Dirt
Forum Replies Created
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@Fast Friendly Guy 77366 wrote:
Hey look at those blue mountaineering gaiters Dirt is wearing! I thought I was the only one to use climbing gear for rides (e.g.,insulated Gortex overmits–They’re like Moose Mits on my arms!)
They keep my feet warm and dry this time of year.
@vvill 77381 wrote:
Given the state of the roads (esp the neighbourhood ones), I didn’t bother with the trails this morning. I will probably try some of the Custis/W&OD on the way home though.
WSGFABR!We should! I had a lot of fun on the trails. The ice rink ride early this morning was TONS of fun. I passed a plow that had to back down a hill and take a second try at it. Drivers this morning were SUPER Polite and did a great job of sharing the road. I was proud of my peeps.
Alright! Here’s the scoop.
The W&OD from East Falls Church to Bluemont is plowed and just wet pavement with the exception of the climb up to and down from Brandymore Castle.
The entire Custis trail has been plowed, but it only about 20% wet pavement. The rest is an icy, slushy mess. I rode the whole thing from Rosslyn to the W&OD without needing to put a foot down, but it was a bit of an adventure ride. It is definitely doable as long as you have studded tires that have some tread to deal with snow. This afternoon regular mountain bike tires or very aggressive cross tires would likely work, but keep in mind there is a lot of soft ice out there. Two sisters climbs are VERY difficult. They are slushy and snowy, but fun! The bridge east of Lyon Village… the one that goes along I-66 over the top of Spout Run Parkway is by far the worst. It was plowed nicely, but the snow at the sides has held the water in. It is 4″ deep in slush and extremely difficult to ride through.
Here’s the thing for tomorrow!!!! Everything that is wet pavement now is likely going to be very icy tomorrow. As the temps drop, ice will form. More melt water will spill out onto the ice and form into more ice…. and more ice on top of that. The W&OD will be a bit icy. The Custis is going to be VERY icy.
It was a BLAST riding the trails today. At 11am I was first, second, third or 4th bike tracks on the trail. Someone rode most of it with a set of Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires. Consularider perhaps??? The trails are fun, but for the next day or so, i’d suggest them only for the very adventurous.
As others have said…. outside of Arlington, forget the trails entirely. They suck and will continue to suck for quite a while.
I can’t wait for tonight and tomorrow’s snow!!!! Mondays and Tuesday’s snow and sleet is going to be even more awesomer!!!!
Have fun riding. Today’s ride home can be FUN FUN FUN with the right attitude, clothing and tires.
@Rod Smith 77361 wrote:
Actually Ben had ridden 13 by the time we got to my house where I lent him some dry socks and rain pants and sent him off towards Kensington, another 12 approximately!
That guy is truly amazing. So are you, by the way! Great day on the bike.
Other stuff to consider when looking at this picture. Rod’s ride was 30 miles long. Mine was 25. Ben’s was around 5 miles, but he did the entire ride on a unicycle.@consularrider 77321 wrote:
Well, Washington, Wilson, and Clarendon were clear so I’ll be able to ride in tomorrow. Too bad Java Shack was closed, hope they’re open for FCCII.
Glad they finally got Wilson and Clarendon cleared. Neither had been plowed by mid morning between Courthouse and Rosslyn. They’d just started clearing Lynn Street by 10:30 and Ft. Myer was still unplowed and a single lane when I rode through at about 2pm.
Clarendon Blvd at 10:30am.@Rod Smith 77222 wrote:
Flat tire but I landed on my feet and the rim seems fine.
That’s wild. Might want to avoid that exact spot in the future. I know I will.
