February 2015 Trail Conditions

[Arlingtonrider]

DBB and others – tire info is really helpful with condition reports.

[dbb]

@Arlingtonrider 109520 wrote:

DBB and others – tire info is really helpful with condition reports.

OK. I had tires but rode slowly enough that I didn’t tire.

I was on 35mm studs

[Mikey]

@dbb 109522 wrote:

OK. I had tires but rode slowly enough that I didn’t tire.

I was on 35mm studs

I followed your path from Boundary channel across to the Lincoln but I was on 35mm slicks.

I then turned down 23rd to Ohio and around to East Basin Drive on the sidewalk, all was fine.

[GB]

Well Dickie and I had different experiences riding the same trial. I was riding 40mm marathon studs and found the WOD west of Arlington pretty terrifying.

The snow got between the studs and the ice so there was no traction until the tire slipped and the down hill side of the tire pushed the snow out of the way for the uphill side to bit.

So I didn’t fall, and the ride only took 3 mins longer this morning than yesterday, but the combination of hidden ice ruts and limited traction made me very nervous for most of the ride.

I found the worst parts to be (eastbound) just after Park st in Vienna and just after Shreve Rd in Falls Church.

[Tim Kelley]

@chris_s 109487 wrote:

Arlington only clears a set of “priority trails” and that one ain’t on the list. If I had to pick a trail to add next year (that Arlington wouldn’t need permission for) that’d be it, though.

That said it’s located in VDOT right-of-way, that really makes it VDOT’s responsibility to clear it of snow…but I think we all know that ain’t happening.

Yes, this is VDOT jurisidiction and there is no agreement in place between the State and Arlington Parks and Rec to maintain it.

[Crickey7]

Boys, keep off the moors, stick to the roads.

[DismalScientist]

Isn’t much of the Custis in VDOT right-of-way as well?

[Tim Kelley]

@DismalScientist 109531 wrote:

Isn’t much of the Custis in VDOT right-of-way as well?

Yes, and DPR has an agreement in place to maintain the parts next to Lee Highway, if that’s what you’re thinking of.

[Dickie]

@GB 109525 wrote:

Well Dickie and I had different experiences riding the same trial. I was riding 40mm marathon studs and found the WOD west of Arlington pretty terrifying.

The snow got between the studs and the ice so there was no traction until the tire slipped and the down hill side of the tire pushed the snow out of the way for the uphill side to bit.

So I didn’t fall, and the ride only took 3 mins longer this morning than yesterday, but the combination of hidden ice ruts and limited traction made me very nervous for most of the ride.

I found the worst parts to be (eastbound) just after Park st in Vienna and just after Shreve Rd in Falls Church.

I skipped the WOD section east of Shreve exactly for that reason. The ice ruts yesterday were still really bad and I knew the snow would make them worse. That’s why I took to the roads between Van Buren in Falls Church and Shreve.

[sjclaeys]

Most of my ride in via the Custis, Key Bridge, M St, Penn Ave., 15th St, and Jefferson St. on 38m marathon studs was uneventful. However, after going under 66 on the Custis in what was the Underpass of Eternal Gloom and then being on the Custis next to 66, a snow plow on 66 shot a wave of slush and salt on me. Quite surprising.

[PotomacCyclist]

@Tim Kelley 109532 wrote:

Yes, and DPR has an agreement in place to maintain the parts next to Lee Highway, if that’s what you’re thinking of.

Arlington should sign an agreement with NPS for the ARL-section of the MVT.

[DismalScientist]

Parks and Recreation should sign an agreement with me to clear my driveway and sidewalks.:rolleyes:

[sam_aye_am]

On 35mm studded schwalbe winter marathons, I generally headed south on Westmorland to pick up WO&D to Custis. Mostly uneventful and actually quite pleasant. Saw the Arlington crew clearing off the custis on my way in this morning too.

Trollheim bridge was okay-ish. As long as you could find the ice free paths that were there yesterday. Continued down MVT from there a bit and was able to keep pedaling more than I was yesterday. Until I passed where you turn off to cross GW parkway to take memorial bridge. I gave it a go for a bit and ultimately turned around. Not ride-able at all on skinny tires. Turned around, and went back to take Memorial bridge to Ohio drive and resume my normal route near Jefferson Memorial. Didn’t have to dab a foot even once. Everything was fine and Ohio drive was very pleasantly quiet.

Thanks for someone previously posting on how to get from MVT to Lincoln Memorial. Had I not seen that, I probably would have pushed the bike all the way to the 14th bridge today. Now it also looks like I have little excuse not to bike in tomorrow.

[PotomacCyclist]

@DismalScientist 109544 wrote:

Parks and Recreation should sign an agreement with me to clear my driveway and sidewalks.:rolleyes:

Well, Arlington already has the agreement with VDOT for a key Arlington trail. The MVT is another key trail, for people riding from Arlington to DC. Many if not most of the winter bike commuters in Arlington are riding to DC. So if they are going to spend money and time on clearing trails like the Custis, then they should consider some sort of arrangement for the MVT. A snowy and icy MVT is going to deter most potential bike-commuters to DC from riding in the winter. The MVT isn’t just a trail for a couple people. It’s one of the primary routes to DC for people from South Arlington. :rolleyes:

[Greenbelt]

DC seems in great shape this morning. Met Branch trail was clear with a few rideable slushy spots near NYAve Metro and north of the NY Ave underpass. 1st street NE bikeway was in pretty good shape with a few slushy spots. PA Ave median bike lanes were salted and good, and the 15th street cycletrack (I’m going to keep calling it a cycletrack just because) was good from PA ave up to the White House at least.

I think temps still above freezing this morning has been a big help. Expecting a major re-freeze later though, so hopefully it will stay above freezing long enough to evaporate the puddles before they go to ice.

[Author]

Posts