[DrP]

Cars, trucks, and motorcycles have non-blinking lights (aside from emergency vehicles – I will comment on them soon). To me as a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, when I see a blinking light, then I think bicycle or maybe pedestrian. When I see a solid light, I think car, truck or motorcycle. In speaking with friends of both the cyclist and non-cyclist variety, they agree. So having a blinking light, even in combination with a solid light (as I do in the dark with my blinky “be seen” and my solid “to see” front lights), indicates a bicycle (I may be a slow rider, but usually fast enough to not be a jogger. A sprinter perhaps…). On a street, I think this is imperative. On a trail I think this is nearly imperative too, for a couple of reasons. First, it lets the others on the trail know that I am a bicycle. Second, it lets those drivers, who do not always realize that the trail is a trail (there are lots of examples in the archives and news) that at least there are bicycles here to worry about. There are legitimate motor-vehicle uses on the trail, e.g., cops and ambulances when there is an issue on the trail (I won’t mention the short cuts) or standard patrols (this is standard in some localities), and they will have solid and flashing lights, usually in different colors than what the bicycles have. Thus everyone knows who everyone is.
Also, as someone who commutes on a combination of trails and roads – and trails that cross roads – changing the rear light from blinking to solid and back as I transition between them is just ridiculous – and I can get migraines from blinking/flashing/strobe lights so I understand why people do not like them, but I find turning away occasionally works and allows the identification I mention above to work. I turn away for the bright headlights (of bicycles, pedestrians, cars, street lights, moon, and sun), and can do the same for the rear lights. And those other bright and flashing lights that so many people wear or have on their bicycles just to be seen.
As the OP suggests, just chill on the lights and learn to look away from time to time.

[DrP]

I chose to take the W&OD in rather than Custis for the fewer and less steep hills.
The bit of Custis I was on to get to the W&OD was crunchy with some clear spots and some slick spots. The pedestrian bridge over I-66 (part of the detour) was very rutty and slick in a few spots.
I went through Bon Air and aside from frozen run-off in a couple of spots, it was good.
W&OD from Wilson to Columbia Pike was very crunchy until the last wooden bridge, then it was pretty clear – and all the way to the end in Shirlington.
I was shockingly surprised that 4MRT south of Shirlington was mostly wet in the underpasses – I feared those would be icy since there was no treatment, but it looked like that part of Arlington had a lot less snow then the more northern areas.
Meade-28th-Army-Navy was all good.
[The only problem I had was turning into the parking garage when my back tire started to come out from under me, but didn’t in the end].

I expect all to be defrosted later today and possibly dry with all that wind expected.

[DrP]

While not heavy snow, by 6:30pm there were pockets of snow and slush on roads and trails. I was on roads in Lyon Park and Clarendon to Ballston, and then the Custis trail. The roads and bits, especially on the bike lanes and Custis has sections of snow, sections of slush and just wet areas. The temperatures may get below freezing tonight, so I half-fear the the Custis will be unpleasant in the morning. Crunchy snow I can handle. Ruts are passable. Icy areas, where puddles were, will be less fun. Are other trails any better? In Arlington, it might get just below freezing, so maybe it won’t be too bad, but sunrise is so late that I expect issues in the morning – especially on the hilly Custis. Maybe it is a W&OD morning?

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@Emm 194518 wrote:

It was down when I biked through there around 7pm yesterday, so it must have gone down sometime before then.

It was down Sunday morning when I biked through (unless another one went down). I am surprised that it hasn’t been cleared away yet.

[DrP]

Perhaps getting back to topic here …. a few missed connections over the past 1.5 weeks.

Encounter one:
Me: riding south on the MVT approaching the first left by the Merchant Marine memorial. I stick my left arm out to indicate a turn and pull if back quick to use my brakes.
You: Walking the trail with a back pack, dressed like a hiker. See me stick my arm out and point, so starts to randomly point at the sky, a tree, the ground, etc.
Me: “I am signaling a left turn” and shake my head in wonder.

Encounter two:
Us (I am with a cycling buddy): Northbound on 4MRT approaching the ford south of Glen Carlyn park. We see you (group of three teens) heading south and we make sure that we are on the right side of the trail and ford.
First teen: cycling pretty far to your left, but manages to see us and move over in time
Second teen: cycling even further to the left and moves just barely when about to hit the first of us (who is pretty far over to the right at this point, but not wanting to fall off the ford – that one is high).
Us: “STAY TO YOUR RIGHT”
Third teen: manages to be at the center of the ford rather than left of center.

Doesn’t anyone teach people to stay to the right?

Third encounter (after dark, before 8pm):
Me: exiting the Custis at Harrison from the east. Seeing a car from the left heading north, I stop before I enter the street (I plan to turn right/north), and wait, turning my head to the right to indicate that I am waiting for you to go. I know that you will need to pass me if I go, so better to wait the few seconds.
You: stop before the curb cut and wait.
Me: still looking North.
You: waiting and eventually honking.
Me: I indicate with my left arm that I am turning right/north, while still looking away.
You: wait, then go, shouting out your window “Listen, {BLEEP}, I was trying to do you a favor!!!” Then proceeds to speed up Harrison.
Me: “And I was trying to do you one by not making you pass me” but she was already two streets away. I did wonder if she ever looked in her mirror and noticed I was behind her.

Why do people get so angry for not allowing them to do you a “favor”?

[DrP]

@ursus 193110 wrote:

I did it again. Nothing was done since May. Then a day after I ask what’s going in, they decide to start the next week.

Can we harness your powers to get things done?

[DrP]

@ursus 193043 wrote:

Does anyone have any update as to when this detour will start? It is now about four months since the May supposed start, and besides for the bagged detour signs, nothing has happened. Not that I am complaining.

I want to thank whoever suggested using Columbia St. rather than the official detour for the bridge project. Besides for some rough pavement on Columbia, the detour is great. A matter of fact, had I known about it all these years, I might have used it when a detour was not needed because the crossing of N. Washington St. (Lee Highway) is much simpler than where the bridge is bring built. I am surprised that Columbia St. traffic seems to get as much time at the light as N. Washington does.

Just received an e-mail from VDOT that this will begin on Monday, September 16, 2019 and continue through fall 2020.

[DrP]

About early-August they repaved Washington Blvd. I was pleasantly surprised with the speed in which VDOT did it (a few nights scraping it up and a few to pave). I have had a theory that there is one road line painter (or is that layer since they seem to not be paint) in the entire state of VA. The work on Washington Blvd supports that. Almost two weeks after it was paved they laid yellow lines and the white line demarking the parallel parking along the road (not the diagonal parking in Westover and no handicap markings in Westover). Then nothing for over a week. Late last week they got the lines for the bike lanes, but no bike markings, put in and the pedestrian markings in Westover, but not the George Mason end. I am hoping they finish this coming week, but I have my doubts. Crossing the road has been challenging lately, despite the pedestrian signs. I cannot even remember if the plan was for the front-in or back-in parking in Westover.

[DrP]

The new bike-walking trail on the Custis through Rosslyn was open this morning. A few issues at the road crossings (workers still there) but otherwise quite nice. And wide.
Looks like they will be digging into it again to put in the diamonds for the counter.

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@huskerdont 192781 wrote:

Mr. Happy must be very strong for his size because those Jersey barriers are completely gone now.

He did in two sessions. Half were gone the morning after you rode through (perhaps what looked moved were actually missing then?) and the remainder the next morning.

[DrP]

@bentbike33 192198 wrote:

Tree down across the very north end of Trollheim just as you get onto the boards. Dismount probably required.

Huh? I went through there at about 7:30 and didn’t notice a tree down. Has someone moved it? Was it passable enough that I didn’t notice? (I have been swinging wide there for a few days due to overgrowth)

[DrP]

Me: Cycling west on Fairfax Drive in bike lanes approaching Glebe.
You: Bus driver who kindly moves to the right turn lane behind me rather than cutting me off as so many do. Waves to me as we wait at the light. Then opens your window and says hello.
Me: Good evening.
We then chat about how far I bike each day and you are impressed. The left turn light turns green and we prepare for our green light. I hear a cyclist behind me coming up fast who then passes me (light is still red and left turn light turning yellow) races through the intersection, aims for the curb in the bike lanes that start on the other side of Glebe and jumps it continuing down the PBL in a zig-zag.
Me: arms and shoulders in a “what the…” motion and phrasing to match.
You: laughing and shaking your head.
We wave and go our ways as the light turns green.

[DrP]

@Tania 192174 wrote:

I won’t cross the IOD without a white walk signal. If I get creamed, I at least want to die feeling smug.

…so therefore I usually stop completely at Ft Myer but then continue on red when there is a solid break in cars (it has to be pretty open) rather than wait for the green at Ft Myer.

Around the count of 6, the light is red for folks coming off Key Bridge and the area between the parkway entrance and Lee in front of the Marriott is usually clear – only way for someone to enter is to come from the Marriott or decide to make the left rather than get on the parkway (is that even legal?). If I can go then and go quickly, I can make the IOD with the white signal. I just wish the other people rode that strip fast too since they have often forced me to wait at the IOD.

[DrP]

@gibby 192166 wrote:

Can you share a link to that study? I’d love to see the data, since that is definitely not what I experience during rush hour…thanks

I agree. I believe that I have only once passed a e-bike in all the years I have been cycling and that person was traveling with someone slow on a regular bike. I am passed daily by e-bikes on my commutes. I am in the 12-15 mph range usually (downhill much faster and on some straightaways, and slower on most uphills).

Oh, and I have seen the occasional “pack” of flat bar (not sure if hybrid or mountain bike or BMX) e-cyclists who zip by folks on and off the trail – it was dangerous in Bluemont by the disc park. These are not the norm, but they do exist.

No idea who did the study and the details and I have many counter examples. Not sure whom they were comparing against either. Can non-e-bikes go faster? Likely. Can e-bikes pass non-e-bikes? Most definitely.

[DrP]

@dasgeh 192042 wrote:

I’m not going to give this it’s own thread, because I doubt anyone ever bikes there (unless for stunt biking), but the Four Mile Run Trail under George Mason (you probably take the W&OD, which crosses G. Mason at grade nearby) will be closed for approximately two weeks to clear debris left by the storm.

I am curious how much debris was left to require two weeks of cleanup, if anyone grabs a picture.

Judd and others had pictures (you might recall the one with all the metal pieces from SteveO, although that looks cleared up in Judd’s photos).
I only use the W&OD in winter when it is dark for commuting – I much prefer the shade calmness of 4MRT to all the crossings and people on W&OD at all other times. So, please continue to post updates here.
There are actually two trails under George Mason, one on either side of 4MRT. The signed route (if you notice the signs), when coming from Shirlington, has you first cross the stream on the sidewalk on George Mason, then turn right and go under George Mason and continue on the 4MRT along the parking lot of the apartment complex. The other option is to continue straight on the 4MRT from Shirlington, go under George Mason, then go up to George Mason, cross the water, and back to the trail through the parking lot. This one is less pleasant, but possible. Do they mention which one is closed?

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