[DrP]

Well, just got a note about the new bike trail. They didn’t really listen:

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAIL UPDATE

The Transform 66 Project includes 11 miles of new shared use trail along I-66 that will tie into existing trail systems. This includes new or expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities on 11 bridges. Additional trail sections will be built as part of the project in coordination with VDOT and local governments.

As a result of feedback from bicycling advocates and surrounding communities, recent design changes incorporate a taller, 50-inch-high concrete barrier to separate the shared use path when it is on the highway side of the noise wall. This is similar to the barrier that separates the trail from the roadway on the Capital Beltway’s Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

So, not the Alexandria portion of the bridge, with the sound wall. Still won’t make me feel good if this is over large distances. AND IT IS STILL ALL ON THE HIGHWAY SIDE OF THE SOUND BARRIER. Sigh. Lungs and ears beware.

[DrP]

Over the weekend I used my car. I drove along roads with all those election signs that have sprouted like weeds. (Note to those folks – the more signs I see from your candidate, the less likely I am to vote for the candidate since clearly the candidate likes polluting)

I enjoyed my commute along the trails where I did not have to look at all that “advertising.” Even in the rain.

[DrP]

@OneEighth 181830 wrote:

Tree down and blocking the Custis near the pond that is just East of Quincy Street.

As of 7:15am the underbrush of it was cleared enough to be able to pass eastbound underneath it with some slowing (or avoid debris). Westbound might have been passable, depending on your height.

[DrP]

@Erin Potter 181644 wrote:

Came here to clarify this same note.

Also, here’s the quick update I received from NPS:
“Here’s a tweet about the closure. Bikers should detour on DC side by crossing TR Bridge to get north of the trail closure. We are working to open the trail before the evening rush hour, but we’re unsure of when the work will be done.”

Appreciate all of your updates, fine folks of the Forum!

Okay, so those of us who use the trail to get from north Arlington to south Arlington are quite possibly going to need to either do the 110 trail or W&OD to 4MRT trail this evening and tomorrow, is that what I am seeing here? Good to know. I will check here later in hopes of more updates! Thank you all, this is why I joined the forum – trail information.

[DrP]

I saw them unloading that beast in the Roosevelt parking lot 7:30ish. I was wondering where it was going.

What engineer approved that? Sigh.

So, is this a chance to get a better trail than slippery wood?

[DrP]

Me: Biking home from gym around 7:45pm, northbound on Quincy, I was stopped in the lane, left side since I was going to make a left on Fairfax.
You: Pulling up next to me, kinda closer than I would like, with the window down.
Me: All prepared for you to make some comment about my not being in the bike lane or other such comment I frequent get here, but…
You: “Your reflectors work really well. I could easily see you. I always worry when I am riding that no one will see me…”
and we chatted briefly along these lines until the light turned and you wished me a safe ride.

Thank you. That was a much better interaction than I normally get on that route.

[DrP]

I just remember being at the gym years ago when BMIs were first all the rage, where there was a scale with the weights on the gym floor so one could pretty well see what each person weighed in at within a few pounds, and I would estimate their height within a few inched, could clearly see the next to no body fat and calculating that every buff person had BMIs over 30. I knew then it was all a load of hooey.
I also discussed with a physician friend who was sure BMIs made perfect sense, but could not explain away the buff gym goer with no body fat as being obese.
In the end you need a density measure to know for sure.

[DrP]

@Steve O 180911 wrote:

Imagine if 50% of drivers who used the GWMP crashed at a particular location along the parkway. Think they would take action?

Well, while clearly not 50% of the cars, they have not modified the area of the GWMP between boundary channel and Trollheim. It seems that about every three months there are tire tracks scraping up grass going down the hill from the GWMP to the trail and across it (and sometimes the whole car). So, my guess is that no, they will not always fix something, even for cars. If people regularly died due to such accidents, they might. I would prefer they fix such an area with lots of accidents before someone dies. (and that goes both for Trollheim and this region of the trail just south of it. I fear that one day such a car will take out someone on the trail).

[DrP]

@Erin Potter 180170 wrote:

Additional Custis Trail Detour, this time near N Scott Street/Lee Highway.

From my inbox:
“Construction continues on the Custis Trail improvements.

Weather permitting in the week of August 13, the contractor will begin work on the northwest corner of N. Scott Street/Lee Hwy intersection that will require the temporary closure of the trail. Therefore, trail users will follow a short detour around the work area.
Signage in the field will direct users on the route. The attached graphic indicates the planned detour area in the context of DPR’s trail work that is underway about ½ mile west of the N. Scott Street/Custis Trail work.
The detour is expected to last no more than one week.

As always, the construction schedule is subject to the weather.
Please proceed with caution near the construction areas.”

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18214[/ATTACH]

Also, scooped by ArlNow! https://t.co/q9vvoSIRDx

So, is there an official change to the days for this? Or was it only blocked in the middle of the day? I was expecting to be blocked starting Tuesday morning (assuming they wouldn’t be set up 7ish am on Monday), but it was always open.

[DrP]

This evening was an adventure, a kind of fun one.
I checked the radar and it looked like I might make it to Ballston without being rained on, but possibly rain the last bit. I left my office – no rain. I got to my bike 5 min later and it was pouring (that wasn’t on the radar!). So off in the pouring rain. A bus on Army-Navy drive comes up along side me and honks. He appeared to be asking if I wanted to get on and continued when I shook my head (I am already drenched). It was nice of him, but the bus that close and honking was a little disturbing. The rain stops less than a minute after the bus passes.
Four Mile Run was fine. Dark clouds in the distance, but no real rain and the stream was low – like there had not been rain all day. “Not too bad a ride,” I think. Four Mile Run is still low (I continue on that trail) as I enter Barcroft Park. Still low as the trail goes away from stream by the shelter and play area. After the uphill as I am approaching S. George Mason, I start to hear the stream and look over. Well, that is definitely not low and I will need to move to the W&OD at Columbia pike – I missed the cresting water and that might have been cool to see. The water was just below the trail at the S. George Mason underpass, but likely that changed soon.
Up to the W&OD. Streaming water here and there, but nothing bad, raining, but not bad. Each look at Four Mile Run and it is getting higher and higher. Well, I can tell that going under Carlin Springs Rd won’t be possible (Wilson wouldn’t be either, but that was not my plan today), but figure I can cross the road. Several people were waiting under rt 50. Not wanting to trudge through mud to Carlin Springs, I cross to Four Mile Run Trail and cross the road. I incorrectly decided that I could stay on Four Mile Run Trail, but wow. The tiny feeder stream is HUGE and there is no crossing the little bridge by the playground. Back to Carlin Springs and over to W&OD. Heavier streams crossing the trail, but doable (if I can see the yellow line through the muddy water, it cannot be too deep, I figured. Yes, my bike needs some attention now). Bluemont trail and Ballston were all fine, aside from too much rain.
I was soaked, but the water and air were warm. Watching Four Mile Run rise is just amazing and if I didn’t know where all the water tends to go and the ways around, I might have joined the folks under rt 50 for a while (or backed up a bit and take other roads). It was fun, although it did take quite a bit longer to get to my destination than usual.

[DrP]

Tuesday’s morning commute had either two separate bike-hating-car-drivers or the same guy twice, and this is possible. Traveling over Connector Rd. from Boundary Channel Dr to N Rotary Rd at the Pentagon and some guy behind me started honking. No where for me to go with the non-lane blocked with construction signs and the road rutted such that I do not like to possibly get caught. “Oh well, tough on him and he won’t get anywhere fast since they stop you at the bottom.” I had peaked around and saw a small silver car. I continued on my way to Fern and while under I-395, I hear several very loud honks – the tunnel-like region made them sound loud and I nearly jumped. As I get to the red light at Army-Navy, he squeezed between me and the curb, in a small silver car, stopped to yell at me that I wasn’t a car, to which I replied, “I am where I am legally supposed to be.” (And maybe a few other choice words, which did include that maybe he should learn some laws first). He continued on his right turn. Somehow I doubt he checked any laws.

[DrP]

It was a two Geese Gauntlet day. Only one had a stubborn, hissing goose, but both required lots of geese to move.

[DrP]

@komorebi 178971 wrote:

Nuns! Nuns on bikes! Nuns singing “Climb Every Mountain,” which I have been known to belt out during hill rides!

You gave me an ear worm. My whole commute home, which is mostly uphill, I was singing in my head the few lines I can remember of the song. Same thing on the couple of hills on the way in today too. I am not sure if this is better or worse than whatever else would have been in my head. Admittedly last week, after crossing paths with a deer (likely a doe at that), I was singing “Doe, a deer a female deer….”

[DrP]

Also, I am pretty certain on the 4MRT in Shirlington (along S. Arlington Mill Dr), one of those stations (and it might be the one closest to Walter Reed) is a pull-up bar or can be used as one.

[DrP]

Decided to wait until the rain tapered off a bit last evening to leave work. Biked along Four Mile Gallop (much too majestic and fast for a run) going home, until George Mason when I switched to the W&OD (was not 100% sure it was clear of water under GM, but was saw it full of debris) for a while. Watched the burgeoning river the whole way home. wow. The only ford that was not overflowing to the point of invisibility was the one north of Glen Carlin Park that is no longer part of a trail. I was surprised to see the one south of Glen Carlin Park overflowing – that on almost never is. I did return to Four Mile Gallop Trail after Rt 50. The pass under Carlin Springs looked like the water receded a few minutes before I arrived, but it was passable. The Wilson underpass, of course, was not.
It was a great ride and watching the power in that water was amazing.

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