Shutdown – Where you gonna ride?

[Raymo853]

If there is a shutdown and you’ll be off work, where do you plan to ride? I know last time there was talk about closing the C&O, but that did not happen, so I am planning to ride it, and the Gap, to Pittsburgh finally. Will camp some nights (North Fork, Ohiopyle, Cedar Creek) but plan a second night stay in Frosburg at the Trail Inn.

Any one else got plans? Or am I being too hopeful and premature?

Topic

[Raymo853]

@consularrider 124468 wrote:

Didn’t they close the gates during the last shutdown?

Ah ha, I do not know. That would change things. During the last shutdown I was riding at Patapsco state park most days and have no memory of riding by that place.

[baiskeli]

@Raymo853 124466 wrote:

Please check my post for a recent edit. However, please tell me when that parking lot is empty? I have ridden by it in just about every hour of the the day and there is always been people there. Between plane watchers, boat launch users, trail users, and bathroom using cab drivers, it seems always busy.

Except…when it is closed due to a government shutdown.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Raymo853 124466 wrote:

Please check my post for a recent edit. However, please tell me when that parking lot is empty? I have ridden by it in just about every hour of the the day and there is always been people there. Between plane watchers, boat launch users, trail users, and bathroom using cab drivers, it seems always busy.

Sorry, the “dislike” on the post led me to think sarcasm wasn’t the intent. But to the question, as others have mentioned, it was gloriously empty during the last shutdown since vehicular access was blocked. I spent quite a bit of time on my rides home (cursed essential-ness!) riding mindless loops just because I could.

[rcannon100]

@consularrider 124468 wrote:

Didn’t they close the gates during the last shutdown?

I think they even turned off the lights and the toilets.

[PotomacCyclist]

@Raymo853 124466 wrote:

Please check my post for a recent edit. However, please tell me when that parking lot is empty? I have ridden by it in just about every hour of the the day and there is always been people there. Between plane watchers, boat launch users, trail users, and bathroom using cab drivers, it seems always busy.

I haven’t biked in the morning that much recently, but in the past, I’ve noticed that the Gravelly Point parking lot is mostly empty on weekday mornings. At least when I’ve ridden past there.

[PotomacCyclist]

@consularrider 124455 wrote:

So I’m guessing the plane fare to Kyiv isn’t in your current budget? Maybe Bike Arlington or WABA could look into chartering a flight for all the furloughed feds?

The W&OD century from Alexandria is basically all the way out to Purcellville and back depended on you starting point (89 miles actually on the trail from Shirlington).

Solution: Build a bike superhighway from Arlington to Kyiv! Side benefit: It can still be used after the government shutdown ends.

EDIT: I didn’t really think about how difficult it would be to fund the superhighway during a government shutdown. Crowdsourcing?

[Author]

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