March 2015 Trail Condition Reports

[hozn]

@dcv 109931 wrote:

Had the same experience, the icy ruts were terrifying. Even with studs I almost ate it again at the same spot in Falls Church, luckily I had been riding unclipped and just barely caught myself by putting my foot down. I did the tripod slide for several yards (1 foot / two wheels).

Ha, that’s funny; I did exactly the same thing at the exact same place. That was terrifying.

[Phatboing]

@dcv 109931 wrote:

Had the same experience, the icy ruts were terrifying. Even with studs I almost ate it again at the same spot in Falls Church, luckily I had been riding unclipped and just barely caught myself by putting my foot down. I did the tripod slide for several yards (1 foot / two wheels).

Was it the spot just before Little Falls? I just barely made it across that intact yesterday, and when I finally came off the ice, I had to do a winner’s salute to the thumbs-up from two runners who were waiting for me to eat it.

[PotomacCyclist]

Snow, sleet and ice in the forecast for today, between noon and 10 pm.

[dcv]

@Phatboing 109936 wrote:

Was it the spot just before Little Falls? I just barely made it across that intact yesterday, and when I finally came off the ice, I had to do a winner’s salute to the thumbs-up from two runners who were waiting for me to eat it.

Yep, that’s the spot. I fell there 1 month ago and almost did a three-peat this morning.

[Crickey7]

@PotomacCyclist 109940 wrote:

Snow, sleet and ice in the forecast for today, between noon and 10 pm.

Lalalalalalalalala. I can’t hear you!

[S. Arlington Observer]

Whether this is useful information or not will depend on how much the possible ice this evening really materializes and how much falls/sticks. But, for what it is worth, this was my experience Monday evening on the W&OD from Bluemont Junction to Shirlington.

The trail was mostly ice free except for both sides of the Carlin Springs underpass and the west side of the Route 50 underpass. In both cases I simply walked about 20 – 25 feet. The ice had melted and refroze enough to be a solid slick mound.

There was also only a narrow track of clear pavement just east of the Carlin Springs underpass. But one could navigate it with caution. For the most part the trestles had only minor amounts of snow on them. Once about half way between Route 50 and Columbia Pike (riding east) there were no significant problems at all. From there the W&OD, and the Four Mile Run trail from Walter Reed to Shirlington, were completely clear.

One caution was that there were LOTS of wet areas from snow melt and from ponding of snow melt. If the temperatures drop below freezing I could see that as being a major issue. But if temperatures are above freezing at a given point in the next few days (and rain allows travel) the ride should be safe (aside from short walking points at the underpasses.)

[dasgeh]

Not that anyone will be surprised, but the main roads (not parking lots) on Fort Myer and in Arlington National Cemetery are perfectly ice and snow free.

@colleen 109911 wrote:

I came here for a trail report before bed and I find two pages of dildos!

Seriously. The things some people do while the rest of us are in a meeting… Or were some of you posting from the meeting?

@Tom H 109928 wrote:

Custis was quite bad from Spout Run bridge until well over the hump on the way to Rosslyn. Bad ice on the turn onto the ped/bike bridge over GW parkway. TR Bridge is fine.

Custis = bad, TR Bridge = fine. We seemed to have entered the Twightlight Zone

[vvill]

I did a rear brake skid along that icy patch near the basketball court just west of the castle hill (for fun)… I had to do something to make my commute more fun! Seriously though, I was glad to have the full studded MTB today, even if only needed it in parts. Saw at least one rider doing some serious Flintstoning on the Custis (Lee-to-Lee section – not really passable without studded tires).

[Steve O]

@Tom H 109928 wrote:

Custis was quite bad from Spout Run bridge until well over the hump on the way to Rosslyn.

I think sometimes it’s better to be on the bike than on foot. I rode the whole Custis in, including the Spout Run/B to N/moguls section. 28 slicks. Another road cyclist was gingerly walking his bike at the moguls. I dinged him with my bell, and he could barely keep himself up sliding around while I rode right on by. That said, recommended only for the dauntless.

[BTC_DC]

Some good news at least is that, regardless of the type of precipitation we get, temperatures will be steadily rising and not below freezing again until after the Thursday morning commute. At least for DC / Alexandria.

[sethpo]

The CCT was pretty darn clear this morning with only a few spots of smooth sheet ice from refrozen melt in the spots that don’t drain away from the trail. None of these were on turns so they weren’t bad at all. No packed ice to speak off!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7985[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]7986[/ATTACH]

If we get even a little snow today before that melts, however, it will be very tricky in the afternoon. Just a dusting would be enough to hide the ice. Hopefully, it will warm quickly enough to melt that thin layer.

The worst of it on my commute (and what’s put me on the metro more times than I’d like) is the sorry state of the shoulders on the county roads like Bradley Ave. Normally, it’s no problem to ride next to that fast traffic but when you are intermittently forced into the lane it gets dicey fast.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7987[/ATTACH]

And here’s a nice dog carrying a giant tree branch. Good dog.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7988[/ATTACH]

[wheelswings]

@Steve O 109953 wrote:

I rode the whole Custis in, including the Spout Run/B to N/moguls section. 28 slicks. Another road cyclist was gingerly walking his bike at the moguls. I dinged him with my bell, and he could barely keep himself up sliding around while I rode right on by. That said, recommended only for the dauntless.

Show off. Some of the ice was well-beaten and ride-able, but it sounds like the bike-walker scooted aside to the truly slippery part when you dinged him, to let you keep your line.
I appreciate anyone who gets out there, dauntless or daunted.

[Powerful Pete]

@Steve O 109953 wrote:

I think sometimes it’s better to be on the bike than on foot. I rode the whole Custis in, including the Spout Run/B to N/moguls section. 28 slicks. Another road cyclist was gingerly walking his bike at the moguls. I dinged him with my bell, and he could barely keep himself up sliding around while I rode right on by. That said, recommended only for the dauntless.

I think that was me. 😮

[vern]

@BTC_DC 109954 wrote:

Some good news at least is that, regardless of the type of precipitation we get, temperatures will be steadily rising and not below freezing again until after the Thursday morning commute. At least for DC / Alexandria.

No, it will be snowing during the Thursday morning commute. I am hoping to be at home drinking coffee, enjoying a day off.

[gibby]

Rolled the ole dice and went for the MVT from 4MR to 14th ST BR around 830a and was pleasantly surprised (and upright) on 23 slicks that there were just a couple ice floes left that required walking. Bring on the next storm!

[Author]

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