February 2015 Trail Conditions

[sjclaeys]

@scoot 109582 wrote:

One would think that the way to gain leverage would be to complain to your local politicians. Of course NPS leadership is appointed directly by the President. I’m gonna guess that plowing the MVT doesn’t rank very high on Obama’s to-do list for today.

NPS is under the Department of the Interior. One would hope that having the former head of REI as the Secretary of the Interior could make some changes on how they view cyclists, but that appears to not be the case.

[scoot]

@dbb 109605 wrote:

I would suspect that many of those that are recreating in the GWMP choose to do so twice a day in their steel boxes.

Most of them without stopping at any scenic areas or even opening a window for fresh air. Recreation indeed.

[Boomer Cycles]

The WOD at Little Falls Street in Falls Church, headed Westward. The WOD is now open mostly, between here and Virginia Lane (mile , save 3 snow covered ice fields and the Rt 7 pedestrian bridge. I rode through it all on my early 90s GT Talera hybrid bike with Avocet Cross 26 x 1.5 (gum walled) tires.

[dbb]

@OneEighth 109601 wrote:

If you’re bored, dbb, ride the MVT (but in that case probably best to hold onto the studded 35s.).
… And those spots abraided my fixie zen.

OK Mr. Eighth, I rode the MVT this morning. Could I ask that you slow down a bit on the northern bridge/glacier so the iceflow has an opportunity to bask in your fixie zen’s awesomeness and possibly decides to melt? Please do that as many times as is necessary for the desired result.

An now to the actual trail report:

The Crystal City Connector has mostly a clear line but is pretty icy.

The northern bridge remains a glacier (I wonder if that would be the case if it were the southern bridge?)

The trail from DCA past the permapotties to the bridge area is in pretty good shape. Some ice from snowmelt and runoff but it is smooth and generally brief.

Area under the bridges icy and bumpy

Saw a cyclist spreading salt from a water bottle at that spot of permafrost just upstream of the upstream 14th Street Bridge span (the spot that is perennially shaded). Good guerrilla trail maintenance.

Oh, yeah – I was on 35 mm studded tires.

[OneEighth]

Okay, so there was nothing elegant about how I crossed either of the bridges by National. Steered with my left and draped my right arm over the railing the entire way to ensure no snow angels.
It was good except where it wasn’t…

[Sunyata]

Can anyone give an update on the W&OD from Reston to Arlington? Is it an icy minefield, or is there a decent line?

[Terpfan]

In my infinite wisdom, I figured I would take the MVT this morning. South of OT from the marina to OT is mostly snow and ice, with a few bald spots. I ended up walking the whole stretch with my bike shoes on and then spending 10 minutes picking out packed ice from my cleats. From there I stuck to the roads the rest of the way and took Shawn’s advice on Memorial–worked well. Note to self on ride home if I don’t meet my wife downtown, which is to take absolutely 0 paths or so is my goal.

[Dickie]

@Sunyata 109620 wrote:

Can anyone give an update on the W&OD from Reston to Arlington? Is it an icy minefield, or is there a decent line?

From gallows to Custis it isn’t too bad. I rode 35mm studs and had no issues. A few ice fields, the usual suspects…. just before 495, the tennis courts after Shreve, and another few spots before Lee. Citizens bridge is still a mess. I could have ridden slicks the whole way if not for these few spots, but you could also walk them reasonably well now. Don’t know about Gallows to Reston…. GB rode it this morning, perhaps he’ll pipe in.

[hozn]

@Sunyata 109620 wrote:

Can anyone give an update on the W&OD from Reston to Arlington? Is it an icy minefield, or is there a decent line?

There are still some significant spots that are still snow-covered between Reston and Hunter Mill — e.g. near Old Reston, along golf course, leading up to Whiele, and I think around Sunrise Valley (or was it Sunset Hills…. stupid Reston road names). And Buckthorn hill is snowy. And that stretch approaching Hunter Mill (from west). The trail probably has a pavement track (with potential for black ice) for 75% of the distance, though.

From Hunter Mill to Vienna has a pavement track almost the entire way, a couple spots near the crossfit place as you enter Vienna (from west).

As Dickie mentioned, things are generally pretty good — much as they were earlier in the week — from Vienna eastward. I was glad I had studded tires on this morning, but if I agree that east of Vienna would have been pretty doable with slicks + some portaging. There were a number of places where the pavement was covered in a thin layer of ice, though; I’m not sure how much my studs weighed in on those sections, but that’s something worth considering. In general, the snow adds some grip, though, and I probably would still have ridden with slicks knowing that I could only slide 4 inches before my tires would catch grip on the snowy edges of the cutout.

[GB]

@Sunyata 109620 wrote:

Can anyone give an update on the W&OD from Reston to Arlington? Is it an icy minefield, or is there a decent line?

Generally agree with Honz and Dickie, 90+% clear some 100 ft rutted icy stretches, some small sheet ice patches. Glad I had my studs but doable on slicks if you don’t mind walking.

[KWL]

Tried out the MVT from 4MR to Key Bridge this morning. Much is down to pavement. The National Airport overpasses are solid lumpy ice. There is a good bit of packed ice singletrack between Gravelly Point and Memorial Bridge. I was so happy to see the west end of the TRI parking lot. Thank you Arlington County.

The Nokian W240 studded tires made it possible to ride it all, though I did chicken out and walk a couple of times. I just need to be more confident in the capabilities of the tires, stay loose and don’t stare at the nasty looking ice 3 feet in front of the bike.

Now I need to decide if I take the same route home or go 110 – Pentagon – Longbridge, buzzing all the way.

[Tania]

The reports of the W&OD east of Gallows give me hope that I can bike to the start of dcv’s coffee’s ride tomorrow (which is only a few miles) rather than driving.

Oh, and my Lake sub-zeroes came in the mail yesterday. Have you looked at next week’s forecast? You’re welcome.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@KWL 109626 wrote:

Now I need to decide if I take the same route home or go 110 – Pentagon – Longbridge, buzzing all the way.

Maybe this will help: My commute in today (Eads to Longbridge/Pentagon/LBJ) only took about 10 minutes longer than my normal 4MR – MVT – 14 St. Bridge route. I was so happy to see my speedo break past the (recently elusive) 20mph barrier even with 42mm Conti Winter Contacts aired down to 35 psi. Wheeeee! I think the 32mm slicks are going back on the commuter this weekend… totally could’ve ridden in today on slicks.

[Greenbelt]

College Park trolley trail is nicely plowed everywhere except the section between Lakeland and Paint Branch parkway. However, warmer temps and lots of foot traffic have cleared it down to a narrow stretch that’s mostly clear.
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[Arlingtonrider]

Black pavement is so pretty!

[Author]

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