My Morning Commute

[hozn]

@dkel 120123 wrote:

That path looks on Google Maps like it’s paved. Is it that way all the way through?

The Reston trails are generally all paved — and all plowed in winter! (I guess there are a couple of exceptions, like the Turquoise trail that cuts through to the CCT.)

[jabberwocky]

@dkel 120123 wrote:

That path looks on Google Maps like it’s paved. Is it that way all the way through?

Yes, its all paved. I’ve ridden it a handful of times. Its not totally smooth and is a bit narrow in places, and there are some steep climbs/descents (all typical for some of the smaller Reston paths) but its totally doable on a road bike. Just don’t expect the W&OD.

[dkel]

Thanks hozn and jabberwocky. I will try both the road route and the path, just for fun. I also see there may be a trail that connects from the east side of the park, along Colvin Run to the Cross County Trail, and I may try that. Anything will be better than what I did this morning.

[jabberwocky]

@dkel 120128 wrote:

Thanks hozn and jabberwocky. I will try both the road route and the path, just for fun. I also see there may be a trail that connects from the east side of the park, along Colvin Run to the Cross County Trail, and I may try that. Anything will be better than what I did this morning.

Thats the colvin run mill trail (connects from Hunters Mill to Carpers Farm Way, where you can join the CCT and head south to the W&OD). Its old unpaved doubletrack and does get mushy though. And its pretty eroded and rooty. Nothing bad for MTB but you’ll feel it on a CX bike.

Back in the day, that was how you rode Lake Fairfax (before all the singletrack existed there). Doubletrack through Lake Fairfax, across the Colvin Run Mill trail, down the CCT to the W&OD and back to the ice rink.

[Steve O]

@hozn 120121 wrote:

I don’t have a great route suggestion for you, except to suggest not riding down Hunter Mill.

When I used to play Ultimate at Lake Fairfax, I would ride down Hunter Mill from the WOD and cut across the fields (often on foot, because the grass got really high sometimes). But that was because I was going to the fields. Going all the way around to the entrance would have added mucho distance, and that was the shortest route. Admittedly, Hunter Mill is not the most comfortable road to ride on.

@jabberwocky 120120 wrote:

But if it makes you uncomfortable, you can take the earlier north shore right, go through tall oaks shopping center and hit the reston path that loops behind all those neighborhoods and ends on ring road.

You can actually cut off Wiehle even earlier, at Chestnut Grove condos, and take the trails up to Ring Road. I did this in reverse last fall after watching the cyclocross races, and the trails were fine, although “topographical” in nature.

[jabberwocky]

@Steve O 120134 wrote:

You can actually cut off Wiehle even earlier, at Chestnut Grove condos, and take the trails up to Ring Road. I did this in reverse last fall after watching the cyclocross races, and the trails were fine, although “topographical” in nature.

Oh yeah, there is a path there. I’ve never ridden it. I just cut over from tall oaks. Wiehle isn’t as bad as it would seem, especially as you approach the toll road, since traffic is usually heavy enough that people don’t try to drive very fast. I’ve only ridden the path when I’m riding with people who are completely unused to riding in traffic.

[dkel]

@Steve O 120134 wrote:

I did this in reverse last fall after watching the cyclocross races, and the trails were fine, although “topographical” in nature.

Topographical, indeed! I may try the road route tomorrow to avoid all those steep climbs. It’s kind of ridiculous…

[vern]

@jabberwocky 120138 wrote:

Oh yeah, there is a path there. I’ve never ridden it. I just cut over from tall oaks. Wiehle isn’t as bad as it would seem, especially as you approach the toll road, since traffic is usually heavy enough that people don’t try to drive very fast. I’ve only ridden the path when I’m riding with people who are completely unused to riding in traffic.

I have often found the traffic on Wiehle to be overtly hostile during the evening rush and therefore I stay off of it unless I find a good gap between the lights. I just use the sidewalk to the first North Shore and almost never encounter anyone on it.

[dkel]

How am I supposed to see this walk signal??

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9084[/ATTACH]

I would either have to be three feet tall, or stand in the street. In other news, the Wiehle and “topographical” trail route worked well this morning. It’s about double my typical commuting elevation, though.

[dplasters]

@dkel 120200 wrote:

How am I supposed to see this walk signal??

I would either have to be three feet tall, or stand in the street. In other news, the Wiehle and “topographical” trail route worked well this morning. It’s about double my typical commuting elevation, though.

Where are you supposed to cross?? I see the light, I do not see a crosswalk. I see only the line designating where cars are supposed to stop but typically never do.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9085[/ATTACH]

[dkel]

@dplasters 120215 wrote:

Where are you supposed to cross?? I see the light, I do not see a crosswalk. I see only the line designating where cars are supposed to stop but typically never do.

Yeah, the curb cut is the only indication of where you’re supposed to be to cross, and standing there you can’t see the walk signal. Really weird. I’m going to alter my route very slightly to be in the lane coming to that intersection instead of exiting a side path at that spot; problem solved.

[pfunkallstar]

I was too strong for this morning’s commute – what, with its pathetically paved straightaways, accommodating geography, and puny headwind.

[wheelswings]

@pfunkallstar 120222 wrote:

I was too strong for this morning’s commute

Funny, I never feel that way.

[Terpfan]

I hate summer colds. Seeing all of you riding from behind the wheel was tough, especially with such pleasant weather. May the Gods of white blood cell counts shine down upon me soon.

[GovernorSilver]

Man, what a beautiful morning for a commute ride!

Sorry, TerpFan.

[Author]

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