Road Conditions 2011-01-27

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  • January 27, 2011 at 2:31 pm #909723
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    I was the only cyclist I saw out this morning on my commute from Ballston to Rosslyn, although I did see bike tire tracks at one point. The major roads were clear, but most side streets were iced over and hadn’t received much attention. Bike lanes were clear in most sections, with the occasional slushy areas.

    I rode through one length of road that hadn’t been driven on or touch by plows and it was impassable. The snow was so wet and thick that I couldn’t make any forward progress. I assume that how most of the trails will be until they get packed down by pedestrians.

    Anyone check out the trails?

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  • January 27, 2011 at 2:37 pm #924744
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    Saw this over twitter:


    @Brcire     writes, “@BikeArlington Custis @ Quincy/Stafford 4″ of crusty, iced footprints. 30 minutes of the hardest ride to go 300 yards! Stoopidly fun.”

    January 27, 2011 at 3:04 pm #924745
    phatpat
    Participant

    @Tim Kelley 2165 wrote:

    I rode through one length of road that hadn’t been driven on or touch by plows and it was impassable. The snow was so wet and thick that I couldn’t make any forward progress.

    Describes the NE Branch Anacostia trail well. 3″ of thick, dense snow. Maybe you could get through it on a mountain bike. I gave up after 50m and took roads (DC to College Park), which are fine, if a little wet.

    January 27, 2011 at 3:33 pm #924746
    PrintError
    Participant

    W&OD is not passable in Herndon, so I took all surface roads. Piece of cake with the studded tires.

    I stopped counting abandoned cars at 70. Saw at least half a dozen trees down, a few power lines, and a couple of stuck plows.

    *pedal pedal*

    January 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm #924751
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    Did anyone else hear that they are/were considering plowing the W&OD this winter? What ever happened to that effort? It kind of burns me that 55 miles of Reston paths were plowed out by this morning but the W&OD is a snowbank and will be that way until it melts. Frustrating!

    January 27, 2011 at 4:52 pm #924752
    consularrider
    Participant

    I just saw a small plow on the W&OD at Ohio St in Arlington (about mile 4.25). I’m going to get the icebike out after lunch and see how much was plowed. This area has seen some plowing both this winter and in previous winters (like from Bon Air to Banneker Parks).

    January 27, 2011 at 7:38 pm #924756
    Mark Blacknell
    Participant

    Best way to get from Rosslyn to Ballston remains Wilson Blvd/Fairfax Dr. (which are both entirely clear, and I don’t think will even pose an ice problem, tonight). As of 2:30p, don’t bother with the Custis between the two.

    January 27, 2011 at 7:51 pm #924757
    Dirt
    Participant

    Be careful on the roads out there. I was out early this morning, made it 5 miles into my commute and turned back. The trails were not passable and the way drivers were behaving on the roads could best be described as using “Wild Wild West” rules. If a driver felt like the road was better on the left side of the road, s/he would do so regardless of who was there. I found myself facing cars head-on while riding on roads that were almost completely clear on at least 4 occasions. When you consider I only encountered 10 or 11 cars that were not snow-plows, it doesn’t bode well for cyclists out there.

    The plows around Falls Church did an awesome job.

    January 27, 2011 at 8:21 pm #924760
    CCrew
    Participant

    @consularrider 2175 wrote:

    I just saw a small plow on the W&OD at Ohio St in Arlington (about mile 4.25). I’m going to get the icebike out after lunch and see how much was plowed. This area has seen some plowing both this winter and in previous winters (like from Bon Air to Banneker Parks).

    I don’t think that that’s NVRPA that maintains that part, I’m seriously wondering if it’s someone else. That stretch is always in too good a shape – I’ve even seen salt down on it unless it’s getting flung over the wall from 66.

    We got nearly a foot out here,I did the telecommute thing – good decision since I’ve been getting calls since 2am or so.

    January 27, 2011 at 8:29 pm #924761
    chrisduckworth
    Participant

    That stretch is owned by Dominion Power, from what I understand. Currently, they are doing some light utility work in that area, so keeping it clear of snow makes sense to keep access to their tower, lines, and equipment.

    January 27, 2011 at 11:50 pm #924765
    chrisduckworth
    Participant

    Just to confirm:
    Today I went for a run along the W&OD. The W&OD trail is wet but mostly cleared from Sycamore to the caboose just south of Wilson Blvd. I didn’t venture further east, but it looked a bit slushy yet passable.

    January 28, 2011 at 2:55 am #924766
    PrintError
    Participant

    Snow pack on the W&OD out here in Herndon is full. There’s a set of what look to be Jeep tracks, probably from the Dominion Power crews doing an inspection run.

    Roads are all clear though, and a HUGE THANK YOU to VDOT for plowing the shouders on Route 7! I actually had some room to ride without too much fear of taking a minivan up the back.

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