Western W&OD and Evirons Storm Mayhem

[JimF22003]

Did 58 miles on parts of the W&OD and surrounding areas early this morning and there was no power anywhere west of Leesburg. There was major tree damage on both the trail and the roads. I had to get off and hop over downed trees at least five times on the W&OD, and there were numerous partially blocked spots on the roads. In fact when I came through Silcott Springs out of Purcellville, the traffic was backed up in both directions for about a quarter of a mile because a crew was out with a sheriff and the road was completely blocked. Of course I was able to make it through with the blessings of the deputy

I hadn’t planned on riding that far, so I didn’t bring any extra water or any food. All my usual spots were closed because of the power situation. Fortunately the little store in Philomont on Snickersville Tpk was open, although it was hard to see in the store, and the proprietor had some difficulty figuring sales tax using just a pencil and paper It was better than the 7-11 could do though…

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/194276346

Topic

[KLizotte]

Just got home at 4:00 pm and lots of Arlington County and Alexandria are without power. I went to four bike stores in VA looking to purchase tires and they were all closed due to lack of electricity. I also wanted to go to REI but it appears they are closed too because no one is answering the phone.

I drove along the GW Memorial Parkway to Belle Haven and there were lots of bikes on the MVT. From the roadway I didn’t see anything impeding the trail. Lots of areas were cell phone dead zones.

Let’s hope we don’t get any more storms.

[Arlingtonrider]

No power so will keep this short. No phones either. Hope all are well.

[ronwalf]

This is entirely a plot to get me to work on Saturdays, lured by A/C, lighting, and working microwave ovens.
(on the plus side, it did get me out on the bike, today)

[ronwalf]

Oh, I guess I should post actual content.
Those are all pictures of the Paint Branch Trail between Rt 1 in College Park and the metro tracks.

[Greenbelt]

@KLizotte 24052 wrote:

Just got home at 4:00 pm and lots of Arlington County and Alexandria are without power. I went to four bike stores in VA looking to purchase tires and they were all closed due to lack of electricity. I also wanted to go to REI but it appears they are closed too because no one is answering the phone.

I drove along the GW Memorial Parkway to Belle Haven and there were lots of bikes on the MVT. From the roadway I didn’t see anything impeding the trail. Lots of areas were cell phone dead zones.

Let’s hope we don’t get any more storms.

REI and Proteus have power and are open in College Park — I realize that’s a long ride for VA, plus you have to navigate the trees down on the trails! -Jeff

[Greenbelt]

Follow up — Laurie says the lots of the roads in the Greenbelt area still have no traffic signals. If driving, plan on a route that only requires right turns!

[KLizotte]

@Greenbelt 24058 wrote:

REI and Proteus have power and are open in College Park — I realize that’s a long ride for VA, plus you have to navigate the trees down on the trails! -Jeff

Thanks for the info but Francis (off2ride) fixed me up at Bicycle Pro Shop in DC. Should have gone there first but was trying to combine errands, tire shopping, and free parking all in one. Unfortunately, I barely got any errands accomplished because all of the stores were closed due to a lack of power. Biking in Georgetown is a nightmare but driving it is 10x worse.

[KLizotte]

Just got back from biking the MVT from Rosslyn to Dyke Marsh boardwalk. There are trees down crossing the entire trail (though I could go around them in the grass without dismounting), there are some big branches down partially covering the path and lots of little stuff scattered on the trail. Not a big deal in the daylight but would definitely be hazardous at dusk/night. Also, some of the temporary fencing along the Humpback bridge has fallen over on to the path so don’t go flying through that section because it’s hard to see until you’re on top of it.

Anybody know the status of the Capital Crescent? Was thinking of going to Bethesda tomorrow morning.

[JimF22003]

Wilson Rd, between Carters Run and Cannonball Gate, near Warrenton VA, this morning. The road was closed, but I just hoofed it around the downage. Kind of hairy climbing through the bushes in my road shoes. Had to duck under the power lines. Hope they weren’t hot….

[txgoonie]

W&OD from mile 0 in Arlington through Herndon is clear. Lots of debris, but clear. I’d say the biggest hazard is the people who clearly don’t remember taking the driving test and that when a light is out an intersection becomes a 4-way stop. Lots of knuckleheads blowing through non-functioning traffic lights. Careful out there, folks!

I did a short run down the MVT from Old Town till about Tulane Dr. and there was one large tree down but it’s easy to hop over (or hoist the bike over, as the case may be

[bobco85]

I just got back from a night ride along parts of the W&OD, heading west from Bluemont Park. The lights under the Wilson Blvd bridge are out. Lights are working up until you get to the bridge running under Roosevelt/Sycamore (no lights). The entire neighborhood between that bridge and the Lee Highway crossing is out, and the trail lights and neighborhoods are out as well stretching all the way to the bridge over Route 7.

Heading east on Williamsburg Blvd from Falls Church all the way to Glebe Road, most of the streetlights are out but the stoplights are working. If you take Old Glebe to get to Military Road and head south towards Ballston, be careful on Military Road because of all the debris that is in the bike lane (I found it safer just to ride in the car lane). Oh, and at the bottom of one of the hills where you cross Donaldson Run it is hard to see that bump in the road before you go from sharrows to a bike lane (I nearly caught air at 20 mph).

[Author]

Replies