February 2015 Trail Conditions

[PotomacCyclist]

The weather isn’t that bad today. A slight chance of ice pellets, but nothing right now.

Rain all day on Monday. 40s most of the day. However, temperatures will drop off in the evening, below freezing. The rain is supposed to end by then, but the earlier rainfall could freeze over on Mon. night and Tue. morning.

The rest of the week looks clear with a high in the mid to upper 40s on Wed. and minimal chance of additional precipitation.

Topic

[hozn]

@Phatboing 109240 wrote:

Part of me wants to be able to wake early enough to do this. The other part likes the warm blanky.

Assuming that I’m not sick in the AM (have been feeling progressively worse over past few days), I’ll be at the Ice Rink (Lake Fairfax) at 6:45. PM me if you want to meet up so we can coordinate / exchange better contact info.

[Phatboing]

@hozn 109242 wrote:

Assuming that I’m not sick in the AM (have been feeling progressively worse over past few days), I’ll be at the Ice Rink (Lake Fairfax) at 6:45. PM me if you want to meet up so we can coordinate / exchange better contact info.

6.45 am is an illegal hour in my universe. Have fun, though, by all means.

[Terpfan]

@mstone 109235 wrote:

How ’bout an 8 degree hard freeze instead?

Mm, the 8 part doesn’t bother me (did the commute into the winds the whole way on Friday the 13th), but the hard freeze does not sound fun.

I’m liking the Boundary Channel to Washington Blvd to Memorial idea.

Although it’s looking like my furnace guy is now pushed off until tomorrow, joy joy, so I may not be biking until Wednesday, when the Sun Gods may return to help melt away all this slushy crap.

[jopamora]

@hozn 109218 wrote:

Yeah, I am glad they are looking out for us. That reminds me that I need to start skating during lunch here in the town center.

Anyone wanna play pickup on the C&O on Friday morning? Chain Bridge?

[PotomacCyclist]

Some parts of the Eads St. bike lanes are plowed, but some of the existing problems remain: snow piled up into the bike lane at some driveway crossings, slush/ice in the section in front of the Marriott north of 18th St.

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[Crickey7]

All I know is, if the embassies on Mass Ave. have not shovelled their sidewalks, there’s going to be an international incident tonight.

[worktheweb]

@Terpfan 109245 wrote:

I’m liking the Boundary Channel to Washington Blvd to Memorial idea.

I did this today, from pretty much where you’re starting, and it went well. I started out at the path from Rt 1 that connects to Washington Street by Hunting Towers — it is plowed and quite clear. From there I hung a left on the sidewalk (also cleared) and went left on Church Street then Right on Columbus. I took that all the way to the end, making a left on Powhattan then a left on Slaters and a right on the path on the Monroe Ave bridge (cleared). From there I stayed on the path going alongside Potomac Avenue, which is plowed all the way to E. Glebe. From there onto the road taking Potomac Ave to Crystal Drive (making a right) and taking that until it ends at 12th St South. Take that then the right at Long Bridge Drive until that ends at Boundary Channel. Take that under 395 (a bit past that there is a plowed sidewalk for most of the way) until the sidewalk on the access ramp to 27 (S Washington Blvd) — get on that sidewalk, if you go under a bridge, you went too far. From there you take the trail and after the first bridge, it gets icy, it might be best to walk, even with my studs I dismounted this morning, but it is only about 1/4 mile. You have a few at grade crossings to get to Memorial Bridge (which is cleared). From there you’re in DC. With the exception of that 1/4 mile section in ice, it is all plowed, and all on road. Not as pleasant as the MVT in normal conditions, but much nicer today.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Any word on the W&OD between Ballston and Shirlington. I need to make a commuting decision.

Also I apologize if I am posting this multiple times. I am learning how to use the forum.

[wheelswings]

Hi – As of late yesterday, the WOD between Ballston and Shirlington was still in bad shape, at least for slicks. Instead I took Quincy>Henderson>Abingdon>Left on 3rd>Wakefield>4MR side road (just north of WOD and 4MR DR)>Right on Walter Reed Dr>Left on 4MR Trail (nicely plowed!) along Arlington Mill Drive. It was an easy commute and felt relatively safe, as of late afternoon yesterday… though I realize things are changing by the minute with the re-freeze.

[Powerful Pete]

Any comments on the state of Ohio Drive by the Jefferson Memorial? On Thursday the wind had created very exciting snow/ice drifts on the sidewalks and paths. Any information/update would be greatly appreciated!

[rcannon100]

@Powerful Pete 109253 wrote:

Any comments on the state of Ohio Drive by the Jefferson Memorial? On Thursday the wind had created very exciting snow/ice drifts on the sidewalks and paths. Any information/update would be greatly appreciated!

From seven floors up, looks like the sun has baked it well. Yes, you can go for your pointless bike ride on the Island of HP Zwift.

[dagamon]

@S. Arlington Observer 109251 wrote:

Any word on the W&OD between Ballston and Shirlington. I need to make a commuting decision.

Also I apologize if I am posting this multiple times. I am learning how to use the forum.

As of this morning, everything east of the Custis wasn’t touched.

[Steve O]

I just rode in the Custis. It’s great. However, there has been a good deal of melting in a number of spots and there is water on the trail. It may freeze when the sun goes down, so be careful. And a lot of it will freeze by tomorrow morning. The Spout Run skating rink will be open for business; bring your skates.

IF YOU TURN RIGHT OFF THE OUTBOUND CUSTIS ONTO THE W&OD, READ THIS
There is a lot of water on the W&OD just after the intersection. I don’t know when it is going to freeze, but if you take this corner at the usual speed, and it’s turned to ice, you will suffer a serious crash. I recommend extreme caution to assess the condition of the trail before you zoom around the corner.

[Powerful Pete]

@rcannon100 109255 wrote:

From seven floors up, looks like the sun has baked it well. Yes, you can go for your pointless bike ride on the Island of HP Zwift.

Thank you kind sir. And I had not even considered a Zwift Point ride, but now that you mention it…

No really…

[Tom H]

A thin sanding would work wonders on that Custis Spout Run bridge, for peds and bikes alike. Bad, bad drainage design (or total lack thereof…)

[Author]

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