[Dirt]

I’ll talk to a friend and see if he can help.

Send me an instant message and we can connect off-line.

[Dirt]

As expected, lots of clear trail but still quite a bit of serious ice and many sections that do not have a clear path through.

[Dirt]

Melt started to help, but there are many sections of trail that are still icy across the whole trail, with no passable line. There are large ice patches on the far side of turns with little warning. I was out late tonight and the temps are dropping fast. Everything is freezing up.

The 50 degree temps today might make you think that riding tomorrow will be safe and easy on the Custis or W&OD. It will not be. 60-70% of the trail is clear. That 30-40% is gonna be nasty as heck in the morning.

Love,

Pete

[Dirt]

The melting is a good start. Trying to ride during the melt is difficult. Luckily I have shopping to do in Clarendon tonight, so I won’t hit the really bad parts of the trail until I get to the far side of Falls Church.

Happy riding, folks.

[Dirt]

Roosevelt Bridge is clear, but that may not take you where you need to go. A very narrow line is clearing on the boardwalks. As of this morning it was only 3-4″ wide in some spots, but it should be better after 50 degree temps today.

[Dirt]

This morning wasn’t as bad as I thought for most of the ride. The section east of Lyon Village to Lee Hwy was BRUTAL. There’s an inch or two of slush on top of ice. I rode across it, but it wasn’t pretty. It took all the power I’ve got to keep rolling. This evening is likely going to be WORSE!

[Dirt]

@Mark: The plowing at the east end of the Custis trail helped quite a bit. The good line to ride is the same, but scraping off the crusty snow all around made it so that the penalty for getting off line was much less. That plowing was done during the day today for sure. It wasn’t like that before 0700.

@SMS: I would beg to differ. If you have the right tires, conditions have been MUCH better since Sunday. Sunday was thawing and everything was slushy. That is really hard to ride in regardless of tires. Nothing works well in slush. Monday and Tuesday had the trails frozen pretty hard. This afternoon started softening up a bit, but it wasn’t bad at all to ride. I’m not saying it was lovely like a warm summer morning… it was just all ridable with good winter tires (read studded). Definitely took a lot more effort to achieve any kind of momentum. That’s what winter is fore.

Tomorrow night is going to SUCK! Rain all morning and temps in the high 40s. The areas in the shade are going to be very difficult to ride.

Happy riding, folks.

Pete

[Dirt]

There were signs up at Teddy Island parking lot in early December.

That was from December 1. I don’t remember what the timeframe was for the work, but I seem to remember it being somewhat long-term.

[Dirt]

There were clear sections between Lynn Street and the top of the hill on Monday before 0700. There’s still plenty of ice in there too. There was a fair amount of thaw on Sunday when I was out on the W&OD. The plowing done at the opposite end of Custis was done during the day on Monday.

I saw a plow in Ste Anne’s parking lot when I rode past at 0615 this morning. I believe the driver was just working on emitting all the CO2 that I was saving by riding my bike.

[Dirt]

Encountered a section of trail that was so slippery that a guy and his dog could not stand up on it. Both were sitting and scooting along. He was laughing (the guy, not the dog) at the situation.

Studded tires didn’t bat an eyelash. Average speed on this morning’s ride in? 12mph for 13.2 miles… about 10 of which were on ice.

I would not suggest riding the W&OD or Custis without studded tires and an adventurous spirit.

[Dirt]

I’ll also add that they did start to plow a little at the west end of the Custis… near the I-66 underpass. It didn’t help a lot, but it was nice to know they’re trying.

[Dirt]

You’re right. The surface was really bumpy. Mountain bike helped on that. I was super impressed with the studded tires on the ice though. I didn’t really slow much because of the ice except for the custis bridge near glebe road. That is absolutely sheer ice. My commute only took me about 10 minutes longer (for the 14 mile route) in the ice.

Things will slow down a ton when things start to thaw.

[Dirt]

I rode just north of that… the area around Roosevelt Island. That part is mostly ice and snow still. I would not try that on a CABI. I will check the lower part later today and let you know.

[Dirt]

I rode it this morning and the overnight freeze were a big help. Studs are DEFINITELY suggested. It is rough going. It is like riding a very rough, rocky mountain bike trail. If it thaws, it will be a serious workout, but since it is supposed to stay cold and even snow more today, it should be fun.

@CCrew 2221 wrote:

Rode it tonight based on Dirt’s recommendation. Remind me never to listen to him again

It’s rideable with a MTB and studs. It kicked my butt without the studs, and when the front goes out from under you it goes out FAST. Nothing bruised but my pride. I made it but I bailed to the streets as much as possible.

Sorry about that. After riding it this morning, I thought I hit the description pretty well. I think Custis was a little more slushy than W&OD was, but it wasn’t that much different. None of these rides are easy.

[Dirt]

I rode the W&OD between Falls Church and Vienna today. It is normally in worse shape than the Custis. The W&OD was ridable, but it was not an easy going. With studs and a good freeze it will be much better. There’s really one line that can be ridden and it is pretty easy to wash out if you get too close to the edge.

[Author]

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