January 2015 Trail Conditions

[sjclaeys]

The WOD from EFC to the Custis Trail shows that it was treated by ArlCo and looks good. The WOD from the Custis Trail to Columbia Pike is now quite nice on non-studded tires but not much accumulation yet. I passed a vehicle with a sweeper on the front on the WOD near Columbia Pike. It was not using the sweeper on the WOD, but later I followed its tracks to the Custis where it looked like it started to use its sweeper.

[dbb]

Dusting on the MVT from the Crystal City Connector to the 14th Street Bridge

Some residual ice under the dust on the trail at the north side of the upstream bridge span

No traction issues (I am on 35 mm studs)

Evidence of many other cyclists.

Roads clear in the District but watch out for salt moguls left by the trucks

Great day to ride.

[Tim Kelley]

Washington Blvd and Route 50 trails had a dusting, but no problem on hardcase 38s.

[chris_s]

4MR was nicely clear from the Weenie Beenie to Mt Vernon Ave (where I get off, I imagine it was clear all the way to the MVT)
Arterial roads were largely clear.
Residential streets were well dusted, but no problem on whatever tires came on my Breezer.

If you’re on Team 10, you should totally ride; all other teams should probably stay off your bike to be safe.

[jrenaut]

@chris_s 105419 wrote:

If you’re on Team 10, you should totally ride; all other teams should probably stay off your bike to be safe.

Got my ride in last night, just in case. But I plan to go scout the route to school in a bit so the wife knows if she can bike the kids to school.

[Harry Meatmotor]

More 1/14/15 trail reportage:

4MR from S.Glebe to MVT = brushed (already!) @ 6:30am (THANKS ARLCO!!!!)

MVT NB from 4MR to 14th St. Bridge = fine for me on 32mm slicks (only possible dicey spot is just after coming from underneath the 14th St. bridge, stay far to the right and there’s clear pavement, venture towards the center of the trail and it’s still a bit icy)

14th St. Bridge onward to DC surface streets = free and clear

[Steve O]

Spotted the ArlCo Bobcat sprinkling brine on the trail just east of Brandymore about 8:15 (moving too quick to get my phone out for a photo). It was proceeding eastbound. The whole trail should be treated before 9am. No problem with traction regardless; just not enough accumulation to matter.

[dasgeh]

Custis was clear to pavement for the Eastern half. As was the 110 Trail. The Memorial Bridge and sidewalks near the Lincoln had a dusting, but traction was AOK. I chickened out on the MVT connector and TR Bridge. Any reports from the intrepid?

[Alcova cyclist]

Trails around the national mall had a light coating of snow, but the NPS crews were out with sweepers at 8:45 or so and a few paths were already swept clear. Hopefully will be just fine by this evening.

[jrenaut]

Downtown DC seems completely clear. A TON of salt, not much else.

[Greenbelt]

Met Branch trail salted above R street and clear, below R street just a dusting easy to ride. I think they just figured (correctly) that they were wasting salt for such a light snowfall and bagged it.
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[TwoWheelsDC]

@jrenaut 105459 wrote:

Downtown DC seems completely clear. A TON of salt, not much else.

Yeah, the local DOTs went full Scipio Africanus on the roads, for sure.

[ShawnoftheDread]

A runner went down on the trollheim right in front of me. I didn’t want to brake, but I managed to roll between his foot and the railing. He got up quickly.

TR Bridge had a light dusting. Not sure about traction issues; I was on studs.

[worktheweb]

The MVT from Tulane to WWB was dusted with snow, but no traction issues or ice.

Jones Point Park Trails clear until North of the bridge then dusting with no traction issues. There is a patch of ice in the spot where water accumulates on the North end of the trail, but you can get around it easily on pavement to the left.

MVT from Pendleton to 14th Street Bridge, dusted with snow, no traction issues or ice. Just after the 14th Street bridge there was a big lump of ice in the middle of the trail that can be gotten around, but it is worth paying attention at this point.

The 14th Street bridge had a dusting, but no traction issues or ice.

The path by Jefferson Memorial is clear.

I am curious if the light dusting will sublimate by tonight, or if the brief flirtation with the freezing point will cause it to melt and re-freeze.

[dkel]

I took my fixie down the W&OD heading west from my house in Falls Church, and almost bought it just before the Shreve Rd crossing. I didn’t see one of the remaining ice ridges on the trail, and my slick 25s went haywire, front end going to one side, back end going to the other. It was an interesting experience on a fixie, too, as I could feel the back wheel lose and regain its traction. Anyway, bailed out at Virginia Ln, and took the roads instead, and was just fine. I had ridden the trail home on the same bike last night in the dark, and had no trouble avoiding icy bits, but today’s dusting of snow was just enough to obscure visibility. Unless I hear reports that the snow is back off the trail, I’ll be taking the road home.

[Author]

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