Fairfax County Police: Getting things done! Thank you!!! (New Blog Entry)

[JimF22003]

Narc.

But the good kind

[mstone]

That guy tried to park where vdot puts the snow!

[Dirt]

It seems like a very small thing… to call and have them talk someone into moving their car. But it says a lot for Fairfax that they are responsive. I bike through a lot of jurisdictions in the area and report things in each at least once or twice per year. Fairfax is the only one that I’m aware of that has ever really followed up on things.

[GuyContinental]

I can’t believe this, but I know that guy/car- used to work with him. He lives down the madcam highway access road just east of the bridge (I bet that you didn’t know that there was a house down there). His road gets obliterated by the plows and the grade is too steep to exit in ice anyway. I’ll explain the issue… he’s a good guy, should understand.

[Tim Kelley]

He’s got a swimming pool?

[GuyContinental]

He’s got an enclave… several acres right up against I-66, 1880’s farmhouse that ended up stranded when I-66 was built. Also has a private exit/entrance from/to 66 EB since it’s technically his driveway:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.890399,-77.211246,3a,75y,95.25h,76.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s_0ozyZRY309JYp4hmF9TNg!2e0
http://www.google.com/maps/@38.890638,-77.209959,3a,75y,215.09h,73.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s1iRkupPTaSwtuKya-4PReA!2e0

Weird real estate quirk.

On the flip side (and definitely not excusing the parking) he and I have had some animated conversations about cyclist behavior along Virginia/WOD. If I wanted to document bad behavior, the intersection at the bottom of VA Ln would be a good place to do so.

[jnva]

@GuyContinental 79856 wrote:

If I wanted to document bad behavior, the intersection at the bottom of VA Ln would be a good place to do so.

You mean like this?

http://youtu.be/jEne4jhjfrE

[americancyclo]

@GuyContinental 79856 wrote:

He’s got an enclave… several acres right up against I-66, 1880’s farmhouse that ended up stranded when I-66 was built. Also has a private exit/entrance from/to 66 EB since it’s technically his driveway:
On the flip side (and definitely not excusing the parking) he and I have had some animated conversations about cyclist behavior along Virginia/WOD. If I wanted to document bad behavior, the intersection at the bottom of VA Ln would be a good place to do so.

I always thought that was just a maintenance access road! (and had debated trying to use the exit myself once or twice.)

Speaking of the bottom of Virginia Lane, I assume that since I am going downhill and there is no stop sign, I can make a left on to the trail without stopping. True, right?

[jnva]

@americancyclo 79858 wrote:

I always thought that was just a maintenance access road! (and had debated trying to use the exit myself once or twice.)

Speaking of the bottom of Virginia Lane, I assume that since I am going downhill and there is no stop sign, I can make a left on to the trail without stopping. True, right?

Great question! The only reason I would stop is if there’s a car turning onto va lane.

[Phatboing]

@GuyContinental 79856 wrote:

He’s got an enclave… several acres right up against I-66, 1880’s farmhouse that ended up stranded when I-66 was built. Also has a private exit/entrance from/to 66 EB since it’s technically his driveway:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.890399,-77.211246,3a,75y,95.25h,76.81t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s_0ozyZRY309JYp4hmF9TNg!2e0
http://www.google.com/maps/@38.890638,-77.209959,3a,75y,215.09h,73.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s1iRkupPTaSwtuKya-4PReA!2e0

Weird real estate quirk.

On the flip side (and definitely not excusing the parking) he and I have had some animated conversations about cyclist behavior along Virginia/WOD. If I wanted to document bad behavior, the intersection at the bottom of VA Ln would be a good place to do so.

What a fascinating and bizarre arrangement. I’ve noticed his car parked at that W&OD intersection and thought many uncharitable thoughts, but now I’m a bit more sympathetic.

[Tim Kelley]

@jnva 79857 wrote:

You mean like this?

http://youtu.be/jEne4jhjfrE

The video cuts off right as you’re about to catch the car! I was about to make popcorn…

[jnva]

I caught up with him later down the road, and he said I was taking up the entire lane, in a very annoyed tone, then sped off. The weird part is that I was speeding, and he still felt he had to cross the double yellow line into oncoming traffic to pass.

[GuyContinental]

@jnva 79857 wrote:

You mean like this?

http://youtu.be/jEne4jhjfrE

Perhaps skipping the rolling of the stop sign at the end…

OK, that’s bad news (and we’ve all had similar happen along there) but cyclists routinely blow the trail signs, double or triple up on the road climbing (legal but not terribly courteous given that there is a good trail). On the downhill, riders weave in and out of traffic at the stop and then sprint left (or just ride down the oncoming lane). Folks who live on the block all have stories of being buzzed on the trail while trying to get their newspaper and the subject of this post has a 3yo that he won’t take on the trail at all for fear of riders.

IHMO, “trail up” and “road down” matches probable speeds and objective and pedestrian hazards.

[Geoff]

@americancyclo 79858 wrote:

Speaking of the bottom of Virginia Lane, I assume that since I am going downhill and there is no stop sign, I can make a left on to the trail without stopping. True, right?

I never stop there myself, but always make a point of watching my speed and other traffic (cars, bikes, peds) very carefully. Coming down that hill you can gather a lot of momentum, and might not be able to stop if something unexpected happens.

[jnva]

@GuyContinental 79865 wrote:

Perhaps skipping the rolling of the stop sign at the end…

I was trying to catch him!

[Author]

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