[jtcallahan]

Wow thanks for all of the input guys!

@Jabberwocky – Thank you for the detailed directions. The route you suggest looks pretty good and drops about a mile from the total. Taking the CCT from GFNP back to the W&OD is about 7.3 miles (according to Google) whereas your route is about 6.4 and is on pavement vs. trail which will be welcomed late in the ride.

Does anyone have any information on access to the CCT north of Oak Marr? I remember hearing that the CCT actually goes through some private property and that the landowners had posted “No Trespassing” signs. I was looking at a map showing both the CCT and property boundaries and it looks like in the section north of Vale Rd to where it crosses Little Difficult Run does indeed run across the back of some lots. Does anybody have any recent info on this?

If anyone is interested I’ll be doing this on my Salsa Fargo set up monstercross style. Maybe some skinnier tires (I have 2.4 Racing Ralphs on it now) would be a good idea considering the distance.

Thanks again!

Jim

[jtcallahan]

Wow thanks for all of the input guys!

@Jabberwocky – Thank you for the detailed directions. The route you suggest looks pretty good and drops about a mile from the total. Taking the CCT from GFNP back to the W&OD is about 7.3 miles (according to Google) whereas your route is about 6.4 and is on pavement vs. trail which will be welcomed late in the ride.

Does anyone have any information on access to the CCT north of Oak Marr? I remember hearing that the CCT actually goes through some private property and that the landowners had posted “No Trespassing” signs. I was looking at a map showing both the CCT and property boundaries and it looks like in the section north of Vale Rd to where it crosses Little Difficult Run does indeed run across the back of some lots. Does anybody have any recent info on this?

If anyone is interested I’ll be doing this on my Salsa Fargo set up monstercross style. Maybe some skinnier tires (I have 2.4 Racing Ralphs on it now) would be a good idea considering the distance.

Thanks again!

Jim

[jtcallahan]

Well I made it from Mt. Vernon to Fairfax for 28 miles. I left home at 5:15 and rode through the last of the worst weather in the first hour. By the time I got halfway it was tapering off and was pretty much done for the last 45min of the ride. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!

Check out the Fairfax County Parkway just north of Backlick Rd!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5615[/ATTACH]

[jtcallahan]

I plan to HTFU and ride in tomorrow. 28 miles from Mt. Vernon to Fairfax 😮 Installed fenders, pulled out the rain jacket and pants and purchased a cover for my pack. Free t-shirt here I come!

[jtcallahan]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2892[/ATTACH]
View from ped. bridge at Backlick and I95

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2893[/ATTACH]
Box turtle hanging out by the entrance to my office

[jtcallahan]

I had a pleasant trip in from Mt. Vernon to Fairfax. Only saw a handful of other bikers on my route. When I got close to my destination I rolled up on a guy with an ElliptiGo that had thrown its chain. I offerred assistance, but he thought he would be ok. I left him with my phone number just in case.

I’ve seen that same guy cruising on that crazy bike down the shoulder of Fairfax County parkway near Ox Rd. Not for the faint of heart as that is a very congested section. I prefer to stay on the bike path.

Happy BTWD!

[jtcallahan]

FCDOT has a couple of ways to provide feedback for the map. By phone 703-324-BIKE(2453), or email bicycleprograms@fairfaxcounty.gov

Please keep comments constructive. They really want to this to be a useful resource for bicyclists and your feedback and reporting of errors will help that effort.

[jtcallahan]

I’ll be doing my second bike to work day tomorrow riding from Mt. Vernon to Fairfax. It’s a 28 mile ride each way, so I don’t do it very often. Looking forward to it!

See you guys out there!

** edit: Adding this crosspost to a thread I just put up about Fairfax County’s interactive bike commuter map:
http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?5008-Fairfax-County-releases-interactive-bike-trail-map

Jim

[jtcallahan]

I feel that the signage for the 123 route-around is adequate. The bike trail takes you up to the 123 trail which you follow down to Burke Center Pkwy. Then you take Burke Cener Pkwy back down to the FFX Pkwy. No problemo. I do agree that the West Ox re-around is not well signed, but anyone taking a trek on the parkway trail should have already used a map to plan their route. Google Maps has the parkway trail on their bicycle overlay.

[jtcallahan]

I love getting a chance to ride without spouse related guilt

[jtcallahan]

I can’t debate the performance benefits of having more contact area, but having more surface is sure a confidence booster if you are on your pedals unclipped.

@bluerider 14913 wrote:

I don’t know that I buy the LBS manager surface area agreement. Sounds like voodoo to me but enjoy your SPD purchase. I’ll stick with my less powerful pedals. Let us know how things go.

[jtcallahan]

Thanks for the link MostA. The project was originally supposed to be finished by late 2012, but according to the reply it will be delayed some, so probably some time in 2013. I contacted VDOT customer service via email and here is their reply:

Quote:

Mr. Callahan,

The Mulligan Road Project between – US Rte. 1 and Rte. 611 (Telegraph Rd.) – is still very much alive. Project completion however might be slightly delayed as one of the unsuccessful bidders for Phase 2 filed a “bid protest” twice with the Government Accounting Office. It took almost 6 months to resolve the issue. The successful contractor has a pretty good track record in NOVA and will try and make up some of the lost time.

Construction is under the supervision of Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA) and the contact person there is Thomas Shifflett (Tel. no. 703/404-6323).

If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.

Khalid Gandhi, P.E.
Sr. Project Manager|NOVA L&D|4975 Alliance Dr.|Fairfax, VA 22030-6664
Tel: 703/259-2397|email: khalid.gandhi@vdot.virginia.gov

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