FYI: No bikes allowed on Metro, 7-10 am, Sat. Aug. 24

[PotomacCyclist]

http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=1953

“On Saturday, August 24, a major event will be held on the National Mall to mark the 50th anniversary of the Historic March on Washington. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees, which could result in crowded Metrorail trains and stations during the first few hours of the service day.

For the safety and comfort of all Metro passengers, standard-frame bicycles will not be permitted on Metrorail between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

Bicyclists may consider Metrobus service as an alternative. Every bus is equipped with a front rack with space for two bikes.

Collapsible bicycles are permitted at any time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this restriction may cause, and thank you for your understanding.”

Topic

[Brent]

Why doesn’t WMATA (and others…my apartment complex is really bad about letting us know about “scheduled maintenance”) post notices that might affect people’s plans earlier? This notice is dated today. Do they not make these decisions until late?

[dasgeh]

On a brighter note, my family will be biking to the March and on to Yards Park Saturday morning. We’re not very flexible, but we love company. If anyone wants to join, let me know.

[dasgeh]

BTW, can anyone comment on our proposed route for Saturday? I know the route up to Maine Ave, then I’m not so familiar. We’ll be on the ebakfiets + another bike (probably dutchy).
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3169670

And we were thinking of coming back this way: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3169824

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dasgeh 61882 wrote:

BTW, can anyone comment on our proposed route for Saturday? I know the route up to Maine Ave, then I’m not so familiar. We’ll be on the ebakfiets + another bike (probably dutchy).
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3169670

And we were thinking of coming back this way: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3169824

I would probably just take the Custis down to the MVT to the 14th St. bridge…but that’s assuming you aren’t crossing Memorial Bridge deliberately. I go out of my way to avoid crossing the GWMP.

EDIT: NVM, just noticed you’re crossing the bridge from the cemetery. I’d probably still take the Custis, just to make it easier…

[dasgeh]

@TwoWheelsDC 61883 wrote:

I would probably just take the Custis down to the MVT to the 14th St. bridge…but that’s assuming you aren’t crossing Memorial Bridge deliberately. I go out of my way to avoid crossing the GWMP.

EDIT: NVM, just noticed you’re crossing the bridge from the cemetery. I’d probably still take the Custis, just to make it easier…

We want to bike by the March before going to Yards Park. Hence the round-a-bout route on the way in. I’m really just worried about after getting to Maine Ave.

[PotomacCyclist]

Note that Memorial Bridge will be closed most of the day on Saturday.

http://www.arlnow.com/2013/08/22/memorial-bridge-to-close-saturday-for-march-on-washignton/

[Rod Smith]

I think bicycles will be allowed use of the closed bridge. The route looks good to me. I would try to cross Ohio and get onto the sidewalk on the other side, rather than ride up to Maine and double back.

[consularrider]

On your return route the approach to the Case Bridge will be tough on the ebakfiets with the very tight turns. Good thing it has power assist.

[Steve]

I can’t see the route because ridewithgps doesn’t load on my work computer, but if it goes over the Case Bridge, I’d compeltely agree with consularrider. There is a tight switchback getting on that bridge that would be very hard with a bakfiets. From Yards Park, you can just take the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to Potomac, cross South Cap St and head north on the western sidewalk, take P St. until it deadends back onto the ART boardwalk which leads you to Water Street until it ends at the fish market, take the wide sidewalks along Maine, and down East Basin to 14th St. I know it sounds complicated, but this is all the ART. The sidewalks are wide and used for bikes all the time, Water Street is very wide and safe, and it avoids Case Bridge. Just my $.02

[dasgeh]

Thanks all! That’s all very helpful info. I was hoping to take Case Bridge for the first time, but good to know the ebaks would have gotten stuck (or it would have been unpleasant). I’ll have to scout it some other time.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dasgeh 61917 wrote:

Thanks all! That’s all very helpful info. I was hoping to take Case Bridge for the first time, but good to know the ebaks would have gotten stuck (or it would have been unpleasant). I’ll have to scout it some other time.

FWIW, I saw a tandem successfully navigate it without dismounting during 50 States ride last year…

[Steve]

@TwoWheelsDC 61921 wrote:

FWIW, I saw a tandem successfully navigate it without dismounting during 50 States ride last year…

That’s pretty impressive.

Google street view actually has a pretty nice image of one of the two turns: http://goo.gl/maps/u8Dy1
I’ve never been on a bakfiets, so I don’t know exactly how hard it’d be, but here’s one turn in case you’re curious dasgeh.

[papalena]

@TwoWheelsDC 61921 wrote:

FWIW, I saw a tandem successfully navigate it without dismounting during 50 States ride last year…

Just another data point: I’ve a long wheelbase recumbent that I’ve taken through those hairpins many times with no dismounts or problems (other than having to slow way down around the corners). End-to-end length of that bike (I just measured it) is 85 inches.

Having said that, I usually take the sidewalk “Anacostia Riverwalk Trail” (ART) to East Basin Drive and over to the 14th St bridge. Which brings up: What is the deal with the ART there? I just noticed an “ART begins here” sign today on Maine Ave underneath the Case bridge (going southbound) — and after that, nothing, no signs. Where exactly does the ART go to around the fish market? The sidewalk sorta disappears at the end of the fish market leaving you at an abrupt and narrow 90 degree turn into a fish market parking lot entrance. Are you supposed to be on Maine Ave at that point (going SE is ok, but NW bound would be salmoning), or cutting through the fish market parking lot (always a dangerous idea, although it seems popular) or what? I didn’t notice any ART signs around there, where it would really be helpful.

[Steve]

@papalena 61928 wrote:

Just another data point: I’ve a long wheelbase recumbent that I’ve taken through those hairpins many times with no dismounts or problems (other than having to slow way down around the corners). End-to-end length of that bike (I just measured it) is 85 inches.

Having said that, I usually take the sidewalk “Anacostia Riverwalk Trail” (ART) to East Basin Drive and over to the 14th St bridge. Which brings up: What is the deal with the ART there? I just noticed an “ART begins here” sign today on Maine Ave underneath the Case bridge (going southbound) — and after that, nothing, no signs. Where exactly does the ART go to around the fish market? The sidewalk sorta disappears at the end of the fish market leaving you at an abrupt and narrow 90 degree turn into a fish market parking lot entrance. Are you supposed to be on Maine Ave at that point (going SE is ok, but NW bound would be salmoning), or cutting through the fish market parking lot (always a dangerous idea, although it seems popular) or what? I didn’t notice any ART signs around there, where it would really be helpful.

It’s hard to tell. I *think* that Water St would actually be the part that is considered the ART, becasue there are ART signs, IIRC, along the boardwalk portion south of the Police Station leading to Ft. McNair.

[americancyclo]

@dasgeh 61917 wrote:

Thanks all! That’s all very helpful info. I was hoping to take Case Bridge for the first time, but good to know the ebaks would have gotten stuck (or it would have been unpleasant). I’ll have to scout it some other time.

IIRC there is also no curb cut from the street level circle at l’enfant to the case bridge connector, but you might be on the sidewalk the whole time. Hard to tell on my phone.

[Author]

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