[Rootchopper]

The crash-related trail closing near DCA was moved northward about 1/4 mile beyond the Crystal City connector this morning. You can now access the north sidewalk to the airport from the trail. I realize this is a temporary emergency situation but doesn’t the Park Service own any detour signs? Like they do for road closures. Seems like a small ask that will be re-usable for various more normal reasons.

[Rootchopper]

An update on the MVT. The river route near Slaters and the power plant was all clear today. The ice in the shadow of the Wilson Bridge remains but you can get around it pretty easily. (Don’t ride it. It’s nasty.)

Some of the police tape on the MVT north of Dangerfield Island was lowered. The Park Police had a big presence at Daingerfield. I don’t know if the police or the public lowered it but there were photographers and media people peppered here and there along the trail looking out at the river.

When I got to the Crystal City connector the trail was closed northbound by police tape.

[Rootchopper]

Today I rode the MVT from Slaters Lane to DC. All clear but for a couple of small snowy patches. Still very icy on the river route near Slaters and the power plant. All clear from the power plant to Jones Point Park. About 150 yards of bumpy nasty ice in the shadow of the Wilson Bridge in Jones Point Park. Take Royal Street. From the beltway to Tulane is ridable. There are a couple of spots you might prefer to walk but these are very short. From Tulane to Northdown Road is a mess. Even without snow, this area can have black ice so take care. (I use the streets from Tulane to Alexandria Ave during winter.)

Also, crews are clearing tree debris from Belle Haven Park to Northdown Road.

I didn’t ride the part of south of the stone bridge at Alexandria Avenue but it looks impassible for long stretches to Collingwood Road.

Also the path connecting the Pentagon area to the MVT near the 14th Street Bridge is clear.

[Rootchopper]

The fountain installation is completed. The new fountain has a water bottle filler as well as a doggy spout. Mighty nice.

 

[Rootchopper]

This week the Park Service is renovating the water fountain at the stone bridge.

[Rootchopper]

The last time I was in Trek in Belle View the mechanics were mostly the same people. Other options assuming you live near Belle View include Contes in Old Town.

 

Be prepared for a couple of things: (1) you’ll be paying quite a bit more and (2) many bike shops try to upsell you on services. Know what you want done and stick to it.

Good luck.

[Rootchopper]

The ramp to Eisenhower is indeed separated by a concrete wall.

The ride along Telegraph south to the ramp is not for the squeamish. You need to use the crosswalks at Huntington and the slip lane from Huntington to Telegraph. The curb cut to the ramp is at the end of the crosswalk at the slip lane.

Good luck.

 

[Rootchopper]

There is a dedicated path for bikes and pedestrians along the ramp from Telegraph to Eisenhower. Completely separated from traffic.  Go straight across Eisenhower to Mill Rd which is saner than Ike Ave. Right on Mill. Slight left on Jameson at the light where Mill goes right. Jameson to Dulany. Left on near sidewalk on Dulany to connect to the Duke Street underpass. (Bikes are allowed.)  Once on the north side of Duke, backtrack on Diagonal to Duke. Go one block and you’re at Callahan and the Temple.

I hope this is helpful.

[Rootchopper]

The mirror was vandalized again recently. It’s been tagged with black paint.

 

[Rootchopper]

No whining? WTF!

[Rootchopper]

Riders heading west were directed off Langston onto N Scott Street by road crew personnel. There were no signs indicating where to go after that. We (there were 2 riders in front of me) just improvised. At one point we ended up back in the construction area. After a course correction, we re-connected with the trail after the I-66 bridge. I’d say the road crew isn’t exactly up to speed on safe accommodations.

[Rootchopper]

New mirror has been up for a couple of days.

[Rootchopper]

It took less than two days to replace the section. (There is still a section that sustained damage but the work crew didn’t repair it.)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootchopper/52852165710/in/datetaken-public/

[Rootchopper]

After 15 months, the National Park Service has finally begun repairing bridge number 19 on the Mount Vernon Trail. This bridge was damaged by a fallen tree in the January 2022 storm. It is located between Tulane Drive and the stone bridge. It has been missing a section of railing and has other damage.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootchopper/51873331196/in/datetaken-public/

No news on when the NPS is going to remove the stump from a tree that fell in November 2021 about a quarter mile south of the Bridge 19. The stump tore up half the trail on a downhill. No worries. They’ll get around to it. Probably after they fix the Memorial Bridge that was damaged last year.

[Rootchopper]

FWIW I waited a while to see if the city would fix this then reported it today on the city’s website. I asked that they return the signals to their original settings, in sync with the traffic light cycle and without the beg button.

[Author]

Posts