2014 March Trail Conditions

Has anyone been out on the mtb trails? I feel like some off-roading is in order for me this weekend

@hozn 79691 wrote:

I am sure they are wet.

But looks like it might freeze again next week!

Update: I confirmed with my buddy out in Reston; Lake Fairfax trails are wet. But people have been riding them … and destroying them. I am sure it is preaching to the choir here, but please don’t ride wet trails!

Aw bollards. Not that I’m surprised. Thanks.

Also not great for those of us doing the Clarendon Mardi Gras parade, which was already postponed once and is currently supposed to be combined with St. Patrick’s. If this keeps up, they can just save time by combining it with the Fourth of July as well!

@rpiretti 79719 wrote:

Update from the capitol weather gang : http://t.co/9TAgsOm8m4 this snow comes at a bad time for the folks doing the #errandonnee challenge!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks like everything is closed today, except maybe the bars and restaurants. Fed. gov’t, all area school systems closed. Clarendon Mardi Gras/St. Patrick’s Day parade canceled.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=857995667549393&id=119033308112303&stream_ref=10

ARLnow reported last month that the bars and restaurants stayed open during one of the February snowstorms:

http://www.arlnow.com/2014/02/13/arlington-shuts-down-for-snow-bars-remain-open/

The article also notes that in Virginia, alcohol-centric establishments are required to sell food too, so they are all technically restaurants. Or bar/restaurants. Or restaurant/bars. Or something like that.

They plowed part of the WOD between Lee and Custis – probably all of it , but that was boring so I turned around and went the other way. Still a lot of powder west of EFC, but you can tell that once the temp drops it is going to be a sh!tshow for the duration of Freezing Saddles and beyond.

I know you’ll think I’m nuts, and I’m certainly ready for Spring, but I’m going to miss snow rides like this!

Most streets are plowed and salted in VA and DC and so are most but not all sidewalks. Biggest problem is cars spraying brown slush ten feet on either side! Best sidewalk clearing is in DC around Federal buildings, parks, and monuments. Key and Memorial bridge sidewalks are generally crappy, so it’s a real toss up whether or not to ride in the street. Hains Point was (surprise!) cleared with bare road on the DC side, but the Virginia side was pristine snow (2-4 inches) with a few foot prints and tracks from one fat bike and two cross bikes. I mostly stayed off trails, but Route 110 trail between Arlington Cemetery and Iwo Jima was rutted and only passable on studded tires; Custis was similarly bad Ballston Connector to George Mason Dr. (I didn’t see beyond that).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]4987[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]4988[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]4989[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]4990[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]4991[/ATTACH]