December 2020 Road & Trail Conditions

[consularrider]

The Arl Co snow removal on the Custis and W&OD was underway. Fully cleared from the Custis/W&OD intersection to Roosevelt (by the EFC basketball court), but not beyond. Single side cleared from Carlin Springs or Bluemont Park (I think) to the Custis. What was weird was that the vehicle was driven on the W&OD from Columbia Pike to Carlin Springs, but did not clear any of trail.

Also, VDOT plow drivers need refresher training. They can not drive hell-bent for leather along east bound I-66 from mm 69.5 to the Patrick Henry Overpass. Two pedestrians (and their dog) and I were showered with semi-frozen slush on the W&OD between mm 4.5 and the 4MR bridge that was thrown over the short sound wall. Extremely dangerous. Good thing I could see what was coming, was wearing ski goggle, and could slow down and brace myself to get hit. 😡

[consularrider]

Noonish ride today on roads and parts of the Custis, MVT, and 4MRT. On the roads, lots of ice in bike lanes. There were a couple icy stretches on the Custis (Sprout Run Bridge and the apartments there). The MVT was clear from 14th St to the Crystal City Connector. The 4MRT was basically clear from the MVT to Columbia Pike. The middle ford at Columbia Pike was flooded six to seven inches deep and flowing fast, and the bypass stairs up to Phoenix Bikes were ice covered (the bike tray there doesn’t accommodate fat bike wheels). The stretch between the Carling Springs fords was ice covered, but the ford by the restrooms was no longer flooded (water is backed up to the edge of the ford).

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[dbb]

Late afternoon on the Custis had some smooth ice areas. Tomorrow morning expect all wet areas to be ice

Trollheim was all crunchy ice, making steering a little challenging. Had to flintstone on southern portions of the Trollheim. I was on 42 mm gravel tires.

[StraightPathRider]

@Henry 202925 wrote:

Starting Thread … because it’s December … and cold. But with little precip in the forecast, not hearing the “S-word” much, but you never know.

Henry

Good morning! I’d like to get out for a ride today, and I’m curious if anyone knows is there are any icy spots on the trail, or if it’s generally clear from the snow on Wednesday? I start my rides at Sandburg and usually head West. Thank you for your help! -Sameera

[ursus]

The lines were being painted today on the block south of the Freeway and north of G St, SW for the 4th St bike lanes.

[dbb]

Rode the MVT this afternoon. The areas between the Trollheim and the Memorial Bridge tunnel had some pretty thick ice at the normal water seepage locations. Lot of tracks in the grass alongside the trail.

[Judd]

@dbb 203305 wrote:

Rode the MVT this afternoon. The areas between the Trollheim and the Memorial Bridge tunnel had some pretty thick ice at the normal water seepage locations. Lot of tracks in the grass alongside the trail.

I’ve got three events scheduled for January to try to fix this the best we can that need volunteers. From just a cursory inspection, I think some of the puddles can be alleviated by removing some of the silt and turf that’s built up on the trail edge but some of it may require creating some channels for the water. I should have a better idea after getting the opportunity to look deeper during the January 2nd event. The water seepage is a challenge that I’m not sure I’ll be able to do anything about.

Saturday, January 2nd – Trail edging for drainage improvement and English ivy removal – Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/133808419585

Saturday, January 9th – Trail edging for drainage improvement and English ivy removal – Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/133905598249

Saturday, January 23rd – Trail edging for drainage improvement and English ivy removal – Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/133911080647

[Boomer Cycles]

** White’s Ferry is Dead **

… Thanks to Rocklands Farm (for which I think I’ll cross that winery off of my ride destinations, but that’s another story…)

From yesterday’s failed attempt to do the White’s Ferry Loop, which shall be ridden no more …

I do not recommend crossing the Rt 15 bridge over the Potomac at Point of Rocks; very bike-unfriendly and no where to go against high-speed motorized traffic w/ no shoulder on the side of the road.

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/79695133660/posts/10158156727288661/?d=n

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[Starduster]

I am confused. The Rockland Farm Winery is located in Poolesville, MD, well away from the ferry crossing and Virginia. Why is they relevant to this? Who has the back story?

As if we needed another reason why 2020 sucks…

[josh]

@Starduster 203337 wrote:

I am confused. As if we needed another reason why 2020 sucks… The Rockland Farm Winery is located in Poolesville, MD, well away from the ferry crossing and Virginia. Why is they relevant to this? Who has the back story?

Looking at the comments on the Facebook post, it’s Rockland Farm LLC, on the VA side of the ferry, not Rocklands Farm Winery in MD. Presumably it’ll be back, it’s not like the ferry is anything new. Crossing at route 15 isn’t that bad either, IMO, and you get to ride Furnace Mountain Road.

[Boomer Cycles]

Tree down blocking CCT near Georgetown trailhead. Portage required!

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[Boomer Cycles]

@josh 203338 wrote:

Looking at the comments on the Facebook post, it’s Rockland Farm LLC, on the VA side of the ferry, not Rocklands Farm Winery in MD. Presumably it’ll be back, it’s not like the ferry is anything new. Crossing at route 15 isn’t that bad either, IMO, and you get to ride Furnace Mountain Road.

I rode across the Rt 15 bridge yesterday and it was extremely hazardous. I took the Lane w/ another cyclist and still got passed, buzzed by numerous motorists, crossing a double yellow center line, into oncoming traffic, especially on the climb up 15 on the VA side. There is no shoulder for an escape route. I bailed out as soon as possible onto St Claire Ln and the gravel backroads to Rt 15 where there is a wide shoulder.

Closure of White’s Ferry will likely increase motorized traffic across the Rt 15 bridge at Point of Rocks.

Again, I cannot safely recommend crossing Rt 15 bridge on a bike [emoji605].

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[josh]

@Boomer2U 203342 wrote:

I rode across the Rt 15 bridge yesterday and it was extremely hazardous. I took the Lane w/ another cyclist and still got passed, buzzed by numerous motorists, crossing a double yellow center line, into oncoming traffic, especially on the climb up 15 on the VA side. There is no shoulder for an escape route. I bailed out as soon as possible onto St Claire Ln and the gravel backroads to Rt 15 where there is a wide shoulder. Again, I cannot safely recommend crossing Rt 15 bridge on a bike [emoji605].

Ok, what I was getting at is that crossing the bridge is tolerable, considering it’ll just be a minute or so of pain. I haven’t ridden along 15 more than just the bridge — what I was recommending was that a rider takes the first right after crossing into VA, followed by a quick left onto Furnace Mountain. That’s a nice, quiet gravel road. On the other side of the bridge, I only have experience to the C&O access point by the MARC station there.
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[loki]

@Boomer2U 203342 wrote:

I rode across the Rt 15 bridge yesterday and it was extremely hazardous. I took the Lane w/ another cyclist and still got passed, buzzed by numerous motorists, crossing a double yellow center line, into oncoming traffic, especially on the climb up 15 on the VA side. There is no shoulder for an escape route. I bailed out as soon as possible onto St Claire Ln and the gravel backroads to Rt 15 where there is a wide shoulder.

Closure of White’s Ferry will likely increase motorized traffic across the Rt 15 bridge at Point of Rocks.

Again, I cannot safely recommend crossing Rt 15 bridge on a bike [emoji605].

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Didn’t you lead a ride on I-66 at Delaplane once? Point of Rocks Bridge is cake compared to that.

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[arlcxrider]

Glad I did the White’s Ferry loop last week! I am not a lawyer, let alone one practicing property law in Va., but there’s has been a ferry at that location for 200 years. If there were ever a case for adverse possession, this would be it.

[Author]

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