[paulg]

Well I can’t take credit for the 30 mph speed on my bike, that must have been a car coming up behind me!

I called the Arlington Police traffic section just now and the officer said he would send someone down there today to check out the location to see if it can be moved out of the bike lane.

[paulg]

I just swapped from AAA to Better World Club after getting annoyed with AAA’s negative stance on biking in the district and local area. Why should I support them when they don’t support the things I do and the infrastructure that makes it possible.

BWC will give you a discount if you switch from AAA, which I took advantage of. I’ve only been a member for a few months so can’t comment on the service.

Click and Clack from Car Talk on NPR seem to like them as well and have a page on their website for them, if that helps!?

I say go for it and promote cycling.

[paulg]

In addition to Jack Browand’s reply (see post above) I got another very prompt email from Jonathan Jacobsen, P.E. Executive Project Manager – Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project Potomac Crossing Consultants who repeated Jack’s response with a few more details.

‘Paul,

I’m delighted to hear from you – and to give you a very simple answer: Yes.

The ‘official’ Mt Vernon Trail route will run as you see on the alternative A schematic. There will also be a defined and maintained pathway from the trail, under the bridge, and to S. Royal St .

The pathway will basically consist of an extension of S. Royal St . , with a bit of a ‘bump out’ onto the alignment over the existing west sidewalk to accommodate a movable vehicle barrier. The movable barrier will be installed across S. Royal St , approximately at the south edge of the new cul-de-sac we’ve constructed for vehicles to turn around and to access the recycling bins. The bins will be moved to the new concrete pad we’ve built for them soon.

You may experience some minor shifts and detours while we complete all this work.’

[paulg]

I posted last week about construction work ongoing at Jones Point park under the Wilson Bridge on the VA side and how it might affect the MVT. The sketch on the website does not show a clear route from South Royal Street under the bridge to the trails on the South Side.

I emailed Jack Browand, CPRP, Division Chief – City of Alexandria – Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities and he got back to me within 30 mins to say this:

‘There will remain a connector under the bridge on Royal St.

Following construction, the surface will be replaced. There will not be vehicle traffic under the bridge.

We are anticipating the installation of permanent lighting under the bridge within the next 3-4 months.

Jack’

Sounds pretty good to me!

[paulg]

The OP mentioned it was an SUV, which probably had tinted windows. I always find it harder, if not impossible, to see movement inside vehicles with tinted windows which I try to look out for when riding past lines of cars. Sometimes you can catch sight of a person making for the door, but not always.

Sorry this happened to you and glad you were mostly OK.

[paulg]

The sketch shows the parking as a ‘secure’ area. Not sure what that means. Will be it removable bollards that we can ride through or a chain link fence? All very uncertain in my mind.

Has WABA been involved in any of this?

[paulg]

I enjoyed reading your write up Barb. Thanks for posting.

I have worked at DC Water Blue Plains since 2000 which is right at the southern tip of DC just south of Naval Research Lab and Bolling airforce base. I used to live in the district but only rode to work once in 7 years due to the lack of safe route especially going from South to North as Mark B points out.

So as for a ‘bridge to nowhere’ I (since I moved to Arlington) and quite a few others use it as a bike commuting route from Virginia (mostly) to DC Water, NRL and Bolling. When they finish building St Elizabeth’s Homeland Security offices and hopefully extend the trail North to get to it, I think we’ll see a lot more people riding this way.

As a commute it’s hard to beat. Riding the bridge in the morning looking up to the river to DC is great, on the hill up behind National Harbor there is a bald eagle nest and sometimes they perch directly above the trail, the Oxon cove trail has all kinds of wildlife from deer (I counted 120 once) to wild turkeys, ospreys, herons and bad tempered geese, I’ve not seen the beaver yet.

I agree it’s a hard route to find and they should improve the signage. A friend of mine rode round the impoundment lot, bushwacked to the river which he walked across only to find he was only 100 yards from the trail bridge!

Paul G

[paulg]

I enjoyed reading your write up Barb. Thanks for posting.

I have worked at DC Water Blue Plains since 2000 which is right at the southern tip of DC just south of Naval Research Lab and Bolling airforce base. I used to live in the district but only rode to work once in 7 years due to the lack of safe route especially going from South to North as Mark B points out.

So as for a ‘bridge to nowhere’ I (since I moved to Arlington) and quite a few others use it as a bike commuting route from Virginia (mostly) to DC Water, NRL and Bolling. When they finish building St Elizabeth’s Homeland Security offices and hopefully extend the trail North to get to it, I think we’ll see a lot more people riding this way.

As a commute it’s hard to beat. Riding the bridge in the morning looking up to the river to DC is great, on the hill up behind National Harbor there is a bald eagle nest and sometimes they perch directly above the trail, the Oxon cove trail has all kinds of wildlife from deer (I counted 120 once) to wild turkeys, ospreys, herons and bad tempered geese, I’ve not seen the beaver yet.

I agree it’s a hard route to find and they should improve the signage. A friend of mine rode round the impoundment lot, bushwacked to the river which he walked across only to find he was only 100 yards from the trail bridge!

Paul G

[paulg]

I took the survey this morning and was impressed with how well constructed it was. I learned some things about different types of bike lanes and how I might react when using them in different traffic conditions.

Very interesting. I’d be keen to see the results when it’s counted up.

[paulg]

I have a cross bike with canti’s similar to Avid shortys and they don’t work as well as my sidepull road bike brakes.

They work fine and stop me OK but don’t work as well as the road brakes.

DeSalovesh: I thought the main reason for Canti’s on cross bikes was for mud clearance which you just don’t get with the sidepulls.

I wish I could get mine to work better and to not squeal, which they do every now and again,and I’ve tried everything except for getting new brakes.

Paul G

[paulg]

In the old days it used to be a little easier as there were fewer types of crank/bottom brackets to choose from but now it can depend on what style you have and this governs the tools you might need.

Unless you have the now more common external bearing bottom brackets like this:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_502313_-1_202630_10000_202430
where the cranks can be changed with an allen wrench, you’ll need some special tools I’m afraid. I don’t know how much you are willing to spend and how keen you are to keep fixing your bike over the coming years but it may not be worth it to buy the crank extractor tool that you’ll need.

This would be a good time to get acquainted with your Local Bike Shop who can fix this for you.

Just a warning: New cranks means new chainrings (cogs on the cranks), which might not work with an already worn chain. A new chain and also new rear cassette (cogs on back wheel) might be needed too. Again another good reason to take it to the bike shop.

Good luck.

Paul G

[paulg]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I think I’ll start off with the ‘I didn’t see the memo’ coupled with the ‘keep a low profile’ strategy and if they catch up with me I’ll talk nicely with the building management to push for better parking for my bike which should delay them long enough or at least force them to spend some money which I’m sure they won’t want to do. Hopefully they’ll realize it’s just too much trouble to stop me and let me get on with it. My other strategy will be to say I didn’t bring a lock.

Luckily I don’t have to visit that office on my bike all that often but that makes leaving a lock there kind of annoying.

I’m not sure what their reasoning is behind the ‘rule’. If it’s dirt etc. I don’t believe it. My bike tires don’t get any more dirty than someone’s shoes. If it’s damage to walls and the elevator etc. that doesn’t fly as the UPS and FedEx guys manage far more difficult objects in and out of the building and I’m sure they are pretty careful.

As for looking professional: My dark red surly cross check with silver bar tape and silver fenders with red ortlieb panniers is my pride and joy and looks very professional thank you very much! Which is just another reason for having it my office. Looking at it inspires me to ride.

Thanks again for the advice. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Paul G

[paulg]

I use one of these:

http://www.rei.com/product/796369

an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder.

I’ve used it for years for just generally traveling (vacations etc.) with nice clothes like dress pants and a button down shirt. I’ve even got a larger one that I have used for suits.

I bike commute 3 or 4 times a week and always use one. It fits into most daypacks or the ortlieb panniers I have.

How does it work? There is a stiff plastic sheet inside that you use as a template to fold your shirts and pants etc. (there are even instructions printed on it) and once a stack of nicely folded shirts/pants is made, the plastic sheet is put on the top of the stack before closing up with the velcro sealing flaps. A similar stiff sheet is sewn into the base to act as a sandwich for your clothes which keeps them nice and flat.

It works well for me and judging by the reviews on REI it works for others too. I’ve had mine for nearly 8 years now and apart from a small crack in the top sheet it still works perfectly.

Paul G

[paulg]

Definitely doable! There are a number of commuters who head that way each day to DC Water Blue Plains and the Naval Research lab. These directions complement what Rootchopper said:

These guys at this link did quite a nice job with some photos to show you the turnings:

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=102238

(A couple of the pictures are old now as the DC Village building is demolished) “Jane in DC Village” picture.

They didn’t cross the Wilson bridge first so you’ll need to take these instructions to get you to Oxon Hill Road:

You can access the trail on the Wilson Bridge from GW parkway. It’s on the North side of the bridge. From Old town side it’s easiest (no ‘narrow’ sidewalk riding) to go south on ‘South Royal Street’ go under the bridge and turn right up the trail to GW then right and right again puts you on the bridge trail.

At the East end of the trail about ¼ mile form National Harbor development you’ll see a sign that says Oxon Hill Road 0.8mile. Follow this left through the little tunnel and take the trail up the hill to Oxon Hill Road.

At the traffic signal at the top turn left. I, and most of the other commuters, stay on the left side of the road riding in the bike lane against the traffic.

Watch for the pinch point under the two bridges – the bike lane disappears – but you can ride on the dusty dirty sidewalk if needed.

You’ll reach another traffic signal – turn left into Oxon Cove Farm NPS. From there you can follow the photos on the site above.

Another nice way to look at the route is to use Google Maps. They have a ‘biking’ option now that’s cool. Using the online version with the satellite image turned on, will let you zoom in and study the route.

[paulg]

Thanks Greg

Let me know how you get on.

I did e-mail Waba at the address you supplied but maybe my mail didn’t get through due to the photos I attached.

Regards

Paul

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