December 2020 Road & Trail Conditions

[arlcxrider]

@josh 203344 wrote:

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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The bridge itself on US 15 is not great, but not horrible either. I definitely avoid 15 south of the Lovettsville Rd. turn off immediately south of the bridge though. No shoulder. Crazy aggressive drivers.

[Starduster]

Most recent update from WTOP- https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2020/12/whites-ferry-river-crossing-in-montgomery-co-ceases-operations-after-court-decision/?fbclid=IwAR3KkGPxPdm1PYPncNT7DwTYSNKcvJV-sDdeW6RUl_XRP1HW08R7y63gD14

Rockland’s Farm Winery in Poolesville is NOT involved- the villain is Rockland LLC, who have the historic estate and the wedding site business north of Leesburg.

[Smitty2k1]

I always wanted to do that Whites Ferry loop (and, well, take the ferry). Alas. Maybe someone will install a gondola.

[AlanA]

@Boomer2U 203335 wrote:

** 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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Both WTOP and WRC had stories about this along with some of the history of the case. I always find it helpful to find out as much information about these two sided stories before rushing to judgement.

The winery has nothing to do with this. And this case goes back to 2004. It’s been a lengthy battle, and the court case was just recently resolved. It appears to me as though Whites Ferry is the one at fault here and just decided to close up without any type of negotiations. However, it does appear that Rockland is asking for a bit much.

[arlcxrider]

Link to the Nov. 23 court ruling in Rockland Farms LLC v. White’s Ferry. A lot more details of the case than what’s being repeated in the media. My guess is the ferry service will return, one way or another.

https://context-cdn.washingtonpost.com/notes/prod/default/documents/d6336364-c3c6-4ba7-913f-096ea015492a/note/57c9a35f-7a4b-41aa-a7bf-b13201af6cb9.#page=1

The ferry has operated under license with the Virginia shore property owner since the 1950s. The origins of the current dispute arose in 2004 when White’s Ferry unilaterally built a new retaining wall and enlarged the area it was using for its operations.

[Smitty2k1]

Does anyone know if the road in Greenbelt National Park is paved yet? Last spring when I biked there it was a giant hole in the ground. NPS website still says closed, but wondering if it’s “accessible”

[Boomer Cycles]

@loki 203345 wrote:

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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Rumor, hearsay & … fake news!:-0

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[Boomer Cycles]

@josh 203344 wrote:

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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Hi Josh, I misunderstood your initial post, and did not see the Furnace Mountain turn off as I was fending off traffic while crossing the Rt 15 bridge. Furnace Mtn loop looks like an epic adventure, so now adding that to my “to do” list of rides. Thanks for pointing that out to me!

Question: is the Furnance Mtn route doable on a road bike w/ 28mm tires? Or better done on a gravel bike with 32+ mm tires?

Ride on!

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[josh]

@Boomer2U 203722 wrote:

Question: is the Furnance Mtn route doable on a road bike w/ 28mm tires? Or better done on a gravel bike with 32+ mm tires?

I don’t remember the gravel being super chunky the couple of times I’ve been out there, but I’m sure you’ll have a better time with 32+ tires. On the other end, Taylorstown Road is paved, and also Loyalty Road, but of course you can easily link it up to other Loudoun County gravel (e.g. Downey Mill Road just over Catoctin Creek), or the C&O towpath. Every time I’ve been out there I’ve been on a gravel/CX bike with chunky tires (probably 35mm or 38mm).

[Boomer Cycles]

@josh 203831 wrote:

I don’t remember the gravel being super chunky the couple of times I’ve been out there, but I’m sure you’ll have a better time with 32+ tires. On the other end, Taylorstown Road is paved, and also Loyalty Road, but of course you can easily link it up to other Loudoun County gravel (e.g. Downey Mill Road just over Catoctin Creek), or the C&O towpath. Every time I’ve been out there I’ve been on a gravel/CX bike with chunky tires (probably 35mm or 38mm).

Thank you for some great intel … I sense an epic, multi-surface challenge for my gravel bike in the not-so-distant future!

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