December 2019 – Road and Trail Conditions

[bentbike33]

@dasgeh 194715 wrote:

This seems to work westbound, but I would STRONGLY recommend against it eastbound — the sightline at the intersection of Columbia/16th St & Sycamore/Roosevelt is VERY BAD.

Also, it’s December.

I’ve been going this route eastbound as well, and I don’t find it particularly troubling, but then I’m there well before 7am and do other crazy stuff like cross Shreve to the W&OD from Pinecastle.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Sign now says Banneker closure will start 12/9…

[huskerdont]

I suppose everyone who goes this way knows this, but the Custis S-Turn of Death is especially deathy right now. The Bradford pear leaves have fallen on top of the older leaf mush, and it’s like little pieces of plastic tarp on top of oatmeal. Even taking it easy I’ve slipped both ways this week.

[Hancockbs]

Just east of the Md/DC line, there is a opossum that is either deceased or doing it’s job exceedingly well. It is in the middle of the east bound path and could be hazardous in low light conditions.

[PeteD]

@huskerdont 194765 wrote:

I suppose everyone who goes this way knows this, but the Custis S-Turn of Death is especially deathy right now. The Bradford pear leaves have fallen on top of the older leaf mush, and it’s like little pieces of plastic tarp on top of oatmeal. Even taking it easy I’ve slipped both ways this week.

Agreed, they’ve been Extra Perilous this past week. With last night’s rain/humidity I was a little more concerned, but there had cleared out a mostly asphalt path up the Turns of Autumnal Peril.

–Pete

[AliasXIII]

I’m guessing that these roads are going to be closed to bikes as well today, but does anyone know for sure? https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2019/12/05/national-christmas-tree-lighting-is-thursday-expect-holiday-jingles-road-closures-nightmarish-traffic/

[Steve O]

@AliasXIII 194788 wrote:

I’m guessing that these roads are going to be closed to bikes as well today, but does anyone know for sure? https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2019/12/05/national-christmas-tree-lighting-is-thursday-expect-holiday-jingles-road-closures-nightmarish-traffic/

Who cares? I have a bike.

[huskerdont]

@PeteD 194779 wrote:

Agreed, they’ve been Extra Perilous this past week. With last night’s rain/humidity I was a little more concerned, but there had cleared out a mostly asphalt path up the Turns of Autumnal Peril.

–Pete

Yes, noted this morning that, in order to have just a little bit of peril, it needs to rain again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtcSYPjJbgg

[Vec5d]

@huskerdont 194765 wrote:

I suppose everyone who goes this way knows this, but the Custis S-Turn of Death is especially deathy right now. The Bradford pear leaves have fallen on top of the older leaf mush, and it’s like little pieces of plastic tarp on top of oatmeal. Even taking it easy I’ve slipped both ways this week.

I started a job in Arlington over the summer and this is my first fall commuting on the custis. I have been wondering about this, does anyone maintain the trails when leaves and snow fall on it? The wet leaves are not to be underestimated..

[huskerdont]

@Vec5d 194810 wrote:

I started a job in Arlington over the summer and this is my first fall commuting on the custis. I have been wondering about this, does anyone maintain the trails when leaves and snow fall on it? The wet leaves are not to be underestimated..

It is plowed by Arlington, yes. Any downed trees are also removed, and they do it pretty quickly. Leaves are another issue. I have never seen Arlington remove them (except when they are removed in snow plowing), but I have seen sections of the trail where the leaves have clearly been removed by somebody. But a couple of posters here would know for certain about that (perhaps dasgeh or Henry).

[ShawnoftheDread]

@huskerdont 194813 wrote:

It is plowed by Arlington, yes. Any downed trees are also removed, and they do it pretty quickly. Leaves are another issue. I have never seen Arlington remove them (except when they are removed in snow plowing), but I have seen sections of the trail where the leaves have clearly been removed by somebody. But a couple of posters here would know for certain about that (perhaps dasgeh or Henry).

I’ve passed crews clearing them periodically on the Custis in previous years. Definitely county or at least county contracted. They do seem to be piling up this year though.

[arlcxrider]

Arlington DPR is usually pretty good about responding. Just let them know–they’re not clairvoyant.

[dasgeh]

@huskerdont 194813 wrote:

It is plowed by Arlington, yes. Any downed trees are also removed, and they do it pretty quickly. Leaves are another issue. I have never seen Arlington remove them (except when they are removed in snow plowing), but I have seen sections of the trail where the leaves have clearly been removed by somebody. But a couple of posters here would know for certain about that (perhaps dasgeh or Henry).

Arlington County clears them. I’ve pinged the relevant people. (parks@arlingtonva.us or kstalica@arlingtonva.us — the trails one is dead)

FYI, repairing the W&OD under Wilson gutted the budget for this kind of stuff, which is why (I assume) the leaf collection has been less stellar this year than in the past. Usually, the leaves are cleared the day after I have the thought “this is bad”.

[TimV]

Tree down this morning on the WOD between Columbia Pike & 50.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20537[/ATTACH]

[TimV]

I received confirmation from the WOD park manager that the tree has been cut up and removed.

[Author]

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