The "temporary" path construction for the "long-term detour" at Four Mile Run

If anyone is interested, there is a meeting on this project tonight.

Four Mile Run Restoration Project – Joint Task Force Meeting TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 23rd. 7 PM. The Conservancy at Four Mile Run Park, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA. Curious what is going on with the Four Mile Run Restoration Project? There is a lot happening with the project lately! Find out the current status of the project, plans for construction, an update on the bridge removal over Four Mile Run, and learn more about the public art project on the Water Pollution Control Plant Fence. The Joint Task Force meeting will be following by the Arlandria Action Plan Advisory Group Meeting, if you would like to learn more about projects in Arlandria. http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?NID=214

@APKhaos 83286 wrote:

It’s faster and safer to dismount, throw the bike on your shoulder, and take the stairs. I’ve done it a few times going up from the trail to the detour and gained positions on riders struggling to ride the switch backs. There may be a Velominati rule against such crude treatment of the noble steed, but that would not be the first of my many sins in this category.

Well, that’s just treating it like cyclocross. It’s a lot easier with 15 lb bike vs my 40 lb trusty commuter with additional load weight.

I’ve “ridden” down the zig-zag one and walked up it once. I’ll pass on it and now always detour through Crystal City going north or ride down Commonweath or Potomac Ave going south instead thank you very much.

@Subby 83300 wrote:

Agreed with cr. The Eads St. detour (thanks again Dana!) is just a million times better. Plus it doesn’t force you on to any sidewalks.

The only real issue I have had with Eads is coming home (west) and turning left on to Eads Street after coming up the hill from the connector. You don’t get a left turn signal onto Eads, but there is a lot of opposite traffic coming towards you or trying to turn right through the pedestrians crossing.

I only take the Eads St route for my morning commute in large part because of the left turn off 18th St. Instead I take Crystal Dr/Potomac Ave down to Glebe and make my left at Rte 1 with an arrow and get on the 4MRT via the driveway curb cut for the car dealer about 50 feet south of the intersection. I’m still waiting for the final phase of the two-way project on Crystal Dr between 26th and 27th, the detour over to S Clark is a pain some days.

Maybe it’s the mountain biker in me however I always ride up those switchbacks. So far, I haven’t had any conflicts. From what I understand though, the switchbacks are a temporary measure for use the bridge is torn down and a better facility will be installed as part of the restoration project.

@dkel 83359 wrote:

I don’t commute on the 4MRT, but when I do ride there, I ride the switchbacks regardless of which way I’m going. It’s a fun challenge. Like I said, though, I ain’t doin’ it every day. The bike ramp on the stairs is a nice touch, and I didn’t even know it was there. I’ll try that next time, if I can resist riding the switchbacks!

I feel the same way for the switchbacks. I love the challenge of making it through each turn without having to put a foot on the ground, both downhill and uphill.

Doing the switchbacks also helped me notice that tight right turns are easy and feel natural to me yet tight left turns are awkward and I tend to wobble when doing them. It’s probably because I’m used to making tight right turns off of roads to get into driveways/cross streets yet I almost never have situations where I need to make a tight left turn. No Crazy Ivan’s on the trails for me

@Subby 83300 wrote:

Agreed with cr. The Eads St. detour (thanks again Dana!) is just a million times better. Plus it doesn’t force you on to any sidewalks.

The only real issue I have had with Eads is coming home (west) and turning left on to Eads Street after coming up the hill from the connector. You don’t get a left turn signal onto Eads, but there is a lot of opposite traffic coming towards you or trying to turn right through the pedestrians crossing.

Instead of Eads, I recommend heading west to the next street and hanging a left on to S Fern Street so you are paralleling Eads. Continue south (crossing 23rd Street, a.k.a. Restaurant Row) then take a left on to 26th Street. This will connect you with S. Eads Street at the Holiday Inn. Taking S Fern will allow you to skip the scary left turn on to S Eads and take you through quiet residential streets. You won’t lose any time either because you avoid the lights on S Eads and are still heading in the right direction.