[Rootchopper]

A ped/bike signal at the Washington Street deck has been removed from the crossing at Bridgeyard Apartments. Can’t tell if it was intentional, the result of an accident, or some other reason. I hope nobody gets hit by cars turning off South Washington. It’s about 100 yards from where I was hit by a car turning across the MVT in 2019.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootchopper/52504772989/in/datetaken-public/

[Rootchopper]

I rode through there this afternoon and it looked cleared to me. Also, the downed tree blocking half the trail in Dyke Marsh was also cleared.

[Rootchopper]

Although design is certainly a problem in many places, the real problem with the MVT is neglect. The Park Service all but stopped doing routine maintenance on the trail a few years ago. No money, they say. Two huge trees fell along the trail north of the stone bridge. Their root balls tore up the side of the trail. Nothing has been done. The MVT painter has saved my neck any number of times. They also paint potholes and warning arrows.

I sometimes ride a long wheel base recumbent on the trail. In June I hit a root heave that snapped my fork. My butt has gone airborne a number of times from sequential root heaves, despite the fact that the long wheelbase acts as suspension.

Volunteer efforts are wonderful as are those by Arlington County and Alexandria City. But the Park Service has surrendered. The MVT is a very low priority. I think it’s time to take a US Senator or two on a trail ride. 34 years ago a senator’s wife was seriously injured on the trail while riding with her husband. She recovered and some funds were allocated to redesign the MV end of the trail. I know 2 other people that crashed in the same place. One was my wife. The redesigned trail isn’t all that much better. I crashed there in 1989. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1987/08/14/ranger-mounts-a-2-wheeler/f8608db4-a8cf-4e84-ae8f-941141d98446/

[Rootchopper]

I don’t. It wasn’t continuous but it was better than nothing.

I usually ride this section with one hand shielding my eyes.

[Rootchopper]

Use shrubbery to provide a screen between the Parkway and the trail, from Gravelly to the first flyover bridge and again at either end of the 4MR bridge. Riding south, headlights blind riders. Also, they back light trail traffic making trail users very hard to see. I have had several close calls because of this. Also, I saw a pedestrian get nailed by a bike at the south end of the 4MR bridge.

There used to be shrubbery along the stretch immediately next to the auxiliary runway but it was removed a long time ago.

[Rootchopper]

$20K and 2 bikes or no deal.

[Rootchopper]

Something about the Eggs in Space grabs me every time I ride past it. I took pix of the statues and put them over on Flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootchopper/albums/72157716038691078

[Rootchopper]

There used to be a similar bridge just before Mount Vernon. I wonder what the NPS was thinking when they put these in back in the day. They aren’t pleasant for walking, biking or running. Maybe they were the lowest cost alternative. Of course, the NPS didn’t have to pay all the ER bills (it me) caused by this design.

[Rootchopper]

I wonder what the Cookie Lady would think?

[Rootchopper]

Found someone already.

I can’t because I may be a witness for the plaintiffs

[Rootchopper]

I’ve lived in Fort Hunt for over 30 years. There’s tons of decent riding here. Divide the area in two, north and south of Little Hunting Creek (the creek one mile north of Mount Vernon). South of the creek is Woodlawn with lots of quiet streets on the north side of Route 1. On the south side is a grid streets with no hills (kind of boring). North of the creek is Fort Hunt, flat with beaucoup suburban streets. Further north, it can be hilly. Basically there’s a ridge that include Mason and Hollin Hills and Belle View. The hill extends over toward the GW Parkway were it drops away (a great downhill).

I routinely do rides of 20-30 miles while barely riding on the same street twice.

Come down, get off the MVT and ride around. In no time you’ll find plenty of good suburban riding.

[Rootchopper]

Yes. Great. You’d be perfect. Still need a male. If you know anyone that would be great.

Other than the info I mentioned, no other specifics.

Here’s who to contact:

Rick Shapiro
Shapiro & Appleton law firm
757-335-4222 mobile
HSInjurylaw.com (website)

[Rootchopper]

Don’t smell so hot neither.

[Rootchopper]

Thanks. It was a clever idea for a ride. We all had a great time.

[Rootchopper]

I don’t recall this. I do remember the Ford plant being kind of spooky. Old Town was a bit of a mess 30 years ago. I remember looking at townhouses on Prince Street near the Metro. They could be had for a song. They were practically shacks. Now you can’t touch them for under a million. Sad face.

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