Trails closing?

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  • September 30, 2013 at 11:58 pm #914248
    ebubar
    Participant

    Did anyone else get a WABA email about trails being closed with the looming government shutdown? I’ve been riding the Capital Crescent basically every day for the past month and a half to get to work. Will I find it closed tomorrow? This is pretty darn inconvenient if it happens.

    Also, is the Custis part of this shutdown? If I have to take my city route, that takes me along the Custis trail and I don’t want to find that closed too. Really hoping I don’t need to take metro. Blech…

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  • October 1, 2013 at 12:03 am #982499
    Rod Smith
    Participant

    Well, there’s always ducking under the “Police Line – Do Not Cross” ribbon…

    October 1, 2013 at 12:51 am #982507
    mstone
    Participant

    Custis is state/county, not federal.

    October 1, 2013 at 1:02 am #982512
    Hancockbs
    Participant

    This is ridiculous. I’m sure it will cost more to close it than to leave it open. What is the cost to “operate” the CCT on a daily basis? It’s not like they have gate guards or something. This is clearly an opportunity to inflict pain in the process as opposed to being somewhat rational.

    October 1, 2013 at 1:09 am #982515
    ebubar
    Participant

    @Hancockbs 65481 wrote:

    This is ridiculous. I’m sure it will cost more to close it than to leave it open. What is the cost to “operate” the CCT on a daily basis? It’s not like they have gate guards or something. This is clearly an opportunity to inflict pain in the process as opposed to being somewhat rational.

    I concur. I’ve never seen anyone patrolling the trails and I’m on them daily for at least 2 hours commuting.

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    October 1, 2013 at 1:13 am #982516
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    The “closing” of things like trails is probably due partly to liability concerns and to make it clear that if you use the trail, don’t expect it to be maintained or patrolled, or for NPS to help you out of you have a problem.

    October 1, 2013 at 1:18 am #982517
    KLizotte
    Participant

    If they close the trails then wouldn’t they have to close all the fed highways too? We must insist on consistency!

    October 1, 2013 at 1:24 am #982518
    rcannon100
    Participant

    Relax. There is a lot of anxiety out there.

    Last time, in 1995, if it had a gate, the gate was closed. If it did not have a gate, then there was nothing to close.

    So TR Island was closed. The Mall I think was technically closed…. but you could walk on it. There would just be no services. And you could not go into any of the memorials.

    I recall that Skyline Drive was closed, as in the gate was closed. I do not recall what was done if they found you in the park. But then again it could be considered trespassing on federal land.

    My concern is that you get the feeling that people in power are digging trenches. This could be a long one. I dont think there is any way the Administration is going to blink. So its a matter of how long until the tea party backs down.

    Oh and remember, traffic levels will be down to blizzard days. AFter tomorrow morning, there wont be much (I plan on getting as many house chores done as I can)

    October 1, 2013 at 1:30 am #982519
    KLizotte
    Participant

    If the shutdown lasts for days I expect the trails will be crowded like they are on weekends but the roads in downtown DC will be nice and quiet. Would be a good time to explore the city by bike.

    October 1, 2013 at 1:35 am #982520
    DismalScientist
    Participant

    Actually, the question is whether the Republican leadership caves to the Tea Party or the Democrats.

    The Democrats view that a shutdown will redound to their political favor. Things like trail closings and cancelling the White House Tours and Easter Egg roll may be overreach. Only time will determine the victors.

    October 1, 2013 at 1:54 am #982521
    jhr
    Participant

    If the Park Police are all on furlough, traffic is low, and the trails are closed, we might have no choice but to illegally ride on a certain scenic highway.

    October 1, 2013 at 2:32 am #982527
    ShawnoftheDread
    Participant

    I think WABA jumped the gun on that email and had no actual evidence, just speculation.

    October 1, 2013 at 2:44 am #982528
    Bilsko
    Participant

    Shutdown is happening. We should go for a bike ride.http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/live-updates-the-shutdown-showdown/#a1ea625a-a789-4dd0-9e28-743b45323777

    October 1, 2013 at 4:41 am #982531
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    No bathrooms on the National Mall! Panic!

    October 1, 2013 at 10:21 am #982533
    Jason B
    Participant

    @jhr 65490 wrote:

    If the Park Police are all on furlough, traffic is low, and the trails are closed, we might have no choice but to illegally ride on a certain scenic highway.

    Highway? Under those conditions I’m eyeing a certain presidential parkway. I’m still smarting from the time I was pulled over the day they closed it to bikes.
    But in all seriousness, this is terrible news, and I feel really sorry for all government workers and their families. I hope for all of you this doesn’t last and you can get back to your life as quickly as possible.

    October 1, 2013 at 10:54 am #982535
    americancyclo
    Participant

    I love that this forum is the first place I find out about the shutdown and opm and my agency still say we are open.

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