Chris Eatough
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Chris Eatough
ParticipantJust finished my ride in from Silver Spring to Rosslyn on mountain bike with regular mountain bike tires (small knobs, no studs). Main roads were clear but a little wet and salty (missed my fenders today). Bike and Ped path across key bridge was untreated. Half inch of snow, but soft and rideable for now. Custis trail was similar. Some soft snow, some tire tracks. Probably getting slippery in places. In general, conditions are ok for biking, but use caution especially when turning or braking. Mountain bike tires or studded tires recommended.
ParticipantHave fun guys. We expect to see lots of photos here on Monday!
ParticipantAlso, we should remember that this forum has not had problems with crudeness or offensive language in the past with maybe just one very minor incident. It has not been a problem, and is not something we should be too worried about moving forward. Keep up the good discussion!
ParticipantHere is my take on this:
Lively discussion is welcomed on this forum, and it IS a place that people can state their opinions.
However, it should all be non offensive, in good taste, and with clean language.
If we all post as if our mothers, niece’s and nephews are reading, then that should do the trick!ParticipantJoe.
Try Simple Green cleaner for grease marks on your clothing. The original green formula. You can find it at hardware stores or even grocery stores. Spray some onto the grease spot and scrub with a clean rag. It will cut the grease and not harm your clothing. It’s also a great drivetrain cleaner.ParticipantThere are small ones available that give a single “ding”.
All the bells I have seen mount with a small screw.
The can be small enough that you can leave them on there for all of your riding.
You won’t even notice it’s there, until you use it.
Check out your handlebars before you buy to see if the mounting area is oversize (ie. wide).
Some bells will open enough to mount on an oversize bar, some will not.
This one would mount on most size bars.ParticipantTo announce passing either pedestrians or other cylists, I recommend a bell.
Verbal communication is confusing on the trail.
“Passing on your left” usually comes across muffled and can sound rude.
Then often all the passee hears is “left”, and they move left, right into the passer.
A bike bell always sounds friendly.
Use it early to announce upcoming pass, then use it again as you move into passing position (usually on the left) which gives the passee a clear indication of the side of pass.
Then say “thank you” as you make the pass.
There is plenty of room out there for us all to share the trail and certainly no need for the interaction to be stressful or unpleasant.
Arlington County puts out a great “Sharing the Way” flyer with similar info.
PDF is hereParticipantThis is obviously a hot topic right now!
This much snow is presenting all kinds of problems, and there are some tricky issues regarding snow removal from our multi use paths, such as;- Snow removal equipment is still being used elsewhere (sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, school routes, neighborhoods)
- Different organizations and jurisdictions manage different sections of our area trails
- Narrow trails that require narrow vehicles for plowing
- Small wooden footbridges that cannot be plowed
- Cost/budgets
Usually nature takes care of any snow we get in a week or two. This is different. If we leave it to nature, the snow is going to last for well over a month.
BikeArlington would love to see some effort to get some trail sections cleared of snow, and we are doing what we can to pull the right people together to see what can be done. The trails are well used bike commuting routes, as well as important walking connections to transit, and they should be treated as such.
If anyone has any innovative ideas for this unusual situation, post them here!ParticipantYes, the conditions are tricky today on DC and Arlington trails.
I rode in this morning on Capital Crescent Trail.
It was rideable with mountain bike tires, but only just.
The path worn by walkers could be followed.
Biker tracks were slippery ruts.
At least it was below freezing, so the snow was firm.
It will probably be a little slippery on the way home today.
Tomorrows snowstorm is going to hit the trails hard.
Snow ploughing the trails would be great, but the snow removal crews are going to have their hands full with the roads, and everyone’s snow removal budgets are already blown for the winter.
Can anyone remember a winter with this much snow in this area?
If we get anywhere close to the 20 inches of snow that is forecast, we will be well over 50 inches in the last 2 months!ParticipantI bike commute Silver Spring to Rosslyn, via Georgetown.
Capital Crescent Trail. Straight, minimal interuptions, and fast.
Cross Potomac on Key Bridge.
What clan does that put me in?I also bike into DC quite often from Rosslyn, and take whichever bridge drops me off nearest where I’m heading.
Usually Key Bridge or Arlington Memorial.Participant@Chris Eatough 64 wrote:
On the Bike The City routing tool, the new 4 mile run crossing of I395 does not seem to show up. We will try to contact them and get that correction made. The WashCycle map seems to be correct already for that crossing. Thanks for the feedback!
I emailed Ride the City today via their “feedback” link to let them know about the 4 mile run bike trail crossing of I395. Their representative emailed me back immediately, thanking me for the feedback, and informing me that they would work on making that correction today! I was very impressed with this response, and will be even more impressed if they make the addition soon.
I encourage people to test this tool (http://www.ridethecity.com/dc) and GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK! Everyone benefits by having an updated, accurate bike routing tool. We are very lucky to have this for our region, since Ride the City is only available for 6 other cities nationwide.ParticipantW&OD to Custis Trail is one of the nicest bike commutes you could have. Trail all the way. But quite long.
One way to make it shorter would be to combine the bike trip with transit (bus or metro).
Lots of options there.
Arlington buses all have racks on the front for bikes.
Metro allows bikes to be walked onto trains as long as it is not rush hour.ParticipantGreat idea Allen.
I think this is going to happen!
Stay tuned to BikeArlington.com for details to come!ParticipantOn the Bike The City routing tool, the new 4 mile run crossing of I395 does not seem to show up. We will try to contact them and get that correction made. The WashCycle map seems to be correct already for that crossing. Thanks for the feedback!
ParticipantWow, nice photos! How did you like the Montreal Bike-sharing system? Something similar is coming to our region in 2010…
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