[kcb203]

@hozn 59839 wrote:

Yes Hunter Station is a fantastic wakeup hill I love that hill. I dunno what time you leave, but I typically head out west around 6:15.

I’m usually not on the road until 7:30 or so, but one of these days I’ll have to go early and we can ride in together.

[kcb203]

@hozn 59811 wrote:

Hello!

Sometimes (not today, trails too wet) I get off in Tamarac Park and ride my cross bike through Lake Fairfax. It’s wonderful to be able to do that [loosely] en route to work.

If I don’t do that, I ride up Hunter Station and then up Glade for a much more serene commute (wide roads, fewer trail intersections, etc.). E.g. this AM: http://app.strava.com/activities/71372365 This might actually be a nicer option for you too — go Glade all the way to Sunrise Valley and then you’re basically at the intersection of FFX County Pkwy and Sunrise Valley. I agree, the trail along 7100 is absolutely horrid (and crossing over 267 is downright dangerous, as the cars don’t stop).

I’ve been riding my road bike, but am tempted by the Twin Branches connector trail between the Glade/Twin Branches intersection and the W&OD. Is that doable on a cross bike?

Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions. I’ll probably end up going up Hunter Station in the morning more often. I love hills. I often ride the Military Road area hills in north Arlington–that’s a lot more fun for me than flat and straight.

I think part of my disdain for the Vienna to Hunter Mill section of the W&OD was that was the location for my morning interval sessions during Ironman training a couple years ago. It’s about 20 minutes from my house to Vienna, which was a good warmup, then I’d go hard to Hunter Mill and back. The memories of those intervals are still fresh in my mind, but unfortunately, not in my legs.

[kcb203]

I’ve brought my bike into 7-11s many times–nobody has ever complained. I find it easier to pee by the side of the road so I don’t worry about letting it out of my sight then.

[kcb203]

I just started bike commuting downtown three weeks ago, and the TR bridge seems to be the best way (Falls Church to Custis Trail to TR Bridge to F or H to Penn. in front of the White House to NY Ave. eventually getting to 8th and I St.)

What I find more terrifying than the bridge are the people turning into the Kennedy Center across the sidewalk who don’t seem to look at all. And on the VA side, there’s always confusion at the intersection on the boardwalk because 95% of the traffic continues on the Mt. Vernon trail, but the trail to the TR Bridge appears to have the right of way.

[kcb203]

@thucydides 48542 wrote:

Thanks, everyone. To some degree I’m not worried about Westernport. Westernport is mainly about pride. If I have to walk it, I have to walk it. My concern is more about the big picture, i.e., getting through a ride that features lots more difficult climbs after Westernport.

I had a great race at Savageman after training on the North Arlington hills. 41st Street was great until it was repaved a year or two ago. The consensus on tackling the wall is straight up on the right side. I got my brick.

As others have said, it’s the placement of hills within the ride that is tough. I’d do as many long, sustained climbs as you can. (Blue Ridge Mountain Rd., Skyline, Skymass, the course itself.) Also, do some hard hill repeats 40 miles into a ride. One way is to ride the W&OD out to Leesburg and go up Woodburn several times, then come back and do repeats on the best in Arlington (Quebec, Utah to Upton, Rock Spring).

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