[Arlingtonrider]

Awesome – thanks so much Steve!

[Arlingtonrider]

On second thought, let’s try a simpler approach this year. See edited post above.

[Arlingtonrider]

Let’s keep this simple.

We can all celebrate our accomplishments at the April 3 happy hour and anyone who would like to make an award for anything is welcome to do so.

[Arlingtonrider]

I did. I just took it easy. The ride home wasn’t half as bad as I expected it to be. I think we’re all just tired. Wishing you a good ride home. The winds weren’t bad.

[Arlingtonrider]

I guess it’s time to face that headwind again.

Postscript: It wasn’t bad at all. Had a lovely relaxed ride home. I’m glad it’s Friday, though. I think I’m still worn out from yesterday.

[Arlingtonrider]

I just took a CaBi ride. It was beautiful out there!

But maybe everything is relative after yesterday.

[Arlingtonrider]

It looks like such a pleasant day in that photo!

[Arlingtonrider]

I didn’t like the survey much either, but was glad to have the opportunity to make my points in the comment section at the end (some of which are the same as posted by Dkel and mstone, above). If nothing else, taking the survey helped me think of some things I wanted to focus on in my comments. I think it’s positive that they’re trying to make things better for trail users. My emphasis was on education for all users (and drivers!) rather than limits.

[Arlingtonrider]

Evening of 3/13: FMR was open when I rolled through at 6:55 p.m.

Morning of 3/13: I was also told by FFG that he was the second to the last rider through at 7:25 a.m.

(This morning (3/14), I didn’t get to the area until after 7:30 am and just decided to take Eads/18th without checking to see if FMR was closed.)

[Arlingtonrider]

If anyone riding home tonight (or any afternoon/night) discovers that the FMR trail has been re-opened, as it was yesterday, it would be much appreciated if that info could be posted here (asap) for subsequent riders.

Last night it was open when I went through around 5:30 pm.

[Arlingtonrider]

+1 on the Gore Windstopper Fusion jacket. Unfortunately, the womens’ version seems only to be available online and was not on sale, but it’s an awesome jacket. I ordered mine directly from Gore.

[Arlingtonrider]

My experience was like JRenaut’s, Subby’s and cyclingfool’s. This might have been the toughest commute I’ve ever done.

Four Mile Run trail was closed (about 8:40 am), so I detoured through Crystal City on Potomac Ave and Crystal Drive. Crystal Drive was like a wind tunnel with headwinds and crosswinds. Pushed through on the MVT to the 14th Street Bridge, where the winds pushed me (and my pannier and bar mitts) enough that I dismounted and walked the bike for the part near the Virginia side that gets the worst crosswinds. Much better once I got into town. The winds were wicked throughout but at least I stayed warm – jeans and longjohns, hiking boots, Gore Fusion windstopper jacket, bar mitts and ski goggles/face mask. Still glad I did it.

[Arlingtonrider]

Today’s big decisions: Bar Mitts for warm hands vs. riding in headwinds and crosswinds with more windage? I’ve got a pannier anyway, so would they make much difference? Or should I just wimp out and take the bus/metro? Just musing here. Biking to work is a hard habit to break. And then there’s the ski goggles vs. biking eyewear thing too.

[Arlingtonrider]

It was open and I rode right through around 5:30 pm! I couldn’t even tell that it had been closed. It was open this morning as well. I have noticed the cones that have been staged there recently.

Hopefully they’ll close it only as needed. I’m glad to hear that the closure was well marked. Thanks for the heads up.

[Arlingtonrider]

Part of this looks like it might be a good workaround for avoiding the crowds at the Tidal Basin area during cherry blossom season as well. Thanks for posting the detailed info and map!

[Author]

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