Off the Beaten Path

[acc]

I’m not good in crowds. I like quiet, peaceful surroundings, you know – the antithesis of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, etc. I was concerned that my usual trails, Custis, W&OD, and Mount Vernon would be overrun by tourists and other huddled masses yearning to be free from their relatives over the Thanksgiving Holiday. So I jumped on my mountain bike, Free Willy, and rode the County Connector Trail from Wakefield Park up into Fairfax a bit past Pickett Road. It was almost empty. I rode fifteen miles and saw maybe fifty people.

If you’re looking for a ride of quiet reflection, this may be a good solution. It is not road bike friendly though. Lots of gravel and packed dirt, some asphalt.

Happy Thanksgiving Trails,
ann

Topic

[skreaminquadz]

I rode the trails – they was packed. Good call on the MTB ride instead.

[eminva]

Ann, that trail is the best kept secret. We go there with our son, very relaxing. We park at Pickett and do the reverse of what you did. Glad you got out there.

Liz

[acc]

Ssshhh. I know, it’s great and almost regret chatting it up. But I hope more people will give it a try, especially on their cross or mtb bikes. I couldn’t help but notice how convenient Artie’s is to the path. (A restaurant in the same family as Coastal Flats and Sweetwater Tavern, etc.)

Quietly humming to myself,
ann

[acc]

I’m putting up some photos taken yesterday and today of the CCT in Fairfax County to give you a sense of the trail surfaces and the scenery. [ATTACH=CONFIG]497[/ATTACH]

[acc]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]498[/ATTACH]
An example of the trail surfaces on the CCT and feeder trails.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]499[/ATTACH]
Another example.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]500[/ATTACH]
Finally, the type of view you can expect.

All in all, a terrific set of rides easily accessible, without crowds.

ann

[acc]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]502[/ATTACH]

This is an example of the type of surfaces on the CCT.

ann

[culimerc]

@acc 11477 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]502[/ATTACH]

This is an example of the type of surfaces on the CCT.

ann

I always confuse the Cross County Trail and Capitol Crescent Trail when people say CCT. There’s another “CCT” that comes down N Capitol St area too isnt there??

JH-

[vvill]

I just got some 32 and 35 tires for my hybrid (not sure which will fit, and still need to buy the tubes), but looks like fun. +1 new place to explore in 2012

[acc]

It is an unexpected jewel. Part of me wants to stay quiet and not promote the Cross County Trail, but that would be wrong.
This is the link to an interactive map of the trail.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/cctoverviewmap.htm

You’d think it would be simple enough and impossible to get lost on, but there are lots of little off-shoots and I have ended up in places I did not expect, like the rear parking lot of Home Depot at Fairfax Circle or at an odd crossing with Arlington Blvd (Route 50). But that’s half the fun, or so I tell myself.

Happy Trails,
ann

[Dirt]

I’ve ridden the CCT on a track bike with 28c tires on it. I’d at least suggest 35mm tires. There are sections that really are bettter on a mountain bike.

I think I like the section between Reston and Fairfax best.

[mstone]

@acc 11497 wrote:

You’d think it would be simple enough and impossible to get lost on, but there are lots of little off-shoots and I have ended up in places I did not expect

Connecting trails together is not ffx co’s greatest strength. I like the fact that there are so many parks and trails, but the overall system would be better if there were fewer trails with better connectivity. The nature of how these things get created (lots of little parcels signed over in development deals) makes it easier to add land than to buy the connections, unfortunately. I’d love to take my kids to the CCT, but I have not yet found a way to get there that doesn’t involve at least one road I wouldn’t let them ride on.

[eminva]

@mstone 11513 wrote:

I’d love to take my kids to the CCT, but I have not yet found a way to get there that doesn’t involve at least one road I wouldn’t let them ride on.

I see your point. When we go there with our son, we have to take the bikes on the back of the car. Getting to the W&OD is something he can do by himself, but it’s not much of a pleasure for a kid to ride when it is so crowded. Conversely, he enjoys the CCT, but can’t get there on his own. Guess we all suffer with the lack of cycling infrastructure.

Liz

[Author]

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