospital). I think that at NNMC there are bike racks in the parking garages.

 

[ArmyGrad]

Not sure where I'll be living! Need to find a place/roommate. I'm coming in as a Derm attending, so I think I will be at NNMC 99% of the time, I found out today. I'm hoping to live somewhere in Chevy Chase. I like the area and an kind of a Trader Joes addict anyhow, so north CC ideally.

 

[TheGoose]

make sure you've got a helmet on at all times on post

 

[ArmyGrad]

Can you wear your id in an arm band with clear display? Or do you have to take it out each time for them to inspect it.

Beyond the fitness aspects, I'm guessing biking in also helps by not forcing you to wait in the lines at the guard huts and avoid wasting time looking for a parking spot? At my hospital now, these things aren't an issue, but I remember some pretty ridiculous mornings just trying to get parked as a med stud at wramc.

 

[GeoLeoX]

Can you wear your id in an arm band with clear display? Or do you have to take it out each time for them to inspect it.

Beyond the fitness aspects, I'm guessing biking in also helps by not forcing you to wait in the lines at the guard huts and avoid wasting time looking for a parking spot? At my hospital now, these things aren't an issue, but I remember some pretty ridiculous mornings just trying to get parked as a med stud at wramc.

Getting to NNMC is a little more tricky on a bike because you have to ride on at least one 4 lane road to get there - either Rockville Pike or Connecticut to Jones Bridge. I recommend going along Beach (there's a side trail, but please leave that to the runners/walkers) to turn right on Connecticut and then right again past the highway on to Jones Bridge. Go in the Jones Bridge side exit, thus completely avoiding Rockville Pike. There's also very regular free shuttle service between NNMC and WRAMC.

Also, don't forget the NCC Transit Subsidy. I was more inclined to take public transportation to NNMC and bike to WRAMC based on where I lived. The Red line Medical Center stop is just across the street and several MoCo buses travel along Rockville Pike.

And be aware N. Chevy Chase is a euphemism for S. Rockville.

 

[Mirror Form]

Definitely avoid Georgia Ave., 16th Street, AND ESPECIALLY ROCK CREEK if you plan on biking. All are death traps for bikers, filled with very angry DC drivers that would love nothing more than run your spandex butt off the road. I can't tell you how many times I got stuck behind some obnoxious biker on rock creek park in the morning, and made sure when I had a chance to pass, to make it as close and as fast as possible to the scumbag.

There are tons and tons of small backroads through out DC. You can get most places on a bike and avoid the major roads. The problem might be safety. I wouldn't bike in the dark in DC.

 

[GeoLeoX]

Definitely avoid Georgia Ave., 16th Street, AND ESPECIALLY ROCK CREEK if you plan on biking. All are death traps for bikers, filled with very angry DC drivers that would love nothing more than run your spandex butt off the road. I can't tell you how many times I got stuck behind some obnoxious biker on rock creek park in the morning, and made sure when I had a chance to pass, to make it as close and as fast as possible to the scumbag.

There are tons and tons of small backroads through out DC. You can get most places on a bike and avoid the major roads. The problem might be safety. I wouldn't bike in the dark in DC.

100% agree (except for the part about trying to kill bicyclists 😉) The only time to ride your bike on Rock Creek Pkway is on the weekend when certain parts are closed to cars and only open to bikes and pedestrians.

 

[ArmyGrad]

Follow-up questions-

How strict are they on the "duty day" hours for uniform wear? Like, if I don't come in until 8, would I need to show up (on my bike) in uniform?

Going to the gym during the day...always in PT uniform? Can I wear high white socks with it PLEASE?? (kidding)

 

[GeoLeoX]

How strict are they on the "duty day" hours for uniform wear? Like, if I don't come in until 8, would I need to show up (on my bike) in uniform?

no. Put your uniform on at work.

Going to the gym during the day...always in PT uniform? Can I wear high white socks with it PLEASE?? (kidding)

no. However, if you do decide to wear the PT uniform you have to wear it the right way - white socks (they don't have to be high, usually just over the ankle at least). Some places/NCOs are more strict about interpretation of the reg, be ready for that. Also, be aware that the reflective belt is an unofficial part of the PT uniform at most facilities. In addition most facilities will have a regulation stipulating that if you are running on post you have to wear a reflective belt irrespective of whether you are wearing the PT uniform or not.

 

[ArmyGrad]

Newb follow-up totally unrelated question-

What can you wear over the ACU on base? The black fleece jacket, the light green fleece, or something else entirely?

Does it need name tapes and rank?

Thanks.

 

[GeoLeoX]

Newb follow-up totally unrelated question-

What can you wear over the ACU on base? The black fleece jacket, the light green fleece, or something else entirely?

Does it need name tapes and rank?

Thanks.

Don't get the black fleece, it will be phased out. The green fleece is the way to go. It needs Name and US Army tapes as well as rank over name (right side). Other common alternatives are the Gore-tex parka and I think there is also a field coat, too.

 

[Mirror Form]

Newb follow-up totally unrelated question-

What can you wear over the ACU on base? The black fleece jacket, the light green fleece, or something else entirely?

Does it need name tapes and rank?

Thanks.

Keep in mind that WRAMC is not like the rest of the military. Many of the docs show up in civilians cloths and change at work. So you really won't need the fleece or parka while you're there.