February 2015 Trail Conditions

[jopamora]

@Tim Kelley 108846 wrote:

How’s the Capital Crescent Trail look these days?

MoCo section to Bethesda clear. DC section patches of thin snow/ice, but most of them are avoidable.

[Tim Kelley]

@jopamora 108882 wrote:

MoCo section to Bethesda clear. DC section patches of thin snow/ice, but most of them are avoidable.

Perfectly fine on wide slicks or exciting to ride on wide slicks?

[wheelswings]

@vern 108879 wrote:

So, am I correct in assuming that the W&OD between the Custis and Shirlington remains an ice and snow covered mess that is unrideable on slicks?

That is correct, Vern, at least the parts that I saw on the Shirlington end along 4MR Dr. The trail is a useless mess. One option is to take back streets up to Clarendon or Ballston, then jump on the Custis.

[KWL]

@Alcova cyclist 108877 wrote:

Is cross-country skiing really their claimed rationale?

Yes. Years ago I received a response to my request to consider clearing the MVT that stated it is a multi-use trail and one of those uses is skiing so they weren’t going to clear the trail.

[rcannon100]

@KWL 108886 wrote:

Yes. Years ago I received a response to my request to consider clearing the MVT that stated it is a multi-use trail and one of those uses is skiing so they weren’t going to clear the trail.

Sidewalks around Arlington Cemetery are nice and cleared.

[ShawnoftheDread]

I saw two skiers alongside the Custis on Tuesday. I yelled at them to get on the WOD where they belong.

[worktheweb]

I know that the NPS argument is that they don’t have the money, yet they clear the traffic lanes of the adjacent GW Parkway at what must be considerable cost at the first sight of snow. It is the same National Park, clearly they have the money, they just choose not to do it. Snow removal on the adjacent MVT would be a rounding error in comparison to having trucks plow, sand, and salt 4 lanes of highway for 25 miles (a full 100 lane miles). All that is being asked is to have a ATV with a plow be employed to remove the snow.

This one is $999, I don’t know how much paying to have someone sit on it for a few hours would cost, but I can’t imagine it being more than $500. Maybe another $500 for insurance costs and other administrivia … so $1k for the equipment once, and $1k per incident … a rounding error.

The real answer is that they are discriminating against a method of transportation because they don’t deem it valid. Why is it that the road needs to be cleared and not the path? Why are one type of park users given the benefit of safe transit through the park while the other type is ignored and left to personal injury? We’re all taxpayers here, it would be nice if they could serve everyone equally instead of discriminating against people who want to visit the park without a motor.

[dcv]

Does anyone know of a snow-clear route from Crystal City to DC?
I know the Boundary Channel route but is the path beside Washington Blvd clear all the way over Memorial Bridge? Or is there another route?
Asking for a friend, thanks.

[jopamora]

@dcv 108901 wrote:

Does anyone know of a snow-clear route from Crystal City to DC?
I know the Boundary Channel route but is the path beside Washington Blvd clear all the way over Memorial Bridge? Or is there another route?
Asking for a friend, thanks.

See my post here This morning it was pretty much the same.

[jopamora]

@Tim Kelley 108883 wrote:

Perfectly fine on wide slicks or exciting to ride on wide slicks?

Perfectly fine on wide slicks. There was only one or two places were there wasn’t bare pavement. And those sections were less than 5 yards in length.

[mstone]

Keep your N’s straight: NVRPA worries about clearing the trail because skiers. NPS just don’t care.

To be fair, NPS may also have a valid concern that plowing would rip chunks out of the trail where it’s lumpy.

[dasgeh]

@mstone 108905 wrote:

To be fair, NPS may also have a valid concern that plowing would rip chunks out of the trail where it’s lumpy.

ArlCo has figured out how to plow over significant and growing bumps on the Custis.

[dbb]

Just got feedback from DC 311 that it has been cleared.

“We are pleased to report that the servicing agency has reviewed your service request 15-00036086 for Snow/Ice Removal at 14TH STREET SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20004 and has taken the appropriate action. “

The problem is that the computer system says it was done yesterday at 1500.

Status shows

“Assigned To: Russell, Krystal
Created Date: Feb 18, 2015 10:28:AM
Due Date: Feb 18, 2015 10:24:PM
Completed Date: Feb 18, 2015 03:02:PM
Details: COMPLETED ON 2/18/15##”

I won’t be riding home tonight so can somebody check it?

[Mikey]

I’ll check here in a few minutes and take photos for you. That is if my fingers don’t freeze to my phone.

[Mikey]

@dbb 108910 wrote:

Just got feedback from DC 311 that it has been cleared.

“We are pleased to report that the servicing agency has reviewed your service request 15-00036086 for Snow/Ice Removal at 14TH STREET SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20004 and has taken the appropriate action. “

The problem is that the computer system says it was done yesterday at 1500.

Status shows

“Assigned To: Russell, Krystal
Created Date: Feb 18, 2015 10:28:AM
Due Date: Feb 18, 2015 10:24:PM
Completed Date: Feb 18, 2015 03:02:PM
Details: COMPLETED ON 2/18/15##”

I won’t be riding home tonight so can somebody check it?

14th street south west and 14th street bridge may not be the same thing? no?

[Author]

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