[JeffC]

Regarding the Headsweats, I have two different kinds, some with this kind of whicking pony tail like thing at the back which is supposed to carry perspiration away from your head so it can evaporate more readily and ones without that. I can’t really tell that the pony tail like thing helps but it does not hurt and if I recall they cost about the same as the ones without. I wear mine in the morning, let it dry at work and wear the same one for the ride home. They definitely keep sweat out of my eyes and stop my helmet from getting as stinky as it otherwise would. All things considered, for a $20 purchase, they are worth it. Like my shirts and shorts, I have a few and keep rotating to stop from premature wear and tear, I’ve only had them for 2 years and so far so good. Underarmour makes a version but it molded up on me (ick!).

[JeffC]

Custis Trail has been nearly devoid of pedestrians in the afternoons. I biked Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week. I think this afternoon west bound will be deserted. I’m finding that keeping my bike in the granny chain ring on the way home for some time helps. I only really perceive that I am sweating when I stop at a stoplight, otherwise at a relatively low intensity, I never feel damp.

I think a Headsweats bandana under my helmet really keeps things cool as well. This afternoon on the way home, I may just go without my shirt.

[JeffC]

It’s about time, the condition of parts of the MVT and Custis trail is simply terrible, it’s like they’ve created unintentional, accidental speed bumps. You don’t notice so much if walking but when riding, the paths are usually much worse quality than streets.

[JeffC]

Tim,
I agree that the path is much better now since the paving. It was a bit unclear from the past posts, but is there any chance for additional repaving this year? In particular the stretch going from approximately where the current paving just ended (near the two artifical ponds at Lincon Street) eastward until the trail crosses Lee Hwy near Irving Street is also particularly bad with a number of “natural speedbumps” (aka tree roots pushing up the pavement). I believe this part should be paved next if possible.

[JeffC]

I stared at the map again and on Friday instead of taking Washington Blvd at Westover, I took Lexington to 22nd Street and then took that to Sycamore. I think Washginton Blvd is a bit more direct and shorter, the hills are about the same but definitely more traffic on Washington Blvd. It’s kind of a tossup as to what is better.

[JeffC]

@consularrider 4691 wrote:

Or from Key Blvd, take a short left on N Jackson, then over 13th to Quincy, right on Quincy to left on 15th, a jog right at the light at N Glebe, and then left on 16th to Westover. Much less traffic than Washington Blvd with about the same terrain. The block from N Jackson down to N Kirkwood almost looks like a driveway into the townhouses on N Johnson.

I have been off the bike for about 2 weeks due to a stressful and unusual work situation but I biked today for the first time recently and used the Veitch off Custis Trail/Key Blvd/13th/Qunicy/15th/16th until Westover and Washington Blvd route. I drove it first just to see what it was like. Other than some torn up roads on 15th Street this is a very nice route with few cars and no pedestrians to deal with. At Westover I kind of lose sight of any other route so I just took Washington Blvd at near the Lost Dog Cafe/Ayers Hardware and then took that to Sycamore and then cut through the side streets until I got near home. This is an excellent route for anybody tired of the Custis Trail. I actually think it shaved a few minutes off my commute as well although I don’t really keep strict track of time. There are fewer hills and things to slow down for. Excellent suggestion, thanks!

[JeffC]

@Justin Antos 4694 wrote:

This thread is something of a good sign… a good, legitimate discussion about how to avoid a dedicated bike path because traffic is too heavy! From the long view – this is a good problem to have.

Justin, you are confused about the nature of the route I am trying to avoid. It is definitely not a “dedicated bike path.” It is a multi-user shared path or trail, also known as a MUP or MUT, etc. If it was really dedicated for bikes only, I would not be trying to avoid it.

After starting at the map, I think I am going to try Consularrider’s suggested route to Patrick Henry and then take that to the W&OD just to avoid the Custis at this busy time of the year.

[JeffC]

OneEighth and DismalScientist,
your suggestion on using Washington Blvd is interesting. I’ve driven that a lot in my car and often thought it would be a great bike route from EFC until Glebe Road. It’s only two lane so nice wide shoulders and good visibility albeit some hills but relatively low traffic. However, it is a better route for headed east. I would never get off the Custis Trail headed west near Westover as at that point I have already passed the worst of the residential areas of the Custis Trail.

It is really the areas on the Custis Trail from Spout Run to W&OD that are getting bad in the afternoons in spring and summer when I am headed west, pedestrians double abreast, other cyclists that never announce they are passing, lots of walkers, even some groups of several people (maybe 100) that are doing organized walks near the Glebe Road hills. I can’t take it anymore. It’s never a problem in the morning, the trail volume is just quite low then, it is only the afternoon in spring and summer that begins to grate on my misanthropic bike oriented nerves, it’s more stressful than driving, I’m going hoarse from saying “passing” or else getting a blister on my thumb from dinging my bell continuously. Oh to have a bike only trail (like in Davis, CA or Boulder, CO).

In contrast, the W&OD is not as heavily populated with pedestrians and the Mt. Vernon tends to have more of the professional jogger types who know mostly to stick far right and not go double abreast and there are not lots of houses on the stretches I use.

[JeffC]

Hey CCrew (recognize your avatar from Bikeforums.net and just recently discovered this cite which is kind of like a regional subforum for DC), I want to avoid the heavy residential parts from approximately Spout Run until it ends at the W&OD. The first part in Rosslyn is easy as is the short stretch between the 66 overpass until the S curve behind the Italian store, then it is narrow, poor visibility, tree roots, and too many people until the W&OD when good visibility, fewer people, and better trail conditions began again.

As I said I can take the south route but I need another route to the north. It seems to get worse and worse year after year. If I recall you have more off hour commute times so you may avoid some of the insanity during the spring when the weather is 75. Actually last week when the weather was 95F was very nice for the commute.

[Author]

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