Mt. Vernon trail between Crystal City and Tidal Basin?

[Dirt]

I rode just north of that… the area around Roosevelt Island. That part is mostly ice and snow still. I would not try that on a CABI. I will check the lower part later today and let you know.

[paulg]

I rode 4 mile run to MVT to Old town across the Wilson Bridge and up the Oxon farm/Cove trail this AM. Some care needed in places.

4 Mile run under the Potomac yard bridges was 90% clear but I only rode from the Alrington Water Treatment Plant

MVT down to Old Town was still pretty bumpy ice in places especially the bridges. The mountain bike was a good choice.
(By the way this is off topic but the trail around the Marantz Power Plant was closed for some kind of Hazmat oil spill cleanup that’s been going on for a week. Anyone know what’s going on? ) I rode the trail anyway and wasn’t told to leave. ( There are no detour signs up )

Wilson Bridge was a breeze. Ploughed and cleared all the way to Nat Harbor and up the hill to Oxon Hill Road.

Oxon Cove trail had been ploughed so was mostly clear but had some slick icy patches and still snowy sections.

Again just like the last snowfall it’s amazing that two lesser used trails (wilson bridge and oxon cove) can be ploughed and cleared but not the most heavily used Mount Vernon Trail.

[Rootchopper]

I didn’t ride the trail today but from the GWP I observed a northbound cyclist dismounting his mountain bike near the north end of the northernmost flyover bridge at DCA. Also approaching the southern end of the other flyover bridge I spotted a cyclist crawling along trying to navigate the icy patches.

[txgoonie]

I popped out to the MVT in Crystal City where I work, and it’s not awesome. Very patchy. It’s passable in places, but the overpasses really aren’t suitable for anyone without studs. Certainly not a CaBi ride. Thick, uneven ice. It was sucky going enough on foot. The underpass to Crystal City was per usual an ice rink. Not a lot of melting happening out there, and the forecast for tonight is giving me the blues:(

[Rootchopper]

Once again from my viewpoint on the GWP I spotted a cyclist (same one as yesterday in fact) gingerly descending a small decline just south of the flyover bridges. He was slipping and sliding with one leg off the pedal for balance. Not much fun I’m afraid.

[planetmike]

Ran the trail over the weekend and saw less than 10 people, all runners and dog walkers. Trail is frozen over with 1/2 to 3 inches of snow under neath and hard icy spots where people have walked on before. Even with studded tires, this would be a bit of a struggle to ride. I doubt this will improve if we get the predicted sleet tonight.

[Wlerik]

With today’s warm snap, perhaps all the ice will melt? If not perhaps some angel can clear the bridges over DCA with some salt or a shovel. I will ride tomorrow with either some salt, or a miniature shovel just in case.

[Blind Pilot]

To the OP: I normally ride the MVT from Four Mile Run up to the 14th St Bridge. Knowing tha trail conditions would be less than ideal (how’s that for a euphamistic understatement) I’ve been riding up through Crystal City and then using this route the last few days to get over to DC (without studded tires).

As of this morning, there was only one bridge/overpass where I had to get off and walk due to ruts and ice. Of course, starting yesterday, the sidewalk on the south side of Memorial Bridge was closed, so you either have to mix it up with traffic or go the long way around the circle on the VA side.

With any luck, today’s warm weather will melt all the crap that’s on the MVT, but if it doesn’t, or in the future, you might want to consider this route.

[consularrider]

Rode from Roosevelt Island to 4 Mile Run at 5 pm. It is mostly clear with a few exceptions, and those should be easy to navigate with just about any tires. The usual problems just after you get on the trail at Lynn Street and on the flyovers near the airport.

[Wlerik]

Fantastic! Why do they call them flyovers? They should be called iceovers.

[consularrider]

The MVT was even better this morning at 8 am. There were fewer refrozen bands of meltoff water than I had expected (or experienced on the W&OD in Arlington) and the only tricky place remained the last uphill stretch just before Lynn St.

[brendan]

Anyone ride MVT today (in the rain)? I’m planning a ride tomorrow, want to make sure my assumption that the warmer weather and rain finally cleared it off is correct…

[Author]

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