UPDATED
I am attending a concert tonight at the Wolf Trap Center in Virginia, and sent the following to the contact email on their website
Hi,
I am attending a concert tonight at the Filene Center center, Do you haveany bike racks or safe place to lock a bike during a performance. I looked on the website and didn’t see any mention
thanks
I got the following prompt response, which unfortunately is not good news
Thanks for writing. Unfortunately without direct access to and from bike trails or light volume traffic routes into the park it would not generally be considered safe or easy for bicycle riders. No dedicated bike racks are available in the park, although if you choose to arrive by bicycle you could certainly lock it to a fence or other permanent fixture. You may need to consult with Park Police or a Ranger on site to be sure you are not in a restricted area. The good news is Metro service via shuttle bus is available for all Filene Center performances (except the International Children’s Festival).
Filene Center Performances
The Wolf Trap Metro Shuttle Bus Express provides service to all Filene
Center shows (except the International Children’s Festival).1. Take Metrorail’s Orange line, any of the convenient Metrobus Routes (3B, 28A and 28B), or drive to the West Falls Church Metrorail Station.
2. Hop on the Wolf Trap Metro Shuttle Bus Express, which leaves the West Falls Church Metrorail Station every 20 minutes starting two hours before each performance. The last Shuttle leaves the station at
showtime. Round trip fare is just $3.00 per person (exact change required). The Shuttle Bus is wheelchair accessible.3. Returning, the Shuttle departs Wolf Trap 20 minutes after the performance ends (no later than 11:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday). The last train for Downtown and New Carrollton leaves the West Falls
Church Station at 11:32 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and at 1:32 a.m. Friday and Saturday.For more information on Metro’s hours of operation, the Wolf Trap Shuttle Bus, or Metro’s One-Day Pass, please call (202) 637-7000 (TDD: (202) 638-3780). Or, visit Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
We hope this helps,
best wishes.
On looking at google maps I could bike from Wolf Trap to the W&OD Trail. Taking Trap Rd south then turn right onto Clarks Crossing and follow it to the trail. Am I crazy for even thinking about this?
The Alternative is I leave my bike at West Falls Church and then take the shuttle back after the concert then take the 980 home.
UPDATE: July 29th 2008
I got the following response from Wolf
Good afternoon,
Your message was shared with Foundation staff and Wolf Trap National Park Service representatives and sub-sequentially it has been brought to our attention that a bike rack has been made available this entire summer season for events at The Filene Center. The location is just to the right (south) of the Main Gate before entering the venue.
We sincerely apologize for the oversight regarding this matter. Wolf Trap is committed to delivering our programs with the best possible service. We realize that one bad experience is enough to keep you from
returning. We appreciate your patronage and will continue to do all we can to create the best possible Wolf Trap experience for our patrons. Thank you again and we hope you will be back for a more enjoyable evening under the stars at Wolf Trap!Best regards.
So it looks like they do have a bike rack, so as promised I have changed the title of this post.
Coincidentally I rode to Wolf Trap today during the day and had no problems. During a concert there is certainly lots of traffic but it moves so slowly that cycling should be OK. From the W&OD Trail I take Clarks Crossing Rd to left on Beulah Rd. From Beulah to Trap Rd the road is narrow and there’s lots of traffic but it’s a short stretch.
Trap Rd from Beulah to where it turns left toward Wolf Trap is wide and bike-friendly. From the stop sign where you turn left on Trap Rd the road is narrow and you would have to take the lane but that is a short stretch as well to the Filene Center. There is a paved trail in front of the Barns, but it ends at the Toll Rd.
There are plans for a ped/bike bridge over the Toll Rd that could connect to the Barns trail. The reason I was there was to look at options for connecting gthe bridge to the trail. Even with the trail and the bridge I assume most cyclists will ride on the road anyway. Many cyclists currently ride through that area from Route 7 to the W&OD Trail. I think the route is on the ADC bike map and the Fx Co bike map.
I would think Wolf Trap employees would want the option of being able to securely park their bikes. I once rode to a meeting at the buildling next to the Barns and there was not parking there either.
I ended up biking from DC to West Falls Church, then put the bike on the wolf trap shuttle ($1.50).
The email from Wolf Trap was correct, there are no bike racks at the concert venue which is something they really need to correct. In fact almost all the street furniture and fences are wood, which isn’t the best for locking up a bike. I ended up finding a lamp post in one of the parking areas that felt comfortable locking my bike to.
After the concert I turned left onto Trap Road, threaded my way through the slow moving traffic, most of it was turning left to join the toll road, I continued on from Trap Rd to Beulah Rd, then right on Clarks Crossing to the W&OD, then onto Herndon.
I was wearing a fluorescent yellow top, red rear flasher and good strong bike light. I probably had about 5 cars pass me on Trap Road, who were all polite and gave me plenty of room.
Conclusion, Yes you can do it, and I enjoyed doing it but I wouldn’t recommend doing at night unless you are comfortable biking at night on a narrow road.
The road is listed on the new Fairfax County map as a less desirable bike route.