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It appears the Crystal City Connector (is that the official name?) was largely installed today between the GW Parkway tunnel and the railroad tunnel. 6×6 post in ground alongside the trail and possibly cables across trail.

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My observations for some of the MVT are at

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1128-Conditions-MVT-Between-DCA-and-Old-Town

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I would include effective closeout of the Humpback bridge project (drainage, repairs to the detour and pedestrian cutoff at end of the bridge, and possibly the new T intersection); removal of stakes along the curb across from the Tourmobile facility on Buckeye on Hains Point (they are hanging out pretty far into the street); and more consistent opening of the gates at Hains Point (or paving a curb cut around the entrance gate).

Thanks!

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We’ve been here before. When I began riding that route a couple of years ago, it was more of a straight shot onto the MVT heading north. Then they created the cutoff. While it is probably safer for the fast movers riding north, it does force one to pay attention.

If you look on Google Earth, you can see the changes from 2006 (left) to 2010. [ATTACH=CONFIG]339[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]340[/ATTACH]

While I can live with the turn onto the MVT, I would be in favor of some sticker bushes to close the shortcut for pedestrians as I have been suprised at their sudden appearance at the start of the tunnel.

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As we’ve been regularly counseled by our more senior, and esteemed, colleagues, a little common sense goes a long way. The stretch from the MVT turnoff until you get safely on Crystal Drive in Crystal City is rich with opportunities for problems. Once you come through the tunnel, the path leading to the railroad tunnel has blind turns and great conflict potential. I ride the route daily and have been surprised at just about every turn. A great place to take it easy.

Be safe!

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I have something called a “pack pelt” from Ogio

It is available from a number of sites but I got mine from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Ogio-Pack-Pelt-Viz/dp/B0035JNK5U

It is a bit more elegant than hanging a reflective vest on your backpack.

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I saw a rider yesterday with a skewer mounted rear light that was powered by magnets on the spokes. It was on when the bike was moving. A product called Reelight. Found it at Amazon in a couple of models. While I can’t see it as my primary light, it looks like it might make it up to the secondary or tertiary position.

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If you decide that buying a bike is the strategy, I would recommend you look at Phoenix Bike Co Op in Arlington. It is at http://phoenixbikes.org It provides both affordable bikes as well as training for young people.

I’d expect you would be able to donate the bike you buy back to Phoenix and then possibly get a tax break for the donation (your tax adviser may have more information).

My “new” mountain bike (for the occasional day of crappy winter weather) will soon come from Phoenix.

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Capitol Hill to Rosslyn should be a cakewalk (cake ride?). Down the mall, around Jefferson to 14th street bridge and then up the Mount Vernon Trail to Roosevelt Island, then up the trail to Rosslyn. Absent traffic in Rosslyn, a clean and pretty ride.

Good luck!

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I get it at 16.3 miles on several rides

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The new trail across the Humpback bridge opened yesterday. Sweet! Even with the construction still narrowing the path, it is a real improvement over the old unprotected sidewalk.

As feared, the connection between the MVT and the path across the 14th Street Bridge still needs some work. Pretty tight turns. I will coordinate with Bike Arlington to see if it can be enhanced a bit before the construction is wrapped up.

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Although we have had the occasion to observe a random assortment of strategies for building a bike path, the final choice might be as good as it gets. Picture below was taken about noon today.

While this is a significant improvement over the earlier alternatives, the hill is steep and turns are tight. Be careful!

That said, we should carefully look at the permanent bike path as it is completed because the folks leading this effort don’t seem to be particularly well informed to the needs of the biking community.

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The Federal Highway Administration is managing the project. The website describing the project doesn’t highlight the fact that the bike path detour appears to be a real ad hoc design. The bright paint on the speed bumps at the top and bottom was a colorful touch today.

The site below provides the following contact information Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

703-404-6260
1-800-892-8776
Prompt #3: Construction Information

Email:
efl.fhwa@dot.gov
Subject reference: Construction Information

http://www.efl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/traffic-humpback-bridge.aspx

The end of that project can’t come too soon

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If you are comfortable getting down to the Mount Vernon Trail, you are almost there!

I cross the 14th Street Bridge (great bike lane) and then hop up on the sidewalk just past the Jefferson Memorial. Turn right in front of the memorial and pop up on the sidewalk that leads around the tidal basin. Cross Maine Avenue at Raoul Wallenberg (aka 15th Street) on the west side of Wallenberg and take the sidewalk (the sidewalk around the tidal basin and the run up Wallenberg show on the DC bike map as “bike route on sidewalk”. I cross at the light mid block on Wallenberg (between Maine and Independence) to the other side of the street and continue north to 15th and Jefferson. Turn right on Jefferson heading east and ride Jefferson to the Capitol. Jefferson is one-way with light traffic and a slow speed limit.

On the return, ride on Madison (the other inner mall street) back to 15th, turn left on 15th and head back to the tidal basin sidewalk.

To the question about traffic lights. Yes, obey them. Most have pretty heavy traffic. The intersections that have busy traffic include Maine and Wallenberg, Independence and 15th, Jefferson and 14th, Jefferson and 7th going in and Madison at 7th, 14th and 15th as well as the Wallenberg at Independence and Maine going home. Invest in tail lights and something reflective.

Enjoy the ride!

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