Trail Conditions — January 2014

[vvill]

I took the Custis in from Lyon Village around 8am. Some sections would be rideable on 25s; some would not. They definitely salted and Lee-to-Lee isn’t too bad, but significant sections into Rosslyn are still covered in a mix of slushy/icy stuff, and there isn’t a lot of passing room with pedestrians – I slowed down a lot for my passes, especially since some are wearing earmuffs/headphones (not sure which). I’m on 240/160 F/R studded 26″ tires.

Sorry no pics – too cold!

Actually, one W&OD pic from yesterday afternoon. Would not ride without studded MTB tires (or perhaps a fatbike).

[Phatboing]

@vvill 75520 wrote:

Actually, one W&OD pic from yesterday afternoon. Would not ride without studded MTB tires (or perhaps a fatbike).

I managed to do fine on 2.4-inch tires last night – a lot of the W&OD between Gallows and EFC is packed quite nicely, except the intersections – those are icy. The Gallows intersection has the added bonus of big mounds of snow on either side. I took the opportunity last night to do a mini-jump in front of the cars stopped there, hopefully entertaining them.

It looked like it was more of that kinda stuff this morning, but my legs protested and I took the bus after riding 2 miles instead.

(fun fact – 2.4 inches is the upper limit for the bike racks on the buses)

[jopamora]

The Capital Crescent Trail is plowed from the DC line to Georgetown, but that just means a thin layer of snow on top of thin ice. From River Rd to the Dalecarlia tunnel there is a 1.5 foot trail of packed snow. From Bethesda to River Rd the trail is mostly packed snow. The bridges still have a fair amount of snow so be extra careful crossing. The Georgetown Branch is bumpy on top of bumpy on top of bumpy.

[Steve O]

@vvill 75520 wrote:

….. significant sections into Rosslyn are still covered in a mix of slushy/icy stuff….

Undoubtedly, the Rosslyn luge will be a problem for many days. Since the sun never strikes behind the sound wall, whatever melting happens during the day just becomes dangerously icy for the next morning. Given the necessity of this trail section both for cyclists and for peds going to Rosslyn, it should be a high priority to get clearing in addition to the salt. Don’t hold your breath.

[sjclaeys]

Busy day so just getting around to posting about my ride in. Custis from Scott to Rosslyn was ok, with packed snow where it does not get sun. The MVT from Rosslyn across the GWP and down to the TR parking lot was plowed, with hard packed snow but no drifts. The wooden troll bridge is not in good shape, with a single track of packed snow and peds not happy to give it up so you can pass. The MVT from there to the 14th Street bridge is a combo of nice clear black top and packed snow with ice in the transition areas. It was ok on 700X35 studded tires. Getting on and off the 14th street bridge was tricky, but doable, and the bridge itself is a mix of clear and packed snow, with a clear track most of the way on the down river side. Overall, I’ve had harder commutes. Not sure how I will go back from Capitol Hill to near EFC.

[dasgeh]

@sjclaeys 75548 wrote:

Not sure how I will go back from Capitol Hill to near EFC.

If you’d like to join me, around 5pm (hopefully) I’m going to ride to 19th & F to the 13Y, which travels across the river and up Lee Highway to Lee Heights. From there (or anywhere West of Veitch, it sound like), the side streets should get you home safe.

[OneEighth]

@sjclaeys 75548 wrote:

Not sure how I will go back from Capitol Hill to near EFC.

Thru Gtown, across Key, Wilson to Washington Blvd.

[cvcalhoun]

Yeah, I got about 50 feet up the trail (no studs or special equipment), gave it up as a bad job, and slogged up Wisconsin Avenue out of Georgetown.

@jopamora 75531 wrote:

The Capital Crescent Trail is plowed from the DC line to Georgetown, but that just means a thin layer of snow on top of thin ice. From River Rd to the Dalecarlia tunnel there is a 1.5 foot trail of packed snow. From Bethesda to River Rd the trail is mostly packed snow. The bridges still have a fair amount of snow so be extra careful crossing. The Georgetown Branch is bumpy on top of bumpy on top of bumpy.

[DismalScientist]

The Curtis was salted. from at least the Ballston connector to the I-66 underpass. I still prefer the parallel side streets.

[vvill]

@DismalScientist 75561 wrote:

The Curtis was salted. from at least the Ballston connector to the I-66 underpass. I still prefer the parallel side streets.

Yeah it’s improved from this morning, and parts have clearly been plowed. But it’s still not exactly passable without studded tires the whole way – a piece of ice doesn’t have to be that big to be bigger than your tire’s contact patch and slip you up.

Around 4:15pm:

(The S-curve was fun, going up.)

[Steve O]

@DismalScientist 75561 wrote:

The Curtis was salted.

I rode the Custis from Rosslyn all the way to the WOD. The Rosslyn Hill is in good shape–hardly any ice. Rideable by anyone paying attention.

Long patches of packed snow and ice in different sections. I do not have studs, but wide tires on my 3-speed. I did not fear going down anywhere as long as I held a straight line. Any quick turn, though, could result in a slip.
They have definitely worked on the trail–both plowing (what they can–off the top of the packed stuff) and salting. Sunny spots have gotten pretty good–down to bare pavement in most places. Shady is where you need to be careful.

Be especially careful at the bottom of the switchback–there’s a large ice patch just after you go under the bridge before you bear left behind the shopping center.

[hozn]

Rode a bit of the W&OD out between Vienna and Reston (completing a Lake Fairfax mtb loop); it is just packed snow. It is ridable with mtb tires or cx/snow tires (better with studs since there are icy sections), but it is not fast.

[sjclaeys]

Haines Pont was closed this morning.

[JimK]

Does anyone know why Haines Point was closed? I planned on riding down there today. Is it open?

[jrenaut]

Haven’t been down but I hear Hains Point is covered in ice.

[Author]

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