October 2015 Road and Trail Conditions

[Starduster]

From WTOP: http://wtop.com/local/2015/10/cyclists-take-wait-and-see-approach-to-trail-improvements/slide/1/

[Judd]

Something about this project doesn’t make sense to me. Except for the alignment of the curvy part it doesn’t seem like the other changes are really all that needed. What I would like to see is resurfacing of really bumpy as you’re heading north from Gravely point just before you reach the bridge. There’s also some incredibly bumpy patches between the Memorial and Key Bridge that shake my brain against my skull pretty good no matter how slow I go.

[Terpfan]

I edited my other thread, but the reverse southbound route requires you to take the second crosswalk (or really it’s the first one if you don’t count the temporary one by the detour hill curbcut-lacking one). The reason is because the two paved slots seemingly going north are actually both one way toward you as a rider, but they have a crosswalk in the middle. And then from there it’s like 100′ straight to crosswalk, left into maintenance yard just pass the bridge to Arlington, and then ride through maintenance yard to near entrance to main road and look for MVT connector in front of you paralleling the road. If one has done the southbound route, then this will make perfect sense.

I’m amazed at how many folks I see still doing the detours. They may be ahead of me getting to the detours, but I come out way in front of them through the bypass.

[CaseyKane50]

Here is a short video showing the route I took northbound through the airport this morning. I stayed on the Departures level.

[video]https://youtu.be/v0Xx1zS8KGI[/video]

[KLizotte]

Just keep in mind that when riding through the airport a lot of drivers won’t know where they are going and are typically very stressed, esp if they are heading to departures. They also won’t be expecting cyclists on the property and they will probably be checking their phones. 😡 Stay safe!

[gibby]

@KLizotte 125981 wrote:

Just keep in mind that when riding through the airport a lot of drivers won’t know where they are going and are typically very stressed, esp if they are heading to departures. They also won’t be expecting cyclists on the property. Stay safe!

I’ll be even blunter– What the h*** were you thinking? This is safe? to you? to motorists?

[Terpfan]

@gibby 125995 wrote:

I’ll be even blunter– What the h*** were you thinking? This is safe? to you? to motorists?

Have you ridden the mulch? I think his route is much safer, albeit, there is a way to do it with far less vehicular interaction. I ask if you have ridden it because those folks heading southbound are a solid 2′ above the jersey wall on their saddles. If they fall the wrong way because it’s so very narrow and made of mulch, then they are in the GWMP traffic.

By contrast, the highest speed for vehicles along the route he traveled was 25mph. Most of that route is 15mph. He went over 4 or 5 crosswalks throughout it. And, the police also ride the lanes in their segways. I think it’s less stressful to go the arrivals route, or even less stressful to take Aviation Circle for 1/5 mile to the maintenance and facility looping back to the trail.

[GovernorSilver]

Northbound MVT riders don’t even get a choice anyway – you’re forced onto an airport road whether you want to go or not.

That mulch path going downhill does indeed look hazardous. I’d actually feel safer riding on the airport road. Plus, you have to wait for a steady stream of cars to pass before you can even get onto the mulch path – this being NOVA/DC, motorists are not in the habit of stopping for anybody walking or riding on a crosswalk.

Sorry for the rotated pic – this forum software acts differently than the others in making the wrong decisions on whether to rotate a photo. I can’t figure out how to straighten it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9824[/ATTACH]

[BTC_DC]

@gibby 125995 wrote:

This is safe? to you? to motorists?

I think it appears a bit more chaotic since the video is running 2.5x normal speed. And I am sure the motorists will be just fine. Everybody was pretty well behaved when I tried this Monday morning.

Alternate is the Maintenance Depot, which might actually be faster as it is more direct and the one I use on a more regular basis. Just watch out for trucks going through there, and the many potholes.

[Steve O]

@KLizotte 125981 wrote:

. . .They also won’t be expecting cyclists on the property

This “reason” is often used by people opposed to everything to do with bikes and the people who ride them.
Having people ride through the airport is great, because then the people in the cars will start to expect them. Not just there, but in other places, too.
Those of you taking these detours, recruit the other riders along the trail to go with you, since the more people on bikes, the safer for everyone. And it will help change people’s “expectations.”

[lordofthemark]

@Steve O 126012 wrote:

This “reason” is often used by people opposed to everything to do with bikes and the people who ride them.
Having people ride through the airport is great, because then the people in the cars will start to expect them. Not just there, but in other places, too.
Those of you taking these detours, recruit the other riders along the trail to go with you, since the more people on bikes, the safer for everyone. And it will help change people’s “expectations.”

Is it okay if I help get motorists more used to seeing people on bikes on Eads and on 18th instead?

[CaseyKane50]

@gibby 125995 wrote:

I’ll be even blunter– What the h*** were you thinking? This is safe? to you? to motorists?

I did feel safe taking that route. As has been noted, the video was speeded up 2.5 times normal speed. I signaled when I needed to move over and was mindful of the cars around me. I don’t think that any car was threatened by my presence and made to feel unsafe.

[CaseyKane50]

The reason for the detour along the MVT

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9825[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9826[/ATTACH]

[CaseyKane50]

@lordofthemark 126013 wrote:

Is it okay if I help get motorists more used to seeing people on bikes on Eads and on 18th instead?

While construction is on-going on 18th Street, the bike lane on 18th Street between Eads and Clark is currently being used by all through traffic.

[americancyclo]

@CaseyKane50 126020 wrote:

While construction is on-going on 18th Street, the bike lane on 18th Street between Eads and Clark is currently being used by all through traffic.

All the better to get them used to it!

[Author]

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