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@TwoWheelsDC 46170 wrote:

I joined the all-stars, but I’m happy to move to a different team once the competition starts and there are others with more miles (assuming the all-stars is meant to be the varsity squad and if space is limited). My mileage will jump A LOT once the weather warms up. I’m aiming for about 150-200 miles a week this spring/summer, up from my 75-100 during the winter.

Ditto that. minus the big jump part.

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@consularrider 46135 wrote:

8 miles in 15 minutes, you’re a real speed demon! The only time I hit more than the low-20s mph is going downhill. Or did you mean Metro riding?

He’s saying it saves you “about 15 minutes of riding”, which means the differential between riding metro and riding bike is about 15 minutes, the way I read it.

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@ssatvat 46112 wrote:

Hi I’m new to commute biking. My office is moving to DC from Fairfax. I’m looking to bike once or twice a week to DC from Chantilly. I was wondering if it is too much to start with. Google map shows about 27 miles. As a new biker, I want to hear your opinion. Overall I am fit, I run 4-5 miles without any issues and last year I rode bike from 25-30 miles on a weekly basis using OD Trail.

1. Am I being unrealistic to start riding to DC (Intersection of Virginia Ave and 23rd street) from Chantilly (intersection of Rugby and Lee Hwy)?

2. Is there a parking lot nearby OD trail where I can park and ride straight on OD trail to DC instead of going thru Chantilly Neighborhoods and streets?

3. What will be a realistic commute time?

I presume you mean Rugby Rd & Lee JACKSON Hwy? Lee Hwy is a different hwy…

Yes, I’d say very unrealistic to try the whole thing at once. There’s a bus – Fairfax County Connector 650 series that runs down LJH to the Vienna Metro, and back. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/routes/650.htm From there, there are quiet Vienna Streets to the W&OD trail. and you’re probably at least 11 or 12 miles from the office still. I usually like the Key Bridge coming off the Custis Trail as the most accesible, but the Roosevelt is also a good option. and that would be something that you could probably work up to 5 days a week within a month or two.

Realistically? I’d guess 45-60 minutes on the bike after the bus. or about 3-3.4 hours to bike the whole way.

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@OutsideTheLaw 46117 wrote:

Try an alternate: come down Clarendon, left onto Lynn in central Rosslyn, then go with the Lynn Street traffic.

Or the alternate alternate: cross on the West side of the Key, and then wait at the light to turn right onto M.

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@Steve 45877 wrote:

Yorkshire is where my wife works, very cool. She said she sees two folks in the a.m. many days riding on Old Centerville/616, perhaps it’s you?

Not it. I’ve done it a couple times, but usually take the bus to WFC to bike to DC. Absent that, I take Sudley to Lee Hwy. It’s too much for me to bike from M-sas to DC every day, but it can be done!

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Lately I’ve started recording my rides in both Strava and Endomondo. I had been recording in Endo, and really like the voice feature – I set it to tell me my pace every mile. I can’t usually hear it in heavy traffic, but otherwise, it’s nice to know. Then I love the Strava segment comparison… So, they both have features I like, and I haven’t found both features in either, so it’s both!

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I can’t find information on the website to add a convoy, but I’d like to suggest the following route from Yorkshire Elementary School to Merrifield Mosaic District Pit Stop (15.8 miles), and continuing on to the W&OD towards DC. I envision leaving Yorkshire around 5:15 am, leaving Merrifield at 6:40, and arriving at Freedom Plaza around 8:00.

http://goo.gl/maps/x0qrc

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@Justin Antos 45547 wrote:

Thanks all! W&OD was all clear from Broad St/Leesburg Pike eastbound to Custis turnoff. Mostly dry – a bunch of wet spots but nothing frozen around 7pm. Broad St. wooden bridge a little slushy on one side, but overall no problems.

AM commuters, watch for black ice if it gets below freezing tonight.

Thanks for the update! I’m about to hit the trail now. and may see some of you at Friday Coffee.

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@Justin Antos 45506 wrote:

I’m planning on using the W&OD out to West Falls Church tonight – think it’ll be melted enough by then for smooth tires?

Thanks for the help W&OD riders!!

I’m going to say “doubt it! but very possibly.” Based on the shear amount, and possible shaded portions, but then again, I’d look forward to someone going that way early – say about now – giving us information.

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Man, I checked this thread at 6 am, and there was nothing. .by the time I got to W&OD just East of 7, the trail hadn’t improved much, but the posts here had. I ventured on trail for about 2/3 of a mile, slid off the trail twice and half walked through the ice, till I hit the streets until N. Abingdon to the Custis. After that it was smooth sailing! Really not sure where all the ice bumps came from, but they reminded me of slow down bumps.

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@Steve 45269 wrote:

No need to apologize! Here’s the link of how I went when I worked at Navy Yard: http://goo.gl/3fiwA

Here’s a slightly different version, if you ever want to change things up a bit. It’s based on Steve’s map, but offers you the Roosevelt Bridge instead: http://goo.gl/maps/qFt3w

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@Tim Kelley 43603 wrote:

Will this have an effect on anyone here?

This is great! I’ve always just avoided the place altogether because it seemed so complicated, and figured out a way over or under based on the bridge I navigate, but now I can see a couple short cuts.

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@rcannon100 43235 wrote:

How many times would you have to cross the GW Parkway:

14th St: None

Memorial: Twice

That should answer that. (GWP is a form of Russian Roulette)

I drove the GWP today (before CaBi’ing in), but I must say: we need better markings!! the crosswalks did NOT jump out at me. They need to grab drivers’ attention if it will be minimally safe.

Oh, and the main answer: I think i would probably go 15th/WH/CT. In fact, I take that route occasionally when I have to go up to Dupont from 14th&F. CT is pretty well timed through there, and the WH is a nice ride. Not sure I’d be in favor of going all the way around. I’m just impatient like that.

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@Subby 41610 wrote:

Quick trip report.

Tri360 is AWESOME. Super nice people. Very accommodating with all of my dumbass questions. Totally convenient to my house (less than 3 miles) and on the way to work. They replaced my front and rear brakes and trued my front wheel and I was out of there in under 30 minutes.

Definitely my LBS.

Good to know. A very short detour off my commute via W&OD. I had no idea they existed, but will check them out.

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@KelOnWheels 41452 wrote:

I ordered some shoe covers and a balaclava and a skull cap and some lobster gloves. It should all arrive in time for the weather to get warm again

Oh, yeah. and that reminds me, the last freezing part is my face. Any good balaclava recommendations? I’m partial to Smartwool after a great hat and socks, but I am open to any good experiences.

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