March 2015 Trail Condition Reports

[DismalScientist]

I went home that way on Monday and it was fine except for the need to Flintstone (if you have slicks) for short distances near the Arlington Blvd, Carlyn Springs and Wilson Blvd underpasses. I would not be surprised if almost all the ice there was gone this afternoon.

[jrenaut]

I’m finding this thread extremely depressing because all the “this stretch is clear” posts go out the window in 10-12 hours, and will stay that way until at least Saturday.

[dkel]

@jrenaut 110153 wrote:

I’m finding this thread extremely depressing because all the “this stretch is clear” posts go out the window in 10-12 hours, and will stay that way until at least Saturday.

The real question isn’t what the ride home tonight will be like, but when is everyone getting their sleaze ride in tomorrow? I’ve been debating going out at 12:01 am while it’s still only raining, but I know I won’t be able to stay up that late, because middle-age (seriously, I tried it last year and couldn’t do it). I’m hoping for only a couple of inches by 8:00 tomorrow morning, and have planned out my 2.3 mi route that stays entirely in my neighborhood and isn’t going up and down the same street over and over again.

[jrenaut]

I expect to be at the nearest CaBi station at 12:01AM. That will leave me poorly prepared to meet my trainer at 6:10AM, but priorities.

[dkel]

@jrenaut 110160 wrote:

That will leave me poorly prepared to meet my trainer at 6:10AM, but priorities.

Trainer? I thought we did all this bike-riding to avoid things like gyms and trainers.

[vvill]

@dkel 110158 wrote:

The real question isn’t what the ride home tonight will be like, but when is everyone getting their sleaze ride in tomorrow? I’ve been debating going out at 12:01 am while it’s still only raining, but I know I won’t be able to stay up that late, because middle-age (seriously, I tried it last year and couldn’t do it).

I did this once a couple of years ago, set an alarm for 11:35pm or something, did a short ride before midnight, and started a new ride just after midnight to cover two days. That was one of the hardest rides all winter. Not that I’m always asleep by then, but if I am – I’m out.

I have a short <3mi loop now that includes 3 Strava segments (that I made), which keeps things a little more interesting.

[dcv]

@vvill 110162 wrote:

I did this once a couple of years ago, set an alarm for 11:35pm or something, did a short ride before midnight, and started a new ride just after midnight to cover two days. That was one of the hardest rides all winter. Not that I’m always asleep by then, but if I am – I’m out.

I have a short <3mi loop now that includes 3 Strava segments (that I made), which keeps things a little more interesting.

Drive to the Rosslyn monolith to be counted as number one then post on instagram

[Steve O]

Warm temperatures and rain will eliminate all the gray, dirty snow. Replacement, clean, white snow will be brought in afterward. Enjoy.

[Greenbelt]

Has anyone been out on the Anacostia Tributary trails this afternoon? Are the trails around Lake Artemesia passable?

[Boomer Cycles]

@wheels&wings 110148 wrote:

I’m hoping to ride home tonight via the MVT (from Key to 4MR trail) and the WOD (toward EFC), as I’ve got some errands in those parts. Do you think they’ll still be icy, given that it’s 47 degrees out there? I’ve stuck to alternate routes in recent weeks, so I’ve lost track of the trail conditions. I’m not in the mood for too much excitement tonight.

Thanks!!

I rode out of DC from the Kennedy Center across TR to MVT -> Custis -> WOD until mile 8 on 700 x 25 slicks sans problem.

[KWL]

Rode my rain bike with skinny tires on the MVT between Key Bridge and 4MRT this evening. There were about 3 places that looked like this. The rider in the background had just fallen at this location. I walked it.

I’m thinking tomorrow morning should be a fine commute for the snow bike. There may be 1-2 inches of fresh snow on the MVT with no trampling and freezing. Tomorrow evening may be a different situation.

[wheelswings]

Thanks for the trail reports. I just got home from DC via the MVT and the WOD (on slicks) and I had a lot of the same reactions as KWL.
Between Key and 4MR there were four short stretches on the MVT across which I walked the bike or Flintstoned. There were several other areas where the ice covered all but a thin line of pavement, sometimes as narrow as four inches, so you had to ride carefully. Other parts of the trail were just wet and slushy.
I expect some sections of MVT will fail to melt and others will simply re-freeze overnight, so once they’re hidden under tomorrow’s fresh powder it may be a bit treacherous – again.
As for the WOD, it was easy like Dismal described, aside from the occasional icy bit at the underpasses.

[jrenaut]

@dkel 110161 wrote:

Trainer? I thought we did all this bike-riding to avoid things like gyms and trainers.

Core strength is the key to ELITE trackstands.

[slowtriguy]

I rode the W&OD and Custis 0715-0815 today between Virginia Lane and the Fairfax Connector and back. It started out as just slushy sleet but was snowing heavily by the end. The trails had NOT been treated but were rideable on semi-slicks with a bit of care. It’ll be worse later that’s for sure.

I saw only one other rider but lots of runners. Rock and Roll prep > snow, I guess.

[dkel]

@jrenaut 110183 wrote:

Core strength is the key to ELITE trackstands.

I’d love for you to show me one of those ELITE track stands…

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