right turn from Gallows Rd bike lanes, to W&OD – a bit of a scare

I have a suggestion about parking off Iliff Street instead of the post office. The entire problem of the right turn would be avoided. https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&q=google+maps+dunn+loring+virginia&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89b64b0e1579aedf:0x8906a741bd22def,Dunn+Loring,+VA&gl=us&ei=BMcyUNfPMM-l2AW-k4GwDw&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA

Your idea of riding down the asphalt path adjacent to Gallows is reasonable.

I’ve ridden down this portion of the Gallows Road on my way to Cottage Street and the hill is fairly steep and it’s easy to pick up more speed than you want coming down it.

Good luck and best wishes for a safe ride.

ann

@lordofthemark 28830 wrote:

I was thinking of putting this under missed connections, but I would like some more insight into the facility issues.

Yesterday I wanted a nice long ride (for me) on the W&OD and was tired of having to go up the streets of Annandale to get anywhere, so I stuffed the bike into the car and drove – parked at the Post Office on Gallows and Electric. Rode down to the trail on the bike lane.

The right turn is pretty sharp, and even though I wasn’t going all that fast, part of the bike probably ended up at the outside part of the bike lane. As I was turning I heard a loud honk from behind, and a van passed REALLY CLOSE. I was afraid I had let part of the bike go outside the bike lane. But there was a crowd of bikers waiting to cross Gallows, and (after inquiring if I was alright, which I was, scare apart) one of them said “I don’t know why he did THAT” or words to that effect – so I guess I didn’t do something wrong.

I’m now inclined to use the sidewalk on that approach, rather than the bike lane, in future. I also purchased a mirror (my destination was Reston Town Center, and I took advantage of the downpour to go into the bike shop there and stock up on accessories) which I hope might help me.

So did you have a specific question?

I’d just chalk the experience up to having to deal with a motorist that doesn’t want to be a PAL. Sometimes people are just jerks.

This brings up another topic… I think a lot of us are guilty of this…. When we approach a situation or an opportunity to pass, it is very easy to think about speeding up to zip around someone… be it in a car, on a bike or walking/running. We don’t always consider that doing the opposite… slowing down and letting the danger pass might be the better option. I know that every questionable pass that I’ve done in the past has happened because I misjudged approaching speeds, thought I had more room than I did or just wasn’t patient enough. I’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t really caused a problem… though I know I’ve annoyed some people by doing so.

My goal is to relax a bit more and wait for a good opportunity to pass, instead of pushing the issue and possibly causing an accident… or at least bad feelings between trail/road users. Part of being a PAL is being patient and passing when it is safe. Doing so also gives you the opportunity to work on developing better leg power because of a lot more accelerations after you’ve slowed to pass safely.

It helps me to keep in mind that no-where I’m going is so important that arriving 30-90 seconds later is going to make a difference. If it were that important, I should have left 5 minutes earlier.

Rock on, Folks.

We all do bone-head moves now and then…. I do at least. One would think that I wouldn’t make silly mistakes, since I spend a significant portion of my life on 2 wheels, but I definitely do. It is easy to get complacent… or let your mind wander. Bonehead moves are great opportunities to learn and become a better cyclist.

I’d also add that is why I tend to not get mad at people when they make mistakes when walking, driving or riding. If it is someone that repeatedly does stupid stuff, I try to talk some sense into them, but if it appears to be a one-off, I don’t get my chamois in a wad.

I love and respect all mankind.

The bike lanes along Gallows between the W&OD and Rt 7 are pretty recent. They’re a big improvement over riding the bumpy sidepath that still runs alongside the road, but they’re not a free ride. I’ve been nearly run into when a car makes an incursion into the lanes at 1) where Old Courthouse Rd. comes in at the light, 2) where the road makes a right-hand turn, and cars cut across the corner, 3) cars using the bike lane as a right-hand turn lane when heading to the 7-11.

Another big problem is that the lanes just stop about two blocks from Rt 7 (because the road is too narrow I guess) so you have to merge right into traffic. I generally cut across through the parking lot behind the office building through there, which makes a nice slalom course.

They need to run a street sweeper down both sides of the road once in awhile though…

My biggest challenge when heading south, is to get across four lanes of traffic plus the center turn lane to get off onto Oak Street. I either have to wait for traffic to clear behind me, or just to signal and take my place in the line of cars. When I live it works out OK 😮

P.s. I also suggest parking at Sandburg (but only if you don’t take up one of the spots I was planning to use )

@lordofthemark 29171 wrote:

Ah yes, I was actually on one in Rosslyn for about a block, getting back to MVT from my rest stop on another ride.

Any favorites?

Take a look at the bike map: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/

The black lines in most place signify bike lanes (they could also be sharrows, but only in a few places). Check out Williamsburg Blvd and Military Rd for the longest sections of bike lanes, although the terrain can be hilly.

Quincy Street and Sycamore St are shorter and flatter, and then there are also some in Crystal City as well.

Both Wilson and Clarendon/Fairfax have lanes, but they are generally busier streets, but worth riding outside of the busier times.

And remember, stay out of the door zone!