February 2015 Trail Conditions

[jrenaut]

Not exactly sure what’s going on with 7th NW through the Mall. Southbound the sidewalk and the right lane are completely covered in ice. The middle and left lane are slush that was not a problem on the giant Xtracycle tires, but I wouldn’t recommend on road slicks. Pedestrians were walking in the road, paying a lot more attention to footing than oncoming traffic.

[colleen]

Took a mostly on-road route to work from Alexandria to Ballston today for the first time. It wasn’t bad, but I’m looking forward to the trails thawing. I did take 4MR from Potomac Ave to Shirlington. It’s mostly clear save some ice patches, which are fine when you can see them, but be careful if you’re going that way in the dark. At Shirlington I could see a promising ray of light at the start of the WOD – about a two foot wide clear path up the hill. I didn’t venture that way – decided to stick with the original plan – but it would be great to know how long that extends. Can anyone report?

[dasgeh]

Since I didn’t see a report, I’ll confirm that the Custis is beautiful and lovely and clear of unavoidable ice floes (there are a few patches of ice, but they are easy to deal with) from Cherrydale to Rosslyn. Basically all of the Arlington streets I’ve seen have at least one-car-wide of clear pavement, much more near the Metro corridor. The 110 Trail is like the Custis. Even the NPS-cleared paths by the ANC Metro, Memorial Bridge and the Lincoln are almost entirely clear, save a crosswalk or two near the Lincoln. Beautiful morning for a ride, though I felt colder than I did last Friday…

[vvill]

I actually thought the Custis was less clear of ice floes than some other days I’ve ridden! A lot of the curb cuts had ice too. But I really don’t like anything more than a couple feet of sheet ice without studs. I felt my tires squirm a little – probably should not have been on slicks today.

My “favorite” sight today was cars parked in the bike lane because the parking lane wasn’t clear of snow/ice. That’s a step above snow/ice in the bike lane.

I’ll probably take as the roads as much as possible on the way home.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@colleen 109302 wrote:

Took a mostly on-road route to work from Alexandria to Ballston today for the first time. It wasn’t bad, but I’m looking forward to the trails thawing. I did take 4MR from Potomac Ave to Shirlington. It’s mostly clear save some ice patches, which are fine when you can see them, but be careful if you’re going that way in the dark. At Shirlington I could see a promising ray of light at the start of the WOD – about a two foot wide clear path up the hill. I didn’t venture that way – decided to stick with the original plan – but it would be great to know how long that extends. Can anyone report?

I too continue to follow the W&OD conditions. I gave up and drove to work today (had an out of office appointment in any event) but I am hoping to ride home (Ballston to Shirlington) tomorrow when things rise above freezing. I just have no idea what the trail looks like from the intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail to Columbia Pike. Any insight would be most appreciated.

[brendan]

Toying with the idea of DC->Herndon (and back in the evening) tomorrow via the Custis/W&OD with the Big Dummy and studded tires.

Time/speed is mostly flexible, but I’d like it to be < 3 hours in the morning (and I'd like to be able to make it up the 2 mile hill into Vienna in the evening without sliding back down). Possible or wait till next week? B

[GB]

@brendan 109336 wrote:

Toying with the idea of DC->Herndon (and back in the evening) tomorrow via the Custis/W&OD with the Big Dummy and studded tires.

Time/speed is mostly flexible, but I’d like it to be < 3 hours in the morning (and I'd like to be able to make it up the 2 mile hill into Vienna in the evening without sliding back down). Possible or wait till next week? B

I don’t think a fat bike with studs will notice the trail conditions. So if you’ve got the legs to push that thing that far in 3 hrs on dry pavement, you should be fine e tomorrow. Good luck, maybe pack some Advil and icy hot.

[Tom H]

Anyone attempt/look at the TR bridge sidewalk lately?

[Ellen]

@Tom H 109342 wrote:

Anyone attempt/look at the TR bridge sidewalk lately?

I rode the TR bridge this morning with studded tires. I would not attempt it with regular tires. Most of the bridge and ramp is covered with frozen ruts. It was a real challenge and I am trying to decide if I am more afraid of the cars in G’town (and taking the Key Bridge back to Custis), or of going back over the TR bridge back home. I did feel like a real hero after I crossed the bridge. . . still trying to decide.

[dkel]

@GB 109340 wrote:

I don’t think a fat bike with studs will notice the trail conditions. So if you’ve got the legs to push that thing that far in 3 hrs on dry pavement, you should be fine e tomorrow. Good luck, maybe pack some Advil and icy hot.

Big a Dummy is a longtail cargo bike, not a fat bike. In which case you should definitely pack the Advil…

[BTC_DC]

Finally registered as have a decision to make for tonight’s commute…

Riding with slicks. Would either (i) 14th st. Bridge to 4MR via MVT or (ii) Memorial Bridge to Boundary Channel to Long Bridge Dr. be possible?

If so, which might be better for minimizing walking? Thanks.

[wheelswings]

@Ellen 109343 wrote:

I rode the TR bridge this morning with studded tires. I would not attempt it with regular tires. Most of the bridge and ramp is covered with frozen ruts. It was a real challenge and I am trying to decide if I am more afraid of the cars in G’town (and taking the Key Bridge back to Custis), or of going back over the TR bridge back home.

Hi Ellen – I don’t know where you work, but if you’re not comfortable with M Street in Georgetown, I’d suggest taking N instead (just a couple blocks north)…. that’s what I do everyday when it’s snowy/icy out. I don’t care for M Street in G’town — and my boss has been hit twice riding along it. N is pretty easy — just take the lane or watch for car doors since it’s more narrow. To me it feels far safer than M. You can cut down 34th St. to get onto Key Bridge and the Custis. Good luck.

[hozn]

@brendan 109336 wrote:

Toying with the idea of DC->Herndon (and back in the evening) tomorrow via the Custis/W&OD with the Big Dummy and studded tires.

Time/speed is mostly flexible, but I’d like it to be < 3 hours in the morning (and I'd like to be able to make it up the 2 mile hill into Vienna in the evening without sliding back down). Possible or wait till next week? B

I don’t know what your normal pace is, but this sounds easily doable. The trail from Reston (maybe even Herndon?) all the way to Vienna will be 95+% pavement, so it won’t slow you down at all. Then Vienna to Falls Church is the slow part, but it’s not that slow, just chopped up; ride fast and it will end sooner. From EFC all the way into DC (AFAIK) you’ll be on beautiful plowed W&OD+Custis trail, so that’s a non-issue..

[dbb]

@BTC_DC 109346 wrote:

Finally registered as have a decision to make for tonight’s commute…

Riding with slicks. Would either (i) 14th st. Bridge to 4MR via MVT or (ii) Memorial Bridge to Boundary Channel to Long Bridge Dr. be possible?

If so, which might be better for minimizing walking? Thanks.

I rode 14th Street Bridge (via LBJ Grove from Boundary Channel) this morning. You should plan on walking from the VA side of the 14th Street Bridge to Boundary Channel if you try that.

I plan on the Memorial Bridge option this evening.

MVT will not be an option till the first thaw!

[Tom H]

@Ellen 109343 wrote:

I rode the TR bridge this morning with studded tires. I would not attempt it with regular tires. Most of the bridge and ramp is covered with frozen ruts. It was a real challenge and I am trying to decide if I am more afraid of the cars in G’town (and taking the Key Bridge back to Custis), or of going back over the TR bridge back home. I did feel like a real hero after I crossed the bridge. . . still trying to decide.

I’ve been taking Memorial (nice) and dealing with the MVT’s 8″ open track with occasional smooth ice and ruts for a slow ride between there and the immaculate TR lot. That’s on std 700×28 tires.

[Author]

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