Biking Conditions after snow Friday 1/25/2013

[Justin Antos]

Thought I’d start a new thread to combine trail and other road condition reports after Friday’s snow, for Saturday 1/26. I’ll start:

As of late Friday night, 15th Street Cycletrack was not very treated, and snow had built up a little making it slow going, but everything was passable from the White House to U Street. Bike lanes on 14th NW, 11th NW, 7th NW, E St. NW etc. tended to be covered in slushy snow, but the car lane was fine.

Bike lanes around Union Station and Mass Ave. NE good going.

Reports on W&OD, Custis, etc?

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[DismalScientist]

Last night, the MVT, 4MRT and WOD to Westover was snow-covered. At night, it was impossible to know the base under the snow. On the previous morning, there were patches of ice and hard-packed snow formed. Traction was no problem for a mountain bike with studded tires. Others with more dainty configurations were riding more slowly.

The solution for all of this is that Team 9 members must ride fewer miles.:rolleyes:

[5555624]

From what I could see, I’m guessing most streets in Arlington are fine. Columbia Pike, Glebe Road, and Wilson Blvd were all fine where I was riding earlier this morning, as were the various side streets. The bike lanes on eastbound Fairfax Drive had some slush in spots.

(I had initially headed out to hit the MVT, but mechanical problems had me walking home after a third of a mile and swapping out the wheels, so I went back out without the studded tires.)

[Justin Antos]

Beach Dr. smooth sailing.
Georgetown Branch trail pretty icy and slushy.
15th St Cycletrack all clear.
Met Branch plowed, salted(!) and clear.

In other news, anyone know where to get a decent hot cocoa in Montgomery County?!

[jopamora]

According the Don Rockwell forum, Dolcezza in Bethesda has what you want.

[Greenbelt]

There’s a little snow left, but it’s going fast! (Note we happened upon a couple freezing saddles superstars…)
[video=vimeo;58262373]https://vimeo.com/58262373[/video]

[eminva]

I rode on the W&OD between Maple and Gallows. The conditions were variable. In some spots it was clear, in others there was light slush (which will potentially freeze in place when the temps drop tonight) and in shaded and sheltered spots, there was still a blanket of snow. Those of you who have been using the W&OD for two or three years know that some of those spots could be problematic for weeks to come. However, if we get warm rain next week, we can all hope it washes everything away.

In sum: not ready for road tires yet. Stick to studded tires or at least a cross or mountain bike.

Liz

[KLizotte]

@eminva 41774 wrote:

I rode on the W&OD between Maple and Gallows. The conditions were variable. In some spots it was clear, in others there was light slush (which will potentially freeze in place when the temps drop tonight) and in shaded and sheltered spots, there was still a blanket of snow. Those of you who have been using the W&OD for two or three years know that some of those spots could be problematic for weeks to come. However, if we get warm rain next week, we can all hope it washes everything away.

In sum: not ready for road tires yet. Stick to studded tires or at least a cross or mountain bike.

Liz

Thanks for this; was thinking about hitting the WO&D tomorrow but will take a pass. All I’ve got are skinny tires.

[KLizotte]

Anybody know the status of the MVT between Crystal City and DC via George Mason Bridge? Anyone try the Crystal City connector tunnel? Thanks.

[Dirt]

@KLizotte 41776 wrote:

Anybody know the status of the MVT between Crystal City and DC via George Mason Bridge? Anyone try the Crystal City connector tunnel? Thanks.

As of late Friday afternoon it was a dusting of snow over icy/snow-packed patches. My guess is that there are still going to be some icy/snow packed patches in the shade, but many areas will be clear. Shade is the friend of ice…. though it did get above freezing today, so some will have melted a bit.

That’s pure conjecture on my part. I doubt the trail and connectors will be completely clear.

[JimK]

I just got off the W&OD in Vienna. What was wet this afternoon is now black ice. Treacherous in spots.

[DismalScientist]

Trails around Arlington were mostly just wet with small areas of slush. I was fine riding on 28s. Hopefully there won’t be too much ice when it hardens tonight.

[Dirt]

Sean and I did a little spin from Falls Church to Herndon on the W&OD. There are sections that are clear, sections that are VERY icy and sections that are hard-packed snow.

Basically anything that gets sunshine today should melt off pretty well. Things in the shade will still be hardpacked snow and ice tomorrow. We were out early before anything started melting and it would have been quite bad if we didn’t have studded tires. Sean stopped to adjust his bike at one point and the trail was so icy that I could see me reflection in the ice… and it was very difficult to walk on. People were walking/running on the sides of the trail instead of on the trail. Studded tires worked perfectly and handled it nicely.

Sean riding on glare ice early this morning.

Pete

[ShawnoftheDread]

Sounds like I might leave the studs on for tomorrow’s commute, given how much shade there is on the Custis.

[jrenaut]

@ShawnoftheDread 41799 wrote:

Sounds like I might leave the studs on for tomorrow’s commute, given how much shade there is on the Custis.

Not to mention talk of freezing rain tomorrow morning. My CaBi key is broken and the new one hasn’t arrived yet, while my bike is at the shop getting work done, but it looks like I picked a good day to be bike-less.

[DismalScientist]

@ShawnoftheDread 41799 wrote:

Sounds like I might leave the studs on for tomorrow’s commute, given how much shade there is on the Custis.

The long way calls you.

[Author]

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