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I don’t think it was originally designed as anything other than a sidewalk, certainly not a mixed-use trail. The southern portion, around the Pentagon used to be a sidewalk, too. What’s there now, is a result of the post-9//11 rebuilding.

I’ve never had a problem passing runners and non-tourists, but I use a bell and then call out. (Every now and then, I’ve encountered some tourists who just stand there and look at me, without moving.)

The worst part of the “trail” is the portion just before and after it crosses over Rt 110. Without widening the bridge, there is not an easy solution, since ground drops quickly away on both sides, but it need the most work.

Taking the trail in the direction he takes it, south, I don’t find those ramps to be a big problem. (The heaviest traffic is the one at Memorial Bridge.) As he mentioned, they are all worse, traveling the other direction, when you have to look back to see traffic. While I do not dismount at the ramp crossings, if you stop and dismount, you can get a clear, unhurried view of each crossing and walking (or running) across does not take much longer than riding (if you stopped). If you only want to slow down and not actually stop, much less dismount, then they are a problem. Could the actuall crossings be better? Yes, but I don’t think they were designed with cyclists in mind.

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@dasgeh 10043 wrote:

As far as 5555624 not hearing those of us who cross Washington Blvd right by the bridge — that crossing is annoying, it’s just that we feel lucky we don’t have to cross the GW Pkwy.

I’m not sure what you mean by “not hearing those of us.” I cross right there virtually every morning. I did yesterday and I will tomorrow. (Today I took an alternative route to check the lights at the Columbia Island marina parking lot.) If the crossing were moved south, I’d have to cross Washington Boulevard twice. If it takes a couple of minutes longer, but is safer, then I don’t really have a problem with it. (Personally, I’ve never found it to be a problem — even though I cross there in the mornings, I can’t recall stopping for cars in the last ten years.) If I have to ride an extra half mile in the name of safety, I don’t really mind that either. (I know, I’m alone with that position.)

My point was that more than one bridge crosses the Potomac and most people pass or ride close to another one to get to Memorial Bridge. I don’t see the NPS ever building an overpass directly to the bridge. If this crossing needs to be “fixed,” it probably needs to be a low-cost solution.

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Well, to be contrary….

I know no one will agree, but if the slope restrictions is a problem, move it south, before the split.

I don’t hear people complain about crossing Washington Boulevard at the circle, if the are going up to Arlington National Cemetery, which would be where anyone crossing south of the split would have to recross to get to the Memorial Bridge.

Who uses this crossing and where are they going? As I see it, if you are riding north and use this crossing, you’re going one of two places — towards the cemetery or across the bridge. Moving it south would not make a difference to those riding to/from the cemetery — it just moves the crossing of Washington Boulevard from the circle to a spot further south.

If you’re heading to the bridge, it could mean making a second crossing of Washington Boulevard, to cross the bridge. If you’re coming north on the MVT, then use the George Mason Memorial Bridge and then take Ohio Drive SW up to the Lincoln Memorial. If you’re crossing Memorial Bridge to go south on the MVT, go down Ohio Drive SW and cross the George Mason Memorial Bridge and then head south on the MVT.

If you’re heading north past the Pentagon and along Washington Boulevard to the Memorial Bridge, turn off at the exit to the Pentagon parking lot and head across Columbia Island and towards the George Mason Memorial Bridge.

Yes, yes, I know. It would add a few minutes to cross Washington Boulevard twice. Also, as I am frequently reminded, elsewhere, most people are not willing to ride more than 5-7 miles on their commute, so crossing at 14th street and taking Ohio Drive adds far too much of a detour. On the other hand, it’s probably a cheaper solution and I wouldn’t mind a few extra minutes or a little extra riding it if it was to be safer.

Disclaimer: I’m not a fan of change and I make this crossing virtually every morning — I’ve never had any problems, but few drivers are out at that hour — so I’d probably end up crossing and recrossing Washington Boulevard.

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@PotomacCyclist 9810 wrote:

About the trail into the marina and Lady Bird Johnson Park: That’s an odd place, at least when I rode there one day. In the late afternoon, most of the people in the park were solo men, all dressed quite shabbily, shuffling about with distressed looks on their faces. I’m not sure I would want to ride through there in the dark. It was kind of a bizarre scene.

It’s a well-known gay cruising spot (Google ‘”columbia island” gay’).

Since it allows me to avoid crossing the GW Parkway, I’ve been taking the north side tunnel under the Humpback Bridge since it opened; whenever I am not heading up to the Custis Trail, on my p.m. commute — several days a week. Other than yesterday, there have always been solo men hanging around — well dressed, shabbily dressed, shirtless, etc. There are some in cars and often cars slowly driving to that end of the parking lot. (I hate cars slowly driving behind me, when they could easily pass, so this is the annoying part of this route.)

At night? I don’t know about the evening, but at 3:00 a.m., it’s deserted. I’ve taken it a half dozen times in the morning, heading the other way (Pentagon to MVT). You need a light. There are no lights on the bridge over the Boundary Channel or on the Pentagon side. Although the grove itself is lit, the path connecting it to the parking lot needs another light or two. There is one light at the north end of the parking lot, but that’s it. The parking lot is unlit unlit you get near the boat slips, where there are some lights along that side of the parking lot. The restrooms and restaurant have some lights and there is a light mounted high, on a pole behind the restaurant, that does give enough light to get to the tunnel under the Humpback Bridge. Although the tunnel does have lights, I have never seen them working. Once on the river side of the tunnel, there are no lights on the tail to get you to the MVT. Currently, the lights on that portion of the MVT are out, too. (I saw this message before heading in this morning and took the route to check the lights.)

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I’d second what TIm and Dave said — find a plan. The biggest caution I would give is to ease into it and let your knees get used to the pounding. Stick to your plan and it’s really not all that hard.

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@pfunkallstar 9905 wrote:

That is really sickening. Having witnessed a number of accidents at that intersection, it is crazy that the Park Service refuses to do anything about it. As for the Humpback Bridge, it gets dicey in its own way depending on if you have to cross with traffic.

I don’t follow this, “cross with traffic”? Do you mean getting from the MVT to the tunnel? If you’re heading north, you need to slow a little, but you are (or should be) on the right side of the trail, so a right turn isn’t too hard. Heading south? Just stick continue on along the river, rather than veering off towards the bridge.

The dicey part is at the north end of the parking lot on Columbia Island (and has nothing to do with cycling).

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I had heard it was a runner.

Personally, I don’t see why cyclists continue to cross the parkway at that spot. I’ve heard the complain that taking the tunnel under the Humpback Bridge adds maybe half mile or so and a small hill, but that’s a small price to pay.

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When the temperature drops into the mid-50s, I add a pair of Lycra running tights over my bike shorts. When the temperature drops down into the low-40s, I switch to a pair of Polartec tights. I really don’t find the wind to be a problem with either option. In single digits I might layer, which means tights and rain pants.

If it’s raining/snowing? Rain pants from a rain suit. (Over the years, I’ve replaced the jacket, but since the rain pants don’t usually get worn when it’s warm, they’re still fine in the rain/snow.) If there is no precipitation, though, I just go with the tights.

It never gets too cold — at least since I have lived here — to ride.

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@Dirt 9618 wrote:

In my view an indoor trainer is the work of Satan. I can imagine nothing less fun than riding a bike indoors.

I used to agree with this. Recently, a friend of mine said he passed the time on a trainer watching subtitled, foreign films. (Subtitles because he did not have to worry about hearing the dialog.) Sitting at home, watching something subtitled, I find it hard to do anything else. I gave it a try a few weeks ago and it wasn’t too bad. I’d rather ride outside, but it beats sitting still.

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Although my NiteRider TriNewt is rated at 486 Lumen, I tend to set it on low and keep it there. It’s enough light for even the non-lighted parts of my commute, both road and trail.

My opinion has always been that if you are going to ride at night — whether it’s on the trail or on the road — you need a real light, not some blinking white light on the front. Maybe a flashing light is okay on well lit streets, but what happens if you come across a section where the power is out? (I saw this happen to someone a few days ago.)

In the morning, I normally don’t worry about blinding anyone on the trails. (Although I see a ninja or two, in the morning, I’ve only seen one bike on the trail in the last year.) The number of cyclists I see with a real light, in a year, can be counted on one hand. The number with any lights can probably be counted on two hands (and maybe a foot). Even though it’s dark 365 days at 3:00 a.m., good reflective gear and lights is rare.

In addition, I think the light should be mounted on the bike. A helmet light can be a secondary light, but I want my primary light to point in the direction I am going, not moving where I look. (This is especially true in traffic, but there’s not much traffic at 3:00 a.m., either.)

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I’ve seen him around for a while. I always wonder how well he can hear in that helmet.

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@PotomacCyclist 9398 wrote:

Disclaimer: I took Metro to the happy hour. Do I lose cool points for that?

Not if you walked up the stopped escalator.

@PotomacCyclist 9398 wrote:

My right deltoid tendon has been tender the entire year. (I injured it while doing staggered push-ups last fall. It hasn’t been bad enough to stop me from cycling, running or swimming, but it does act up from time to time if I’m sitting at a computer and using a mouse for too long.)

Then don’t sit at a computer too long — get out and ride. Advice I need to follow on Sundays.

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I picked up a tube of Arnica Gel at GNC. I’ve seen Arnica Creme at CVS.

Eating pineapples is supposed to help with bruises, too. They’re high in bromelain and I know people who say it helps, but I can’t vouch for it, since I don’t really care for pineapples.

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@americancyclo 9344 wrote:

After this thread popped up, I’ve been running solid red in the back. I hope you all enjoy the view.

I recall some study — years ago — which said a solid red light was better, but I don’t recall why how they determined that.

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I should be there shortly after 6, although I just found out I may need to teach an Aikido class at 6:30, so I might not make it…

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