[lordofthemark]

Ah, it didn’t even occur to me to consider the Palisades Trolley Trail, I rode on it once years ago, and while for a while I followed discussion of it, I have not lately.

I believe at least one member of our community used to use the connection at Potomac near Norton to get from CCT into upper NW. I got from CCT to MacArthur by taking Canal>Reservoir up from the boat house – not the optimal choice, I think.

Good to see focus on connectivity.

[lordofthemark]

My intent is to wait and see if the 250 (?) slots fill up. If yes, I want to be a Friend of BAFS. If no, I would take a slot on a team. So, just wait?

[lordofthemark]

Yesterday I did an “infrastructure ride”

Arizona – well done. I assume it was mainly for traffic calming? I will not likely be using it much, both because of location and that hill. Though I can’t imagine climbing that hill without a PBL. The connection to CCT will help if anyone is actually going to use it for transportation.

Columbia Road on the other hand – it was being used yesterday by numerous riders. While I am not in AdMo that much, I would see using it at least a couple of times a year, and it might motivate me to get to AdMo more. I can see issues with the floating bus stops, but they work okay elsewhere and I would hope they will hear. Other than that, excellent design. I didnt explore all the connectivity issues as it was nearing time to head home, but PBLs on at least part of Connecticut would really help this.

Next DC infra ride will probably be Mt Olivet.

[lordofthemark]

Thanks Chris.

Columbia has been in the news, and its definitely on my list to check out – as is Arizona, though that is less convenient to get to. I vaguely recall seeing something about Mt Olivet.

M Street of course I see regularly, and have used (and Eye Street SE-SW which also is now protected)

I was on Potomac not that long ago, there was more infra there than I had remembered, but not sure if that was before the project was finished.

I have a lot of recon to do.

[lordofthemark]

I have now used the bridge a couple of times, I’m pleased with it.

[lordofthemark]

I was hoping to post that the new W&OD bridge at Wiehle Avenue in Reston is open, as it was supposed to have a ribbon cutting the past Tuesday, but there is a (hopefully minor) delay. No new opening date set yet. (edit: FABB says probably not till Autumn)

To follow up – Fairfax County Supervisor Acorn has announced, and NoVa Parks has confirmed, that the bridge has passed electrical inspection, and is now open. Yay!

[lordofthemark]

I was hoping to post that the new W&OD bridge at Wiehle Avenue in Reston is open, as it was supposed to have a ribbon cutting the past Tuesday, but there is a (hopefully minor) delay. No new opening date set yet. (edit: FABB says probably not till Autumn)

https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/07/08/pedestrian-bridge-over-wiehle-avenue-set-to-open-july-9/

[lordofthemark]

The bike lanes on Van Dorn Street in Alexandria from Braddock Road to Menokin are now protected in both directions, the first real PBL (IMO) in the City of Alexandria.

There is also a very short protected bike lane (SB only) on King Street from Masonic Temple Drive to Callahan.

As noted in a separate thread https://www.bikearlingtonforum.com/forums/topic/boundary-channel-drive-trail-is-open/ , in Arlington what some are calling the Lagoon Trail, from Long Bridge Drive, along Boundary Drive, thence around the Lagoon Yacht Basin to the Mount Vernon Trail near the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial, is complete and open.
It’s been a while https://www.bikearlingtonforum.com/forums/topic/pentagon-desire-path/#post-913688

[lordofthemark]

It is now open.

[lordofthemark]

Looks like maybe the no parking sign is not placed properly (its been a while since I’ve been through there). Does FFX have a 311?

[lordofthemark]

FYI, at the WABA/BPAC Alexandria candidates night on Monday, there was ample praise for Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail.

[lordofthemark]

Four Mile Run (the stream) overflowing it’s banks, covered half the Four Mile Run Trail just west of the MVT intersection, at 8AM this morning.

[lordofthemark]

1. There is a LOT of history here. Some of it quite useful to advocates and historians (some significant to some of us in other ways) At a very minimum it should be archived.

2. Where are people posting things otherwise? At one point I thought the bikeDC hashtag on Twitter, but Twitter/X is slowly fading and many refuse to post there at all. Reddit? We have a coffee club text chain, but if you don’t know those folks already, you can’t ask things, similar for Strava, etc.

[lordofthemark]

When I needed parts for my Ortlieb I never found them at a bike shop, but never looked very hard, as I needed several parts (I had really done a number on my pannier) so I just asked Ortlieb to send them.

 

It was an involved repair, including weaving, so I took the pannier and the parts to Old Town Luggage.  They did a great job.

[lordofthemark]

I finally rode it yesterday, entire length from Gallows Rd to the stub end south of I66 at rte 50.

1.  yeah, being between the highway and sound wall is not great. Noise and emissions. OTOH if the alternative is taking a lane on a stroad, maybe not that bad by comparison, because then you’re right behind the tailpipe.
2. which btw, means its  most useful to transportation cyclists/commuters.  though yesterday the other riders i saw appeared to be fast recreational riders. There was even a walker.  I doubt the trail gets runners, dog walkers, or casual recreational riders
3. Yes, some parts are better than others, the parts more elevated from the highway better than those at the same level
4. Some of the crossings of exits were clever and well designed, with good signage.  But yes, the crossing at Blake sucked. Is there a plan to change?
5. I like the PBL near the metro station
6. Side benefit – improvement to a short section on Gallows.
7.  when that stub end connects west, the utility of this will increase further.
8. no mattresses on the trail, and no snow or ice. There was a fender from the crash that had just shut down WB I66. LE told me to skedaddle as it was a crime scene. So I did.

 

Bottom line- it’s fair to dislike the compromises, and the overall environment that produced them. It’s still a net improvement, I think maybe a significant one (I think you have to have done lots of riding on bad stroads trying to get places out there to appreciate it).  I heard at least one advocate suggest that this is so bad, it would actually deter some folks from further activism. I dunno.

 

[Author]

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