2014 February Trail Conditions

@Steve O 76609 wrote:

There are two separate threads for Feb 2014 trail conditions. Should consolidate.

Replying here, as this is the older thread…

My trip on the W&OD from Falls Church to Vienna between 10:00 and 11:00 this morning was variable. There are plenty of segments that were damp, but not slick; there are many extended areas, particularly west of Gallows, that were slick. This part just past Gallows had obviously seen a bike other than mine:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]4675[/ATTACH]
I had no trouble staying upright on the bike at the slow speed I was going (7 mph average over 7+ mi), but when I stopped to take that picture, my feet almost went out from under me. Same thing happened when I stopped for this pic, just past Idylwood Park:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]4676[/ATTACH]
Unless we get some warming all afternoon, I’m going to be concerned about riding back after 9:00 tonight. If anyone has an update on that part of the trail later today, I’d appreciate hearing it. Also, if anyone can explain why it was easier to stay on my bike than on my feet in all this, I’d like to know that, too!

@dkel 76621 wrote:

Replying here, as this is the older thread…

My trip on the W&OD from Falls Church to Vienna between 10:00 and 11:00 this morning was variable. There are plenty of segments that were damp, but not slick; there are many extended areas, particularly west of Gallows, that were slick. This part just past Gallows had obviously seen a bike other than mine:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]4675[/ATTACH]
I had no trouble staying upright on the bike at the slow speed I was going (7 mph average over 7+ mi), but when I stopped to take that picture, my feet almost went out from under me. Same thing happened when I stopped for this pic, just past Idylwood Park:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]4676[/ATTACH]
Unless we get some warming all afternoon, I’m going to be concerned about riding back after 9:00 tonight. If anyone has an update on that part of the trail later today, I’d appreciate hearing it. Also, if anyone can explain why it was easier to stay on my bike than on my feet in all this, I’d like to know that, too!

Just did Gallows to Falls Church. All’s well, judging by the uninterrupted chatter of my studly tires on the pavement.

@dkel 76621 wrote:

Also, if anyone can explain why it was easier to stay on my bike than on my feet in all this, I’d like to know that, too!

If you’re wearing road shoes that’s normal regardless of conditions.

@Subby 76672 wrote:

I wonder if this 4-5 hours of 30 mph wind will do its job and dry the pavement at all. Let’s hope…Hains is calling!

I just rode home from my late class and the roads were almost entirely dry.

W&OD from Shreve to DC:

Banneker Park at EFC Metro had three icy patches, one big one by the basketball courts

Smaller icy patch at the junction of the Custis & W&OD

Small patch at the bottom of the S Curve of Death/Custis Corkscrew

Other than that, a nice fast ride with the wind!

@americancyclo 76686 wrote:

W&OD from Shreve to DC:

Banneker Park at EFC Metro had three icy patches, one big one by the basketball courts

Smaller icy patch at the junction of the Custis & W&OD

Small patch at the bottom of the S Curve of Death/Custis Corkscrew

Other than that, a nice fast ride with the wind!

Thanks for the update. Heading out in a few minutes!

@americancyclo 76686 wrote:

Other than that, a nice fast ride with the wind!

One man’s with the wind is another man’s 20 mph headwind. 😡 Still a nice ride though.

MVT free of ice except for one or two easily avoided, very small patches between CC Connector and 14th St.

Loved the tailwind. Despite being on my CX bike with 32s and big ol’ backpack I got a couple of PRs on the front side of Hains. The whole time I was thinking, so *this* is what EPO feels like.