[Rootchopper]

I rode from DC to West Newton PA before the GAP was finished. I had to ride over the mountains between Cumberland and Meyersdale. They are beastly. I broke 40 mph on one downhill and I could have easily upped that to 50. (Brain kicked in and said, “Whoa!”)

As for the trails, what a beautiful ride. I did it on a long wheel base recumbent. I do not recommend using a road bike. There are lots of places on the C&O where the trail is one dip, mud puddle or tree root after another. The Gap Trail is in much better shape but the limestone dust can get into the works of your bike. And if it is wet it will ossify brakes. Beware.

I also rode it from West Newton to Rockland PA (the opposite direction). If there is an elevation gain, it was tiny.

I went back after they finished it and rode from Cumberland to Meyerdale. Cumberland to Frostburg is a long slow slog. On the return I cruised at 16 miles per hour on a folder. The views along this stretch are beautiful panoramas of the mountains. There’s also the coal fired train and two tunnels. From Frostburg to Meyersdale you get another tunnel and the Eastern Continental Divide (woo hoo!).

The sections through Ohiopyle State Park are impressive. Green everywhere. A river far below. Kayakers and fly fishermen. Just a gorgeous ride.

The Salisbury Viaduct takes you over an entire valley. Very cool.

And then there is the alien looking Garret Wind Farm, huge wind turbines high above the trail on a ridge line.

The folks who live in the towns along the trail really appreciate the income from the bike tourists.

So by all means do this ride. Wait a couple of months until the trails dry out. (I did my rides in June and July.)

[Rootchopper]

You got your Shirlington and your Fairlington and Clarendon, and you used to have Parkington, how about Loopington?

The Tour of Arlington was what it was called by the Greater Washington Bicycling Atlas, BTW.

[Rootchopper]

Easily the most memorable moment was watching a flock of vultures devouring a deer carcass on the side of Falls Road.

[Rootchopper]

I haven’t tried the route near Bolling. Without any signs I just gave up! I’ve done the loop several times. I think the most straightforward way is to ride the 11th Street Bridge to Good Hope Road. Left on Good Hope. Right on MLK. Then it’s MLK all the way to a left on Blue Plains Drive. Another option that bypasses the Oxon Farm Trail is to take a left on South Capitol from MLK. This becomes Indian Head Highway which has an exit for Oxon Hill Road.

Oxon Farm Park has an amazing deer population. You’ll have plenty of time to spot them because the hill is long and nasty.

The ride on MLK is hilly and pretty depressing unless you are into urban blight.

Regardless of how you do it, when you get to Oxon Hill Road take the first right on National Ave instead of the side path. Clean pavement and a looong downhill. To get to the Bridge you need to take a left about 2/3rds of the way down the hill to cut over to the side path (look for a trailer office along the side path, its the Maryland Park Police). Sometimes I just bomb all the way to National Harbor on National Ave (just follow the triangular signs).

As for getting to or from National Harbor, use the road. That oyster shell path is obnoxious.

I agree with everyone that it’s a shame that signs and a sequence of trails doesn’t exits in Anacostia.

If you are intrepid, you can take Oxon Hill Road south to Fort Washington. (That’s a big brick fort on the Potomac.) Oxon Hill Road is in lousy shape (shoulders come and go, glass, debris, etc.) but once you leave it the ride is pretty nice.

[Rootchopper]

I have two Road Morphs and two Zefal frame pumps. The Road Morphs are much easier to use. The hose is key. With a conventional frame pump (without a hose) you can damage or even snap off the valve. This will ruin your whole day.

[Rootchopper]

I’ve seen cars drive onto the Mount Vernon Trail at Northdown Road near the Stone Bridge. There’s a drive way or two there along the trail and cars sometimes miss the turn on to the Parkway. Backing out is the only option and it’s quite difficult to do.

[Rootchopper]

Another common porblem occurs when several people pass in sequence. The first passer gives a warning then the rest follow without a warning. I’ve nearly been hit from behind when, thinking the coast is clear, pull out to pass a pedestrian after the first passer goes by.

[Rootchopper]

Creadinger, welcome back to the commuting horde.

I agree with all the sentiments experssed in this thread. When I was yonug and foolish I too rode like a Lancealot on the trail. Until I had to take a dive to avoid hitting a toddler. That incident wised me up fast.

I have noticed a surge in bike commuters. I was thinking of posting a blog about how bike commuting sucks to deter the masses from clogging the trail. I am afraid that $4+ gasoline will win the day, however. Nobody listens to me anyway.

We will have beaucoup company on the trails and bikeways in about a month. I replaced my front brake pads last night.
They’re going to get a lot of use in the weeks ahead.

[Rootchopper]

I’m surprised to hear it’s been then more than a few minutes. It looked like it just fell out of a pannier or something. It didn’t appear to be torn or anything like that.

[Rootchopper]

I noticed that there are tire tracks from a truck accessing the trail from the river side of the power plant. That must explain how they are getting the sandbags down there.

Late last year the plant put up signs warning that there had been a spill of some kind into the river. Of course, they claimed it was harmless. I wonder if this sandbag operation is related.

BTW, the coal pile of the plant is quite a bit smaller than normal. Could this be the beginning of the end?

[Rootchopper]

I love watching the bald eagles. This morning one was eating its breakfast in the tree with its nest along the Mount Vernon trail.

[Rootchopper]

Grear idea, Jeff. You have an excellent first draft. I commute almost as far as you do (Mount Vernon to Rosslyn).

There are three things I would add to your text.

1. Transitions will kill you. I find that bike commuting is a little like triathalons. You can waste a lot of time getting dressed, packed, undressed etc. What to do? Pack for tomorrow including filling water bottles, laying out your keys and office id etc. when you get home at night. This means you just get dressed and go.

2. Types of bikes. Perhaps not surprisingly you omitted recumbents. They come in all shapes and sizes (recumbents come in touring, racing, hybrid models) and are an excellent commuting vehicle. And tadpole trikes (2 wheels in front, 1 in back) are also a cool option. For the purposes of your write up, I wouldn’t say much more than that.

3. Stressing. Many newbies get all stressed out about getting to work on time. Chill. First, you’re going to the office. It’ll be there, no worries. Second, if you have a flat or some other time consuming incident, no problem. People have car problems and metro delays all the time. Don’t appologize for riding your bike. Third, add a few minutes to either end of your commute to stop and smell the roses (or tour the cherry blossoms at sunrise).

[Rootchopper]

This morning the National Park Service closed the river route of the Mount Vernon Trail between the power plant and the Slater’s Lane turn off. A worker at the barrier said they were doing maintenance work.

[Rootchopper]

8. The sunrises over the Potomac River at Dyke Marsh, my little reward for riding the first 3 miles to work.

[Rootchopper]

Right, dbb.

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