December 2013 Trail Conditions

[dkel]

@ronwalf 71492 wrote:

Quick! Before it freezes, build yourself a bike plow!

If I had that kind of DIY skills, I would TOTALLY do that! As it is, I’m seriously thinking about a route on surface streets, though I’m not crazy about that, out here in the relatively bike-unfriendly suburbs.

[5555624]

@ronwalf 71492 wrote:

Quick! Before it freezes, build yourself a bike plow!

While nice, that doesn’t do much for him (or whomever else builds it), since it plows behind the bike. The person who builds one and uses it should get an automatic WWDD nomination.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@dbb 71465 wrote:

Went out for a short ride along FMR and MVT about 0630. Started clear and dry then changed to freezing rain at DCA

Sleeping bag guy on FMR under a bridge.

Be careful out there

Sleeping Bag Guy is Gary! I used to view him as a trail obstacle, until one day I saw a rider I know stopped and talking to him. I stopped too. The rider had brought Gary a soft sandwich and a banana. I learned he has problems chewing and that his name is Gary. Since then he’s become a person to me, and I reflect at how insensitive I had been up ’til then. Not much later I brought him some of my used climbing gear (sleeping pad & bag) and every now and then a sandwich. Somehow I feel scammed by the street intersection panhandlers in a way that I never do with Gary. I guess it’s because he’s not begging and really seems to appreciate kindness.

[Rootchopper]

The trail has beaucoup icy spots this evening. Be careful out there.

[consularrider]

I was out riding from 9 am to 1 pm today (An Arlington loop, a Hains Point loop, and down through Old Town to the Wilson Bridge and back). I finished up just a little while after the snow stopped and just before the sun came out. The trails are a mix of slush and clears sections. We’re supposed to get into the low 20s tonight, so whatever didn’t melt and run off this afternoon with refreeze so be very careful if you are riding in the morning. I expect there will also be some black ice on the streets, so watch for sliding cars too.

[DismalScientist]

The streets are in much better shape than the trails. Trails have an inch of irregularly shaped slush that will likely freeze, with the street in Arlington are just wet. The bridges on the trail have firmer slush, but the use of studs didn’t help any. It was like riding on sand.

You could ride any tire on the streets without problems. I found the trails difficult with 28s and would suggest cross tires. After freezing tonight, studs will be recommended on the trails.

[ronwalf]

@5555624 71505 wrote:

While nice, that doesn’t do much for him (or whomever else builds it), since it plows behind the bike. The person who builds one and uses it should get an automatic WWDD nomination.

It’s for plowing fresh snow, so that you don’t have to bike on lumpy ice for the following week.

[Dirt]

Trail bridges are chock full of icy, snowy, slushy goodness. Seriously treacherous. Fun if you’ve got the right tires.

Tomorrow it is going to be a bunch of icy crapola. Again, fun if you’ve got the right tires.

[consularrider]

@Dirt 71521 wrote:

Trail bridges are chock full of icy, snowy, slushy goodness. Seriously treacherous. Fun if you’ve got the right tires.

Tomorrow it is going to be a bunch of icy crapola. Again, fun if you’ve got the right tires.

I think the only right tires for that mess are your studded fat tires.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Shady spots on the Custis were dicey, with a nice crusty slush, but what I’m worried about are the spots where the melt-off currently is starting to freeze and create black ice. Just walking the dog was a little harrowing at times.

[hozn]

I am interested to see how my 30mm (A30) studded tires fare tomorrow AM. (**Edit: those are 32mm A10 tires, not sure what I was thinking**). In retrospect there is little advantage to getting small studded tires since I don’t leave them on. (I thought I would before I realized how much they suck on dry pavement.)

[guga31bb]

@DismalScientist 71515 wrote:

I found the trails difficult with 28s and would suggest cross tires. After freezing tonight, studs will be recommended on the trails.

What do you mean, suggest cross tires? Do they make a big difference in slushy rides like Monday or snow like this morning? On Monday morning I took my road bike (my only bike) with its narrow slicks on Custis and didn’t have a great time so I’ve been thinking about getting a cross bike, but I’m not sure if it would help on days like tomorrow morning if there ends up being ice. Tomorrow I’ll probably take Lee Hwy instead of Custis, which I hate doing but is probably marginally safer…

This is my first real winter commuting (last year I biked but my entire commute was essentially biking over Key Bridge) so I’d appreciate any advice from any of you veterans!

[Raymo853]

I rode a lot of the Custis and wo&d today with 28 road tires. Had no problems cutting through the slush to pavement except on the bridges. I must have picked the very best time 1-3. But can see how Wed morning will be awful.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DismalScientist]

When it ices over I think studs are appropriate. I thought cross tires with somewhat knobby tread would have worked better on the tails today, but I was farther west than you. The mountain bike with studded tires was overkill, except on bridges.

[hozn]

Yeah, knobby tires for snow if it is too much/thick for the thinner road tires to “cut through” to find traction on pavement. Studs for frozen stuff (black ice, frozen snow, etc.). Cyclocross/touring frames are nice since they have the clearance to support snow tires (or mountain bikes work too, of course).

[Author]

Posts