Cheap Date #1: Biking

Up until now I pretty much just talked about food.  It was brought to my attention by a couple readers that I need to diversify my posts and that cheap dates aren't just about going out to eat. That's true and I do have posts in the works that do not involve food and here is the first.

The DC area is full of trails that span through parks and even downtown areas.  I didn't discover the wonders of biking until last summer and have been hooked since.  Biking as a date has many advantages over other physical activities.  Usually girls are a little apprehensive about throwing balls in holes or hitting them.  Running gets old pretty fast and a lot of people don't enjoy it since you don't get anywhere fast.

Biking is a great way to see your area from a different perspective, shed some extra pounds, and be able to hold a conversation with someone while doing something.  This site has a list of the major trails in the DC area: http://bikewashington.org/trails/

I can only give my experience with the DC and VA trails as those are the only trails I've biked.

W & OD

This is a great trail to bike since it runs from Purcellville to Shirlington. It leads to many other trails which can take you into the DC monuments or into Arlington and Alexandria.   I would only take this trail to get onto other trails as I don't think it offers much to do if on a date.  If you're biking for distance than this is a great trail to do but if you would like to get closer to the city then I would not suggest going west on this trail.

Four Mile Run Trail

Running through Arlington, the Four Mile Run Trail offers great picnic areas and a sense of being away from the city while still being in it.  The trail is nicely tucked away but also runs through busy areas such as Shirlington. The entire trails follows a fresh water stream which is stocked with fishable farm raised rainbow trout.  People are also allowed to bring their dogs off leash into the stream.  This is a great trail cause you can have your picnic, do a bit of fishing and dog watching, and then ride a short ride into Ballston, Clarendon, or Shirlington to end the night.

Custis Trail

The Custis is the main route from Virginia into the monuments of DC.  This is a great trail to ride as it has a fair number of hills and turns which will work up a sweat.  The trail can be used to enter Georgetown through Key Bridge or through the Lincold Memorial through Memorial Bridge.  I would suggest not turning onto Key Bridge and continue biking straight and cross into DC through Memorial Bridge.  The monuments are much more biker friendly and there are more outdoor activites.

Capital Crescent Trail

This trail runs through Georgetown and follows the C & O Canal to downtown Bethesda.  It's a great oppurtunity to see the C & O Canal of Georgetown and you can park your bikes and walk around Georgetown.  There are interesting restaurants and locally owned shops along the trail as you pass Georgetown and head towards Bethesda.

Mount Vernon Trail

This is a very scenic trail as it follows the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon.  Roosevelt Island does not allow bicycles but offers great picnic areas and contains a small bush maze which is fun to get lost in.  The sights along the river are great and Old Town Alexandria is a great resting spot to explore if you're heading to the trails end at Mount Vernon.