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@dasgeh 126026 wrote:

Has anyone tried this route sb?
or this route nb?

I tried the sb last night. It works well, but the downside is slowing down for the few 90-degree turns re-entering MVT rather than carrying speed from the downhill abandoned road.

I then tried nb this morning and can you believe it but Abingdon Dr is currently being milled for repaving (it is fine for riding, though). Just can’t win I guess!

Anyway, sounds like Crystal Dr. has been repaved so that makes the most sense for me now. But the airport provided a nice little change of pace there for a while. Maybe I will still head through there occasionally to mix things up a bit.

[BTC_DC]

@gibby 125995 wrote:

This is safe? to you? to motorists?

I think it appears a bit more chaotic since the video is running 2.5x normal speed. And I am sure the motorists will be just fine. Everybody was pretty well behaved when I tried this Monday morning.

Alternate is the Maintenance Depot, which might actually be faster as it is more direct and the one I use on a more regular basis. Just watch out for trucks going through there, and the many potholes.

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@Terpfan 125875 wrote:

I almost accidentally did the departures route. It may have been really fun.

The other way is what Dasgeh pointed out, just reversing the SB route. Tell us what you think of it. I liked not having to really dismount save at the light.

Loved the southbound route, quick and convenient. Short wait at the light, but otherwise straight through.

And based on others’ comments about the airport now being an open playground for cyclists, I think northbound through “departures” will be my Monday morning commute.

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@Terpfan 125833 wrote:

For those heading northbound…Take it like you were picking someone up at the airport

For some reason I was originally picturing this route through the departures area overpass and thought it could make for a very interesting change of pace from the normal daily commute.

But yes, the arrivals road definitely makes much more sense. Just not as fun. I am also guessing that taking the departures overpass might draw more scrutiny from the police, as it would be quite unusual to see a cyclist riding through there.

I am going to try the southbound route home this afternoon. Have to enjoy it while we can as in a few months time that abandoned entry road from GWMP will be gone…

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Wood chips were surprisingly easy to ride on with skinny tires, but then dismounted due to traffic and people walking their bikes going both ways.

I think it is a worthwhile project, especially under the metro bridge where the trail is inches from the road. I am always worried in the winter about black ice on that little stretch and potentially going down and sliding into oncoming traffic. I do not actually recall ever encountering ice there, but provides peace of mind given the stakes are a bit higher with the off chance of sliding into a head on collision.

Straightening the path around the tree will also be nice.

So probably worth the short-term detours over the long run, and Crystal Dr. is a good option in the meantime.

[BTC_DC]

The first Midnight Saddles was a great time. Unfortunately I need to wake early Saturday morning this time. But no better place to be in the middle of the night than riding through central DC.

[BTC_DC]

Terrible pothole (trench?) on Jefferson Davis Hwy southbound at the intersection of E. Reed Ave (sorry, no pictures). Right by where they are constructing the new apartment block. They had done some sort of trenching and the reinstatement has completely deteriorated. It crosses the entire lane as far as I can tell, and caught me completely by surprise.

[BTC_DC]

The opposite side of the block (S. Clarke St.) is a one way road south bound, I believe. Seems reasonable to make Crystal Dr. one way in the opposite direction (northbound), keep a bike lane and auto parking (to placate local businesses), and add the dedicated bus lane.

Could the south bound bike lane not be relocated to S. Clarke st.? Those current south bound bike lanes on Crystal dr. aren’t the best in any event.

12th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, and 26th streets provide plenty of cut throughs. This should benefit auto traffic as well since no need to wait for oncoming traffic for making left turns from Crystal Dr.

[BTC_DC]

@dasgeh 124168 wrote:

Sounds like you should get a daily key membership

That is exactly what I need! Have ordered and the key is on its way.

[BTC_DC]

Broken chain but luckily was close to a Capital Bikeshare station and able to tow my bike the remaining couple of miles to the office.

It did take almost 10 minutes to check out the Cabi, however, with the touchscreen barely working or sensing which buttons I was pressing. I use Cabi infrequently, but have run into this issue a few times now.

[BTC_DC]

@mstone 123854 wrote:

I see the “third lane” pass all the time and it drives me nuts that there are so many cyclists exhibiting so little concern about other trail users.

Yes, and the other week I even had one of these “third lane” passers extend out his arm to try and force me deeper into my lane so that he could complete his pass. Somewhat dangerous as I was had just come down the north bridge by national airport and was carrying speed. The odd thing is that he only initiated his after seeing me coming in the opposite direction.

[BTC_DC]

I think part of the problem is that the runner says he runs “on the extreme right hand side of the trail.” Rather, similar to a cyclist on the road, runners need to stay far enough into the lane to force those who are passing, whether cars, cyclists, or other runners, to move into the the opposite travel lane. Otherwise, those attempting a pass sometimes try and stay within the lane to squeeze between oncoming traffic and the person they are trying to overtake.

While we do not want people to be running down the very middle of the path, it is important to take enough enough control of the lane such that people do not try to pass within the lane. Regardless of whether there is oncoming traffic or not, passes should always be done in the opposite lane. If not possible, whether because of oncoming traffic or blind corners, the pass should wait until a safe place.

I run along the MVT a lot, and cannot even count the number of times those passing me remain in the lane even when there is no oncoming traffic. I now “take the lane” even when running, to avoid such situations, just like I do when cycling on the road.

So this runner seems to have committed two big mistakes leading to the collision: (i) being too far off to the side of the trail and inviting close passes (ii) while being so unpredictable and negligent that even those attempting a safe pass would have difficulty doing so.

[BTC_DC]

If you don’t mind a new guy following along, sounds like a good time.

[BTC_DC]

@dplasters 121753 wrote:

For those that have been through FS multiple times – is your speed effected more by:
Road/Trail Conditions
Wind
Cold air (in that cold, dry air is denser than warm humid air and thus provides more resistance)

I would say average speed actually increases on MUP once the cold weather clears all the “spring flowers” off the trail. MVT actually becomes enjoyable again.

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During today’s morning commute, to the approaching cyclist on MVT at the north end of National Airport who decided to come into my lane to leisurely pass another rider.

Did you really yell out “slow down!” at me as you squeezed between myself and the other guy???

And was it necessary to also extend out your elbow to grab as much of the trail as possible and try to knock my arm? Seems especially dangerous as you were approaching the airport bridge where oncoming cyclists will have a decent amount of speed.

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